In April 2017, three faculty members received $14,522 from the University Research Board to conduct preliminary investigations into the use of Crop Residue. The results of those initial investigations have proved very positive and we are now seeking the support of the SSC to facilitate the collection of more “waste” material to build on the progress made to date. The primary aim of the project is to utilize agricultural “waste” material and see if it can be used as a building product. Historically hemp has been used in conjunction with a lime binder (see Hempcrete). However the cultivation of hemp is currently very restricted in the US so the team has been looking to other grass materials with similar properties to hemp. Initial investigations have found that corn stalks could be equally as good as hemp, if not better. With several thousands of acres of corn grown on the University’s South Farm, the university is uniquely positioned to reap the benefits of developing an insulation product that is not reliant on fossil fuels for its production. In addition, when built into a wall assembly “grasscrete” will have the ability to sequester carbon in the wall itself. In addition to developing and testing the properties of “grasscrete” the team desires to build a small structure: a “Field Station” to understand the performance of the material outside of a laboratory.

The Project will divert a waste product and direct it into higher value end product. Students will be involved at all stages of the project: Material acquisition, processing, design and fabrication