The Effect of Diatomite Paint on Indoor Heat Insulation
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
10th Grade
Presentation Topic
Consumer Science
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Written Paper Award
3rd Place
Abstract
Diatomite is a powder found in the soil that is composed of dead ocean algae from millions of years ago. One of diatomite’s properties, heat insulation, is exhibited when it is poured into liquid concrete, which hardens into a solid and dense mixture of minerals. Although diatomite maintains this property in cement, the same is not said about paint. However, that is because there is no evidence suggesting that heat insulation is present in diatomite paint. Therefore, the purpose of the experiment was to determine whether paint has insulating properties when combined with diatomite. If paint can insulate heat in concrete, then the diatomite paint should be able to absorb the heat directly. If it were possible, the production of diatomite paint would allow for conservation of electricity. Four boxes with different paint formulations were heated using an ultraviolet heat lamp. The walls were alternated to prevent the heat from accumulating the wall being tested. Results show no variation amongst the means were found. While the data from the ANOVA chart indicated a significance in at least one group, no patterns or relations were found between the groups, therefore suggesting that diatomite paint cannot insulate heat.
Recommended Citation
Shankar, Rohan, "The Effect of Diatomite Paint on Indoor Heat Insulation" (2023). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 43.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2023/all/43
Location
BS 202
Start Date
3-25-2023 10:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of Diatomite Paint on Indoor Heat Insulation
BS 202
Diatomite is a powder found in the soil that is composed of dead ocean algae from millions of years ago. One of diatomite’s properties, heat insulation, is exhibited when it is poured into liquid concrete, which hardens into a solid and dense mixture of minerals. Although diatomite maintains this property in cement, the same is not said about paint. However, that is because there is no evidence suggesting that heat insulation is present in diatomite paint. Therefore, the purpose of the experiment was to determine whether paint has insulating properties when combined with diatomite. If paint can insulate heat in concrete, then the diatomite paint should be able to absorb the heat directly. If it were possible, the production of diatomite paint would allow for conservation of electricity. Four boxes with different paint formulations were heated using an ultraviolet heat lamp. The walls were alternated to prevent the heat from accumulating the wall being tested. Results show no variation amongst the means were found. While the data from the ANOVA chart indicated a significance in at least one group, no patterns or relations were found between the groups, therefore suggesting that diatomite paint cannot insulate heat.
