Cellulose-based value-added applications: humidity sensors and wearable electronics

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The Canadian pulp and paper industry plays an important role in the Canadian economy. Use of some traditional paper products, e.g. newsprint and printing/writing paper, is declining. Development of new and value-added products from cellulose as a raw material is critical. Cellulose-based value-added products are known in the paper industry as "specialty paper grades", which include many products, from glassine paper to insulating paper. With the strong demand for sustainable development from the general public and government, specialty paper (paper-based smart materials/products) will continue to increase. The long-term vision of Dr. Ni's research program is to support the Canadian forestry industry's competitive advantage by developing novel cellulose-based products. Such research activities not only present new opportunities for the traditional forest sector, but also meet demands for green/sustainable development. In this Discovery Grant, Dr. Ni will focus on the development of cellulose-based smart materials-humidity sensors/actuators, which fall into another kind of specialty paper. Dr. Ni and his team will combine engineering principles with chemistry, material science, advanced characterization tools, and simulation/theoretical analyses to generate deep insights that will enable the development of targeted products. The three "short- term" objectives of the research program are to: 1) Integrate process concepts for the production of cellulose-based humidity sensors/actuators with the paper manufacturing processes; 2) Develop extremely high-sensitivity cellulose humidity sensors to meet high-value applications, such as biomimicry and optical switches, among others; 3) Produce high- transparency cellulose based humidity sensors/actuators, with such applications as invisible robots and bionic skins, and other fields that require clever camouflage. HQP trained through the proposed research will gain skills not only related to engineering principles, but also related to communication and leadership. Upon graduation, these HQP will be ready to enter the industry and academia. As proven from Dr. Ni's past track record, the proposed research will not only lead to advances in the fundamental knowledge related to lignocellulosic materials and their processing, but also new technologies that can be transferred to industrial practices, thus enhancing the economic/social importance of the Canadian pulp and paper industry, which has roots in many communities from the east to west coasts.