Integration of a Skin Inspired Self-cooling System in Natural Fire-prone Regions: Passive Fire Protection and Post-fire Restoration

This PhD programme is focused on creating a unique self-cooling system that mirrors the human body's sweat mechanism.

This system is designed to effectively fight wildfires and improve soil resilience after a fire, while also positively impacting the soil microbiome.

Given the increasing global frequency of wildfires, it is crucial to lessen their destructive effects on ecosystems, infrastructure, and human life. This involves the incorporation of waste materials like basalt and biopolymers like Alginate.

It is envisioned that basalt provides soil stabilisation, while alginate is thermo-responsive agent which has phase transition on temperature fluctuations.

This transition releases the stored water, thereby enhancing the cooling effect during the day and efficiently absorbing moisture at night.

The research anticipates that this unique self-cooling system inspired by skin improve resilience of soil against fire and additionally to enrich the soil with vital plant nutrients promoting soil health and plant growth.