North Carolina A&T State University Scholars Develop New Asphalt Product
Filed in HBCUs on July 22, 2016
Pig farmers around the world have to deal with 43 billion gallons of pig manure each year. Scientists at historically Black North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro have come up with a new process that could produce a valuable product and provide a viable solution to the excrement problem.
A team of researchers led by Elham H. Fini, an associate professor in the College of Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University, have discovered a way to extract oil found in pig waste. They can use this oil and mix it with rock to produce a new type of asphalt that can be used as highway pavement. Their product is called Bio-Adhesive.
The new product is so efficient that nearly nothing goes to waste. During processing, the foul, off-putting aroma is filtered out, and even the by-products of the bio-adhesive can be used by farmers as fertilizer. The oil can be produced with a cost of 56 cents per gallon.
“Cost wise its profitable,” said Dr. Fini. “Our vision is to help the farmer and help the construction industry; both sides. We see a win/win solution.”
