1266159 Iowa State University; David Grewell 1266249 University of Massachusetts Lowell; Margaret SobkowiczKline
The goals of the proposed center are: to improve the basic understanding of the synthesis, processing, properties, and compounding of bioplastic and biocomposite materials; to develop reliable material characteristics data for industrial partners; and to support large-scale implementation of renewable magterials. Iowa State University and the University of Massachusetts Lowell are collaborating to establish the proposed center, with Iowa State University as the lead institution.
The intellectual merit of the proposed work lies in the creation of transformative new materials and processing technologies and the necessary reliable, comparable material data to allow efficient and profitable industrial use of biorenewable alternative materials. This will reduce dependence on petroleum and the release of harmful greenhouse gases. The team of researchers includes experts from the fields of polymer processing, polymer chemistry, materials science, and crop utilization. It combines a wide breadth of experience and expertise allowing a well-rounded interdisciplinary approach. The proposed center's vision is to develop the knowledge that will allow the production of an array of high-value products, including plastics, coatings, adhesives, and composites, from agricultural feedstocks that are compatible with current manufacturing systems at attractive scales and thereby promote rural-based economic development and sustainability.
The proposed center will have positive impacts on the environment and the economy. The knowledge generated through research at the center will accelerate the demand for bioplastics, promoting a substantial, sustainable workforce that is less likely to be outsourced. Because much of the research will be conducted by undergraduate/graduate students and postdoctoral research associates, this center will train and educate future scientists and engineers. The center will also prepare web-based videos targeted at K-12 teachers that will provide instructions on how to make simple and easy off-the-shelf bioplastics in the classrooms. By leveraging existing activities on the various campuses, the center will strive to achieve 50% recruitment of under-represented students. In addition, by working with the same organizations and using a similar approach, the center will strive to retain 90% of these students.
(CB2) were to present a compelling case for formation of the center to potential industry members, receive feedback from potential industry members for center direction and focus, refine initial center research project ideas with input from industry partners, and solidify collaborative relationships among the university sites. Key outcomes: After the planning meeting, 24 companies and organizations provided letters of commitment (LOC) for a total of $450,000 of cash and an additional $60,000 of in-kind support. Because WSU successfully secured $150,000 of LOCs, they were invited to join the center as a site. UML secured two LOCs and thus are currently engaged in the center as an affiliate until additional letters of LOC are secured. A full proposal was submitted to NSF March 4, 2014. Below are the current members providing LOCs: Company Amount Site 3M $30,000 ISU ADM $30,000 ISU Aspen Research $30,000 ISU Bemis Company Inc $30,000 WSU Berry Plastics $30,000 WSU Bioplastics Magazine* $15,000 WSU Branson Ultrasonics $15,000 ISU Braskem $30,000 ISU/UML Creative Composites Ltd $15,000 ISU 10. Dixie Chemical Company $15,000 WSU 11. Dukane Ultrasonics $15,000 ISU 12. EcoProducts $15,000 ISU 13. Inland Labels $15,000 WSU 14. Laurel Biocomposites LLC $15,000 ISU 15. M-Base $15,000 ISU 16. Minnesota Corn Research & Promotion Council $15,000 ISU 17. Powder Coating Research Group* $15,000 WSU 18. RheTech $15,000 ISU 19. Rubber Maid $30,000 ISU/UML 20. Siegwerk USA $15,000 ISU 21. Solvay $30,000 WSU 22. SuGanit Systems Inc $15,000 ISU 23. Taylor Technologies $30,000 ISU 24. USDA-ARS-NCAUR* $30,000 ISU Total $510,000 Total without In-kind $450,000 Professional Development Activities: Grewell and Sobkowicz-Kline attended the annual meeting for I/UCRC Directors and the associated Boot Camp to learn how to manage I/UCRCs during March 18, 2013 and January 7-10, 2014. Kessler attended the annual meeting for I/UCRC Directors and the associated Boot Camp January 8-10, 2013. Dissemination of Results: (1) Prepared and maintained a website (linked to the highly ranked ISU BBRT website) detailing CB2’s work and partnerships, benefits of center membership, and how to join. The webpage includes: details about membership, news releases, announcements, intellectual property activities, and activities such as workshops and tradeshow participation. (2) Placing advertisements, news releases, and expert articles in trade publications and websites as well as the popular press. This included an ad in Bioplastics Magazine, the only international trade journal focused on bioplastics (3) Regularly visiting key companies onsite and hosting them at the proposed center location to encourage collaboration and membership. This included but was not limited to visits to P&G, Ford Motor Company, Hyundai, NatureWorks, and Boeing. (4) Hosting a webinar detailing the proposed Center, July 29 2013 that was attended by 30 potential industry partners. (5) Conducting a workshop at UML on the benefits of Center on November 11 2013 that was attended by ten potential industry members. (6) Booths were presented at two tradeshows highlighting the proposed center: ANTEC: Annual Technical Conference of the Society of Plastics Engineers, annual international event, 800?1,000 attendees, April 22-25, 2013; and K-Show International Trade Fair, triennial international event, over 200,000 attendees, October 11-22, 2013.
