Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems

Wood Nanotechnology

The Wood Nanotechnology (WoodNanoTech) Group focuses on sustainable nanotechnology to transform hierarchically structured biomass, e.g. wood, into high-performing, multifunctional, nanostructured materials.
Secondary cell wall structure of nanostructured wood

We are:

  1. A group of researchers working on wood material science and functional biopolymers from nature.
  2. Part of Wood Material Science Group.

Research focus:

  1. Sustainable wood modification and nanostructural control of wood cell wall structure.
  2. High-performing wood-based biocomposites with emphasis on optical, mechanical, and dielectric properties.
  3. Biopolymers from hierarchically structured biomass for functional materials design.

Team Members

Halvar Meinhard

Doctoral Researcher, Co-supervised with Prof. Lauri Rautkari

Shiying Zhang

Doctoral Researcher, Co-supervised with Prof. Lauri Rautkari

Research Projects

Selected Publications

Multiscale interface engineering enables strong and water resistant wood bonding

Shiying Zhang, Salla Koskela, Halvar Meinhard, Paavo Penttilä, Muhammad Awais, Markus B. Linder, Shennan Wang* and Lauri Rautkari* 2025 Nature Communications

Dielectric Properties of Wood-Derived Cellulose Nanofiber Films in 10–40 GHz Band

Shennan Wang*, Kazuho Daicho*, Yoshinori Doi, Marco Beaumont, Tsuguyuki Saito, and Junichiro Shiomi* 2025 Biomacromolecules

Strong and transparent film of naturally aligned softwood holocellulose fibers

Shennan Wang, Gabriella G. Mastantuoni, Yuyi Dong, and Qi Zhou 2025 Carbohydrate Polymers

Wood xerogel for fabrication of high-performance transparent wood

Shennan Wang, Lengwan Li, Li Zha, Salla Koskela, Lars A. Berglund, and Qi Zhou 2023 Nature Communications

An Oxidative Enzyme Boosting Mechanical and Optical Performance of Densified Wood Films

Salla Koskela, Shennan Wang, Lengwan Li, Li Zha, Lars A. Berglund, and Qi Zhou 2023 Small

Strong, transparent, and thermochromic composite hydrogel from wood derived highly mesoporous cellulose network and PNIPAM

Shennan Wang, Hui Chen, Kai Li, Salla Koskela, Lars A. Berglund, and Qi Zhou 2022 Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing

Strong Foam-like Composites from Highly Mesoporous Wood and Metal-Organic Frameworks for Efficient CO2 Capture

Shennan Wang, Cheng Wang, and Qi Zhou 2021 ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

Self-Densification of Highly Mesoporous Wood Structure into a Strong and Transparent Film

Kai Li#, Shennan Wang#, Hui Chen, Xuan Yang, Lars A. Berglund, and Qi Zhou 2020 Advanced Materials

News

A close-up of a hand holding a small wooden block with diagonal stripes and a notch in the centre, against a light background.

Researchers Unlock a Stronger, Greener Way to Bond Wood: Finnish pulp fiber could be used to bond wood for the construction industry

Researchers at Aalto University have developed a groundbreaking wood bonding method using primarily pulp fibers from Finnish forestry. The resulting bonding interface is twice as strong as natural wood while highly resistant to water. This breakthrough could transform sustainable construction by reducing reliance on petroleum-based adhesives.

News
A person walks past a colourful mural on a brick wall, illuminated by street lamps and electric lines overhead.

New Academy Research Fellows and Academy Projects

A total of 44 Aalto researchers received Academy Research Fellowship and Academy Project funding from the Research Council of Finland – congratulations to all!

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