Scientists have developed a new sustainable material that uses seaweed to produce energy and resist fire. This innovative material is a foamed sheet made from sodium alginate, derived from brown seaweed, and thin titanium-carbide “MXene” nanosheets. It has three key functions:

- *Insulation*: The material sheds heat at 0.062 W m⁻¹ K⁻¹, outperforming standard polyurethane boards by 15%.

- *Energy Generation*: When compressed, it generates peaks of 380 volts, enough to light 20 LEDs.

- *Fire Resistance*: It self-extinguishes in under two seconds when hit with a 1600°F torch and triggers a built-in LED alarm without releasing toxic smoke.

The material's unique properties come from the combination of alginate's natural flame resistance and MXene's conductive pathways. Potential applications include:

- *Building Insulation*: Wall panels that double as passive fire alarms and self-powered sensor networks.

- *Electric Vehicle Battery Packs*: Ultralight, non-toxic thermal shields.

- *Drone and Satellite Components*: Lightweight panels for power generation and sensing.

This seaweed-based material is not only sustainable but also environmentally friendly, as seaweed farming absorbs carbon without fertilizer or land use. While MXene production is energy-intensive, spent MXenes can be recycled into titanium-oxide pigment. With potential costs around $10 m⁻², this material could revolutionize building insulation and energy generation ¹.