Biomaterial Analysis for Flax Biofiber: from Harvest to Product

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Canada is a world leader in flax seed production with an estimated 910 million tonnes to be harvested in this crop year. Unfortunately almost all of the straw from the crop is currently burned in the field. The estimated market value for processed flax fibre that is currently burned is $20-30 million dollars/year. Progress has been made to raise industry capacity to process straw into linen fiber, but crop variation across the same field has made it economically unfeasible to process textile grade fiber from oilseed flax straw. This program of research will use near and mid infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy to analyze oilseed flax stems and straw from harvest to the final product. The ability to conduct assessments at time of harvest will enable producers to sell the crop to the highest value market; effectively sorting the variation produced in the field to the benefit of both producer (farmer) and consumers (i.e., textile, composites, paper and fuel industries). ***     Dr. Morrison's world leading research instruments will provide the data required to construct models that predict: the quantity of extracted fibre, the relative ease of extraction and the relationship between measurable surface chemistry and subsurface structure/chemistry. Mid-IR instruments have not previously been considered viable for use in the field because of their delicate components. Specifically the required for a moving mirror on an air bearing in the most precise of mid-IR instruments keeps them in controlled labs and manufacturing facilities. The mid-IR instruments have also lacked sufficient light density to overcome weak signals and dust interference. However, new technology is producing quantum cascade lasers in the mid-IR that are bright enough to provide signals that are accurately measured using room temperature without a sliding mirror. What remains to be understood, and to be addressed by this program of research, are the frequencies the lasers would need to operate at and then the feasibility of their application in the field.***     Dr. Morrison's background makes him uniquely positioned to be an integral part of all stages of research from the fundamental mid-IR laboratory spectroscopy and feasibility models to the end work developing, integrating and evaluating new mid-IR diffuse backscatter spectroscopy and other necessary imaging components into baler designs. The development of methods and spectroscopy technology that is usable during harvest is key to successful precision agriculture, improved tracking and crop security as well as efficient processing and market valuation of crops.**