Request More Information
Bio Fuel crops such as soybean corn and sorghum may have other commercial u
The by-products of plants used to create biofuels may be useful in developing other environmentally friendly products that could offer farmers a way to make biomass fuels more economically viable.
New research from Kansas State University suggests that plants that are commonly used for biofuels - including soybeans, corn and sorghum - contain materials that may be used to create more sustainable adhesives for construction products.
Lignan, a by-product of cellulosic biomass, holds plants upright, which makes it a good base for polymer adhesives.
Plant oils may also be useful for the development of alternative pressure-sensitive adhesives, such as transparent tape, postage stamps, sticky notes and name tags.
The creation of new adhesives using bio-based products could provide architects and builders with a more sustainable option, as most adhesives currently used for construction products are isocyanide- or formaldehyde-based and potentially toxic.
Susan Sun, director of the university's Bio Materials and Technology Laboratory, said her team is "trying to develop these bio-based adhesives to replace environmentally hazardous materials" and "sustain the biofuels economy."
Associates, bachelors and masters programs in biofuel or sustainable management may help individuals begin careers as agricultural or food scientists. Professionals in this field, where job opportunities are expected to grow by 9 percent over the next seven years, earned an average of $53,810 in May 2006. 
Share