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
- UBC Department of Chemistry – LMC Virtual Seminar Series on September 29, 2020
- Guest Lecture in WOOD 373 (Instructor: Jiang) on October 1, 2020
- Cabot Corporation, Virtual Seminar on October 7, 2020
- Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, CCEC 2020, Ottawa on October 25, 2020 - October 28, 2020
- McGill University, Dept. of Chemistry – Seminar Series on November 17, 2020
- ACS Spring 2021 – Virtual Meeting & Expo on April 5, 2021 - April 16, 2021
- TAPPI Nano 2021 – Hybrid format conference on June 14, 2021 - June 18, 2021
- Pacifichem 2021 on December 16, 2021 - December 21, 2021
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
