The BAMI research hub will convert lignocellulosic streams into a series of marketable materials, chemicals and energy products. The research will transform the existing industry by creating new high value products from existing fibres or by transforming biomass into new products.
This industry transformation will be achieved via two research platforms:
Functional Materials
Nanocellulose hydrogel
Novel renewable composites is engineered with unique properties made from wood and agriculture residues. From wood and plants, we are developing a series of nanocellulose materials: micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC), nano fibrillated cellulose (NFC), and nanocellulose crystals (NCC). These three types of nanocellulose can be combined with nanoparticles to develop recyclable composites that are transparent to translucid, are electricity conductors or insulators, are very strong and flexible or provide gas and water vapour barriers. Applications are in intelligent packaging, food preservation and lighter/thinner packaging, low cost/disposable reverse osmosis membranes for water and food processing purification, and industrial air filters.
Green Energy Solutions
Forest and agricultural residues are transformed into a series of complementary marketable green chemicals and energy. Our strategy focuses on chemical intermediates that are difficult to produce from petroleum and that have an established market. We apply the full green chemistry philosophy by aiming at transforming all reactants (wood) into products, by minimising energy and water consumption as well as effluent emission (air and water) and by avoiding complex separation/purification steps. We develop catalytic reaction engineering and industrial biotechnology as preferred technologies and rely on life-cycle analysis to optimise process and environmental protection.