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

In partnership with the the Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la nature et les technologies (FQRNT), ArboraNano is pleased to announce the launch of The Partnership Research Program on Nanotechnologies for the Forest Sector for the Creation of High Technology Products.

The Program aims to interest Quebec researchers working in various disciplines to respond to the needs of the partners and propose innovative research that would offer interesting avenues related to the application of nanotechnology to the pulp, paper and wood transformation 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.

Research projects that will address some of the above needs have been selected from a fall 2009 Call for Proposals.  Please click here for the list of grant recipients.

With an overall budget of $965,000, the selected researchers will carry out efforts until 2013.

As project activities continue, please visit www.arboranano.ca for updates.

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