The Partnership Research Program on Nanotechnologies for the Forest Sector for the Creation of High Technology Products

In the fall of 2009, The Partnership Research Program on Nanotechnologies for the Forest Sector for the Creation of High Technology Products was launched by ArboraNano and  the Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la nature et les technologies (FQRNT).

This Program has been created to interest Québec researchers working in various disciplinary fields to propose innovative research that offers interesting avenues for the creation of new high-tech products and research on the application of nanotechnologies in the wood processing and pulp and paper sectors.

The research needs as defined by the Program are as follows:

Wood processing sector

• Improvement and development of new properties of coatings and adhesives with nanoparticles.
• Improvement of wood composites with nanomaterials.
• Plasma and thin surface treatment of wood products.

Pulp and paper sector

• Development of new nanocomposites with NanoCrystalline Cellulose (NCC).
• Modification of the surface properties of NCC to improve the compatibility of the polymers with NCC in nanocomposites.
• Development of applications that exploit the optical properties of NCC, such as control of colour and iridescence.
• Development of coatings using NCC, particularly those with gas and liquid barrier properties.
• Characterization of NCC.
• Use of nanomaterials to improve pulp and paper processes.

The Partnership Research Program will ultimately promote partnerships among businesses, government departments and agencies, research institutions and end-users. The collaboration of the partners involved will also allow for the development and training of researchers working in the forest sector.

Following an online Call for Proposals, ArboraNano and  FQRNT are pleased to announce the research projects selected as part of the Program for Research in Partnership on Nanotechnologies for the Forest Sector. Please click here to view the results.

Please visit www.arboranano.ca regularly for the latest developments in this joint program.

For more information on The Partnership Research Program on Nanotechnologies for the Forest Sector for the Creation of High Technology Products, please visit http://www.fqrnt.gouv.qc.ca/partenariatsInnovation/