Two citizen students turn palm fibers into an alternative material for “fiberglass”

Two citizen university students succeeded in extracting a natural material from palm fibers that is used as an alternative to fiberglass used in the manufacture of boats, heat insulators, car parts and extension tubes.

The student, Walid Othman Al-Naqbi, told “Emirates Today” that the natural fiber project, which he carried out jointly with his colleague Hussein Ahmed Al-Naqbi, took about three months, and relies on making use of palm fibers, which are waste disposed of by burning, which causes environmental pollution. He explained that they conducted a study on palm fibers, to use them in manufacturing as a natural, safe alternative to fiberglass, which is used in many industries such as boats, by conducting chemical treatments for the fibers and physical treatment, and several experiments were conducted on the material to ensure its strength. , and its shelf life, ensuring that it is lightweight.

He stated that according to the statistics they reached, palm fibers are disposed of in the UAE by burning, which takes place on an almost daily basis, which negatively affects the environment, as it reduces the proportion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Al Naqbi added: “We participated in the project in the Science, Technology and Innovation Festival organized by the Ministry of Education, in Dubai, and we won first place at the level of the Emirates in the competition, and we got the runner-up position at the level of the Emirates in the UAE World Competition, and we represented the country in the largest scientific competition at the level of the world in the (Intel ISEF) competition in America last year.” He pointed out that they aspire for the world to use palm fibers in manufacturing, and that this would be an addition to the UAE, which would enhance its global position in the field of manufacturing.