By Andi Anderson
The Ohio State University has been awarded $26 million by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) to spearhead the development of a domestic natural rubber industry.
The funding will support the establishment of the "Transformation of American Rubber through Domestic Innovation for Supply Security" (TARDISS) Engineering Research Center (ERC), which aims to boost natural rubber production in the United States and enhance workforce development in this emerging sector.
The TARDISS ERC, led by Ohio State in collaboration with several academic and industry partners, will focus on researching and developing alternative natural rubber sources from domestic crops like guayule, TK “rubber” dandelion, and mountain gum.
The initiative seeks to create a "Silicon Valley of Domestic Natural Rubber Production," integrating engineering, biology, and agriculture to revolutionize rubber production in the U.S.
“Our ongoing priority is to support Ohio’s people, communities, and businesses through cutting-edge research,” said Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. “Ohio State is proud to lead this effort to advance domestic natural rubber production.”
The new center will not only drive innovation in rubber production but also play a critical role in creating jobs and training a diverse workforce to support the industry. By establishing a domestic rubber supply, the center aims to reduce the U.S. reliance on imported rubber, which is increasingly threatened by disease and global supply chain disruptions.
The TARDISS ERC will be headquartered at Ohio State’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) Wooster campus. The project brings together over 30 industry partners, including The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society, and Waters Corp., to support technology development and workforce training.
"This center will integrate engineering with biology to understand how plants naturally produce rubber, leading to groundbreaking discoveries," said Ayanna Howard, Dean of the College of Engineering at Ohio State.
In addition to addressing the needs of the U.S. rubber industry, the center will also contribute to economic development by fostering innovation and supporting new startups in the sector. The initiative highlights Ohio State's commitment to research that delivers real-world impacts, benefiting both the economy and society.
This marks the second NSF-funded ERC at Ohio State in the past two years, solidifying the university’s position as a leader in engineering research and innovation. The TARDISS ERC is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the U.S. natural rubber industry.
Photo Credit: ohio-state-university
Categories: Ohio, Crops, Education