Hempcrete Materials Research (Piovesan)

Position Summary
As a student research assistant on this Pennsylvania Manufacturing Innovation-funded project you will participate in the development and characterization of hempcrete and hemp-based construction materials intended for use under demanding thermal and environmental conditions. The research will focus on understanding how the physical characteristics of hemp material formulation moisture absorption and exposure to elevated temperatures affect hempcrete performance. Students will prepare experimental specimens characterize hemp feedstocks conduct controlled thermal and moisture testing analyze experimental data and assist in identifying material combinations that provide improved resistance to heat while maintaining desirable water-absorption and insulation characteristics. This interdisciplinary project combines materials science sustainable construction thermal sciences manufacturing and experimental engineering. Students will gain hands-on experience with sustainable building materials and may contribute to technical reports conference presentations peer-reviewed publications and potentially patentable innovations. Career Readiness Learning Objectives Critical Thinking Student researchers will review scientific and technical literature identify relevant material parameters develop test methods analyze experimental results compare alternative hempcrete formulations and determine which material characteristics most strongly influence thermal and moisture performance. Communication Student researchers will develop technical writing and presentation skills by maintaining laboratory documentation preparing figures and data summaries contributing to project reports and manuscripts and presenting results during project meetings and research events. Teamwork Students will work as part of an interdisciplinary research team involving engineering science manufacturing and sustainable-materials applications. Students may also be expected to present findings from their work at Celebrate Gannon or another appropriate undergraduate research venue. Key Responsibilities Hemp Feedstock Characterization Characterize hemp hurd and other hemp-based raw materials used in hempcrete formulations. Evaluate characteristics such as particle size particle-size distribution bulk density moisture content morphology and water absorption. Investigate how hemp source particle dimensions processing and preparation affect material performance. Prepare and document hemp samples using controlled drying conditioning screening or other preprocessing methods. Assist in identifying hemp characteristics associated with improved thermal resistance and moisture-management properties. Hempcrete Formulation and Specimen Preparation Prepare hempcrete specimens using controlled combinations of hemp binder additives and water. Investigate the effects of hemp-to-binder ratio water-to-binder ratio material density compaction particle size and other formulation parameters. Fabricate specimens using standardized molds and repeatable laboratory procedures. Measure specimen mass dimensions density curing conditions and other relevant physical properties. Maintain accurate records of material batches and specimen preparation conditions. High-Temperature Testing Assist with controlled exposure of hempcrete specimens to elevated temperatures. Study how temperature and exposure duration affect hempcrete structure and material properties. Record specimen temperatures using thermocouples infrared measurement systems or other appropriate instrumentation. Evaluate dimensional changes mass loss cracking discoloration degradation and other observable effects following thermal exposure. Compare the thermal response of different hempcrete formulations and hemp feedstocks. Assist in determining which formulations retain desirable characteristics after high-temperature exposure. Moisture and Water-Absorption Testing Measure water uptake and moisture absorption of hemp and hempcrete specimens. Perform controlled immersion humidity-conditioning drying and gravimetric experiments. Develop moisture-absorption curves and compare absorption and drying behavior among different formulations. Investigate relationships between hemp characteristics material porosity density and water retention. Evaluate formulations intended to provide increased water absorption or moisture-buffering capacity while maintaining acceptable structural integrity. Thermal and Physical Characterization Assist in measuring thermal conductivity temperature gradients heating and cooling response or related thermal properties where appropriate. Evaluate density dimensional stability and basic mechanical integrity of specimens before and after thermal or moisture exposure. Compare experimental results among formulations and identify relationships between material composition and performance. Assist in developing experimental procedures and test fixtures as needed. Experimental Design and Data Analysis Organize experimental datasets using spreadsheets or engineering-analysis software. Calculate material properties and summarize results using tables plots and statistical comparisons. Assist in designing experiments to determine the effects of multiple material variables. Identify trends linking hemp characteristics and hempcrete formulation to temperature resistance and water absorption. Compare experimental findings with published research and relevant technical literature. Laboratory and Safety Responsibilities Follow laboratory safety procedures when operating ovens furnaces heating equipment cutting tools mixers instrumentation and other laboratory equipment. Use appropriate personal protective equipment. Maintain clean and organized laboratory work areas. Properly label store and document experimental materials and specimens. Work under faculty supervision when conducting elevated-temperature experiments. Documentation and Reporting Maintain detailed laboratory notebooks and electronic experimental records. Photograph and document specimens before and after testing. Prepare graphs tables photographs and technical summaries. Participate in regular project meetings. Contribute to progress reports technical reports conference presentations manuscripts and other project deliverables. Present research findings internally and when appropriate at external research events. Benefits Gain applied research experience in sustainable construction materials and advanced manufacturing. Develop hands-on experience with hempcrete and bio-based composite materials. Learn laboratory techniques for thermal moisture and materials characterization. Gain experience in experimental design and engineering data analysis. Develop skills applicable to careers in materials engineering manufacturing construction sustainability mechanical engineering civil engineering and product development. Participate in interdisciplinary research involving engineering and science. Potentially contribute to publications presentations technical reports and intellectual-property development. Prior experience with hempcrete is not required .

Physical Demands
The position involves laboratory and materials-processing activities. Students should be able to safely lift up to 50 pounds when necessary and sit or stand for extended periods. Work may involve handling dry hemp materials binders molds laboratory equipment and cured specimens. Appropriate personal protective equipment will be required for specific laboratory activities.

Required Qualifications
Interest in sustainable materials engineering manufacturing construction materials or experimental research. Willingness to perform hands-on laboratory work. Ability to follow written experimental and safety procedures. Ability to accurately document experimental activities and results. Willingness to work independently and as part of a research team.

Preferred Qualifications
Coursework or experience in heat transfer thermodynamics materials science chemistry mechanical engineering civil engineering manufacturing or related fields. Familiarity with laboratory testing or experimental methods. Experience with Microsoft Excel MATLAB Python or similar data-analysis tools. Familiarity with CAD fabrication or experimental fixture design. Experience using temperature sensors data-acquisition equipment laboratory ovens or materials-testing equipment. Strong organizational and technical documentation skills.