Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA
144 MCCOLLUM SCIENCE HALL
CEDAR FALLS,IA 50614
Performing Department
NABL Center
Non Technical Summary
The University of Northern Iowa's National Agriculture-Based Lubricants Center provides research activities, technical assistance, and market advocacy for the growing biobased lubricants industry. Funding will also provide overall support for the activities and ongoing operation of the Center. Biobased lubricants provide the same wide-ranging benefits as other biobased products including growth of rural economies, environmental benefits, and reduced national dependence on imported petroleum. Biolubricants, however, provide a uniquely wide margin on the agricultural feedstocks incorporated. While the most expensive biofuel may sell for $5 per gallon, the least expensive biolubricant may cost $8 per gallon. The $20 billion biolubricants industry provides critical diversification opportunities for bioproducts processing facilities. The NABL Center provides expert support to the biobased lubricants industry, demonstrating that biobased lubricants can meet performance specifications, quality, certification and labeling requirements. NABL's outreach and educational activities with industry groups, end users, and the public are designed to encourage the national adoption and use of biobased lubricant products. NABL has demonstrated the performance advantages of biobased lubricants and greases, developed and transfered over 40 biolubricants to market, and provided technical assistance to industries converting to biobased products. NABL leverages more than a decade of biobased experience by adding a national focus to provide the biolubricants industry with an expanded array of services; fostering continued R&D coupled with specialized testing to answer questions about performance, quality, and testing protocols and standards. NABL plays a leading role in the advancement of biolubricants. During the growth stages of the "Biobased Economy", policy-makers, producers, and end users of bio-products alike will benefit from the resources of the NABL Center.
Animal Health Component
40%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
10%
Applied
40%
Developmental
50%
Goals / Objectives
Since 1991, the University of Northern Iowa's National Ag-Based Lubricants (NABL) Center has focused on the development of a successful biolubricants industry. In support of NABL's long-term strategy to foster continued growth in this fledgling industry, USDA-CSREES funding will provide for the following objectives in 2009 and 2010: I. Research: NABL will continue to develop new lubricant formulations as driven by industry, provide support for existing biolubricant products, and initiate other multi-disciplinary research. Conduct applied research to develop and continuously improve lubricant performance potential of industrial vegetable oils. Cooperate with other US and international research groups on identification and uses of non-edible crop oils that are indigenous to their place or county of use. Support ongoing research exploring new applications for vegetable oils and byproducts of vegetable oil processing, and subsequent transfer of ensuing technologies to market. Conduct basic laboratory research on the relationship between various fatty acid components of vegetable oils, and the resulting properties, i.e. anti-wear properties, high/low temperature behavior, oxidative stability, etc. II. Technical Support: NABL will continue to provide technical support, i.e. product testing services, technical assistance, training, troubleshooting, and quality assurance services, for biolubricant users. Provide continued support for products now in commercial use, such as technical support, troubleshooting expertise, and biobased product improvement assistance. Offer biobased research and development consulting, performance qualification and quality assurance services, and testing services to the biobased lubricants industry. III. Market Adoption: NABL will continue ongoing market support initiatives to encourage successful adoption of biobased lubricants products by the marketplace, including education, standardized test development, and collaborative outreach programs. Continue to build public awareness of the availability and performance and environmental, economic, health and safety (EHS) benefits of biobased lubricants through a quarterly newsletter, a dedicated website, periodic activity reports, news releases, professional publications and presentations, and through education/outreach and promotional efforts related to the biobased lubricants industry. Continue to pursue collaborative endeavors with land-grant research institutions and other stakeholders as appropriate, to promote the use of biobased lubricants. IV. Ongoing operation of the NABL Center: In addition to these goals, funding for NABL will also provide general operating support for the NABL Center's facilities, and a foundation for the activities of the National Agricultural Based Lubricants (NABL) Center, along with specific research and project support for USDA-supported activities.
Project Methods
Biobased Research: New Uses - Research will continue toward the development and performance verification of biobased products as viable replacements for industrial petroleum products in targeted areas. It should be noted that field demonstrations, as applicable, are conducted in cooperation with industrial partners allowing researchers the benefit of user feedback, and the opportunity to optimize formulations prior to commercial release. Properties of Various Vegetable Oils and Byproducts of Vegetable Oil Processing - The relationship between the various fatty acid components of a range of crop oils with their resulting anti-wear, high and low temperature behavior, storage requirements, etc., will be investigated and cataloged. This information will be useful in developing biobased lubricant formulations and resolving difficulties encountered through widespread biobased lubricant usage. In addition, a comprehensive knowledge of desirable crop oil components may lead to increased capabilities to pre-select crop varieties and traits associated with more economical or better performing biobased products. The testing and qualification of vegetable oils at NABL, are unique in the fact that a considerable amount historical data and experience will augment the results to the benefit of the users. Technical Support: Provide testing and training services for long-term support and adoption of crop based lubricants by industry. NABL has built lab capability and recently met ISO 17025 certification requirements to provide the most credible testing available to the biolubricant industry. Market Adoption: UNI-NABL will continue to maintain its market awareness program that incorporates a quarterly newsletter, technical presentations at national events, a dedicated website, and educational and promotional developments and issues that underscore the availability and performance features of biobased lubricants. Current circulation of the newsletter has grown to over 8,000 recipients. Dr. Lou Honary (NABL director) and staff present at several national industry organization and technical conferences annually, and serve on technical committees and the boards of major standard setting trade organizations. The UNI-ABIL website continues to be a valued resource; and NABL activities have been the focus of over 30 known mass-media publications. Encourage use by industry leaders and trendsetters to promote market adoption of biobased products nationwide.