SBIR/STTR Research Award
Novel Affordable Composites from Renewable Resources
Award amount
$75,000Program and phase
SBIR · Phase IAward year
2003Award details
- Awarding agency
- Department of Agriculture
- Branch
- Not reported
- Recipient company
- Cara Plastics
- Proposal award date
- Not reported
- Contract end date
- Not reported
- UEI
- Not reported
- Solicitation number
- Not reported
- Topic code
- Not reported
Research abstract
NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Composites today are based on petroleum-based polymers and energy intensive fiber glass. Our dependency on petroleum results in carbon dioxide emissions, which can be harmful to the environment. The purpose of this project is to prepare and test specific resins from natural oils for their compatibility with natural fibers, and the properties necessary for structural applications of composites made from utilizing these bio-resins and bio-fibers in the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) process. If this project is successful, the resultant composites will find application in a wide variety of end-uses from automotive to housing to packaging. These composites will reduce our dependency on petroleum and result in a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.
Technology keywords
Not reported