100 + INNOVATIONS
ARC Training Centre for Fire Retardant Materials and Safety Technologies
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Protecting critical assets and infrastructure using advanced fire resilience technologies
Challenge
The centre pioneers the use of non-toxic and bio-based flame retardants such as chitosan and phytic acid, and nanomaterials( MXenes). A superior lightweight coating is developed by combining MXenes and biobased flame retardants. The centre also develops reducedscale and full-scale fire testing facilities to train fire engineers.
Solution
Layer-by-layer coating of MXenes with chitosan and phytic acid offers highly elevated fire protection levels, which use 30 % to 40 % less carbon compounds to achieve the fire-retardant properties.
Nano layers of MXenes promote charring, which offers a multilayer insulating barrier and effectively deflects the fire’ s heat.
Measuring data in compartment fires assists in a better understanding of fire development and the onset of reaching flashover conditions.
Target customers / end-users
• ultra lightweight coating of Xenes and chitosan makes uniforms lighter and allow more mobility for Rural Fire Services volunteers to fight bushfires effectively
• external stakeholders, such as Fire & Rescue NSW, that require a fire database.
Progress
• secured ~ AUD4.5M from ARC seed funding
• engaging external stakeholders such as Fire & Rescue NSW, Rural Fire Services and CSIRO.
Research Centre
8 active collaborations
Multidisciplinary team
R & D on world-first bushfire paint to achieve BAL-40 rating
Climate & Clean Energy
Australia’ s increasing vulnerability to extreme weather conditions and frequency of devastating natural and man-made fires are major risks to new and existing assets and infrastructure. This centre – in partnership with government entities and companies – trains fire engineers and develops innovative fire protection and suppression technologies to mitigate fire threats.
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