[Workshop] Structure elucidation from molecular to macroscopic level

Functional Hybrid Materials: structure elucidation from molecular to macroscopic level – A workshop and training school

Speakers and lecturers

Thomas Albrecht-Schmitt, Florida State University

Zoltán Bacsik, Stockholm University

Lennart Bergström, Stockholm University

Luís Carlos, University of Aveiro

Marie-Helene Delville, Institute of Chemistry of Condensed Matter of Bordeaux

Thierry Darmanin, University of Nice

Niklas Hedin, Stockholm University

Andrew Ken Inge, Stockholm University

Vadim Kessler, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Nicholas Kotov, University of Michigan

Carita Kvarnström, University of Turku

Danielle Laurencin, Institute Charles Gerhard of Montpellier

Jean-Marie Nedelec, Institute of Chemistry of Clermont-Ferrand

Tomás Plivelic, MAX IV synchrotron

Meital Reches, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

João Rocha, University of Aveiro

German Salazar-Alvarez, Stockholm University

Nico Sommerdijk, Eindhoven University of Technology

Andreas Taubert, University of Potsdam

Wei Wan, Stockholm University

Max Wolff, Uppsala University

Xiaodong Zou, Stockholm University

The school aims at giving an overview of structure elucidation techniques relevant for the design of new hybrid materials. A recommendation of 1.5 ECTS will be given to students attending all lectures and presenting a poster. Deadline registration April 30th, 2016.

Registration free of charge. Details at http://www.tinc.nu/

Organizers

German Salazar-Alvarez, Stockholm University

Vadim Kessler, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences

Sponsored by:

[OPEN ACCESS] Fabrication of nanocellulose–hydroxyapatite composites and their application as water-resistant transparent coatings

Mai Ishikawa, Yuya Oaki, Yoshihisa Tanaka, Hideki Kakisawa, German Salazar-Alvarez and    Hiroaki Imai

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5TB00927H

Abstract
Nanosized composite rods ~300 nm in length and ~20 nm in width were produced by deposition of 22–77 wt% of a c-axis-oriented hydroxyapatite (HA) on cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). The CNCs functionalized with sulphonic groups were covered with the HA nanocrystals through controlled nucleation and growth under a moderately supersaturated condition in a solution system based on a simulated body fluid. Water-resistant transparent coatings 2–4 μm thick were obtained via evaporation-induced assembly of CNC–HA nanocomposites by casting their suspension on a glass substrate and the subsequent growth of HA nanocrystals by vapour hydrothermal treatment. The composite coatings exhibited improved mechanical strength compared to that of crustacean exoskeletons, and potential for bone regeneration.

[PhD defence] Christina Schütz – Fabrication of nanocellulose-based materials - Liquid crystalline phase formation and design of inorganic–nanocellulose hybrids

Christina Schütz​ has (literally) nailed her thesis and the dissertation will be on May 29th (See link). The full text of the thesis can be found at DiVA.

Thermally insulating and fire-retardant lightweight anisotropic foams based on nanocellulose and graphene oxide

Bernd Wicklein, Andraž Kocjan, German Salazar-Alvarez, Federico Carosio, Giovanni Camino, Markus Antonietti, and Lennart Bergström

Nature Nanotechnology 10 (2015) 277–283
DOI:10.1038/nnano.2014.248

Abstract
High-performance thermally insulating materials from renewable resources are needed to improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Traditional fossil-fuel-derived insulation materials such as expanded polystyrene and polyurethane have thermal conductivities that are too high for retrofitting or for building new, surface-efficient passive houses. Tailored materials such as aerogels and vacuum insulating panels are fragile and susceptible to perforation. Here, we show that freeze-casting suspensions of cellulose nanofibres, graphene oxide and sepiolite nanorods produces super-insulating, fire-retardant and strong anisotropic foams that perform better than traditional polymer-based insulating materials. The foams are ultralight, show excellent combustion resistance and exhibit a thermal conductivity of 15 mW/m·K, which is about half that of expanded polystyrene. At 30 °C and 85% relative humidity, the foams retained more than half of their initial strength. Our results show that nanoscale engineering is a promising strategy for producing foams with excellent properties using cellulose and other renewable nanosized fibrous materials.

[Summer school] Organic–inorganic hybrids and composites: from basic understanding to functional materials

The Chalmers Soft Matter Graduate School is organizing a summer school on “Organic–inorganic hybrids and composites: from basic understanding to functional materials”.  Please find attached the announcement. The summer school will take place between 2-5 of september lunch to lunch and it will be held in Djurönäset in the Stockholm archipelago (www.djuronaset.com).

Scope:
Organic–inorganic hybrids and composites have been playing a major role in research and society in recent years. Traditionally, organic–inorganic hybrids have had a focus on the polymeric matrix filled with relatively passive inorganic components. In parallel, with increased interest in alternatives to fossil fuels, there has been a strong move towards the fabrication of functional materials based on biopolymers that can be extracted from renewable sources. Hybrids and composites based on biopolymers are an ideal component for the fabrication of multifunctional materials in combination with various useful inorganic nanomaterials as they can combine impressive properties with environmentally benign and energy efficient production routes.
This course aims to give the participants an understanding of the properties of the organic and inorganic components, preparation methods, characterisation techniques and also examples of functional hybrid materials.

Topics that will be covered:
• Biopolymers: Properties of biopolymers (cellulose, chitin, DNA, proteins) in solutions and dispersions, JL.
• Bionanomaterials: Types of bionanomaterials, sources and isolation methods, GSA
• Nucleation and assembly: i) Nucleation and growth of inorganic materials, ii)Colloidal processing and assembly of hybrids, LB
• Optical characterisation: Polarised light microscopy, JL
• Morphological characterisation: Electron microscopy and X-ray scattering, GSA
• Surface characterisation: Catechols as model systems, DRM
• Interfacial characterisation: Solid state NMR, DL
• Mechanical characterisation: Tensile, flexural, compression testing and fracture toughness measurements, RL
• Bioinspired composites: High performance composites, RL

Lecturers:

Lennart Bergström (Stockholm University)
Jan Lagerwall (University of Luxembourg)
Danielle Laurencin (Institute Charles Gerhardt of Montpellier, France)
Rafael Libanori (ETH, Zurich, Switzerland)
Daniel Ruiz-Molina (Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia, Spain)

German Salazar-Alvarez (Stockholm University)

Registration: 
To apply to the summer school send an email to Christina Schütz (christina.schuetz@mmk.su.se) not later than July 28, 2014. The number of participants is limited to 30 and there is a priority to those students enrolled in the “Soft Matter Graduate School”at Chalmers University (www.chalmers.se/soft/); other students and participants are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. The summer school is free of charge for all students doing their PhD at a Swedish university. For students abroad and other participants, the fee is 6000 SEK (incl. accommodation and all meals; excl. VAT).

Schedule and examination:

time\date	Tuesday 2nd	Wednesday 3rd	Thursday 4th	Friday 5th
9-11.30		Nucleation and assembly	Surface characterisation	Project presentations
11.30-13.00	Arrival and lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch and departure
13.00-15	Biopolymer dispersions and solutions	Optical characterisation	Interfacial characterisation
15-17	Bionanomaterials	Morphological characterisation	Mechanical characterisation
17-18	Free time
18-20	Dinner	School dinner	Dinner
20-21	Project assignments		Bioinspired composites

The students are expected to work actively during the course and the participants will receive material to study in advance. During the course there will be individual assignments and individual presentations. We recommend that students after completing the course will be given 3 ECTS.


Contact:
• German Salazar-Alvarez (course leader) (german@mmk.su.se)
• Christina Schütz (registration and practical issues) (christina.schuetz@mmk.su.se)