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LAVA SPARKS IDEA FOR NEW FLAME-RETARDANT MATERIAL

A new non-toxic, fire extinguishing coating, that could save buildings from being engulfed in flames has been developed by a chemical engineer, Professor Pingan Song at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. Inspired by nature - namely the contents of an erupting volcano, and the way that lava melts and then gradually forms a flowing but non-combustible ceramic layer when exposed to extreme heat, Professor Pingan Song has been researching ways to create a fire-retardant coating that could do the same.

Now he and his team have developed a robust ceramic, hybrid 'layer' which can be sprayed directly onto building materials from wood to steel structures, during their construction and which Professor Song says could prevent disasters like the 2017 Grenfell Tower blaze in London. After further testing and refining It's hope it will then be commercialised and put to widespread use within the next three years.