Seminar 'Cellulose self-assembled helicoidal systems' by Prof. Maria Helena Godinho

Prof. Maria Helena Godinho from NOVA University Lisbon (Portugal) will give a seminar about cellulose self-assembled helicoidal systems during her visit at Aalto University in January 2024. Prof. Godinho is the opponent at the doctoral defence of M.Sc. (Tech.) Hoang M. Nguyen that will take place on 19.01.24 at 13.00 in Lecture hall Ke2. More information about the defence

Cellulose self-assembled helicoidal systems

Cellulose is one of the main constituents in plants' helicoidal structures exhibited across the molecular, nano, micro, and macro scales [1]. These structures play a crucial role in creating structural coloration, enhancing mechanical properties, and enabling motion. In this seminar emphasis is given to cellulose nanocrystals, their interactions with water, and the formation of helicoidal structures in films and particles. Micro and millimeter cellulose helicoidal systems will also be addressed, illustrated by arrangements exhibiting varying helicities and adaptive behaviors, including vascular leaf petioles at the micro-scale and tendrils and the awns of Erodium fruits at the millimeter scale [2, 3].

Acknowledgments
Action European Topology Interdisciplinary Action (PhoBioS CA21159) and FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the projects LA/P/0037/2020, UIDP/50025/2020 and UIDB/50025/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling, and Nanofabrication-i3N.

[1] “Cellulose-based Biomimetics and Applications” Ana P. C. Almeida, João P. Canejo, Susete N. Fernandes, Coro Echeverria, Pedro L. Almeida and Maria H. Godinho, Advanced Materials, DOI: 10.1002/adma.201703655 (2017) (by invitation) (back cover).
[2] “Cellulose and chitin twisted structures: from nature to applications” Rafaela R. da Rosa, Susete N. Fernandes, Michel Mitov and Maria Helena Godinho, Advanced Functional Materials, 2304286, 2023 (DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202304286))
[3] “Spotting plants’ microfilament morphologies and nanostructures” Ana P Almeida, João Canejo, Urban Mur, Simon Čopar, Pedro L Almeida, Slobodan Žumer, Maria Helena Godinho, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences U.S.A., PNAS, 116(27), 13188 (2019).

Contact information:
Maria Helena Godinho
NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, Campus de Caparica, Caparica 2829-516, Portugal 
(e-mail: [email protected])