Innovator: Dr. R. Gopalan, Executive Director Composites Technology Park, Bangalore

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Innovator Dr. R. Gopalan, Executive
DirectorComposites Technology Park, Bangalore
Natural-Fiber Glass-Fiber Hybrid Bio-composite
Building Materials
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Composite Technology Parks (CTP) Natural-Fiber
Glass-Fiber Bio-Composite Building Materials

• Engineered mixture of
• Glass-fiber and natural-fiber
• Typically bamboo, coir jute fibers
• Desired ratio and orientation of fibers that
  exploits qualities of both fibers for cost
  performance benefits.
• Mixture processed for manufacture of a variety of
  products including
• Roofing panels
• Decks
• Bridges
• Interior and exterior building walls and floors
• Structurally insulated panels (SIPs)
• Emergency shelters
• Off-shore deck platforms.

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Performance Characteristics

• UV, water, fungus, mold, corrosion, salt,
  alkaline, abrasion, heat, rot and wood
  infestation resistant.
• Can be engineered to be practically termite proof
  and waterproof. 
• Estimated R-value expected to be twice that of
  most woods.
• Superior strengthPrimary component bamboo
• Has a tensile strength of 28,000 pounds/square
  inchgreater than steel
• Withstands up to 52,000 pounds of pressure per
  square inchmore than concrete.
• Lends itself to manufacture of structural
  insulated panels (SIPs) foam sandwich panels. 

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Bamboo / Glass Fiber Bio-Composite Sandwich Wall
Panels
Processed under controlled temperature pressure
in compression moulding press then cut to
required size.

• High
• StrengthWeight Ratio
• Stiffness
• Workability

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• Standard size
• 4ft X 8ft
• Thickness
• 35 mm100 mm
• Density
• 160kg /m³260kg/m³

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Bamboo / Glass Fiber Bio-Composite Roofing Panels
Impregnated w/high performance polymeric resin
processed under high temperature compression
molding.

• Lightweight
• High Strength Stiffness
• High Thermal Electrical Insulation
• High impact resistant
• Polyurethane foam thermal insulated also
  available

Standard size 4ft X 8ft Thickness 3.2 mm
5.0 mm Density 950kg/m³ 1125kg/m³
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Bamboo / Glass Fiber Bio-Composite Floor Wall
Panels

• Standard size 4ft X 4ft
• Thickness 12 mm 20 mm
• Density 800kg/m³ 1000kg/m³
• Corrosion and termite resistance
• Better heat resistance

• Thickness 9 mm 18 mm
• Density 800kg/m³ 1000kg/m³
• Anti-skid SMC layer
• Electrical insulation characteristics
• Application Floor panel for
• chemical/corrosion environment

Color impregnation available
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Characteristics of Major Component Bamboo

• 70 - 80 of bio-composite is typically bamboo.
• Harvested in 3-5 years versus 10 50 years for
  most timber. 
• Weight/acre per year up to 25 times higher than
  timber.
• Each acre removes up to 4.8 tons of carbon
  dioxide/year and generates up to 35 more oxygen
  than an equivalent stand of trees.
• Harvesting is non-invasive to the
  environment--typically cut by hand and
  transported by light truck.
• Absorbs pollutants in damaged soil and mitigates
  water pollution due to its high nitrogen
  consumption especially from waste water.
• Bamboo is not a volatile organic compound (VOC).

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Bamboo-Fiber Glass-Fiber Bio-Composite Examples
by CTP
Early CTP demo structure 3.5 yrs
ago Prefabricated military office / housing CTP
materials walls, floors roof
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Bamboo-Fiber Glass-Fiber Bio-Composite Examples
by CTP
One of 25 Sakthi Hill Resort Guesthouses built
2.5 years ago outside Bangalore. Frequent
compliments from guests and inquiries for
purchase and manufacture of materials

• Prefabricated shelter, multipurpose
• Disaster management.
• Emergency shelters.

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Bamboo-Fiber Glass-Fiber Bio-Composite Examples
by CTP
Modular toilet and shower unit 3.5 years of
testing to date
Pyramid on CTP Campus
Outdoor Restroom
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Technology Assessment

• Professor Billie Faircloth, School of
  Architecture, University of Texas at Austin You
  can create these technologies on a scientists
  desk, but can you ramp up towards production? Dr.
  Gopalans research has found a way to create a
  process for manufacturing which is always the
  technology transfer issue. Its often a very slow
  process. Thats whats unique about Dr. Gopalans
  company he is very, very close in being able to
  hand off his technology to a company to actually
  put into production.
• Not simply a research lab, The Composite
  Technology Park directed by Dr. Gopalan is able
  to manufacture 300,000 square meters/year of
  bio-composite panels.
• Winner, Lockheed Martin IC2 Gold Award for
  Outstanding New Innovation, July 18, 2007.

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Development IP Status

• Products are tested, evaluated, certified by
  national laboratory.
• Roofing panel being certified by ASTM
  International Laboratory.
• Prototype products being demonstrated at over 100
  locations.
• Technology is patented in India.
• Patent will be filed in US in about 2 months
• Renowned Indian composites experts with 30 years
  experience in our Board
• Highly qualified and experienced engineers,
  scientists and technicians

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Commercialization Information

• Opportunities
• Direct ordering of materials.
• Exclusive distribution agreements.
• Manufacturing license.
• www.compositestechnologypark.com

• Contact
• Jim Vance
• Global Commercialization Programs
• The IC2 Institute
• The University of Texas at Austin
• jvance_at_icc.utexas.edu
• http//www.ic2.utexas.edu/global/
• Office  512-232-3590
• Mobile [phone]

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www.compositestechnologypark.com