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Sprayable safety: Stanford engineers wildfire-shielding gel to protect homes | The innovative gel transforms into a silica-based aerogel under heat, providing superior insulation and protection.
Stanford researchers have developed a gel that offers long-lasting protection against wildfires, surpassing existing commercial solutions.
To address this growing crisis, researchers at Stanford University have engineered a revolutionary water-enhancing gel that could significantly improve our ability to protect homes and critical infrastructure from the ravages of wildfires. Highlighting the significance of this discovery, Changxin “Lyla” Dong, the lead author of the study, said in the press release, “We have discovered a unique phenomenon where a soft, squishy hydrogel seamlessly transitions into a robust aerogel shield under heat, offering enhanced and long-lasting wildfire protection. The researchers tested various formulations of their gel by applying it to plywood and exposing it to direct flames from a gas hand torch, which burns at much higher temperatures than typical wildfires.
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