Industrial Agricultural Products Center
Biopolymers, Biochemicals, Biofuels, Biopower

Research

1. The Center has a patent pending on a process for producing a water-resistant starch polymer for potential use in loose-fill packaging and thermo-formed product applications.
2. The Center has a patent pending on a process for producing a road de-icer from whole kernel sorghum.
3. The Center has a patent on production of microcrystalline cellulose from cellulosic materials and, more particularly, producing microcrystalline cellulose using a continuous process that is environmentally friendly. Microcrystalline cellulose has many applications in the pharmaceutical, food, paper and structural composite industries.
4. The Center has a patent on production of levulinic acid via reactive extrusion.
5. Center researchers are identifying and developing new industrial uses for proteins found in soybeans and wheat. Films, coatings and adhesives can be made from the proteins in these commodities.
6. The Center is developing industrial uses for animal fats and vegetable oils, including biodiesel and lubricants.
7. Since our research often involves creating environmentally safe products from renewable resources, the Center has done research on composting.