Now in the pilot testing stage, this plans to address fugitive dust on unpaved roads using a corn-based solution. Nebraska is home to 72,000 miles of unpaved roads. Departments of transportation currently spend $12,000 to $18,000 per mile each year applying water, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride and various oils to suppress dust. This offers a natural, corn-based alternative by creating a hydrogel from corn starch that retains large amounts of moisture, forming a layer that binds dust. This has the potential to provide long-term benefits for farmers and rural communities.