Achievers all: (from left) Dr. Sun Sayamipuk, Senior Lab. Supervisor, Structural Engineering FoS, SCE; Dr. Pichai Nimityongskul, Principal Investigator and Mr. Surak Piyarakskul, Project Researcher.
AIT receives patent for new adhesive
AIT recently received Patent No. 16125: Component of Binder for Vetiver Grass Fabrication and Its Utilization from the Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government for its latest breakthrough on research in vetiver grass adhesive.
The AIT research team is led by Dr. Pichai Nimityongskul, SCE and comprised of M.R. Sam Chaem-Charas Rachanee, former Head of Research Team on Vetiver Grass Utilization of the Royal Project Foundation; Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, former Dean of School of Civil Engineering; Dr. Sun Sayamipuk, Senior Lab Supervisor; and Mr. Surak Piyarakskul, Project Researcher, Structural Engineering Field of Study, SCE.
The natural local-made adhesive - made of cornstarch, polyvinyl alcohol pellets and citric acid powder - will be used for producing vetiver particle boards. Local villagers-producers will find the adhesive practical and convenient when they make vetiver particle boards.
According to Dr. Pichai, the concept for developing the adhesive originated from His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand's vision for making use of the many diverse properties of vetiver grass. In recent years, His Majesty has encouraged experts in various educational institutions in Thailand, including AIT, to follow his idea in utilizing vetiver grass as an income-generating crop.
Job well done. Mr. Surak Piyarakskul (above), project researcher unfurls the vetiver particle board where the adhesive was used.
For some years now, the AIT research team, under the supervision of Dr. Pichai, has carried out research on utilizing vetiver grass as a viable source of construction materials. The research has to date yielded five patents for Dr. Pichai's team.