Bio-based polyurethane foams for sustainable thermal insulation
Innovative polyurethane foams made from recycled waste cooking oil offer eco-friendly, high-performance thermal insulation with low thermal conductivity, high flame retardancy, and antibacterial properties. Suitable for building insulation, especially in space-constrained retrofits.
Overview
Bio-based polyurethane foams (PUFs) are a sustainable and innovative solution for thermal insulation, utilizing recycled waste cooking oil to produce eco-friendly materials with superior insulation properties. This technology addresses environmental and health concerns associated with waste cooking oil by repurposing it into rigid PUFs, offering a cost-effective alternative to conventional insulation materials. With an R-value of 7 or greater per inch, these foams provide excellent thermal resistance, making them ideal for building applications, particularly in space-constrained retrofits.
Technical specifications
Bio-based PUFs are developed using epoxidation or ring-opening reactions to convert waste cooking oil into polyols. These polyols form PUFs characterized by:
- Low thermal conductivity (0.0128 to 0.027 W/(m∙K))
- High flame retardancy
- Antibacterial qualities
- Temperature range of -196 to 130°C
- Significant mechanical strength and low density
The foaming process can be tailored by incorporating agents such as expandable graphite and dimethyl methyl phosphonate to enhance properties like density, mechanical strength, and flame retardancy.
Technology readiness level
The current technology readiness level is 3, indicating that the bio-based polyurethane foams have been validated at the proof-of-concept stage. Further development will focus on tailoring thermal and mechanical properties and conducting application-focused tests in controlled environments to assess performance under various temperature and humidity conditions.
About Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university with a large graduate and professional footprint and a major clinical enterprise. Its medical campus is integrated with a leading hospital system, enabling joint clinical research, secure data access, and large-scale trial recruitment. An adjacent innovation district and partner incubators provide flexible lab space, prototyping resources, and corporate co-location, while shared core facilities welcome external users under service agreements. Research is supported by NIH, NSF, DOE, and other competitive federal funding alongside industry sponsorship. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, startup formation, and streamlined sponsored research and clinical trial agreements.
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