Seminar 'Tuning the Interfacial Chemistry of (Nano)Cellulose for the Fabrication of Advanced Materials and Devices' by Prof. Jose Moran-Mirabal

Dr. Jose Moran-Mirabal is Professor and University Scholar in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at McMaster University, and the Founding Scientific Director of McMaster’s Centre for Advanced Light Microscopy. Dr. Moran-Mirabal’s research combines strengths in micro- and nanofabrication, 3D bioprinting, interfacial chemistry of biomaterials, and high-resolution fluorescence microscopy to design and study materials at the micrometer to nanometer scale. 

Prof. Moran-Mirabal will give a seminar 'Tuning the Interfacial Chemistry of (Nano)Cellulose for the Fabrication of Advanced Materials and Devices' during his visit at Aalto University in October 2024. Prof. Moran-Mirabal is the opponent at the doctoral defence of M.Sc. Yazan Al Haj that will take place on 30.10.24 at 13.00 in Lecture hall C100 Aluminium (Vuorimiehentie 2). More information about the defence (link TBA)

"Cellulose has been used throughout history as a source of building materials, textiles, and paper products due to the unique mechanical and chemical properties that arise from its hierarchical organization. Through research, we are learning that crystalline nanocelluloses (i.e., cellulose nanocrystals – CNCs, and cellulose nanofibrils – CNFs) not only exhibit the expected enhanced mechanical properties, but also display unique optical, electric, piezoelectric, and magnetic properties that are not found in macroscale cellulosic materials. These unique properties, along with their biodegradability and cytocompatibility, make nanocelluloses excellent candidates for the development of new advanced and environmentally benign materials. However, one of the most pressing challenges for the widespread deployment of nanocelluloses is the lack for simple routes to confer to them a wide range of surface functionalities. Our group has pursued innovative modular surface chemistry approaches, directed towards hydroxyl or carboxylate groups, that allow us to tune the interfacial properties and reactivity of a broad range of cellulose nanomaterials. 

This presentation will describe our efforts aimed at developing a range of small molecules that can be easily grafted onto cellulosic materials to convey a broad range of functionalities."

More information about Prof. Moran-Mirabal and about the seminar: