Please join Ben Cudmore for his Molecular and Macromolecular Sciences Seminar Program presentation entitled " The Role of Nanocellulose in a Sustainable Future".

Abstract: In the past century, petroleum products have been extensively developed resulting in cost-effective plastics with applications in food packing, transportation, and electronics. While these materials currently remain fundamental in supporting the needs of our constantly growing global society, they suffer from poor recyclability and long-life cycles. It is essential that our industrial and technological growth transitions towards more sustainable practices and materials. In the past decade, nanocellulose has shown potential to alleviate the need for petroleum-based products. Nanocellulose can be derived from natural cellulose, the most common natural polymer on the planet, making it a sustainable and renewable material. The two primary forms nanocellulose are nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) which are composed of highly ordered crystalline segments of cellulose (typically 100–500 nm by 10–50 nm), and cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) consisting of segments of amorphous and crystalline cellulose (typically 2–60 nm by several micrometers). The nano-scale of these materials in addition to crystallinity provide excellent mechanical and optical properties that can be incorporated into composite materials. Nanocellulose is inexpensive, renewable and has been used to produce bioplastics, transparent conductive material, flexible electrodes, sensors, and generators with improved recyclability and competitive performance. This seminar explores the application of nanocellulose in these areas highlighting its potential role in maintaining our technologically advancing society.

All are welcome to attend!