Researchers develop new materials from corn, soybeans

Melisa Goss
Jul 30, 2024
Jul 30, 2024

Grain plastics (1).jpg — Dr. Ankan Sinha, fermentation scientist at Composites and Polymer Engineering (CAPE) lab, a South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT) lab shows the broth made from corn stover. This is the first step in making plastics from the corn stover.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

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When it comes to making plastics from South Dakota-grown grains, there is one simple way to remember how the process works.

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Grain plastics (2).jpg — Dr. Ankan Sinha shows the remnants of the fermentation process.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

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Grain plastics (3) worked.jpg — Dr. David Salem, director of the Composites and Polymer Engineering (CAPE) lab in Rapid City shows plastics made from corn stover.
Tri-State Neighbor photo by Melisa Goss

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Melisa Goss, Assistant Editor for the Tri-State Neighbor, is a South Dakota farm girl whose love of travel has allowed her to see ag’s vital impact around the world, from America’s heartland to the rice paddies of Southeast Asia and many places in between. She makes her home in Hartford with her husband, daughter and miniature schnauzer. You can reach her at mgoss@lee.net.