Natural Materials Technology

Natural Materials Technology - for a Sustainable Future We exploit state-of-the-art analytical methodology and fabrication technology to ensure molecular-level understanding of biorefinery processes to enable development of products to meet the future needs of the society. Examples of major research areas include: Biomass fractionation and modification. Our biorefining approach aims at utilizing forest and other renewable resources as efficiently as possible, thus minimizing the amount of waste and environmental impact. For example, selective extraction and recovery of cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, and polyphenols from wood, bark, and process waters is followed by functionalization to serve various value-added end-uses. Biopolymers for medical applications. We explore the potential of nanocellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin as hydrogels and materials for biomedical applications, especially through 3D bioprinting. Several crosslinking approaches have been developed to combine nanocellulose with crosslinkable hemicellulose derivatives into 3D printable materials that can find uses, e.g., as body spare parts or in cell studies. Surface engineering of natural fibre-based materials. In recent years, this major competence area has expanded from traditional mineral pigment and barrier coating to include printing and novel surface treatment methods for fabrication of functional coatings and printed electronics on paper. Recent work has developed high throughput coating processes for converting bio-based polymers and materials such as nanocellulose into biodegradable barrier coatings and films for use in plastic-free packaging applications. Core competences Novel analytical techniques, biomass fractionation and modification, 3D printing of biopolymers, coating and printing technology, rheology of complex materials, composite and porous material characterization, modeling and numerical simulation, papermaking and paper chemistry.