Grant: Idea to Innovation

This I2I project demonstrates the utility of a novel nanoparticle coating system for use in health and cosmetics ingredients. It arises from research that has demonstrated lignin's ability to scavenge free radicals, and a patent pending technology filed by the University of Ottawa. Lignin is the second most abundant natural polymer on earth, after cellulose. Traditionally lignin is a by-product of the pulp and paper industry with very few value-added applications, in fact, vanillin is usually mentioned as an exceptional case of a commercial product that has been made from lignin since 1937. For many decades lignin has been burnt to generate energy for paper mills, yet lignin has a remarkable rich structure which includes many organic structures, including phenolic moieties that have excellent antioxidant properties. The detailed structure of lignin depends of the species of tree, the geographical location and the nature of the harsh treatments required to extract and solubilize the lignin, as the natural polymer is insoluble in water and organic solvents. The new technology utilizes light to cover nanostructures with an insoluble lignin shell that preserves its antioxidant properties and can provide biocompatibility for applications in health and cosmetics; one such application involves the invention of a safe form of lignin-coated titanium dioxide sun protection applications. Scale up of the production of lignin coated materials is at the essence of this project, as making the materials available in the 100 g to 1 kg scale is essential for the manufacturers of consumer products to test the new materials.*