Biobased Materials Technology
Our research areas:
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Pulp fiber structure and modification
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Carbon materials and energy storage
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Nanocellulose films
The BIOMAT team leverages the inherent possibilities of cellulosic fibers as building blocks for new sustainable products. Production of nanocellulose films, pulp dissolution, and porous carbon materials are current themes. We specialize in pore structure measurements and cellulose/water interactions.
Research themes:
1. Nanomaterial applications:
The BIOMAT team is developing nanomaterial applications for various fiber products. Especially, we are focused on technologies which have potentially large scale applications at an attractive cost structure.
NFC/MFC and nanopapers production
"Nanopapers" refers to paper grades where nanocellulose is a major structural component. Nanopapers have very different, and often superior properties than traditional grades of paper. We are working on nanocellulose production, suspension processing and nanopaper forming and dewatering issues.
Spray, roll, and airlaid forming methods
All-carbon films
We are developing graphene/nanocellulose composites and all-carbon films for various electrical applications.
2. Porous cellulosic materials:
The BIOMAT team is working on porous cellulosic materials. Lignocellulosic fibers and assemblies of nanocelluloses and other forms of cellulose have a fascinating pore structure that can be exploited in a number of product applications. This includes; liquid and gas phase absorbents, hygienic products and phase change composites for construction applications. In the world of porous materials, lignocellulosics are today very under represented. This work includes the development of cutting-edge techniques for measuring fiber, nanofiber and cellulose composite pore structure. We are also working on ways to modulate and stabilize the porosity of cellulosic materials and composites.
Porous nanopapers
In this area of research we are developing methods for producing high surface area and highly porous papers from nanocellulose-based furnishes.
Novel thermoporosimetry techniques
New approaches to thermoporosimetry are being developed including techniques based on unusual transformations of salts and solvents in confined geometries.
3. Dissolution of pulp fibers:
Assessment and enhancement of pulp reactivity
This study investigates the behavior of pulp under direct dissolution. Pulp reactivity is indirectly assessed monitoring the rheological behavior of pulp suspensions while the fibers are dissolving. The goal is to provide a deeper understanding of which pulp features affect pulp reactivity and to use this knowledge to develop different activation treatments.
Academic and Industrial Collaborations:
We have a multidisciplinary international team that works closely with industrial partners on topics that support the renewal of the forest products industry. Our work is dedicated to advancement of sustainable raw materials and products in areas where our partners see possibilities for value creation.
New collaborations with:
- Coimbra University
- UBI University (Portugal)
- Karlstad University
New projects with:
- Stora Enso
- UPM Kymmene
- Navigator Company
Research group members:
Elaheh Sharifi Zamani
Recent graduates:
Functional Properties of Mechanically Exfoliated Graphene (http://www.urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-60-8863-1)
Latest publications:
Production of functionalized nanocelluloses from different sources using deep eutectic solvents and their applications
Impact of high consistency enzymatic hydrolysis and defibration drying on cellulose fiber pore characteristics
Effect of pulp prehydrolysis conditions on dissolution and regenerated cellulose pore structure
Mapping Nanocellulose- and Alginate-Based Photosynthetic Cell Factory Scaffolds : Interlinking Porosity, Wet Strength, and Gas Exchange
Deaggregation of cellulose macrofibrils and its effect on bound water
The Influence of Physical Mixing and Impregnation on the Physicochemical Properties of Pine Wood Activated Carbon Produced by One-Step ZnCl2 Activation
The effect of fines on the consolidation of Eucalyptus/PLA fiber air-laid sheets
Effect of enzymatic treatment on Eucalyptus globulus vessels passivation
Fast dewatering of high nanocellulose content papers with in-situ generated cationic micro-nano bubbles
Sheet sealing in single and multilayer nanopapers
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