Purdue News
Purdue News
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April 9, 2004 Professor named to research new uses for soybeansWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Bernard Tao was named the Indiana Soybean Board Professor in Soybean Utilization Research at Purdue University today (Friday, 4/9) by the Board of Trustees.
Tao, a professor in agricultural and biological engineering, will help create value-added products from soybeans through the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. The professorship was funded in partnership with the Indiana Soybean Board (ISB). "The use of renewable, domestic resources, such as soybeans, to replace petroleum fuels, chemicals and polymers can help national energy security as well as developing a new bio-based economy for Indiana," Tao said. "Soybeans are particularly promising due to their technical versatility and productivity as one Indiana's largest cash crops." Tao's research projects include making aviation jet fuel and home heating fuel from soybean oil, developing biodegradable coatings for food and industrial uses from soy proteins, creating inexpensive, environmentally safe airline de-icers, and developing laundry additives to improve fabric life. "Our work is targeted at making Indiana a national center for bioprocessing technology and industry to develop energy and industrial materials that utilize renewable, domestic sources such as soybeans," Tao said. Working with Tao, the ISB developed science kits for K-12 students that teach chemistry, physics, writing, math and biotechnology through safe, hands-on experiments using natural materials such as starch, vegetable oil, proteins and sugars. Novel products, such as soy-based crayons, birthday candles, ski waxes, vegetarian gels, protein-based breakfast cereals and edible popsicle sticks, are examples of student-developed products on which Tao has assisted. "Students use their minds to create the product, do the lab work, research and marketing, packaging and advertising," Tao said. "It is all part of the experience, and it helps teach entrepreneurship and business." Tao teaches undergraduate courses in introductory thermodynamics and ethics and graduate courses in protein chemistry and biotechnology. ISB president Jim Schriver, of Wells County, said they have another name for Tao, who first partnered with the organization in 1992. "We call him 'The Champion for Soybeans,' and I think we'll stick with that," he said. "It may not be as prestigious as an endowed professorship, but it speaks to the real Bernie." Schriver said the nickname is based on Tao's energy, enthusiasm and love of teaching. The ISB partnered with Purdue School of Agriculture to fund the professorship dedicated to researching new uses for soybeans. The Soybean Board donated $1.5 million to be paid in installments over a 10-year period. Writer: Julie Douglas, (765) 494-8402, douglajk@purdue.edu Source: Bernie Tao, (765) 494-1183, tao@ecn.purdue.edu Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, bforbes@aes.purdue.edu
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