Structure, Dynamics and Interactions of Nanofibres in Dilute Hydrodynamically Forced Systems
The ever increasing threat from climate change has spurred the demand for innovative, sustainable materials that could reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Dispersions of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), derived from wood, can be spun into filaments that exhibit favourable mechanical properties. However, the structure, dynamics and interactions of the CNFs during the spinning process, which […]
Mechanical aspects of bio based composites
The work consists of understanding the mechanical aspects of novel bio-based composites by exploring microstructures, weak interfaces, anisotropy, and lamella thickness. My current projects are (i) in situ mechanical tests with Deben microtester and scanning electron microscopes on a thin layer of montmorillonite clay on hydroxyethylcellulose films to investigate interfacial (adhesion) properties between the constituents, […]
Deformation and fracture mechanisms of wood and wood polymer biocomposites
The main objective of this project is to study the deformation and fracture mechanisms of wood and polymer impregnated wood biocomposites, characterize the mechanical properties and relate them to structural differences. In this project, strain and deformation fields are measured, during mechanical loading, using digital image correlation which is useful for material comparison, also to […]
Molecular Basis of the Interactions and Recalcitrance of Lignocellulosic Biomass
Lignocellulosic biomass represents the main renewable resource from the biosphere for the production of biofuels, platform chemicals and bio-based materials. Lignocellulose consists of a complex polymeric network of cellulose microfibrils embedded in a matrix of hemicelluloses, pectins, and lignins with exquisite organization from the nano- to the microscale. However, the heterogeneity of the lignocellulose polymeric […]
The kinetics of lignin extraction in oxygen delignification.
The current and future environmental challenges call for improved and more sustainable processes in the pulp industry. To contribute to a sustainable and competitive Swedish bioeconomy the pulp industry needs to increase efficiency without increasing the use of hazardous chemicals. Oxygen delignification is a unit process that has been used in pulp mill fiberlines between […]
BioUPGRADE – Biocatalytic upgrading of natural biopolymers for reassembly as multipurpose materials
BioUPGRADE unites expertise in functional genomics and material science to deliver breakthrough biotechnologies that sustainably upgrade nature’s main structural biopolymers into high-value and multipurpose materials.Living organisms drive our planetary carbon cycle via biocatalysts that transform CO2 into an enormous array of diverse and functional molecules. A significant fraction of this carbon is transformed into structural […]
Colloidal properties of nanocellulose dispersions
The project aim is to control the stability and orientation of nanocellulose particles, by understanding the fundamental colloidal interactions between them in aqueous media. The information will then be used to create ordered and self-organized structures from nanocellulose dispersions. This knowledge is of great importance, since many nanocellulose based materials today are produced directly from […]
Conducting polymers-modified wood composites
In this project, we used different conducting polymers to impregnate the wood. Our goal is to create a pathway for studying the nano/microscopic structure of the conductive wood and the interactions between the wood components and the conducting polymer matrix. . In detail, we mainly focus on the difference of crystallinity and the orientation of […]
Polysaccharide Monooxygenases (LPMOs) for Advanced Nanocellulose Materials
LPMOs (lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases) are oxidative enzymes that enhance cellulose fibrillation by introducing charged carboxyl groups onto the cellulose surfaces in aqueous reaction conditions. The use of LPMOs in production of nanocelluloses could reduce the need of hazardous chemicals and facilitate more environmentally friendly processes. The aim of this subproject is to produce recombinant LPMOs […]
Assessment of the homogeneity of chemical modifications aimed for thermoplasticisation of cellulosic fibres
The strong driving force behind the sustainable biomaterial-based society is to replace the fossil fuel-based materials with renewable resources to for example address the climate change. Thermoplastic polymer products are used on a daily bases in every household and they need to possess the properties such as being ductile and formable. However, cellulosic materials do […]
Bio-based binders for molded cellulose fibers
Natural binders are inexpensive, biodegradable, environmentally friendly and renewable, but usually form weaker bonds and slightly harder to apply. The objective of the project is to develop and optimize the process of using various plant polysaccharides as binder for holocellulose fibers and cellulose nanofibrils (CNF). The selected polysaccharides are further functionalized to improve interfacial adhesion […]
A new sustainable route to polysaccharide hydrogel formation for medical and cosmetic applications
Hydrogels are an extremely versatile class of material, and have found relevance in cosmetic, medical, pharmaceutical, and industrial processes. A hydrogel has a low solid content, often comprising at least 90% water. Although hydrogels are increasingly used in cosmetics and drug manufacture, the production process is far from sustainable, relying on fossil-based polymers and chemical […]