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Center of Excellence in Nanobiomaterials Derived from Biorenewable and Waste Resources (Grant # NSF-HRD 1137681) was established at °ÅÀÖÊÓÆµ (TU) with the funding from NSF for a period of five years starting October 2011. Collaborators from within the USA include Auburn University (AU), Cornell University (CU), the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and several industry and national laboratories. Currently, only AU and CU are involved as prime collaborators during the no-cost extension (reporting) period. International collaboration is built upon the existing relationships with researchers from Brazil and India. In addition, during this reporting period, there were two CREST supplemental awards for collaborative research work with University of Wisconsin and Iowa State University.
The research focus areas of the center include: (a) synthesis of plant based nanofibers through electrospinning and forcespinning™ methods; (b) production of bacterial cellulose fibers from soy waste products; (c) synthesis of nanoparticles from biodegradable sources such as egg shells and their use as nano-fillers in advanced composites; (d) synthesis of biopolymers; (e) development and characterization of advanced green nanocomposites using these materials with natural fibers; and (f) product design, prototyping and commercial feasibility studies. These efforts are carried out through three subprojects; 1) Synthesis and characterization of nanobiomaterials, 2) Synthesis and characterization of biopolymers and nanobiocomposites, and 3) Processing, performance evaluation and technology transition of green nanobiocomposites to products. The materials developed provide an alternative to the current generation of high performance ‘advanced’ composites materials which use thermoset polymers and man-made fibers like glass, carbon and Kevlar®. Further, these polymers are derived from petroleum, an expensive and scarce commodity, and composites are not biodegradable.
The intellectual merits of this grant lie in the fact that the development of biodegradable nanofibers, nanoparticles, nanobiopolymers and their characterization, processing and characterization of advanced green composites will provide significant knowledge that can be used to develop new applications in automotive and building industries. Work is being carried out on the four campuses in close collaborations. At °ÅÀÖÊÓÆµ, efforts are focused studies on PVS bionanocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanofibers, synthesis and characterization of epoxide soybean oil, jute bio-nanocomposites reinforced with grafted halloysite nanotubes added PHBV polymer, thermal, durability and biodegradation properties of halloysite nanotube reinforced poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Films, eggshell-silver nanoparticles tailored co-polyester polymer blend film with antimicrobial properties, coconut shell sourced carbon Tailored biofilm from PLA and PBAT blend, influence of cellulose on the mechanical and thermal stability of ABS plastic composites, a facile benchtop reactor design using dendrimer-templating technology for the fabrication of PEI-coated Cu nanoparticles on the gram-scale, Forcespun PLA fibers enhanced using graphene nanoplatelets, montmorillonite nanoclay and lignin. In these efforts funding was leveraged from other NSF funded grants.
At Auburn University (AU), research is focused on synthesis and characterization of biopolymers and nanobiocomposites. Specifically, work was focused on Triglycerides and Phenolic Compounds as Precursors of Bio-based Thermosetting Epoxy Resins. Cornell University (CU) work is focused on development of high performance green nanocomposites using aligned bacterial cellulose and soy protein.
There has been significant research achievement, which has been disseminated to larger technical community through publications in journals and presentations at conferences. Science and technology open-house activities are held annually by °ÅÀÖÊÓÆµ on bringing middle and high school students together to interact with their peers from colleges across the state of Alabama. All the students were provided opportunities to present their work in international conferences and/or student paper competitions (both oral and poster). Several students obtained MS and PhD degrees. Many of the students completing MS degrees are joining PhD programs elsewhere. Students who obtained PhD degrees have gotten jobs either in industry or in academia.
High school students participated in a program called SciTrek where they spend a week and got trained by graduate students. This is an ongoing activity, details of which will be reported next year. TU faculty and students were involved with NSF funded REU program in mentoring undergraduate students. Dr. Curry, other faculty members and graduate students at Tuskegee were involved in RET program. Results of research findings have been communicated to broader research community through publications in book chapters, journal articles, articles in conference proceedings as well as oral and poster presentations by the students.
°ÅÀÖÊÓÆµ and its partners have developed collaborative arrangements with various academic intuitions, national labs and industry for support of research and educational programs of the proposed Center.
