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

1. Natural-Fiber | Glass-Fiber Hybrid Bio-composite Building Materials Innovator: Dr. R. Gopalan, Executive DirectorComposites Technology Park, Bangalore

2. Composite Technology Park’s (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.

3. 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 strength—Primary component bamboo: • Has a tensile strength of 28,000 pounds/square inch—greater than steel • Withstands up to 52,000 pounds of pressure per square inch—more than concrete. • Lends itself to manufacture of structural insulated panels (SIPs) & foam sandwich panels. 

4. Bamboo / Glass Fiber Bio-Composite Sandwich Wall Panels High: • Strength–Weight Ratio • Stiffness • Workability Processed under controlled temperature & pressure in compression moulding press then cut to required size. 1. • Standard size: 4ft X 8ft • Thickness: 35 mm–100 mm • Density: 160kg /m³–260kg/m³

5. 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

6. Bamboo / Glass Fiber Bio-Composite Floor & Wall Panels • Thickness: 9 mm – 18 mm • Density: 800kg/m³ – 1000kg/m³ • Anti-skid SMC layer • Electrical insulation characteristics • Application: Floor panel for chemical/corrosion environment • Standard size = 4ft X 4ft • Thickness = 12 mm – 20 mm • Density = 800kg/m³ – 1000kg/m³ • Corrosion and termite resistance • Better heat resistance Color impregnation available

7. 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).

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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. Gopalan’s research has found a way to create a process for manufacturing which is always the technology transfer issue. It’s often a very slow process. That’s what’s unique about Dr. Gopalan’s 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.

12. 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

13. 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@icc.utexas.edu http://www.ic2.utexas.edu/global/ Office:  512-232-3590 Mobile: 512-970-8442

14. www.compositestechnologypark.com