Abstract
CarboMat focuses on new concepts using natural and engineered cellulosic raw materials from forest trees, crops or bacterial cultures for the design of new nanocomposites with unique performance. Cellulose nanofibers from bacterial cellulose and microfibrillated cellulose from wood or plant cell walls represent key nano-scale components for reinforcing new biomaterials. CarboMat aims at further tapping into the detailed mechanisms of cell wall biosynthesis, nanostructure and mechanical function to foster ideas for nanostructured hydrogels applicable in wet environments, such as those in biomedical products and separation matrices. Key applications comprise stimuli responsive materials, biological tissue scaffolding and wound treatment, innovative membranes for filtration, ligand capture, diagnostics and environmental remediation. In the longer perspective, materials can be envisioned that replace current petrochemical-based materials in larger scale applications such as functional textiles or structural biocomposites. A great advantage of entirely bio-based materials is that they are sustainable throughout their entire life cycle, from bioproduction in nature, bioprocessing for manufacture and recycling or biodegradation for disposal. The transfer of new technologies and knowledge from CarboMat to industries will be facilitated by Swedish biotechnology transfer companies and direct bi-lateral industrial interactions.
Sweden