Federal Project Grant Award Summary

Texas State University received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award of $611,453 from the National Science Foundation's Directorate for Engineering (CFDA 47.041) effective September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2031. This award funds research and development of recyclable biopolymer composite construction materials designed for use in resource-limited environments where traditional building infrastructure faces constraints related to material availability, water scarcity, and logistics. The primary research deliverable involves establishing fundamental relationships between material composition, processing conditions, and performance characteristics of reversible biopolymer construction systems, with specific focus on gelatin-based binder systems that harden through desiccation and can be reprocessed under controlled moisture and temperature conditions. The research addresses infrastructure challenges in remote or harsh environments by enabling circular construction practices that reduce waste through material reuse and recycling using locally available resources.

Beyond research outputs, the award integrates an educational component that develops and delivers entrepreneurship and innovation training to undergraduate and graduate engineering students, translating scientific discoveries into practical solutions and new ventures. The project includes formal outreach activities targeting secondary school and community college students to broaden participation in science and engineering disciplines. These combined research and education activities advance national interests in scientific knowledge, economic competitiveness, national security, and space exploration technologies relevant to temporary or short-term structural applications.