CIMANET Doctoral Education Network

The doctoral researcher will be working in a project investigating the role of hemicellulose solubility in biomass fractionation. Loss of hemicelluloses in chemical pulping may account for loss of nearly a fourth of the material resources. Mastering the mechanism of solubilization may help to provide solutions to counteract this loss and make biomass processing more resource-efficient and contribute to the future biorefineries. The aim for the doctoral researcher is to become an expert in biomass fractionation. 

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

The project aims to understand the solubility behavior of lignin and its fragments in various solvents, with a focus on those that are relevant to biorefinery processes. It will involve experimental phase equilibria measurements, thermodynamic modeling, and process technology analysis.

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

Proteins function as high performance materials components in many natural materials such as silks, nacre, arthropod cuticles, and marine organism adhesives. By using protein engineering these proteins can be re-designed to suit technical applications. Recombinant DNA technology allow the production of these proteins in microbial hosts suited for industrial scale-up. The project will involve developing novel materials solutions and processes for target proteins that the research group already has promising results for. 

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

Bacterial nanocellulose (BC) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are versatile biopolymers researched as sustainable alternatives for varied fields. But the challenges related to biomaterial properties have restricted their applicability in sustainable packaging applications. This project aims in developing two synergistic approaches that improves process sustainability for biopolymer production. First approach involves evolving a pentose utilizing bacterial cellulose producer, strain engineering for glycogen formation, and investigating methods to display proteins on the cell surface (biomaterial functionalization). The second approach will use cocultivation with Pseudomonas putida, a native PHA producing bacterium. By using the native association of PHA with Phasins and developing chimeric proteins, the project envisions in achieving an in situ linking of biopolymers synthesized at spatially distinct locations.

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

Synergistic combination of biopolymers and biobased particles enables the development of high-performance barrier materials. Barriers against gases, vapors, liquids, as well as odors can be developed in robust biobased materials by strategically controlling interfacial interactions in composites with ordered structures, from the nano to the macroscale. Herein, the focus is on developing new biodegradable and biobased barrier materials. We are interested on the fundamental principles governing the spreading, film formation and adhesion of the component elucidating mechanisms for barrier enhancement. Practical applications in packaging, biomedical materials, and environmental remediation are of interest.

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

Circularly polarized light is of paramount relevance in state-of-the art photonic research. It present promising application prospects in 3D displays, and optical information storage/encryption. In the OptoCell project you will develop cellulose-based circular polarized emitters, based on self-organized cellulose films. The chirality arising from this biomaterial will be transferred to aggregation-induced emitters that, upon interaction with the film, will turn on their brightness and resistance to photobleaching. For this project, we are looking for candidates with a background in soft matter self-assembly and/or organic synthetic background.  

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

In this work bio-based side streams such as lignin will be investigated and used as raw material for conductive electrode manufacturing. These electrodes will be further subjected for electrochemically tailored precious metals deposition in hydrometallurgical solutions in order to produce functionalized surfaces. If successful, the deposited surface will be directly applicable for target catalysis reactions. The topic enhances the use of under-utilized bio-based and inorganic side-streams while simultaneously supporting green transition. 

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

Nanocellulose hydrogels have shown great potential for tissue engineering applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and tunable rheological properties suitable for three-dimensional printing. However, both the mechanical properties of the hydrogels and their interactions with cells needs to be tuned for optimal performance. In this project we will combine innovative modification strategies and 3D printing with fundamental understanding of molecular level interactions, using surface sensitive techniques, to develop novel high-performance hydrogels for biomedical functions.

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

The construction and packaging industry must explore alternative resources to traditional high-carbon footprint products, such as concrete, steel and plastics. Wood fiber based packaging materials has been on market decades and wood construction is already growing, but we cannot build our future relying on only virgin wood-based materials since the global timber consumption already exceeds the actual growth. I believe that in the future, the industry will increasingly use recycled or waste raw materials, such as fungal-based mycelium-based products that require biological substrates and nutrients. Fast-growing mycelium is low-cost, and it can be fed with different kinds of substrates and nutrients, like forest and agriculture waste and side streams.

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

In this project, emphasis is on developing porous biomaterials that are both easily mouldable and which can recover completely upon compression. Such materials could be used as earplugs but also, for instance, inside loudspeakers and machinery to damp the resonances. Currently, such applications use foams made from common fossil-fuel based engineering polymers – thus embarking on this research will open up a new way to valorise lignocellulosic biomaterials. This interdisciplinary research project will be based on our previous work in the field and aims for both contributing to the fundamental knowledge of sound absorption in highly porous media as well as proof-of-concept prototyping of net-zero or carbon-negative sound absorbent products.

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

Wood-based building products can help mitigate climate change though carbon storage and substitution effects. Competition for forest resources is increasing and to meet the expected demand for future wood-based building products, whilst preserving or rejuvenating forest ecosystems, alternative raw materials and radically new design approaches are needed. In line with circular economy principles, future wood products should be both long-lasting and easy to dismantle for material recovery, whilst causing no harm, or even being regenerative. In a resource-constrained world, manufacturing will need to incorporate a multitude of raw materials including underutilized forest resources, industrial wastes and recovered wood. New design approaches and innovations in materials science will be needed. At the nexus of design and materials science, the aim of this doctoral study is to research how underutilized wood streams and wastes can be used to create resource-efficient, regenerative, wooden building materials that help mitigate climate change and preserve biodiversity. 

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

The project aims to contribute to the shift of the construction sector towards zero-waste by developing innovative structural building components designed according to the principles of a circular bio-economy. This is made by integrating salvaged timber, e.g. cut-offs from regional house manufacturer or massive wood production, together with new timber elements and other wooden products. The project will focus on the development of structural-optimized layups, based on the characteristics of the raw material such as mechanical properties and dimensions. The structural building components will be assessed concerning its structural performance, the associated reliability as well as its ecological potential.

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

SuperBioTex aims to produce multi-functional conductive bio-based fabrics using a carbon-based coating, without the use of any metals and harmful chemicals. The project targets achieving superior tensile strength, hydrophobicity, and electrical heating properties. SuperBioTex seeks to develop innovative biomaterials and fabricate high-value bio-products, including washable smart textiles with embedded sensors. Key objectives include the development of conductive biobased textiles with the ability to sense various parameters including movement and humidity. This project aims to broaden the Finnish bio-based textile product portfolio and offer new advanced materials to the global multi-billion-dollar market of conductive textiles.

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

This research will open the new knowledge how to design with biobased and recycled materials  and how to reach consumer acceptance with these solutions. The new European commission’s policy regulations create the framework for this study.

Project requirements can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

The PulpSAS project develops a data analysis method to interpret small-angle scattering (SAXS, SANS) data from pulp fibers, which is the typical starting material of nanocelluloses or a reference for cellulosic fibers. Dedicated method development is needed to enable the use of the exceptional capabilities of scattering methods for structural characterization of cellulose fibers under various environments or after specific treatments. We will adapt ideas previously utilized for wood samples to separate the scattering contributions of different structural components and compare the scattering results with those from thermoporosimetry. This will allow building a realistic scattering analysis model for pulps, which can create new knowledge on pulp nanostructure to support the development of sustainable applications. The PulpSAS project will extend the usability of advanced scattering-based characterization into pulps and create a basis for combining scattering with modelling.

Project description can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

The candidate will examine molecular interactions at cellulose interfaces and develop computational methodology for modelling surface interactions and assembly involving crystalline cellulose species. This is a doctoral studies position to become an expert in biobased materials modelling at multiple scales, in construction of physics-based simplified models for materials response and extracting design principles out of those models, and in the related data analysis approaches. The computational and theory work done by the candidate is in tight collaboration with experimental research. A study background in physics, chemistry, polymer and bio materials, or related field is expected. Expertise in computational methods and background in molecular dynamics or Monte Carlo simulations at atomistic and coarse-grained detail is beneficial. Strong mathematical background and good computer skills are needed. The modelling makes use of linux/unix based high performance computing environments (HPC computing). The candidate also needs skills in statistical mechanics or thermodynamics and data handling.

Project description can be found here. Interested? Apply here!

NMR spectroscopy is one of the most powerful and versatile methods in chemical and materials characterization. This doctoral training project aims at developing sensitive, efficient, and information-rich NMR methods and applying them in the characterization of nanostructured cellulose materials. The NMR methods include, e.g., ultrafast Laplace NMR, which provide detailed information about the dynamics of molecules. The project will study porous materials and chemical structures of novel hybrid cellulose nanomaterials as well as their function in applications ranging from separation processes to electronics.

Specific qualifications: Background related to NMR methods is important. Moreover, knowledge on cellulose/soft materials is a benefit.

Interested? Apply here!

Smart packaging based on natural resources is an alluring field for creating designs that can meet the requirements of sustainable development and provide advanced performance by monitoring the conditions of items and interacting with their surroundings. In particular, sustainable, functional materials displaying a response to external stimuli are highly desired for facilitating the targets of the emerging green circular economy. This project develops green, ultra-porous hybrid materials with a unique and novel architecture for intelligent, responsive packaging technologies. Especially, it addresses hybrid aerogels consisting of a cellulose nanofibers and encapsulated phase change matrix in smart packaging with controlled thermal management behavior.

Specific qualifications: Background related to cellulose nanomaterials, packaging and/or phase-change materials is a benefit.

Interested? Apply here!

The current plastic materials are mainly made of fossil-based chemicals received from oil refining. Production of plastics is increasing and due to that, the CO2 emission is estimated to steadily increase. Another challenge is that major part of the crude oil supplies locates in politically unstable areas, which may result in significant supply chain disruptions. For these reasons, general interest in research and development of biomass-based chemicals and materials which can be potentially produced from agricultural leftovers and industrial side steams is constantly increasing. However, the potential of biomass-derived chemicals is not revealed yet. Polyurethanes, which are utilized in various applications from insulators to foams, coatings, adhesives, and fibers, are industrially highly relevant plastic category. In this project, both existing and novel lignocellulose-based biochemicals will be utilized in the preparation of novel polyurethanes with the aim to match the materials properties of biobased polyurethanes with currently used fossil-based polyurethanes. The prepared biobased polyurethanes will be characterized in detail and demonstrated in selected applications.

Specific qualifications: Background related to synthetic organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, or materials chemistry is demanded. In addition, practical experience in NMR characterization, thermal analyses, and/or mechanical testing is a benefit.

Interested? Apply here!

CIMANET partners develop novel lignocellulose-based product applications to substitute for fossil-based products and to increase the value added of bio-based industries. This project (LignoLCA) adopts both attributional and consequential life cycle assessment (LCA) approaches to determine the environmental effects of producing the products and introducing them to the market. The starting point is a biorefinery system built around biochar, heat and power, and chemical building blocks to address multifunctionality issues in attributional LCA. In the next step, the system level effects of substituting fossil-based materials with lignocellulose-based products are investigated. This requires a consequential LCA approach, which represents the convergence of LCA and economic modeling by expanding the system boundaries to consider all affected products when the demand for one product changes. In the final step, the product system is expanded by additionally considering bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) in the context of a lignocellulosic biorefinery. This helps to assess the results from CIMANET on a scale relevant for the net zero emission 2035 target set by the government of Finland.

Understanding and assessing the future development of new innovative forest-based materials markets calls for interdisciplinary research integrating consumer/end-use research, market functioning, marketing, foresight and sustainability science.

The starting point is to build a state of the art in literature in new innovative forest industry products from the potential end-use/consumption perspective. Using empirical data, we are interested to analyse how do end users perceive advanced bio-based wood materials being on the edge of entering the markets currently dominated by other (already existing) materials, or opening completely new end-use visions?  Which are specific areas of potential sustainability-related/other acceptability risks/benefits for these?

This interdisciplinary study can provide a new evidence base to integrate material science solutions from textiles or construction materials to medical applications to assess market acceptability and competitiveness.  The study also provides a bigger picture to the means of strategic industry adaptation with respect to end user needs and perceptions. Data and methods include a systematic literature review, a survey on end user perceptions, thematic/case-specific expert interviews, and methods of futures research to scope risks and acceptability elements.

There is a growing demand for sustainable materials to reach a circular bioeconomy. This has led to an increasing interest in the use of natural materials to replace non-renewable resources in many industrial biotechnology applications. Lignocellulosic biomass is a great candidate due to its natural abundance and under-utilisation. We aim to explore the use of lignocellulosic biomass as a substrate for filamentatious fungi. Limited in-depth information exists about the growth (rheological) characteristics of mycelia cultivated in a lignocellulosic substrate. The complex physical and chemical interactions within this system need greater examination to determine how to effeciently create functional mycelial biomass with tailorable properties based on application. The complexity of the system makes it difficult to link final product properties to specific conditions within the cultivation system.

To understand this we plan to investigate the rheology and morphology of Pleurotus ostreatus grown within a lignocelluosic-based cultivation media. By characterizing its rheological properties under different growth conditions, evaluating their influence on fungal growth and bioprocess performance, and developing strategies to optimize and control these properties we plan to establish a more efficient and sustainable bioprocess. To achieve this practically techniques including transcriptomic analysis to identify genes affected by rheological changes as well as visualisation methods to determine the driving mechanisms behind growth, morphology, and physiology will be implemented. By combining extensive 3D morphology analysis with computational modeling we aim to establish a model that can predict mechanical and rheological properties within a mycelia-lignocellulosic biomass for improved bioprocess design.

Understanding the future of forest-based materials markets as shaped by changing policy environment calls for an interdisciplinary approach including policy and foresight analysis, and business and sustainability sciences. Industry and market adaptation to turbulent business environment toward climate positive and circular economy is elementary for thriving forest bioeconomy, and this calls for a general policy fit in the society.

The key research questions are: To what extent the circular and bioeconomy policies influence on forest companies’ future competitiveness? What kind of sustainable future business environment the forest bioeconomy companies are preparing themselves for? What kind of elements are important for the businesses be prepared for the more unpleasant scenarios and disruptions? This study leads to knowledge on the dynamic capabilities (Teece et al. 2016) applied by the bioeconomy businesses in alternate future circumstances.

Data and methods include policy mapping and analysis, and futures research (such as expert Delphi-panel, participatory workshops and scenario building). As an outcome we will pinpoint areas of heterogeneity in future expectations, and how strongly the current strategic choices reflect into the future vision for which the industry is prepared for. Special interest is also placed on how the industry seeks and secures ability for resilient adaptation under various future scenarios.

Actions to reach carbon neutrality need to be delivered in a timescale that requires fast adaptation of technologically robust solutions. Lignin-based materials hold promise for replacing fossil-based plastics in many areas. Research has been active during the recent years, while critical attributes, such as thermal stability and toughness are lacking to truly compete with conventional plastics. At the same time, finding simple and green chemistries for delivering these attributes sets additional ambition to the task. BIOSTAR project answers to this challenge by utilizing modern spectroscopic methods in combination with interfacial interaction models to design composition and microstructures in bio-based composites and polymer blends with improved thermal and mechanical characteristics. By right combination of lignin derivatization, phase assembly, and adjustment of interfacial interactions within the formed biocomposites, their performance can reach the same level with thermoplastic polymers used today. Besides analysis of molecular characteristics and mechanical performance, the project aims for interdisciplinary research with experts from other fields of biomaterial research.

Ionic liquids (ILs) have been introduced to biomaterial processing during the past decade and gained great momentum due to their power as solvents for wood polymers and simultaneous function as catalysts for derivatization. The BIOCORE project builds upon strong expertise of University of Helsinki with ionic liquids for dissolution and regeneration of biomass that is being piloted for industrial production of cellulosic textile fibers. Application of ILs to reactive extrusion of biomass into composites with other biopolymers and/or recycled plastics offers a way for interfacial cohesion and crosslinking within the composites that has not been achieved with conventional compounding systems. In BIOCORE project, novel formulations and processing techniques are created to produce materials that can provide a sustainable alternative for engineering plastics used in many fields from automotive to construction. Analytical tools such as spectroscopy and microscopic techniques will be applied in collaboration with BIOSTAR project to analyze derivatization and interfaces generated within these new composites systems. Mechanical performance of the composites will be benchmarked against common engineering plastics.

Development of synthetic methods for catalytic modification of lignocellulosic and related biobased materials. The topics will involve development of cutting edge catalytic cross-dehydrogenative or oxidative coupling methods that have wide utility and significance, and they are connected to previous and current research in the group of Prof. Pihko.

More details here.

Wood construction could have an important role in mitigating climate change, but its full potential has not yet been realized. By utilizing contemporary, conventional materials utilized in wood construction, the building components will encounter certain undesired features in terms of structural behavior and damage-tolerance, which can be viewed as bottle-necks in the propagation of industrial wood construction. This research explores the application of advanced lignocellulosic materials to wood construction. The research focuses on optimizing the serviceability limit state design properties of load-carrying structures by using new lignocellulosic materials as adhesives, structural layers, damping elements, insulation components and other integrated applications. The main methods in the research are theoretical and computational mechanics and/or acoustics, augmented with laboratory or field tests.

Technically produced lignins contain condensed C-C bonds with retarded reactivity, making depolymerization or further utilization not always feasible. The project targets to develop an approach to produce highly reactive lignin by reactive fractionation of biomass, including bio-based waste streams, such as sawdust or straws. Thus, the focus will be on evaluation of different small-molecule protecting agents in suppressing lignin condensation during the fractionation. Green solvent system will be screened and exploited. Model compounds with representative linkages of lignin structures will be synthesized and together with milled wood lignin will be used to understand the reaction mechanism. The chemical structures and reactivity of fractionated lignins will be further assessed. As a result, reactive fractionation integrating high reactivity to lignin will provide possibility to valorize lignin to higher value than current state of art. Thus, it fits well to the research area of sustainable processes, with strong focus on the Lignocellulose chemistry: Sustainable organic chemistry and novel solutions to enhance material and chemical efficiency as well as the CO2 balance of biomass fractionation.

Interested? Apply here!

To achieve an in depth understanding of the chemical structure of biomass as well as novel biobased products and materials, methods based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry are highly important and widely used. The development of new biorefinery concepts, in combination with further fractionation, purification and valorization of biomass increases the need for skills and knowledge in the field of biomass characterization. To meet this need, further development of analytical methods for advanced structural elucidation of biomass is constantly needed. In this research project, methods for characterization of biomass constituents and products throughout the whole value-chain of biorefinery will be developed and improved. Focus will be based on NMR-techniques to reveal the structure of technical lignins and lignin carbohydrate complexes, as well as on the development of LCMS/HPSEC-MS and MALDI and Ion Mobility MS methods.  This project will also combine chemistry and chemical reactions of biomass to broaden the understanding of chemical structures. The work may include preparation of model compounds by chemical synthesis as well as working with model reaction for biomass modification. The work will be combined with several existing research project related to biorefinery and lignin valorization.

The work requires good knowledge in organic chemistry and/or analytical chemistry.  

Interested? Apply here!

Lignin oligomers have been identified as very potential and beneficial intermediates for many applications, including adhesives and urethanes, and advanced fractionation technologies combined with partial depolymerization of selected fractions is practically the only way to achieve this. This focus area requires an interdisciplinary approach combining know-how in Sustainable organic chemistry and catalysis. Organic chemistry, fractionation, and catalysis are not alone enough to enable the efficient processing of lignocellulosic feedstock for obtaining the aromatic “building blocks,” but it also requires advanced process development, preferably in the form of continuous reactor systems intensifying and integrating the different process steps to obtain material and chemical efficiency as well as the economic efficiency, which is why they are highly relevant in developing Technologies for future biorefineries.  

The work requires good knowledge in reaction engineering and catalyst.   

Interested? Apply here!

Please note that the following position will be open in the autumn and link is appending

Coatings are widely used in packaging and various other functional surfaces and are derived from fossil-based chemicals. Lignin as the most naturally available aromatic polymer provides a potential to be used in the development of sustainable coatings. The ongoing research on lignin functionalization demonstrates a new possibility of designing one-dimensional fibrillar nanostructure. Such nanostructured lignin fibers exhibit interestingly higher viscosity than lignin nanospheres, possessing potential in new aqueous dispersion coatings. This projects targets to understand the chemistry governing the assembly of lignin to fibrillar structure and further tailor chemical functionality of lignin molecules with photo or thermal curability. As a result, sustainable coatings also with integrated functionality such as antimicrobial and anticorrosion will be developed. Such functional coating from highly reactive lignin has potential value in sustainable coating for several large-volume applications, such as packaging and composites. That is highly in line with research area of advanced lignocellulosic materials, with strong focus on novel solutions for packaging and construction.  

Please note that the following position will be open in the autumn and link is appending

Paper electronics is a field that focuses incorporating renewable, biodegradable, and low-cost materials in various electronic applications. The project aims at using environmentally friendly conductive materials, mainly carbon in its various forms, bound by nanocellulose and/or hemicellulose, as alternatives to expensive and scarce raw materials in electronic devices. The research involves co-processing of conductive and bio-based materials, analyzing the structure-performance relationships between the materials, and making them compatible with fabrication techniques which are used to manufacture devices on flexible substrates, including paper. The emphasis is on solution processing of the functional materials into (patterned) thin layers utilizing high-throughput processes. The ultimate goal is to enable development of metal-free, recyclable or disposable electronics, e.g. batteries and sensors, utilizing bio- and carbon-based based materials within the framework of paper electronics. The research will contribute to the emerging field of green electronics by advancing the understanding of the use of environmentally friendly materials. 

Please note that the following position will be open in the autumn and link is appending

Valorization of biomass often requires chemical modification or derivatization to tailor the chemical and material properties of functional biobased materials. This project targets to develop novel technologies for chemical modification of biomass derived molecules and materials, with the objectives of preparation of new biobased products. Methods for lignin depolymerization based on oxidation and reduction will be studied as well as chemical modification and functionalization of lignin and lignin derived polyphenolic compounds into for example co-polymers, adhesives, emulsifiers, coatings & membranes. Focus will be on the development of novel and improved catalytic methods.  The chemistry of lignin-carbohydrate hybrid material and reactive fractionation may be part of the work. The work will be combined with several existing research project related to biorefinery and lignin valorization.

The work requires good knowledge in organic chemistry and/or industrial chemistry as well as knowledge in chemical analyses be different spectrometric and spectroscopic methods.