The Sea Soy Solution: Kaichang Li, 2017 Golden Goose Award (VIDEO)

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Caption

Ever wonder how mussels stick so well to varied and rough surfaces while submerged in water? Oregon State University wood chemist Kaiching Li did, and they inspired him to develop a patented soy-based adhesive for plywood, with support from the US Department of Agriculture. Beginning in 2003, Columbia Forest Products worked with Li to commercialize his bio-inspired manufacturing invention, and by 2006 the company had converted all of its plants away from formaldehyde-based adhesives--whose emissions are known to cause cancer--to this new, soy-based glue. Since then, approximately 60 percent of the plywood and veneer industry has followed suit.

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