Accelerated Technology Transfer for Starch-Based Plastics

Kim Stelson, Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Mrinal Bhattacharya, Professor
Vaughn Voller, Professor, Civil Engineering

Funding Source

Legislative Cmmission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR)

Objective

A patented process to make starch-based plastics has been developed at the University of Minnesota. Our starch-based plastics are biodegradable and can be made from corn, wheat, or soybeans. The purpose of this project is to help move this technology out of the laboratory and into everyday life. We will raise public awareness of biodegradable plastics by distributing spoons made of University of Minnesota starch-based plastic with milkshakes sold by the Gopher Dairy Club at the Minnesota State Fair. We will also distribute literature describing the benefits of this new technology.

Need or Impact

To make the public aware of environmentally friendly products.

Project Status

Completed.