Revolutionary Nanoscale Material Enables Unprecedented Fire Control

Scientists have developed a method called inverse thermal degradation (ITD) that uses a nanoscale protective layer to control how flames interact with materials. By coating cellulose fibers with a nanometer-thick layer of molecules, the researchers were able to regulate the amount of oxygen that reaches the fibers, preventing them from bursting into flames. Instead, the fibers smolder and transform into microscale carbon tubes. This technique allows for precise tuning of material properties and has potential applications in various industries, such as oil-water separation and environmental remediation.