CATTAIL FIBER AS INSULATION PANEL 1

INTRODUCTION

Philippines is a tropical country where there are two seasons- the rainy and dry

season. Between Decembers to May, Filipinos are starting to feel the warm weather that

causes inconvenience. Too much heat can be a problem to human health and one example

of this is heat exhaustion. It is a reaction to severe heat and can include symptoms such as

dizziness, headache, and fainting (Harmon, 2010). With this concern, people find some

ways to ease their discomforts from warm weather by installing air conditions and

insulation panels in their room. Nevertheless, these materials cost a lot and has high

energy consumption.

Our country is also known for its abundance of cattail plant. Cattails are always

found in or near water, in marshes, ponds, lakes and depressions. They are obligate

wetland indicator plant species. The cattail leaves have a fiber-reinforced supporting

tissue filled with soft open-cell spongy tissue providing for amazing statics and an

excellent insulating effect (Krus, 2013).

As researchers, the main purpose of the study is to utilize cattail plants to be used

as insulation panel. Specifically, the study aims to determine which insulation panel is

more effective in decreasing temperature. In an enclosed room, Set- up A, which control

set-up without any insulation material. Set-up B, which is the commercialized insulator

and set-up C which has the insulation panel.

In this view, the researchers conducted a study that would lessen people’s

discomfort due to a very warm weather by constructing an alternative insulator panel

from cattail fibers.

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Insulation is the process where in it prevents the transmission of electricity, heat,

moisture, shock, or sound from one item or medium to another (Business Dictionary,

2016). Energy loss is an increasing problem for human beings so these insulating

materials are made to conserve energy. Human beings apply insulating materials due to

its ability to reduce the heat conduction rate. Cattail can be a new insulating material

because of its enormous yield. Fiber-reinforced supporting tissue that is filled up with a

soft sponge tissue inside the leaves of the cattail serves as the absorbent of heat.

Futhermore, the process in making the cattail insulation panel is relatively simple and

environment-friendly (Vos, 2015). Studies such as WOVEN Typha latifolia (cattail)

MATS USED AS WALL INSULATOR has already been proven that cattail leaves that

are woven can be used as wall insulators and even summer shelters (Turner, 1990).

Making insulation panels from cattail plants is beneficial to everyone. It creates a

comfortable and refreshing atmosphere and raising the level of comfort for residents

especially during days with high temperature. It helps in conserving energy, for example

lessening the use for air-conditioners and use of electric fans which is good for every

family’s budget. It is cheaper compared to the commercialized one considering that it is

as effective as or even better than the commercialized one.

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METHODOLOGY

The study was conducted at Molina’s residence, Villa Sta. Maria, Zamboanga

City. The cattail leaves were collected at Malasiga, San Roque, Zamboanga City and

the mini houses used in the study were made at Alinsangao’s residence.

After only with control design was used in the study. All three set ups were

tested within different periods of time in three different mini houses with the same

size for three days, consecutively. The size of the insulation panel is 12 inches in

length and width.

In making the insulation panel, the researchers used gloves and peeled the

collected leaves first. Second, the fibers were scraped using a knife. The scraped

fibers were shredded. A small amount of fiber was mixed with enough wood glue for

it to stick altogether. After that, a plastic cover with the same size of the panel was

placed. Next, the glued fibers were placed on the plastic cover, then, the fourth step

was repeated. The glued fibers should fill up the entire plastic cover. Then, another

plastic cover was put on top of the glued fibers. A rolling pin or an empty bottle was

used to flatten the glued fibers. The plastic cover was then carefully removed. The

panel was placed in a safe area and left to be dried for 5 hours (Krus, 2013).

The experimentation was conducted for three consecutive days. The insulation

panel was cut into one by one foot size for it to fit the ceiling of the mini houses, the

same procedure was made with the commercialized insulator. The three mini houses

were placed outdoors, each of them have thermometers that were placed inside the

mini houses. The experimentation started at eight o’clock in the morning and ended at
CATTAIL FIBER AS INSULATION PANEL 4

five o’clock in the afternoon. The temperatures were recorded every one hour. The

excess materials such as peeled leaves were thrown to the compost it. The

thermometer used
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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1. First Day of Experimentation (R1)

Temperature (ᵒC)

Time (hour) Set-up A (T1) Set-up B (T2) Set-up C (T3)

8:00 am- 9:00 am 35.0 ᵒC 33.7 ᵒC 31.0ᵒC

9:00 am- 10:00 am 37.5 ᵒC 36.0 ᵒC 35.0 ᵒC

10:00 am- 11:00 am 41.6 ᵒC 37.0 ᵒC 36.0 ᵒC

11:00 am- 12:00 nn 43.0 ᵒC 40.0 ᵒC 37.0 ᵒC

12:00 nn- 1:00 pm 42.0 ᵒC 38.5 ᵒC 36.5 ᵒC

1:00 pm- 2:00 pm 39.5 ᵒC 36.0 ᵒC 35.5 ᵒC

2:00 pm- 3:00 pm 35.0 ᵒC 32.5 ᵒC 31.0 ᵒC

3:00 pm- 4:00 pm 35.0 ᵒC 34.0 ᵒC 32.0 ᵒC

4:00 pm- 5:00 pm 33.0 ᵒC 32.0 ᵒC 31.5 ᵒC

Table 1 shows the differences between the three room temperatures. The

temperatures of set-up B and C is much lower compared to the temperature of Set-up A.

Table 2. Second Day of Experimentation (R2)

Temperature (ᵒC)

Time (hour) Set-up A (T1) Set-up B (T2) Set-up C (T3)

8:00 am- 9:00 am 35.0 ᵒC 33.6 ᵒC 31.6ᵒC

9:00 am- 10:00 am 37.0 ᵒC 36.0 ᵒC 35.0 ᵒC

CATTAIL FIBER AS INSULATION PANEL 6

10:00 am- 11:00 am 41.3 ᵒC 37.5 ᵒC 35.0 ᵒC

11:00 am- 12:00 nn 44.5 ᵒC 40.0 ᵒC 39.0 ᵒC

12:00 nn- 1:00 pm 42.0 ᵒC 38.5 ᵒC 36.0 ᵒC

1:00 pm- 2:00 pm 38.0 ᵒC 36.0 ᵒC 35.6 ᵒC

2:00 pm- 3:00 pm 35.0 ᵒC 32.0 ᵒC 30.0 ᵒC

3:00 pm- 4:00 pm 35.0 ᵒC 34.0 ᵒC 32.5 ᵒC

4:00 pm- 5:00 pm 33.0 ᵒC 32.0 ᵒC 31.5 ᵒC

Table 2 shows that the room temperatures of both Set-up B and C are

constantly decreasing. The results of table 1 and table 2 don’t really have that much

difference. On the second day, Set-up C still has the lowest temperature among the three.

Table 3. Third Day of Experimentation (R3)

Temperature (ᵒC)

Time (hour) Set-up A (T1) Set-up B (T2) Set-up C (T3)

8:00 am- 9:00 am 36.0 ᵒC 32.5 ᵒC 32.0 ᵒC

9:00 am- 10:00 am 37.0 ᵒC 35.5 ᵒC 35.0 ᵒC

10:00 am- 11:00 am 42.0 ᵒC 37.0 ᵒC 35.0 ᵒC

11:00 am- 12:00 nn 45.0 ᵒC 41.5 ᵒC 39.5 ᵒC

12:00 nn- 1:00 pm 42.0 ᵒC 38.5 ᵒC 36.5 ᵒC

1:00 pm- 2:00 pm 39.5 ᵒC 36.0 ᵒC 36.0 ᵒC

2:00 pm- 3:00 pm 34.0 ᵒC 31.5 ᵒC 30.0 ᵒC

3:00 pm- 4:00 pm 33.5 ᵒC 32.5 ᵒC 31.0 ᵒC

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4:00 pm- 5:00 pm 33.0 ᵒC 32.0 ᵒC 31.0 ᵒC

Table 3 shows the same results with table 1 and table 2 since there is still a

decrease in temperature in set-up B and C. Set-up C still has the lowest temperature

among the three room temperatures recorded.

Table 4. Variation of the Gathered Temperature

5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3

The data shows the variation of the gathered temperatures using the Sample

Standard Deviation for three consecutive days. As you can see, the averages from day

one to day three are constant. Set-up A which is the controlled set-up has the highest

average, which means that the samples collected in set-up A shows no consistency as its

samples are widely spread. On the other hand, set-ups B and C have lower average

compared to set-up A. Since their averages are lower, it only shows that the samples
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gathered in both set-ups are closely related to each other and has its consistency but the

only difference is that set-up C has a much lower average compared to set-up B.
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RECOMMENDATIONS

The researchers want to recommend the next researchers to:

 Improve the quality of the product

 Use other parts of the cattail plant as main component for insulation

 Suggest another way of making the insulation panel

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CONCLUSION

Using Sample Standard Deviation, the researchers were able to compare

the results of the three set-ups. So, the result of the experimentation shows that set-up A

which is the controlled set-up got the highest average. Both set-ups B and C have lower

average than set-up A and are successful in insulating the mini houses but between set-up

B and C, set-up C has the lower average of temperature gathered. Which means that there

is but a little significant difference between set-ups B and C.

The researchers therefore conclude, that the insulation panel which was

made out of cattail fibers is the most effective in decreasing the temperature of the mini

house and to be used as an insulation panel.

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REFERENCE LIST

Internet

Krus, M. (2013, May). Using cattails for insulation. Retrieved June 2016, from
Fraunhofer: https://www.fraunhofer.de/en/press/research-news/2013/may/using-
cattails-for-insulation.html

Insulation. (2016). Retrieved June 2016, from Business Dictionary:

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/insulation.html

Books
Harmon, K. (2016). Scientific American. In How Does a Heat Wave Affect the Human
Body? America: SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, A DIVISION OF NATURE
AMERICA, INC.

Vos, R. (2015). Cattail Production Chain Development. In R. Vos, Cattail Cultivtion

Consultancy. Northeast Friesland: Knowledge Centre Northeast Friesland.

(1990). Nancy J. TurnerNancy J. Turner. In W. C. Insulator, The Use of Cattail Down as

a Sacred Substance by the Interior and Coast Salish of Columbia (pp. 77-90).
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We would like to express our gratitude. It is you who made our research ad

research paper possible.

 First God, who gave us strength and guided us in every hardship we faced while

doing our research paper.

 Family and Friends, who are continuously supporting us right from the start of our

journey.

 Ms. Faith Tan, our research adviser who have supported and guided us with our

research study
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APPENDICES

A. Total Expenses

Materials Cost (Php)

Cattail Fiber 0

Wood Glue 70

Commercialized Insulator 160

Plywood 480

Nails 0

Fare 300

Thermometer 0

Total 1,010

B. Schedule of Activities

Activities Time Frame (in days)

A. Planning Stage

Choosing of Study and Title 2

Gather information 6

Subtotal 8

B. Implementation Stage

Completing Data 5

Encoding 5

Subtotal 10
CATTAIL FIBER AS INSULATION PANEL 14

C. Making the Product

Gathering and buying of materials 7

Production 6

Subtotal 13

D. Experimentation and Analysis

Experimentation 3

Analysis 1

Subtotal 4

E. Presentation

Presentation 1

Subtotal 1

TOTAL 36

C. Documentations

Making the Insulation Panel

Peel the cattail leaves

Gather the cattail leaves

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Scrape the fibers using a knife Separate the scraped fibers

Place it on a plastic cover Mix the glue and fibers together

Flatten it with a bottle or rolling pin Finished Product

Experimentation
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The thermometer was placed each in houses to These houses are already covered with
measure the amount of temperatures. different insulation materials.

The experiment started during this time.

D. Raw Data

 X X
2
i
S i 1

n 1

First Day
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Set-up A: 35.0, 37.5, 41.6, 43.0, 42.0, 39.5, 35.0, 35.0, 33.0
µ = 38.18
xi xi- µ (xi-µ)2
35.0 -3.18 10.11
37.5 -0.68 0.46
41.6 3.42 11.70
43.0 4.82 23.23
42.0 3.82 14.59
39.5 1.32 1.74
35.0 -3.18 10.11
35.0 -3.18 10.11
33.0 -5.18 26.83
n

∑ ❑(xi-µ)2 =108.88
i=1

108.88
s=√
8
=√ 13.61
s =3.68
Set-up B: 33.7, 36.0, 37.0, 40.0, 38.5, 36.0, 32.5, 34.0, 32.0
µ= 35.52
xi xi- µ (xi-µ)2
33.7 1.82 3.31
36.0 0.48 0.23
37.0 1.48 2.19
40.0 4.48 20.07
38.5 2.98 8.88
36.0 0.48 0.23
32.5 -3.02 9.12
34.0 -1.52 2.31
32.0 -3.52 12.39
n

∑ ❑(xi-µ)2 =61.97
i=1

s=
√61.97
8
=√ 7.75
s =2.78
CATTAIL FIBER AS INSULATION PANEL 18

Set-up C: 31.0, 35.0, 36.0, 37.0, 36.5, 35.5, 31.0, 32.0, 31.5
µ= 33.94
xi xi- µ (xi-µ)2
31.0 -2.94 8.64
35.0 1.06 1.12
36.0 2.06 4.24
37.0 3.06 9.36
36.5 2.56 6.55
35.5 1.56 2.43
31.0 -2.94 8.64
32.0 -1.94 3.76
31.5 -2.44 5.95
n

∑ ❑(xi-µ)2 =50.69
i=1

s=
√50.69
8
=√ 6.34
s =2.52
Second Day
Set-up A: 35.0, 37.0, 41.3, 44.5, 42.0, 38.0, 35.0, 35.0, 33.0
µ=37.87
xi xi- µ (xi-µ)2
35.0 -2.87 8.24
37.0 -0.87 0.76
41.3 3.43 11.76
44.5 6.63 43.96
42.0 4.13 17.06
38.0 0.13 0.02
35.0 -2.87 8.24
35.0 -2.87 8.24
33.0 -4.87 23.72
n

∑ ❑(xi-µ)2 =122
i=1

s=
√122
8
CATTAIL FIBER AS INSULATION PANEL 19

=√ 15.25
s =3.91

Set-up B: 33.6, 36.0, 37.5, 40.0, 38.5, 36.0, 32.0, 34.0, 32.0
µ=35.51
xi xi- µ (xi-µ)2
33.6 -1.91 3.65
36.0 0.49 0.24
37.5 1.99 3.96
40.0 4.49 20.16
38.5 2.99 8.94
36.0 0.49 0.24
32.0 -3.51 12.32
34.0 -1.51 2.28
32.0 -3.51 12.32
n

∑ ❑(xi-µ)2 =64.11
i=1

s=
√64.11
8
=√ 8.01
s =2.83
Set-up C: 31.6, 35.0, 35.0, 39.0, 36.0, 35.6, 30.0, 32.5, 31.5
µ=34.02
xi xi- µ (xi-µ)2
31.6 -2.42 5.86
35.0 0.98 0.96
35.0 0.98 0.96
39.0 4.98 24.80
36.0 1.98 3.92
35.6 1.58 2.50
30.0 -4.02 16.16
32.5 -1.52 2.31
31.5 -2.52 6.35
n

∑ ❑(xi-µ)2 =63.82
i=1
CATTAIL FIBER AS INSULATION PANEL 20

s=
√ 63.82
8
=√ 7.98
s =2.82

Third Day
Set-up A: 36.0, 37.0, 42.0, 45.0, 42.0, 39.5, 34.0, 33.5, 33.0
µ= 38
xi xi- µ (xi-µ)2
36.0 -2.00 4.00
37.0 -1.00 1.00
42.0 4.00 16.00
45.0 7.00 49.00
42.0 4.00 16.00
39.5 1.50 2.25
34.0 -4.00 16.00
33.5 -4.5 20.25
33.0 -5.00 25.00
n

∑ ❑(xi-µ)2 =149.5
i=1

s=
√149.5
8
=√ 18.69
s =4.32
Set-up B: 32.5, 35.5, 37.0, 41.5, 38.5, 36.0, 31.5, 32.5, 32.0
µ=35.22
xi xi- µ (xi-µ)2
32.5 -2.72 7.40
35.5 0.28 0.08
37.0 1.78 3.17
41.5 6.28 39.44
38.5 3.28 10.76
36.0 0.78 0.61
31.5 -3.72 13.84
CATTAIL FIBER AS INSULATION PANEL 21

32.5 -2.72 7.40

32.0 -3.22 10.37
n

∑ ❑(xi-µ)2 =93.07
i=1

s=
√ 93.07
8
=√ 11.63
s =3.41

Set-up C: 32.0, 35.0, 35.0, 39.5, 36.5, 36.0, 30.0, 31.0, 31.0
µ=34

xi xi- µ (xi-µ)2
32.0 -2.00 4.00
35.0 1.00 1.00
35.0 1.00 1.00
39.5 5.50 30.25
36.5 2.50 6.25
36.0 2.00 4.00
30.0 -4.00 16.00
31.0 -3.00 9.00
31.0 -3.00 9.00
n

∑ ❑(xi-µ)2 =80.50
i=1

s=
√ 80.50
8
=√ 10.06
s =3.17
Average
11.91
Set-up A= 3.68+3.91+4.32 A=
3
9.02
B= 2.78+2.83+3.41 B=
3
CATTAIL FIBER AS INSULATION PANEL 22

8.51
C= 2.52+2.82+3.17 C=
3

A= 3.97
B= 3.01
C=2.84