Here’s a new use for corn that you can really get a bang out of.

A team of Purdue University students have created a fireworks casing from corn which won the top prize for corn in the school’s annual Student Soybean and Corn Innovation Contests, sponsored by the Indiana Soybean Alliance and Indiana Corn Marketing Council.

Taking first place in the Student Corn Innovation Contest is a team that created a fireworks casing that is biodegradable, lighter and less expensive than what is now available. Pictured here are Alexander Parobek and Rachel Clayton, with a fireworks rocket containing the casing, and Polina Navotnaya and Jake Hoeing, with the casing. They received a $20,000 prize for their efforts.

Listen to an interview with Alex from Brownfield Network: Purdue Corn Innovation Winner

The second-place corn team received a $10,000 prize for their creation called Fog-Away, an anti-fog glass and mirror cleansing solution. Members are Anbo Wang of Jingdezhen, China, a junior in agricultural economics; Mitch French of Pittsboro, Ind., a sophomore in biological engineering; Hannah Doren of Northfield, Ill., a junior in food science; and Benjamin Lins of Racine, Wis., a sophomore in chemical engineering.

The winning soybean team produced Nature Loft, a soy protein fiber insulation that can be used in bedding, including sleeping bags; apparel such as hats, gloves and footwear; and other products such as headphones, and the second-place soybean team developed water-soluble Double Eyelid Glue.