Speaker: Johan Foster, The University of British Columbia

X Challenger: Ji Wan, Peking University

Time: 20:00 pm, August 12, 2022, GMT+8

Venue: iCANX Talks platform

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Abstract:

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are high-aspect ratio, mechanically stiff fibers which can serve as both a bio-renewable reinforcing agent in nanocomposites, as well as a handle for adding stimuli responsiveness. CNCs can be extracted from a wide range of natural cellulosic materials, with characteristics such as crystal structure, crystallinity and aspect ratio fluctuate widely between sources. Moieties attached to the surface of cellulose nanocrystals show that both irreversible and reversible changes can be induced by application of an external stimuli.  Our present research focused on the design and fabrication of structured cellulose nanocrystals foams and nanocomposites for implantation. These specifically designed materials are mechanically tunable, matching the intended implantation site.

Biography:

Johan Foster is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CHBE) at the Faculty of Applied Science at UBC and holds the Canfor/NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Advanced Bioproducts. Previously, he was an associate professor in Materials Science and Engineering at Virginia Tech University, from which he was competitively recruited to UBC. Dr. Foster has co-authored over 120 original research papers in high-impact journals, as well as 3 patents. His research focuses on the design, synthesis and engineering of bio-inspired functional polymers and nanocomposites, including nanocellulose. Novel bio-derived materials developed through his research are finding use or commercial potential in cartilage tissue engineering, in drug-release formulations to improve tissue response to mechanically adaptive cortical implants, in fragrance release technologies, and in highly novel photo-switchable nanocomposite materials, amongst a range of many promising applications. Dr. Foster has received as a PI or co-applicant over $9.5 million CDN in competitively peer-reviewed funding and has trained 67 HQP in the past five years alone. He is an active and highly visible member of the forest bioproducts research community, having been invited to present at over 40 conferences in the past 5 years. In the past year he was recognized by his peers with two major international awards: the Kingfa Young Investigator by the American Chemical Society Cellulose Division (2019), and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Nanotechnology Division Mid-Career Award (2020). Both awards recognized Dr. Foster’s world leading research in the areas of cellulosic materials by international organizations.
 
Johan serves as Co-Chair of the nanotechnology division of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, and was co-chair and organizer of TAPPI NANO 2016. He is a member of four peer reviewed journal editorial boards. He is an expert for the European Research Commission (ERC) Marie Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN), an expert for International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO/TC 229 WG 2 and is the official departmental evaluator, University of Ghana, Department of Biomedical Engineering (2017-2019).

Source: iCANX