I-Corps: High Performance Natural Fiber Composites for Structural Applications

该项目的目标是使用结构化的假设验证方法来识别和减轻天然纤维增强复合材料技术转型中的多重知识差距，包括价值主张；客户/用例;需求创造;渠道发展;盈利模式;合作策略;资源开发。本研究的主要进展包括：1)系统地研究了高性能天然纤维增强复合材料的工艺结构性能关系；2)高性能天然纤维复合材料结构应用生产规模加工机理的变革性研究。将前沿的材料合成方法与先进的表征和测试技术相结合，可以为理解和加工具有优异力学和结构性能的天然纤维增强复合材料提供基础。新型天然纤维增强复合材料具有强大的机械性能，可以在解决当前能源和可持续性挑战方面发挥重要作用。这些生物基复合材料具有优异的机械性能，可以在许多应用中提供可持续的解决方案，取代化学处理的木材和石油基（玻璃纤维）复合材料，例如民用基础设施建设；建筑面板和汽车零部件。如果成功，该计划可能会导致天然纤维增强复合材料的技术转型，并促进国家的经济和劳动力发展。

The objective of this project is to use a structured hypothesis-validation approach to identify and mitigate multiple knowledge gaps in technology transition of the natural fiber reinforced composites, including value proposition; customer/user-case; demand creation; channel development; revenue model; partnership strategy; and resource development. Scientific advances for this research include 1) the systematic study of processing structural- property relationship of high performance natural fiber reinforced composites; 2) the transformative investigation of high performance natural fiber composites processing mechanism in production scale for structural applications. The combination of forefront material synthesis methods with advanced characterization and testing technology could provide a foundation for both understanding and processing of natural fiber reinforced composites with excellent mechanical and structural properties.The new class of natural fiber reinforced composites with robust mechanical properties could play a significant role in addressing current energy and sustainability challenges. With excellent mechanical properties, these bio-based composites could provide a sustainable solution to replace chemically treated wood and petroleum based (fiberglass) composites in many applications, such as civil infrastructure constructions; building panels and automobile parts. If successful, this program may result in technology transition of natural fiber reinforced composites, and increase economic and workforce development in the nation.