Soybean Innovation: Iowa State Researchers Turn Crops into Asphalt

Accidental Discovery in Soybean Research

• 💡 An accidental mix of oxygen and soybean oil at Iowa State University by freshman Baker Keel resulted in a thick substance with properties similar to asphalt.
• 🧪 This substance, created by adding too much oxygen, has chemical properties that allow it to stick permanently to aged or damaged molecules in pavement.

New Applications for Soybeans

• 🛣️ Researchers are exploring the use of this soy oil creation as a binder for asphalt, potentially extending the life of repaved streets by 20 to 30 years.
• 🛠️ It can also be used as a preventative measure, sprayed onto existing pavement to add 5 to 7 years of shelf life, saving on construction and labor costs.
• 🚗 The innovation could be particularly impactful for areas with extensive unpaved roads, like Iowa, which has 80,000 miles of them.

Addressing Farmer Struggles

• 📉 The research aims to create new value for American soybean farmers who have been struggling due to the US-China trade war, with China purchasing zero soybeans from the US in September 2018.
• 🌎 This innovation offers a potential solution by creating domestic uses for soybeans, reducing reliance on foreign markets like China, Brazil, and Argentina.

Scaling and Future Potential

• 🚀 The soy oil creation is already being scaled up at manufacturing facilities and is undergoing approval from over a dozen Department of Transportations nationwide.
• 📈 Researchers are optimistic about the potential for soy oil to be used in paving roads across America, presenting a significant opportunity for both agriculture and infrastructure.
• 🏭 Beyond asphalt, the mixture has potential applications in paints, coatings, plastics, and other untapped areas.