Center of Excellence in Nanobiomaterials Derived from Biorenewable and Waste Resources

Faculty #65
Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: STEM Research

Mahesh Hosur - Tuskegee University
Co-Author(s): Vijaya Rangari, Shaik Zainuddin, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL Maria Auad, Auburn University, Auburn, AL Anil Netravali, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY Haibin Ning, University of Alabama at Birmingham

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Center of Excellence in Nanobiomaterials Derived from Biorenewable and Waste Resources was established at Tuskegee University (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. International collaboration is built upon the existing relationships with researchers from Brazil and India. The research focus areas of the proposed 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 being carried out through three sub projects: 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 will 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®.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): Authors would like to acknowledge the support of National Science Foundation through CREST program. Additional support is leveraged from NSF-EPSCoR, IGERT and MSP programs. Some of the students are supported by Alabama Commission on Higher Education through Graduate Research Scholar Program that provides stipend.

Faculty Advisor: None Listed,