A discovery to create natural insulation from SOAP that can cheaply and effectively keep homes dry and warm has been made by Scientists at the University of Salford.
Currently, houses are insulated by expensive natural products such as wool and straw or cheaper alternatives like petroleum which do not retain heat efficiently and have negatives effects on the environment.
Dr Yusuf Arayici and PhD candidate Lee Read have patented the idea of using waste oils such as animal and vegetable fats to produce soap which can be cut into blocks to provide cost effective insulation.
Dr Arayici said: “By using reclaimed materials in the making of this soap we are reducing the amount of plastics going in to landfill.
“Insulation does reduce carbon emissions, but by making it out of oil we take a huge chunk out of the overall savings.
“There’s a lot of work to be done on making soap an effective material, but if we can design a good product that can be made cheaply, then we can insulate our homes without damaging the environment.”
By discovering an alternative to oil based products such as petroleum the scientists will be able to help keep house prices down as insulation is necessary in modern homes.
To help reduce the weight of the soaps, the team added bubbles into the bars to make them lighter meaning they are easier to install.
The blocks of soap can be produced from animal and vegetable fats which decompose quickly into the ground reducing a home’s carbon footprint.
This makes the groundbreaking discovery beneficial for the environment as well as building companies who will soon have a better alternative material to insulate houses with.
Dr Arayici and Mr Read are continuing to build on their discovery hoping to find the best resources and methods for the process.
As more people become aware of the financial benefits gained by insulating home’s properly, the Salford researchers’ findings may benefit homes across the country saving them money in the future.
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