MNEXT > Vacatures > Natural Fibres as Insulation
Stage

Natural Fibres as Insulation

The European construction sector has a significant environmental impact, consuming over half of extracted natural resources and contributing 37% of total CO2 emissions. While energy efficiency measures reduce operational emissions, they often increase embodied carbon in materials. The research project CASCO (Carbon Sink Constructions) aims to establish an ecosystem in the Flanders-Netherlands border region to scale up the use of local and natural building materials. One of the more promising approaches is the use of natural fibres as (blown in) insulation. Natural fibres like straw, miscanthus, and road side grass are widely available, but for the industry to accept these materials there needs to be more insight into their properties and applications.
Startdatum 01 September 2025
Ervaring Graduation internship
Solliciteren

Assignment description

Your assignment is to compare different natural fibres like hemp, straw, and miscanthus for insulation applications. Research their thermal resistance, heat capacity, and ease of use of materials, and the impact of moisture content, homogeneity, and fibre length on these properties. Determine which fibres in what shape have the most potential as insulation material in biobased construction or to what level materials can be used interchangeably.

Your project will consist of (at least) the following activities:

  • Literature study on the different available natural fibres and the ways they are processed.
  • Interviews with experts and providers of fibres.
  • Experimental work gather and test different fibre samples to determine properties.
  • Writing a final report about your project and your results.

General information

The student who will execute the assignment gets a fee of €350,- per month.

Desirable skills/qualities of the student

  • The student should be able to carry out independent research and project management and have strong analytical and communication skills.
  • A background in civil or building engineering with an interest in materials, building physics and research is preferable.
  • HBO or university students are preferred.
  • Strong command of the English or Dutch language.
Meer informatie? Neem contact op met:

Annine Rozema

Mail adk.rozema@avans.nl Telefoon 0654627485 Solliciteer direct

Meer vacatures

Monitoring the Biobased Wall at Waterschap de Dommel
Breda
Stage
FungAI: Optimizing Mycelium Bio-Composites through AI Monitoring
Breda
Stage
Y-Fuel – Sustainable Ethanol Production through Yeast Fermentation
Breda
Stage
FuntureTex – Fermentation of Fungal Colorants for Sustainable Textile Dyeing
Breda
Stage
BBF – Mechanical behaviour of biobased materials for upright extension
Breda
Stage
MycEoLA – Lifespan & Bio-degradability of mycelium materials 3.0
Breda
Stage
Calculation tools for sustainability in construction
Breda
Stage
Improving the Stability and Application Potential of Natural Dyes through Chemical Modification
Breda
Stage
Development and Testing of Masterbatches with Sustainable, Curcumin-Based Dyes
Breda
Stage
GreenCoat: Exploring pretreatment strategies to enhance coating biodegradability
Breda
Stage
Environmental impact of chemical recycling
Breda
Stage
LCA on the valorization of green residual streams
Breda
Stage
WheyNot? – Dairy industry waste reuse into biobased resources for the chemical industry
Breda
Stage
Development of a Visualization Model for Energy Hubs
Breda
Stage
From Farmhouse to Energy-Positive Home: A Circular Renovation Plan
Breda
Stage
Development of Carboxymethyl Kaumera (CMK): A new biobased material
Breda
Stage