By MEGGIE I. FOSTER
Associate Editor WASHINGTON, D.C. — Showcasing the versatility of corn and soybeans, two teams of Purdue University students developed new, ground-breaking products made from America’s favorite grains – corn and soybeans – taking home the top prize in the annual Student Soybean and Corn Innovation Contest on March 23.
“The versatility of corn and soybeans is limitless, and these competitions serve as a showcase not only for the potential new uses of crops grown here in Indiana, but also for the students who put their time, effort and talent into their projects,” said Jane Ade Stevens, executive director for both the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council, sponsors of the evening’s award ceremony at the Indiana Rooftop Ballroom in downtown Indianapolis.
“This program wouldn’t be possible without the checkoff,” said Mike Shuter, president of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council Board. “I’m appreciative of all of the producers leaving their checkoff dollars invested in this program. Our peers from other states are interested in this program – this is something we’re very proud of.”
From an outstanding group of five competitors, the winning entry in the 2011 corn innovation contest – Natural Renewal – is a liquid bandage made out of corn using the ethanol production waste product zein as the main component. Zein is a transparent, edible, water insoluble and biodegradable polymer that acts as a physical defense for wounds and binds to the skin’s surface. The Natural Renewal team used ethyl-alcohol made from corn that acts as an antiseptic until the solvent evaporates. They believe that the product also will act as a skin scaffold that may reduce scarring in minor wounds.
“This is such an untapped idea,” said team leader Robert Agee, a junior biological engineering and pharmacy major from Rushville, Ind., who will spilt a cash prize of $20,000 with his Purdue teammates.
Natural Renewal team members include Andrew Furrow, of Martinsville, Ind.; Ann Alvar, of Zionsville, Ind.; Yang Zhou, of West Lafayette, Ind. and Agee. Advisors to the Natural Renewal project included Jeffery Youngblood, assistant professor of material engineering and Heather Clark Reynolds, business advisor in the Office of Engagement.
The winning entry in the 2011 soybean innovation contest – Dentural – is an all-natural adhesive made for use with full dentures. The product is designed in the form of a paste made of soy products that forms a vacuum to keep dentures in place. It is an alternative to synthetic chemicals used in other denture adhesive products.
Team leader Alvin Ang of Malaysia said the group chose to develop Dentural after learning that other denture creams contain the potentially health hazardous mineral zinc.
“So we decided to come up with a safer and better way,” said Ang, a senior chemical engineering student, noting that one dentist is already interested in the product.
Dentural team members include Manaz Taleyarkhan, of Lafayette, Ind.; Ankit Gupta, of Carmel, Ind.; David Barron, of Saline, Mich.; and Ang, of Malaysia. Advisors to the Dentural project included Nathan Mosier, associate professor of agricultural and biological engineering and Stroh Brann, a continuing lecturer at the Burton Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship.
The Dentural team will also share a cash prize of $20,000.
“Indiana corn and soybean farmers are committed to working with Purdue to continue to build excitement around the new uses competitions, which ultimately helps build demand for corn and soybeans,” Stevens said, who added that many products created for previous competitions have led to commercial development and further research.
One such example are the soy crayons available under the store name Prang and a soy pharmaceutical product is undergoing full-scale university research.
Second place in soybean innovation contest and also the People’s Choice award winner, sponsored by Dow Agroscience was the FIBits team. FIBits developed a food additive, which provides fiber and protein for children while enhancing flavor. It can be added to baked goods such as muffins, pancakes and cupcakes, as well as to dry foods such as cereal and oatmeal. Team members, who will spilt a $10,000 cash prize are: Danielle Dawson of Chagrin Falls, Ohio; Jeff Lai of Taipei, Taiwan; Chandana Namburi of Terre Haute, Ind.; and Kat Gilbert of Indianapolis, Ind.
Third place winner in the soybean innovation contest, taking home a $5,000 check is a student team who developed an antimicrobial surface protector.
The sprayable coat works to protect countertop surfaces from stains and scratches while providing protection against micro-organisms that could be harmful to humans. Team members include: Cameron Brown and Vinchessica Gray, both of Gary, Ind.; Jordan Blackwell of Wausau, Wis., and Tochykwu Chimezie of Baton Rouge, La.
Second place in the corn innovation contest – Eco Ceiling – made environmentally-friendly drop ceiling tiles from corn stover. Team members are Jonathon Welte of Elberfeld, Ind., Audrey Wessel of St. Anthony, Ind., and Spencer Dieg of Evansville, Ind. Third place in the corn competition was a team that made a hot glue stick from a group of products based on polyactic acid with an emphasis on hot melt adhesive technology. The PLAdhesive team members include Tom Grimes of Fort Wayne, Ind., Neal Kostry of Mishawaka, Ind., and Kevin Fischer of Roselle, Ill.
For more information, visit the Indiana Soybean Alliance online at www.indianasoybean.com |
