Theme 3: Novel Products
This theme deals with novel products. The research performed in themes 1 and 2 will likely lead to strong, dense hydrophobic networks with a low water vapour transmission rate. Additional research to make these fibre networks into products will be performed in this theme. Novel products that will be targeted include insulating materials, decorative furniture and textiles. The work on composites will focus on wood fibre-biofoam, and wood fibre-biopolymer composites for the automotive industry. There are five projects under this theme.
Theme 3 Leader:
Ramin Farnood (University of Toronto)
Project 3.1: Fibre Design Studio-Foam Forming and Converting
The objective of this project is to develop novel foam and folded paper products.
Lead investigator: James Olson and Mark Martinez (University of British Columbia)
HQP (PhD): Research position available
HQP (PDF): Research position available
HQP (MASc): Research position available
FPInnovations Co-investigator: Jimmy Jong
Project 3.2: Green Industrial Membranes for Water and Wastewater Treatment
The objective of this project is to develop wood fibre-based microfiltration membranes media for the removal of suspended particulates and microorganisms from water in industrial applications.
Lead investigator: Ramin Farnood (University of Toronto) and Theo van de Ven (McGill University)
HQP (PDF): Tongfei Wu (University of Toronto)
Technical Assistant: Turn Lu (University of Toronto)
FPInnovations Co-investigator: Michael Paleologou
Project 3.3: Functional Yarns from Cellulose Gels
The objective of this project is to develop a pilot scale process to produce textile yarns from cellulose gels using Canadian fibre.
Lead investigator: Theo van de Ven (McGill University)
Research Associate: Miro Antal
HQP (PDF): Nur Alam
Technical Assistant: Rishi Sharma
FPInnovations Co-investigator: Alois Vanerek
Project 3.4a: Development of Fibre-Reinforced Biofoams for Automotive Interior Parts
The objective of this project is to develop micro/nano fibre reinforced isocyanate free/substitute polyurethane foamed materials.
Lead investigator: Mohini Sain and Ramin Farnood (University of Toronto)
HQP (PDF): Omar Faruk
Project 3.4b: Developing Light Honeycomb Sandwich Panels for Automotive Interior Applications
The objective of this project is to use mechanical pulp fibres and paper honeycombs to develop novel green biodegradable sandwich panel products for automotive interior applications.
Lead investigator: Ning Yan and Mark Kortschot (University of Toronto)
HQP (PDF): Yichen Du
FPInnovations Co-investigator: Zhirun Yuan
