Karen Edler

I am interested in the use of bioderived and sustainable components in formulations for personal and home care, agrochemicals and therapeutics. I lead a research group working with cellulose nanofibrils, lignin polymers and particles and bioderived surfactants and lipids to create rheology modifiers, capsules, gels and thin films, that can replace petrochemically derived components. I am particularly interested in using deep eutectic solvents for cellulose and lignin extraction and functionalisation, as well as using these neoteric solvents in the formulations. We use  small angle X-ray and neutron scattering, reflectometry and liquid neutron diffraction to probe nanoscale structures in our systems, alongside rheology, surface tension, light scattering, laser diffraction, microscopy and mechanical testing to link nanostructures to macroscopic properties.