2023 Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) Symposium

Location

ScholarSpace, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa

Presentation Type

Open Access Poster Presentation

Document Type

poster

Abstract

Nanocellulose is synthesized from cellulose, which is the most abundant organic molecule found in nature. Nanocellulose solids are biodegradable and have a strength-to-weight ratio eight times that of steel1. The production of nanocellulose solids is challenging due to the large volume loss that occurs during the curing process as well as the time and cost associated with ultrasonic processing. The loss of volume during curing often results in cracking and deformation of the cured solid. The issues caused by the large volume loss can be mitigated using additives that do not compromise the strength, shape, or machineability of cured nanocellulose. With the addition of either wood glue, glycerin, or sugar to suspended nanocellulose, the solids better maintained the shape of the container in which they were dried with fewer cracks and deformations. The cost and time required for ultrasonic processing can be reduced using a flow through pump system that can process a greater volume in less time than a batch sonication process. Additionally, flow through processing allows for a suspension that is significantly more viscous, which is indicative of a more thorough breakdown of the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). Through the implementation of additives and flow through processing, we wish to create a product that is large, strong, light-weight, and waterproof. This would enable a widespread replacement of plastics, metals, and ceramics with environmentally friendly nanocellulose materials, and create a space for nanocellulose in extraterrestrial applications.

Start Date

28-7-2023 11:00 AM

End Date

28-7-2023 1:30 PM

Event Host

Summer Undergraduate Research Program, University of Northern Iowa

Faculty Advisor

Timothy E. Kidd

Department

Department of Physics

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

File Format

application/pdf

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Jul 28th, 11:00 AM Jul 28th, 1:30 PM

Flow Through Processing of Nanocellulose for Space Exploration Applications

ScholarSpace, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa

Nanocellulose is synthesized from cellulose, which is the most abundant organic molecule found in nature. Nanocellulose solids are biodegradable and have a strength-to-weight ratio eight times that of steel1. The production of nanocellulose solids is challenging due to the large volume loss that occurs during the curing process as well as the time and cost associated with ultrasonic processing. The loss of volume during curing often results in cracking and deformation of the cured solid. The issues caused by the large volume loss can be mitigated using additives that do not compromise the strength, shape, or machineability of cured nanocellulose. With the addition of either wood glue, glycerin, or sugar to suspended nanocellulose, the solids better maintained the shape of the container in which they were dried with fewer cracks and deformations. The cost and time required for ultrasonic processing can be reduced using a flow through pump system that can process a greater volume in less time than a batch sonication process. Additionally, flow through processing allows for a suspension that is significantly more viscous, which is indicative of a more thorough breakdown of the microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). Through the implementation of additives and flow through processing, we wish to create a product that is large, strong, light-weight, and waterproof. This would enable a widespread replacement of plastics, metals, and ceramics with environmentally friendly nanocellulose materials, and create a space for nanocellulose in extraterrestrial applications.