The proposed research is organized through four principal research themes
1. Lignin and nanocellulose-derived lightweight biofoams
- Develop biobased PU foams, where the polyol functionality will be derived from abundantly available lignin.
- Reduce the isocyanate functionality used in the foam by incorporating lignin and cellulosic nanofibres in the foam.
- Catalytic conversion of lignin into polyols
- Development of lignin/nanocellulose-derived biofoam and process optimization
Dr. Chin, Dr. Master, and Dr. Sain, University of Toronto (UofT);
Dr. Kuboki, University of Western Ontario (UofWO);
Dr. Altenhof, University of Windsor (UofW)
Dr. Rakshit, Lakehead University (LU)
2. Nanocellulose-enhanced ultra-lightweight structural composites
Design and manufacture economically viable ultra-light-weight biobased structural composites for automotive applications by examining the effect of cellulose nanofibre and long fibres as a hybrid reinforcement using an integrated direct long fibre technology (Cellulose nanofibre-DLFT).
- Optimization of the cellulose of the nanofibre-DLFT technology.
- Surface engineering of cellulose nanofibers and lignin.
- Enhancement of the thermal stability of the nanocomposites.
- Development of hybrid green composites from lignin, cellulose fibres and bioplastics.
- Lifecycle Analysis
- Prototype Development
Dr. Sain, University of Toronto (UofT);
Mr. Das, ORNL;
Dr. Mohanty and Dr. Misra, University of Guelph (UofG);
Dr. Oksman, LUT, Sweden
Dr. Nayak, CIPET
3. Nanocellulose-derived flexible and smart materials
Development of nanocellulose derived from flexible and smart materials using nanocellulose composite substrate that can maintain a high optical transparency even after heating at high temperatures of at least 200°C for 3-5 h.
- Improvement of thermal stability of the flexible substrate.
- Development of flexible devices.
Dr. Sain and Dr. Mann, University of Toronto (UofT)
Dr. Manuspiya, Chulalongkorn University (CU), Thailand;
Dr. Oksman, LUT, Sweden.
4. Lignin and nanocellulose-derived coatings
Development of industrial coatings using lignin and nanocellulose
- Developing industrial coating using modified lignin as antioxidant.
- Developing polyurethane coatings using lignin derived polyol.
- Developing nanocellulose best coatings.
Dr. Mostaghimi, Dr. Master, and Dr. Sain and Dr. Chandra, University of Toronto (UofT)
Dr. Rakshit, Lakehead University (LU)
Keywords: Bio-economy, Clean technology, Nano-engineering, Clean nano, automotive, bioproducts