Characterization of water transport in lignocellulosic systems
Project description
In my doctoral project I am studying water transport in lignocellulosic systems. The focus thereby lies on the characterization of the aforementioned systems employing state-of-the-art techniques including but not limited to nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and neutron scattering techniques.
The aim is to understand the underlying mechanisms of water transport phenomena in the presence of cellulose as well as in other wood based systems. So far we developed a robust NMR technique to measure water diffusion in various cellulose nanofibril (CNF) dispersions before investigating other lignocellulosic systems such as wood based materials.
Understanding how water transport is influenced in these materials has not only implications for biological phenomena but also industrial applications.