Welcome to the Cranston Research Group!
Our research aims to design high-performance materials to replace those that are based on non-renewable resources by learning from nature and using biological components. Currently, the bio-component of choice is nanocellulose. Specifically, this work includes investigating and modifying interfacial properties between nanocomposite components and encompasses disciplines including polymer, colloid and surface chemistry, chemical and materials engineering, and pulp and paper science.
Our Upcoming Talks
- ACS Spring 2022 Meeting and Exhibition on March 20, 2022 - March 24, 2022
- Nanocellulose Days 2022 (Boreal Alliance) on May 22, 2022 - May 25, 2022
- TAPPI Nano 2022 on June 13, 2022 - June 17, 2022
- Sustainable Materials Research Summit – SMART 2022 on August 7, 2022 - August 9, 2022
- Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, CCEC 2022, Vancouver on October 23, 2022 - October 26, 2022
Research & Areas of Interest
- Cellulose nanocrystals & cellulose nanofibrils
- Hybrid & nanocomposite materials
- Biopolymers
- Organic thin films/coatings
- Biomimetic materials
- Mechanical testing of nanomaterials
- Surface modification of nanoparticles
- Cellulose foams/gels/Pickering emulsions
- AFM: imaging and surface forces, adhesion, and friction
- Adsorption measurements by QCM-D, SPR and ellipsometry
