World Trade Center, New York/I. Peterson
Oct. 1, 2003
Insulating Steel
Insulating Steel
Kory Vencill, 14, Grants Pass, Ore.
Department of Commerce Award for Youth Technology, Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge, 2002
Project background: Kory was inspired by the Sept. 11, 2001, collapse of the World Trade Center. His goal was to find out how to make buildings safer in case of fire. He especially wanted to discover ways to insulate steel and keep it cool when surrounded by extreme heat. Kory predicted that, out of all the insulation materials he tested, asbestos would insulate steel best as long as he could bond it to the steel, use it to protect the steel, and find a nonhazardous way to use it.
Tactics and results: Kory contacted a local company, which agreed to work with him and provided supervision, a laboratory, and safety equipment. To begin his project, Kory made 18 different test insulation mixes and baked the mixes onto steel nails. With further testing, he eliminated all but the three that bonded better than the rest. He performed a variety of tests using these insulators on a set of rods and tubes.
Kory concluded that asbestos can be used in a nonharmful way and can be bonded to steel using certain chemicals. He also concluded that steel supports and fastenings of tall buildings and buildings at risk of fire should be insulated to prevent or delay collapse.
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