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
- Sustainable Materials Research Summit – SMART 2022 on August 7, 2022 - August 9, 2022
- ACS Fall 2022 Meeting and Exhibition, Chicago on August 21, 2022 - August 25, 2022
- Advances in Pulp and Paper Research, Cambridge 2022 on August 28, 2022 - September 1, 2022
- European Colloid and Interface Society Conference, Crete on September 4, 2022 - September 9, 2022
- Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, CCEC 2022, Vancouver on October 23, 2022 - October 26, 2022
- Nordic Wood Biorefinery Conference, Helsinki on October 25, 2022 - October 27, 2022
- MRS Fall 2022 Meeting, Boston on November 27, 2022 - December 2, 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
