Our lab aims to understand naturally existing structures in wood based resources and tailor interactions between renewable polymers, nanoparticles and colloids. The major goal of this work is to find energy efficient routes to build high performance materials contributing to a sustainable future. To this end, we collaborate with researchers and industry together addressing important technological challenges.
Our approach is to combine existing wood architectures with controlled assembly of extracted wood components into new sustainable high performance materials and value added technological products. One tool of specific interest for tailored biomaterial functionality is the use of fungi or enzymes, as living organisms or biologically active substances to modify the material properties. This biologically inspired functionalization allows us to modify the physical material properties as well as to tailor the bulk and surface towards specific functionality. Part of our developed materials are also demonstrated under real life conditions in the module Vision Wood in Empa's large scale project NEST.
Nanocellulose & biopolymer hybrids
Nanocellulose Days 2022
Monte Verità, Ticino, Switzerland
May 22-25, 2022