Chemistry's Richard Larock awarded economic development grant

Richard Larock, a University Professor of chemistry, and Aron Rutin, chief operating officer of R3 Composites of Muscatine, have been awarded a grant from the state's Grow Iowa Values Fund.

Larock's grant was one of 11 awarded by Iowa State ranging from $49,380 to $162,717. A total of $975,773 of state economic development dollars was awarded to the 11 research projects. They must be matched by the researchers and their project partners.

Larock and Rutin will use plastics created from corn and soybean oil to manufacture hog feeders. The bioplastics technology has been patented through Iowa State.

This is the second time Iowa State has awarded the competitive grants. This round attracted 38 researchers hoping for funding.

Review committees recommended the grant winners based on their potential to create Iowa businesses, create jobs, increase sales, improve products, license technology, collaborate with Iowa businesses or attract federal research funding.

"These 11 projects have clear commercial potential for the state of Iowa," said John Brighton, Iowa State's vice provost for research. "These projects demonstrate Iowa State's commitment to translating discoveries into viable technologies, products and services to strengthen the economy of Iowa."

State lawmakers agreed last spring to appropriate $5 million per year for 10 years to the Regent universities for economic development projects. Iowa State's share is $1.925 million for each of the 10 years. Iowa State will use as much at $1.325 million per year to support research projects with high potential for commercialization.