Thank you Ms. Howard for your question. Future test will include Forsee's insulation to resist to heat and fire spread placed in walls of structures. For example, to decrease the entrapment of individuals in a high-rise buildings. If a fire starts on the 5th floor of a 15 floor building, could the use of the material stop the spread of fire. We would like to test at what temperatures will the insulation disintegrate. In humid areas, mold and mildew can be an issue in homes. Testing will include the effectiveness in controlling and limiting moisture in homes and structures. (please see link below). Test can be performed regarding the efficiency of the insulation to keep homes warm in colder temperatures, and cool in warmer temperatures. If this is effective, energy use will be lowered. Materials similar to Forsee are being used for insulation purposes. The company Havelock sells wool insulation used for similar purposes. (Youtube link below). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHy9Y-3nsMU V=https://www.al.com/news/2022/03/lawsuit-claims-dr-horton-homes-cant-withstand-louisiana-humidity-alabama-case-cites-critical-mistakes.html

Thank you Ms. Washington for your kind words and question. I have worked on the project for over 7 years. The product has evolved into many other ideas of innovation over time. By means of experimenting new applications are discovered. I received great support from the barbers who were kind enough to donate me cuttings for experimentation. My advisors and professors from Tuskegee offer me great insight and advice. Last but not least, my family believe in my endeavors, and have proven to be a great support system.

Hi Vwilliams92. Thank you for your question. Using the product as insulation in walls or placed under sod for lawns would not be considered "intimate" or gross. On the other hand, hair (weaves) purchased from other cultures is of high demand. Hair is installed, which is close to the face can be considered intimate. I spent many years in cosmetology, its a lucrative industry. Wool that is removed from sheep and worn as clothing on the body can be considered intimate. Wool is chemically treated because sheep live outdoors, defecate on themselves, and the fleece contain lice. Personally I don't have an issue wearing a wool coat. (At this point, its clean) No strong chemicals are needed for processing the product. I have not yet met anyone that considers Afro hair gross. Forsee's technique to improve soil, and recycle fertilizer is not gross, especially if you compare the fact in agriculture chicken, or cow manure is commonly used as fertilizer.

Thank you Ms. Brown for your question. One of the stipulation requirements by the (NSF) National Science Foundation is to use a chemical-free product. This factor excluded women, whom were likely to use chemicals, dyes, etc. In the Black culture, typically the women and men would not receive services in the same location. The women receive hair services at the beauty shop, and men receive services at barber shops. Collecting hair bins from shops were men and women received services in the same location posed the issue of collecting bins with hair that had received chemical services. Other contributing factors is Afro hair contains an elliptic structure(4C) that renders greater holding water-holding capacity, and cross linking properties.

Thank you Ms. Graham for your question. Forsee, LLC respond to the industry in the fertilizer industry by creating a product that requires less energy. Another goal is to produce a product that is not solely dependent on exportation. Some fertilizers are made from natural gas or potash, which the U.S. purchases from other countries such as China Russia, and Canada. The pandemic caused a shortage and increased cost in exporting of goods, which leads to increased cost to the farmer, and is passed along to the consumer. One way to compete in the market is to provide a product easily assessable, ubiquitous, and renewable. We can agree that the Afro hair collected from barber shops is a renewable product, in the sense that black men receive these services on a weekly basis. At times these services are performed for some individuals 2-3 times weekly as a result of social media coverage. I cant give a efficient evaluation as to if Forsee products are better than other fire retardants that exist on the market. With research one of the goals is to definitely compare the efficiency of this polymer against other fire-resistant products. The research that has been performed thus far shows that it is provides a viable base for competition.

Thank you Mr. Williams for your question. A collaborative effect is needed to build the infrastructure of the purchase, manufacturing, and sale of the product. Donations are very important which will be used for further research, and creating the first ready pick up service involving the sale of hair in the U.S. The barbers will definitely be leading the forefront in the collecting and sale of the product. A strong intention in the community is needed in spreading financial literacy, economic development, and the cycling of Black dollars is a must, but a viable resource is needed to produce cyclable dollars. Developing the mindset "to drop the bucket where you are," in the sense that communities can transition its mind to produce a resource, depend on the resource to sustain its own community, instead of looking for outside resources.

Thank you so much Mr. Williams for your question. There are different factors that can affect the durability of hair. If hair is in the the soil it has the potential to last for several years. These factors will also be dependent on microbial activity, temperature, etc. Forsee's processing of the material is a huge factor in durability. For example the mats that are placed underneath sod have intricate layers that will take sufficient time for bacteria to decompose. The keratin content in the hair makes it less degradable. The goal is that the bacteria focus on the outside layer of the hair for decomposition for nitrogen to be released. The video under the tab water conservation shows after 3 years very little visible decomposition of the hair mat. Keep in my mind that bacteria will only be active when conditions are favorable (heat/moisture). I noticed that during the winter months when the grass is dormant, the microbial activity in decomposing the mat is dormant as well. When used as insulation there are NOT many components for decomposition such as what is located in the soil (bacteria). There are studies where hair is present and has not decomposed for hundreds of years. In my opinion depending on the type of process applied to the mats for durability, and the exposed environment the material could possibly could out live human life.

Thank you so much Ms. Spann for your question. At the moment we have enough donated hair for research purposes. Feel free Ms. Spann if you would like to have a particular barber donate to the cause. Our next goal if granted the SBIR grant will be to create a buy and sell market. Barbers will sell to the company Forsee, LLC. If you go to the home page, and click under discussion, you will be directed to an answered question in reference to building infrastructure in the community.

Thank you so much!! Please share the website. Feel free to donate to the cause and further research!