Dr. Timothy Kidd, Physics Professor at the University of Northern Iowa, has received a Research Building Seed Grant to kickstart his research on the topic of Development of nanocellulose materials for structural and radiation shielding applications. This seed grant will form a new research collaboration between UNI, ISU, and the NASA Ames Research Center. Research goals include the development of new technologies for sustainable long-term exploration and habitation in space, the moon, and beyond, supporting NASA’s Artemis mission. By transforming nanocellulose materials extracted from plant-based waste products into much-needed structural materials, NASA can bring the dream of sustainable human life in extraterrestrial environments even closer. Dr. Kidd is also using a portion of his grant to send two undergraduate students to Ames Research Center as interns, enabling a new generation of researchers with the opportunity to further NASA’s research mission.

For more information about Dr. Kidd, please click here.