Grant: Strategic Projects - Group
Queen's University
$117,720.00
Stimuli Responsive Crystalline Nanocellulose (CNC) and Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC)
FY 2013-14
Summary
Canada's forest industry employs over 140,000 people and contributes nearly $20B to the national GDP. Although it has long been a prominent part of Canada's manufacturing sector, the forestry industry is facing severe economic pressures due to an increasingly competitive global marketplace and declining margins for its products. In the past decade, the industry has shrunk significantly in terms of both employment and value of its products. Innovations in wood products are seen as the key to revitalizing Canada's forest industry, especially the development of products with new properties, not currently in existence, that could give our manufacturers a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. FPInnovations has partnered with researchers at Queen's University to design a ""smart"" or stimuli-responsive version of a new nanomaterial, ""crystalline nanocellulose"", that could find applications in a range of products and market sectors including nanocomposites, coatings, varnishes, and iridescent films for use as barrier materials and security paper. Crystalline nanocellulose, or CNC, is a new nanomaterial currently being developed for commercialization. Canada is a leading player in CNC commercialization, and FPInnovations is a partner in the world's first demonstration plant that opened in 2011. The research collaboration will make CNC that is ""smart"", capable of exhibiting dramatic changes in its chemical and physical properties using only carbon dioxide and air as triggers. There is currently no such product in existence, and therefore an opportunity exists to give Canadian industry a significant advantage. We will also develop a ""smart"" stimuli-responsive microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). MCC is the conventional form of cellulose widely used in numerous products. Our stimuli-responsive microcrystalline cellulose will present an opportunity for product differentiation and expansion into new markets. The benefits to Canada of this research are exceptional. Our research will help the Canadian forestry industry address challenges in new product innovation as well as providing them with highly trained scientists with the skills required to keep Canadian companies competitive.
Program
Strategic Projects - Group
Recipient
Location
Ontario, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
447242-2013
Name nom
Cunningham, Michael
Department département
Chemical Engineering
Organization id
29
Institution établissement
Queen's University
Province en
Ontario
Province fr
Ontario
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2013
Competition year année de concours
2013
Award amount
117720
Program id
STPGP
Program name en
Strategic Projects - Group
Program name fr
Projets stratégiques - De groupe
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1569
Committee name en
Strategic Projects Selection Panel - Manufacturing
Committee name fr
Comité de sélection des projets stratégiques - Fabrication
Area of application code
508
Area of application group en
Manufacturing processes and products
Area of application group fr
Procédés et produits industriels
Area of application en
Polymers, rubber and plastics
Area of application fr
Polymères, caoutchouc et plastiques
Research subject code
3750
Research subject group en
Polymer chemistry
Research subject group fr
Chimie des polymères
Research subject en
Polymer chemistry
Research subject fr
Chimie des polymères
Partie
1
Nb partie
3
Application title
Stimuli Responsive Crystalline Nanocellulose (CNC) and Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC)
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Canada's forest industry employs over 140,000 people and contributes nearly $20B to the national GDP. Although it has long been a prominent part of Canada's manufacturing sector, the forestry industry is facing severe economic pressures due to an increasingly competitive global marketplace and declining margins for its products. In the past decade, the industry has shrunk significantly in terms of both employment and value of its products. Innovations in wood products are seen as the key to revitalizing Canada's forest industry, especially the development of products with new properties, not currently in existence, that could give our manufacturers a competitive advantage in the global marketplace. FPInnovations has partnered with researchers at Queen's University to design a ""smart"" or stimuli-responsive version of a new nanomaterial, ""crystalline nanocellulose"", that could find applications in a range of products and market sectors including nanocomposites, coatings, varnishes, and iridescent films for use as barrier materials and security paper. Crystalline nanocellulose, or CNC, is a new nanomaterial currently being developed for commercialization. Canada is a leading player in CNC commercialization, and FPInnovations is a partner in the world's first demonstration plant that opened in 2011. The research collaboration will make CNC that is ""smart"", capable of exhibiting dramatic changes in its chemical and physical properties using only carbon dioxide and air as triggers. There is currently no such product in existence, and therefore an opportunity exists to give Canadian industry a significant advantage. We will also develop a ""smart"" stimuli-responsive microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). MCC is the conventional form of cellulose widely used in numerous products. Our stimuli-responsive microcrystalline cellulose will present an opportunity for product differentiation and expansion into new markets. The benefits to Canada of this research are exceptional. Our research will help the Canadian forestry industry address challenges in new product innovation as well as providing them with highly trained scientists with the skills required to keep Canadian companies competitive.
