Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
forest products industry to manufacture materials with radically different performance
properties.
The following R&D focus areas were initially selected on the basis that they (1) pro-
vide the best path forward for a nanotechnology roadmap by identifying the underlying
science and technology needed, and (2) foster essential interactions among visionary,
interdisciplinary research and technology leaders from industry, academia, research insti-
tutions, and government (Atalla et al . 2005).
1. Polymer composites and nano-reinforced materials - combine wood-based materials
with nanoscale materials to develop new or improved composite materials with unique
multifunctional properties.
• Develop and investigate novel materials with enhanced properties (e.g. films, coat-
ings, fillers, matrices, pigments, additives, and fibers - especially lignocellulosic
nanofibrils.
• Develop and investigate novel materials for processing equipment.
• Develop and understand the interrelationships between nanoscale material charac-
teristics and the resulting product end use property improvements.
• Determine the best way to implement new materials.
• Develop economic and life-cycle models for forest-based nanoscale materials and
products.
2. Self-assembly and biomimetics - use the natural systems of woody plants as either the
source of inspiration or the template for developing or manipulating unique nano-,
micro-, and macroscale polymer composites via biomimicry and/or direct assembly
of molecules.
• Develop a technical platform enabling self-assembly of paper products and other
lignocellulosic materials at the nanoscale.
• On existing lignocellulosic substrates create novel, functional, self-assembling sur-
faces.
• Develop a fundamental understanding of molecular recognition in plant growth and
cell wall self-assembly to create new or enhance existing products.
• Learn to characterize self-assembled natural and synthetic material and to integrate
micro- and nanoscale organization in products.
3. Cell wall nanostructures - manipulate cell wall nanostructure of woody plants in order
to modify or enhance their physical properties and create wood and wood fibers with
superior manufacturability or end-use performance.
• Investigate the process of formation of cellulose nanofibrils, including genetic,
biochemical, cellular, and biophysical regulation.
• Characterize the processes that regulate the formation of the other constituents of
the cell wall and the manner in which they are coupled with the deposition of
cellulose.
• Determine the manner in which the processes of assembly and consolidation are
guided by the expression of genomic information, the biophysical interactions of
the synthesized molecules, and the emerging mechanical properties.
• Apply new instrumentation methods to study the cell wall native state without
significantly altering its structures.
• Develop cell walls as models and materials for nanoscale assembly.
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