Team Members and Role:

Abstract:

Compressed straw panels are an excellent carbon sink and can be used as insulation in housing construction to offset carbon emissions generated during the building process. The Building Construction and Technology department at UMass Amherst is seeking an innovative method to manufacture these panels for exterior wall insulation. In the coming years, they plan to assist in constructing homes using a straw compression assembly to supply the insulation. Currently, their process is largely manual, produces only small panels, and is labor-intensive, achieving a straw density of 6.5 lb/ft³—below the desired 7 lb/ft³. To address these limitations, we’ve designed a semi-automated machine that efficiently compresses straw into larger panels with a uniform density between 6–8 lb/ft³. The machine features interchangeable compressor heads to allow for panel lengths of 12-36 in, and we will fabricate, test, and evaluate prototypes for a section of the side framing and the back plate.