Key Takeaways
- The world’s most common firefighting agent, water, is not always adequate for putting out fires, particularly wildland and lithium-ion battery fires.
- Dr. Ruiqing Shen, an assistant professor at Oklahoma State University, is leading a research project to develop next-generation fire suppression technology using thermo-responsive, water-efficient hydrogels.
- The hydrogels can hold up to 90% water, insulate against heat, and resist runoff, making them a potential solution for combating challenging fire scenarios.
- The research project is a collaborative effort between OSU and the University of Maryland, and will provide students with hands-on experience in fire testing and material development.
- The project aims to advance hydrogel development, optimize materials formulations, and investigate the mechanisms that govern hydrogel-fire interactions.
Introduction to Next-Generation Fire Suppression Technology
The world is facing an increasing number of challenging fire scenarios, including wildland and lithium-ion battery fires. These fires often require large amounts of water to put out, which can be problematic in areas where water is scarce or difficult to access. Dr. Ruiqing Shen, an assistant professor at Oklahoma State University, is leading a research project to develop next-generation fire suppression technology using thermo-responsive, water-efficient hydrogels. The project, which is supported by a new NSF EPSCoR Research Fellows award, aims to provide a more effective and sustainable solution for combating these types of fires.
The Challenges of Wildland and Lithium-Ion Battery Fires
Wildland fires and lithium-ion battery fires are particularly challenging to put out because they can be driven by internal chain reactions that continue to generate heat even after visible flames are extinguished. Lithium-ion battery fires, for example, can release toxic gases when water comes into contact with damaged battery components, making them difficult to combat. Wildland fires, on the other hand, can be fueled by extreme temperatures and dry conditions, making it difficult to supply sufficient water to remote or drought-affected regions. Dr. Shen notes that recent fire events, such as those in Maui, Los Angeles, and Oklahoma, illustrate the challenges of combating these types of fires.
The Potential of Thermo-Responsive Hydrogels
Thermo-responsive hydrogels are a type of material that can hold up to 90% water and shift from a liquid to a gel when exposed to high temperatures. These materials have the potential to be used as a fire suppression agent because they can insulate against heat, resist runoff, and release stored water slowly as steam. The hydrogels are also biodegradable and free of PFAS and other problematic chemicals, making them a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fire suppression agents. Dr. Shen and his team are working to develop and test these hydrogels to see if they can be used to combat wildland and lithium-ion battery fires.
The Research Project
The research project is a collaborative effort between OSU and the University of Maryland, two of the nation’s leading fire-related academic programs. The project will involve a series of focused research aims, including optimizing materials formulations, conducting bench-scale fire tests, and investigating the mechanisms that govern hydrogel-fire interactions. Experiments will be conducted at both OSU and UMD, with support for hydrogel synthesis from Professor Sundar Madihally of CEAT’s School of Chemical Engineering. The project will also involve student participation, with a graduate student participating in synthesis and testing efforts at both universities, and undergraduate students from FPSET and CHE assisting in research.
The Benefits of the Research Project
The research project has the potential to provide a number of benefits, including the development of a more effective and sustainable fire suppression agent, the creation of a pipeline of professionals with expertise in fire science and technology, and the enhancement of OSU’s research capacity. The project will also provide students with hands-on experience in fire testing and material development, which will be valuable for their future careers. Dr. Shen notes that the project stands apart from traditional approaches because it systematically connects the material science of thermo-responsive hydrogels with bench-scale fire dynamics for both wildland and lithium-ion battery scenarios.
The Potential Impact of the Research
The potential impact of the research project is significant. If the technology reaches full development, it could transform fire suppression strategies by offering water-efficient, eco-friendly alternatives for modern fire hazards. The technology could also provide greater resilience for rural and underserved regions with limited firefighting infrastructure. Dr. Shen notes that the project has the potential to build a pipeline of professionals ready to tackle emerging fire challenges, and that the skill set gained by students involved in the project will be increasingly in demand across fire service agencies, emergency management, renewable energy industries, vehicle manufacturers, and research institutions. Overall, the research project has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of fire science and technology, and to provide a more effective and sustainable solution for combating challenging fire scenarios.
