Nature inspired healthy building materials

Pete Walker BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials

University of Bath

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ECO-SEE Eco-innovative, Safe and Energy

Efficient wall panels and materials for a healthier indoor environment

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ECO-SEE CONSORTIUM

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We spend 80-90% of our lives indoors

•  Measures of indoor air pollutant levels are often higher than outdoor levels

•  Indoor air pollutants have been ranked among the top five environmental risks to public health

•  30% percent of new and remodelled buildings worldwide may be the subject of excessive complaints related to indoor air quality

Studies have confirmed that airtight buildings with low air exchange rates lead to deterioration in indoor environmental quality for occupants

Indoor air quality

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Agricultural chemicals Industrial Pollutants

Traffic Fumes

Ground contaminants

Ozone

Dust and fine particles

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Moisture and humidity Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Particulate matters

Microbiological / mould growth

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Innovative products

•  Bio-based insulation with enhanced capability •  Novel coatings with improved environmental

regulation •  Photo-catalytic coatings •  Improved environmental modelling capability

•  ECO-SEE wall panels

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ECO-SEE Materials: Insulation

Mineral wool

Hemp Thermal flax Hemp-lime (275 kg/m3)

Cellulose flakes Sheep’s wool

Wood fibre

Hemp-lime (300 kg/m3)

Benefits of moisture buffering

From Rode et al., 2005

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VOC Capture

relative humidity

mass water formaldehyde

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&Figure'24.'Installation'of'MgO'boards'

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&Figure'26.'CLAYTEC'earth'plaster'application'

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&Figure'27.'8<10mm'thickness'of'plaster'

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Some ECO-SEE project outcomes to date:

•  60% improvement in thermal resistance of clay plasters.

•  80% improvement in moisture buffering performance of clay plasters.

•  Improved VOC capture of sheep’s wool insulation.

•  Up to 50% reduction in energy performance of ECO-SEE test sites compared to reference.

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Thank You