Insulation Material Developed from Waste Chicken Feathers

Students from Alp Oğuz Anadolu Lisesi; Azra Özakkül, Hasan Baran Gülaldı and Refik Ertem produced insulation material from chicken feathers within the scope of TÜBİTAK 4006 Science Fair held for Energy Week, with the project minimizing heat transfer. TÜBİTAK 4006 Science Fair was organized for Energy Week. Students from Alp Oğuz Anadolu Lisesi; Azra Özakkül, Hasan Baran Gülaldı and Refik Erdem participated with their developed project. The project producing insulation material from chicken feathers attracted considerable attention. The students noted that it would be possible to insulate 1 million 930 thousand 175 buildings with waste chicken feathers generated in a year.

Possible to Insulate 1 Million 930 Thousand 175 Buildings with Waste Chicken Feathers

Alp Oğuz Anadolu Lisesi students Azra Özakkül, Hasan Baran Gülaldı and Refik Ertem created insulation material from chicken feathers within the scope of TÜBİTAK 4006 Science Fair. In this project, chicken feathers with a porous structure were compressed to create insulation material. The students provided information about the project. Noting that 243 thousand tons of chicken feathers are discarded annually due to poultry production, the students stated that it would be possible to insulate 1 million 930 thousand 175 buildings with these feathers. Providing information about the project, 11th grade student Azra Özakkül stated: "Since 2019, 1 billion 207 million chickens have been slaughtered in Turkey. Consequently, 243 thousand tons of chicken feathers have been generated. We attempted to use these chicken feathers in the most efficient way. Chicken feathers have a porous structure. They are also lightweight. Due to their porous structure, air spaces exist in the feathers. Through these air spaces, we minimize heat transfer. Compared to other fire-resistant insulation materials, it pollutes the environment less and burns more slowly. Furthermore, since poultry slaughter is intense in Turkey, it is a readily available material. Through this, we can also contribute to the country's economy," she said.  

"We Aim to Achieve Economic Gain and Prevent Environmental Pollution"

10th grade student Hasan Baran Gülaldı also shared information about the project. Gülaldı stated: "The keratin substance found in feathers is lightweight, thermally insulating, water-repellent and biologically degradable. The vast majority of current insulation materials are synthetic and petroleum-based, creating waste that is harmful to our health and nature. By using these feathers as insulation material, we aim to perform insulation with a healthy material, achieve economic gain, and prevent environmental pollution. Some companies have recycled chicken feathers for use in the pharmaceutical industry and construction sector. Within the scope of the project, chicken feathers need to be compressed with chemical agents and brought into brick form," he said. 11th grade student Refik Ertem stated: "We designed a house model insulated with chicken feathers. Within the framework of the project, chicken feathers need to be passed through certain stages and brought into brick form before being placed between the exterior and interior facades. Due to the porous structure of chicken feathers, it will be possible for the house to be warm in winter and cool in summer. While developing the project, we placed our designed house in a refrigerator. It took approximately half an hour for the house to cool to refrigerator temperature. When we placed chicken feathers and put it in the refrigerator, the house took longer to cool. Large amounts of chicken feathers are being discarded worldwide. By recycling these chicken feathers, we aim to provide benefit. According to our calculations, it would be possible to insulate 1 million 930 thousand 175 buildings with waste chicken feathers generated in one year," he said.

This Material Considered as Waste Will Be Gained for the Country's Economy

School Principal Ali Gürlek, noting that poultry production is intense in Turkey, stated: "The feathers from produced chickens are also being used as waste. Our students set out with the thought, 'How can we utilize this waste?' As a result of their research, they concluded that chicken feathers could be used as insulation material. They found that after the feathers are ground and compressed into wall material, they can be used in construction. Our students say that chicken feathers are a material that does not conduct sound, heat or cold. If it can be implemented, this material considered as waste will be gained for the country's economy. Chicken feathers also burns much more slowly than other substances in case of fire," he said. İzmir Provincial Director of National Education Dr. Murat Mücahit Yentür noted the importance of studies that create awareness on clean energy and sustainability in order to create a habitable world with high living standards, and stated that they support the work carried out in schools.