Zhou and a small research team began studying how to 3D print wheat straw-based insulation in 2022. Wheat straw is a waste product that is frequently burned after the wheat grain is harvested.

3D-printing insulated fibers Wheat straw, a golden byproduct of wheat harvesting, is often burned after grain collection. Zhou and his team found wheat straw to be an effective thermal insulator.

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BUFFALO, N.Y. ­— Traditional forms of thermal insulation used to regulate temperatures in homes and commercials buildings are often energy-intensive to manufacture, resulting in significant greenhouse ...