This course is a part of the Erasmus+ project entitled “Improving teaching competencies in the design of new generation biomaterials from wood waste” (BIOMAT). Project reference: 2024-1-PL01-KA220-HED-000246133 from the Erasmus+ programme: KA220-HED – Cooperation partnerships in higher education.
Welcome to the course on Lignin structure, isolation, characterisation and modification for uses in value-added materials!
This course provides an integrated overview of lignin from its biological origins to its utilisation in advanced material applications. Through a series of lectures, participants will learn about:
- lignin biosynthesis and native structure,
- major delignification processes and lignin isolation,
- various types of technical lignins,
- analytical methods for lignin quantification, molecular and thermal characterisation,
- and strategies for fractionation, chemical modification, and polymer blending.
In addition to the lectures, participants will gain access to online learning materials developed within the Erasmus+ (BIOMAT) project, hosted on the UMCS (Lublin, Poland) e-learning platform: https://ekursy.umcs.pl/
These resources are available in English, Swedish, and additional languages, and include:
· Video laboratories on:
- Lignin isolation, characterisation, fractionation, and modification, showing lignin isolation from wood and preparation for the analysis and for future uses in various materials (KTH, Sweden)
- Obtaining polymeric materials with the addition of lignin, testing, and evaluation of their properties (UMCS, Poland)
- Green composites obtained with the valorisation of wood lignin, and their characterisation (UKIM, North Macedonia)
· PDF scripts providing detailed written descriptions accompanying the video-labs
· A comprehensive Glossary, which functions as a handbook covering the core content of the course, together with additional explanations and references for further reading, including topics such as lignin-based polymeric spheres for water purification and composite preparation.
· Students will also have the opportunity to perform self-assessment through an online pre-test and post-test. To access the interactive tests, students need to create a free account on the UMCS platform. The system will automatically score the results and provide feedback. Instructions for accessing the platform and the e-tests are provided together with the recorded lectures.
No laboratory participation is required at KTH; however, the video-lab modules on the UMCS platform provide a virtual hands-on learning experience.
The course is designed for PhD students, researchers, master’s/bachelor’s students, and industry professionals interested in lignin chemistry, processing, and applications in advanced materials.
