Lab to Market Transition Path: Production of a Bio-Adhesive from Biomass
Mahour Parast
North Carolina A & T State University (left), and
Elham H. Fini
Sustainable Engineering and Built Environment, Arizona State University (right)
ABSTRACT: Elham Fini and Mahour Parast share the technical developments and the path they followed in the commercialization of the bio-adhesive technology they invented. They discuss their research on interaction mechanisms between bio-adhesive and petroleum-based asphalt using atomistic modeling and an experimental approach. The technical research is expected to introduce a paradigm for asphalt characterization and modeling, enabling an integration of biological science, chemistry, and mechanics while revolutionizing waste management for better environmental protection.
Fini and Parast elaborate on the process of synthesis and characterization of a bio-adhesive through the support from an NSF CAREER award followed by customer discovery and market analysis via NSF I-Corps and NSF STTR projects discussing several identified markets for bio-adhesives, including asphalt and pavement application. Fini and Parast also discuss opportunities and challenges associated with product development and technology commercialization of bio-resin and bio-based construction materials.
