Utilize soybean hulls/stover for electronic applications, particularly for the battery and supercapacitor industries. Soybean hulls/stover will be converted to high surface area carbon for energy storage applications.

1.Use a one-step process to synthesize soybean-derived carbons
2.Use organic and ionic electrolytes to improve energy and power densities and operatingtemperature window
3.Commercialize the technology to provide a financial benefit to soybean farmers, PIs, MSMC,and PSU

(1) reduce the time and cost of preparation of soybean-derived carbons, and (2) increase the energy and power densities to meet current energy and power densities of lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors.

Update:
The global battery market was valued at $108.4 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth
rate of 14.1% from 2020 to 2027. Soy hulls/meals derived carbons can be used as active materials in energy storage
devices such as batteries and supercapacitors. These batteries have the potential to be used in items such as cell phones, computers, and electric vehicles.

The performance of soy-derived energy devices can be tuned by chemical modifications of the soy-derived carbons and the use of different electrolytes. Our research has shown that the energy and power densities of these devices could be significantly enhanced by using different electrolytes. These energy devices have the potential to meet the current and future demand for energy due to their high energy density, low cost, and fast charging time. The soy-derived carbon for these devices is prepared using our patent-pending technology. The research has the potential to create new demand for soybean hulls/meals for battery/supercapacitor industries.

Creating alternative uses for soybean bio-waste would bring better benefits to the soybean farmer and Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council. It is well known that agricultural waste and byproducts are being explored as a potential feedstock for bioenergy generation via fermentation.