PREMISE II: Design and Engineering of Green Composites From Biofibers and Bioplastics

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The objective of this research project is the advancement of fundamental knowledge for the processing and manufacturing of sustainable renewable resource-based "green" biocomposites from engineered natural/bio-fiber and bioplastics. The approach is to utilize new emerging bioplastics produced by bacteria and bioplastics derived from corn oil with plant biofibers as reinforcements to produce structural biocomposites via extrusion-injection molding and a new hydro-thermoforming process. An integrated research program will be conducted encompassing education, economics, environment and energy aspects to strengthen the connection between "Design" and "Manufacturing" in order to achieve 'sustainability'. A strong collaborative partnership with representative industrial participants from across the technology will add additional strength to insure relevancy and industrial implementation in the future. This research will result in a framework that will serve as the foundation for transitioning away from petroleum based resources to biobased, sustainable resources in structural materials while maintaining a viable cost-performance structure. Advancement in the demand for and utilization of these new alternative 'sustainable" materials will create new sources of revenue for farmers, increase the use of biobased products and reduce the nation's dependence on petroleum resources. The project will also produce new educational modules that can serve to integrate the full range of important environmental considerations into traditional engineering education.