A University of Colorado Denver professor and former graduate student have been awarded a patent for an eco-friendly construction system that turns 100% recycled fibers into high strength, easy-to-assemble building materials. The patent is the first for CU Denver's College of Architecture and Planning.

Professor of Architecture Julee Herdt along with former graduate student Kellen Schauermann were awarded the patent for a construction system known as BioSIPS (Bio-Structural Insulated Panels) used to build walls, roofs and floors.

Structure built with the Bio-SIPS technology. Image source: CU DenverThe system turns waste materials like paper, noxious weeds, industrial hemp and discarded forest products into high quality building products used in a variety of construction projects.

As a newly invented sustainable material, BioSIPs can help replace petroleum-based building products.

"The BioSIPs invention actually consumes society's waste and diverts tons of trash into valuable products for safe, strong, and energy efficient buildings," Herdt said. "There is great beauty and value in waste materials. It just takes the right processes and methods to find it, and with BioSIPs we've invented and now patented these techniques."