Our NSF funded research aims to create higher value in use for agricultural commodities by upgrading their functionality through the development and evaluation of a new class of degradable biomaterials derived from the abundant plant polysaccharide, starch.  The Partnership for Innovation (PFI) project partners have developed new A-B (di) and A-B-A (tri) block copolymers by joining pre-formed and pre-functionalized biopolymer and biodegradable synthetic polymer building blocks. The team is evaluating amphiphilic hybrid block copolymers for suitability in various biomedical applications, including drug delivery, and in selected non-biomedical end use areas (with New Jersey Center for Biomaterials (NJCBM) member companies and Department of Food Science and Center for Advanced Food Technology (CAFT)), such as biofilm control for food packaging safety applications. The new materials  are degradable, have good functional characteristics, exhibit a broad custom design scope and provide improved cost-effectiveness compared to existing block polymer technology.  

     This project transforms and stimulates the existing knowledge base through research, education and commercial development thus enhancing the enabling biomaterials' infrastructure and providing sustainable direction for innovation in this area in the future.


Project Leader: Carmine P. Iovine, M.S.
Funding Source: National Science Foundation, Akzo Nobel Co.