GRIPS: Guayule Radiation-Attenuation Innovative Gloves as a Price-Effective Route to Natural Rubber Security

This application relates directly to two SBIR program priorities. The first priority is agricultural- related rubber latex manufacturing i.e. practical commercial expansion of farming of theguayule plant (Parthenium argentatum) currently grown in semi-arid regions of thesouthwestern United States (US) and processing latex extracted from farmed guayule. Thesecond priority is development of alternative renewable energy from the high energy contentbagasse (plant pulp residue) a by-product from aqueous extraction of latex from guayule whichcan be pyrolyzed into a 50000 J/g bio-oil and into transportation grade fuel sources at less than$2/gallon. This proposal also aligns with the development of technologies and services thatspecifically address needs of youth elderly and disabled persons military veterans and low- income sectors of the rural population; these technologies and services will enhance humancapital advancement build earnings capacity increase labor force participation and/or promotejob creation for at-risk vulnerable populations in rural communities.Before guayule natural rubber latex (GNRL) and its biofuels can replace foreign imports ofmaterials of similar function agricultural and processing scale up must be funded by manufactureand sale of first-to-market high profit margin (e.g. niche market) guayule latex products. Oneproduct that meets these criteria is a guayule natural rubber latex medical grade radiationattenuation (RA) glove. Therefore profitable production of the first guayule RA medical glove isthe focus of this Phase II proposal. Production of these gloves provides the initial cornerstone toguayule expansion and the massive agricultural rural development that guayule farming willprovide across the southwestern US. The development of GNRL also contributes to a rapidresponse to COVID-19 setting the stage for preparedness with a domestic source of rubber andsubsequent glove production.This crop that has the potential to be as significant as corn and soy.