Sustainable textiles
Our research team continues the development of the Ioncell® process. The focus is on textile recycling and sustainable dyeing processes.
Biopolymer Chemistry and Engineering
The Biopolymer Chemistry and Engineering group is led by Prof. Michael Hummel. The group explores the structural features and thermochemical behavior of biopolymer solutions and suspensions to produce value-added products. Fundamental studies are directed towards the modification of biopolymers following the principles of green chemistry and enhancing the understanding of the visco-elastic properties of biopolymer solutions and suspension.
The application focus of the group is on sustainable textiles and biobased carbon materials.
The application focus of the group is on sustainable textiles and biobased carbon materials.
Research areas:
Biobased carbon materials
We investigate the use of wood-derived polymers and other biopolymers as bio-based alternative precursor material for various applications.
Carbohydrate chemistry
Our research is aiming at introducing additional functionality to biopolymers with a special focus on textile applications and to develop suitable analytical tools
Cellulose films
Our research focuses on the use of the Ioncell® technology to produce high-strength films through continuous extrusion.
Rheological behavior of biopolymer solutions and suspensions
Traditional and novel solvent systems are explored to dissolve various biopolymers and non-polymeric constituents. The solutions or suspensions are characterized by a comprehensive set of rheological tools (shear, capillary and extensional rheometers).
Analytical tools
Analytical chemistry is needed throughout the modification and/or manufacturing process of biomaterials. Knowledge on the chemical composition and molar mass of biopolymers is essential and thus we aim to develop new strategies for detailed biopolymer characterization.
Michael HummelA thoughtful use of biopolymers can help us to create a more sustainable society.
Team members:
Related content:
Four years and lots of tears – three experts tell how they succeeded in making the change
Many entrepreneurs and researchers set their goals based on a realisation that something needs to be done differently. The change they envision might be a new product or material, or it can be a new way to do things. Implementing change isn’t always easy, however, and it demands a stomach for uncertainty, say Professor Michael Hummel and entrepreneurs Annu Nieminen and Richard Nordström.
Aalto University Bioinnovation Centre launching
Aalto University’s Bioinnovation Centre will be established with the grant amounting over 10 million euros received from Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation. Bioinnovation Centre will start its operation in 2021 by the recruitment of a professor enabled by the grant and opening the first call for the doctoral school supported by the grant.
Get to know us: Associate Professor Michael Hummel
Michael Hummel had plans to stay in Finland for only a year or so. In the end, he enjoyed his work at Aalto so much that he decided to stay.
Professor Michael Hummel awarded a Proof of Concept grant from the European Research Council
The ERC grant facilitates the commercialisation of developments that evolved from ERC-funded research projects.
Michael Hummel: Sustainable and renewable materials will replace oil-based products
Researchers need to be team players, says Professor of Biopolymer Chemistry and Engineering.
Michael Hummel appointed as Associate Professor
Michael Hummel will start in the beginning of May, 2019.
Michael Hummel knows breakthrough research is hardly ever a one-man show
Postdoc researcher thinks that cutting-edge research requires a multi-disciplinary group of highly qualified and highly motivated partners.
Seven-figure grant for researcher producing carbon fibre from wood
Michael Hummel, the recipient of the much sought-after ERC Starting Grant, knows that there is a great need for more affordable carbon fibre.
Latest publications:
Monolithic nanocellulose films patterned with flower-shaped and other microstructures: A facile route to modulate topographical, wetting and optical properties
Gabriel Banvillet, Samantha Pritchard, Joice J. Kaschuk, Xuetong Shi, Monireh Imani, Yi Lu, Ayako Takagi, Milad Kamkar, Orlando J. Rojas
2023
Materials Today Nano
Regulatory Paradigm and Challenge for Blockchain Integration of Decentralized Systems: Example—Renewable Energy Grids
Ernesto Barceló, Katarina Dimić-Mišić, Monir Imani, Vesna Spasojević Brkić, Michael Hummel, Patrick Gane
2023
Sustainability (Switzerland)
Polymer-Based n-Type Yarn for Organic Thermoelectric Textiles
Sozan Darabi, Chi Yuan Yang, Zerui Li, Jun Da Huang, Michael Hummel, Herbert Sixta, Simone Fabiano, Christian Müller
2023
Advanced Electronic Materials
Micro Nanofibrillated Cellulose as Functional Additive Supporting Processability of Surface-Active Mineral Suspensions: Exemplified by Pixel Coating of an NOx-Sorbent Layer
Katarina Dimic-Misic, Monireh Imani, Nemanja Barac, Djordje Janackovic, Petar Uskokovic, Ernest Barcelo, Patrick Gane
2023
Materials
Seasonal dynamics in structural characteristics within bark stems of cultivated willow (Salix sp.) by NMR and time-gated Raman spectroscopy
Jinze Dou, Martin Kögler, Kavindra Kumar Kesari, Leena Pitkänen, Tapani Vuorinen
2023
Green Chemistry
Willow Bark-Derived Materials with Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Properties for Potential Wound Dressing Applications
Jinze Dou, Polina Ilina, Cristina D. Cruz, Denise Nurmi, Paula Zegarra Vidarte, Marja Rissanen, Päivi Tammela, Tapani Vuorinen
2023
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Optimization of Dry-Jet Wet Spinning of Regenerated Cellulose Fibers Using [mTBDH][OAc] as a Solvent
Wenwen Fang, E Yee Lim, Kaarlo Nieminen, Herbert Sixta
2023
ACS Omega
Upcycling of Keratin Wastes in Sustainable Textile Fiber Applications
Wenwen Fang, Ruxia Fan, A. Sesilja Aranko, Michael Hummel, Herbert Sixta
2023
ACS Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering
Indirect determination of partial depolymerization reactions in dialdehyde celluloses (DAC) by gel permeation chromatography of their oxime derivatives
Lukas Fliri, Jonas Simon, Irina Sulaeva, Thomas Rosenau, Antje Potthast, Michael Hummel
2023
Cellulose
Reinvestigating the concurring reactions in early-stage cellulose pyrolysis by solution state NMR spectroscopy
Lukas Fliri, Chamseddine Guizani, Isaac Yair Miranda-Valdez, Leena Pitkänen, Michael Hummel
2023
Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis
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