A wood-based gel: an innovative solution to slow the spread of forest fires!
The work of Maxime Parot, a postdoctoral researcher on the team of Alexis Achim, a professor in the Department of Wood and Forest Sciences at Université Laval, is featured in the Université Laval news. Maxime is developing a revolutionary gel based on wood molecules, designed to slow the spread of forest fires.
This project explores a bold and innovative approach. Composed mainly of cellulose and water, the gel delays wood combustion thanks to a network of cellulose filaments that trap water molecules. The addition of diammonium phosphate slows the chain reaction of fires, offering enhanced protection. Laboratory tests have already demonstrated a significant increase in the time to ignition and a marked reduction in the heat produced during combustion.
These promising results were presented by Maxime Parot at the Colloque facultaire de la Facult̩ de foresterie, de g̩ographie et de g̩omatique, held on November 21 and 22 on the Laval University campus. Her presentation earned her the Best Classical Conference РPostdoctoral Fellow award, a prestigious recognition of the excellence of her work.
Although large-scale validation remains to be carried out, this gel could become an ecological and effective solution to the increase in forest fires, exacerbated by climate change. A promising innovation that could transform fire-fighting strategies!
Congratulations, Maxime, on this remarkable achievement! Your work embodies research excellence and highlights concrete solutions to major environmental challenges.
For more details, see Jean Hamann’s article: « Using wood to fight fire? »
