This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Due to the cost and possible limitation of petroleum resources as precursors to polymers, much work is needed to develop future polymers that can be derived from renewable natural resources. Many natural fats and oils such as linseed, soybean, peanut, sesame, corn, sunflower, and fish oil are readily available and are potentially useful polymers. The focus of this research is to polymerize natural oils as well as characterize their physical and mechanical properties in order to determine possible applications in the industrial world. One potential application of these new and novel bioplastics derived from environmentally-safe monomers, is improved bioplastics that could be utilized in today's medical arenas. During the spring of 2005, the Hightower group has produced polymers from a variety of oils including linseed, safflower, olive, and rice oil, that exhibit hard to rubber-like physical characteristics. Mechanical property testing will begin in 2005.
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