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U.S. Highway 14 was built in the 1920s, connecting Brookings with South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã's capital, Pierre. The 190-mile stretch of road between the two towns was paved with asphalt binder, a widely used product produced from crude oil.

In late February, Debbrata Datta, a graduate student at South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã State University, was driving west on Highway 14 for the. Out the window, Datta saw endless miles of mostly barren cropland split only by Highway 14's two-lane pavement.

The duality of the cropland and Highway 14 encapsulated Datta's doctoral research, which he was slated to present to legislators in the Capitol rotunda. A graduate student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Datta's work focuses on developing plant-based biomaterials for use in asphalt pavements, enhancing their durability while reducing construction costs.

Across the world, major initiatives are underway to reduce dependency on petroleum-based materials through innovative bio-based alternatives from agricultural products and byproducts.

Traditionally, asphalt uses to bind aggregates in asphaltic mixtures. To meet the ever-growing needs of the construction industry, enhancing the performance and durability of the asphalt mixes through renewable and low-cost plant-based materials is a promising and feasible option.

"These materials would improve the longevity and economic advantages of the ground transportation system," Datta said.

Working under the guidance of SDSU associate professor Rouzbeh Ghabchi, Datta has been investigating whether lignin nanofibers, derived from agricultural biomass like corn stalks, can be used as additives in asphalt mixes. In a first-of-its-kind study, Ghabchi and Datta have been utilizing SDSU's state-of-the-art Asphalt Materials Laboratory to determine if lignin nanofibers can improve the performance and longevity of asphalt binders and mixes.

In the asphalt mix, lignin nanofibers act as a reinforcing agent, improving its resistance to cracking and providing it with additional strength. The researchers believe lignin’s natural characteristics will make it compatible with asphalt binder and will enhance its integration into asphalt mixes while reducing the costs associated with improving asphalt pavement’s longevity.

"Enhancing asphalt binder longevity can lead to lower maintenance costs and improved roadway performance, benefiting both transportation agencies and the public, and maximizing overall efficiency," Datta said.

Because lignin nanofibers are found in the cell wall of plants, Datta believes this study, if successful, could open new markets for South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã's farmers. Lignin nanofibers can be derived from the residue of corn and soybeans — two crops grown abundantly in South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã.

"As SDSU continues to lead regional efforts in engineering and innovations, this research represents a significant step toward a resilient transportation infrastructure and boosting the region’s economy through innovative materials," Datta added.

In Pierre, Datta presented his research to state legislators. The poster session, organized by the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research and the South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã Board of Regents, gave students from each of South à£à£Ö±²¥Ðã's public universities a chance to highlight their research efforts.

"This event highlights the significant impact of our research in bridging laboratory innovations to real-world community benefits," Datta said. "We are truly honored to have received appreciation from legislators and senators for our contributions."