Renewable resource-based lightweight biocomposites for sustainable manufacturing

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This application proposes a comprehensive research program for producing renewable resource-based carbonaceous biocomposites that are significantly lighter (e.g. ~20%) than their petro-based glass fiber composite counterparts for automotive parts manufacturing. Every pound of weight saving is beneficial to automakers as they strive to achieve new corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards, a fleet average of 54.5 mpg by 2025. To exploit the benefits of biocomposite materials in terms of their lightweighting, renewability, low carbon footprint and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emission this program will apply rigorous, creative science to solve critical technical barriers.***The applicant proposes to re-invent biocomposites through a new diversified approach where thermo-chemical biomass conversion (pyrolysis) will be utilized to overcome the challenges associated with the use of biofibres for composite applications. The dominant constraints for natural fibres in current biocomposite uses are: unwanted odor and aesthetics in their finished products, low temperature resistance limiting their uses for engineering plastic reinforcements, hydrophilicity and supply chain issues. The implementation of novel ideas to exploit maximum value from non-food and waste biomasses for carbonaceous biobased reinforcements is the focus here to address both the supply and demand gap in addition to achieving performance attributes requirements for auto-part uses.***Unlike other research activities on pyrolysis across the world that mainly focus on energy recovery, this program focuses on cutting-edge sustainable materials. The experimental method is to fabricate novel biocomposites by combining biobased blend matrix systems with hierarchical (macro-micro-nano) reinforcement obtained from hybrid reinforcements of torrefied biomass (through low temperature pyrolysis) in conjunction with nano- and micro-biocarbon (obtained through high temperature pyrolysis). The research will create long term competitive advantage enabling novel biocomposite uses in high volume industrial applications.***The proposed research activities are timely, innovative and at the leading edge internationally. Research outcomes will contribute to fundamental knowledge discovery in the area of design and engineering of biocomposites that encompass biopolymer blends, compatibilization and additive use for durability, green surface modifications, processing technologies, molecular structure and functional performance. This cross-disciplinary program will develop HQP by stimulating team-based creative solutions to well-defined technical obstacles. Through working with industry to understand scale-up and other real world requirements, HQP will improve their fundamental knowledge in order to be future leaders on the leading edge of industrial use of advanced biocomposite science.**