Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF) Track II EPSCoR
Partners: Bright Ma Farms, Clemson University, Southern University
This NSF EPSCoR Track II program focuses on developing low-cost, high-performance vitrimer composites using highly aligned short natural fibers such as flax and hemp. By leveraging renewable, CO₂-negative reinforcements, the project aims to reduce reliance on petroleum-based synthetics and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative also explores agro-economic strategies that enable farming communities, particularly in vulnerable coastal regions, to cultivate high-value biofiber crops, promoting climate resilience and sustainable materials innovation.