FBB3150 Biomimetic Bio- and Nano Composites 7.5 credits

The course is on the advanced level and consists of lectures, laboratory demonstrations, and a project assignment that includes literature review, biomimetic composite material design, and a seminar. The entire project assignment is presented in a seminar at the end of the course.

Assignments Between Lectures

Before each meeting there is literature to read and a written assignment to do. Directions for reading and the assignments are in the schedule. Write about one to two A4 pages in a simple format, perhaps a bullet list. Upload it to course website on Bilda.

The purpose of the assignments (literature and written assignments) is to:

-    Generate appropriate learning activity for you

-    Prepare you for the final project assignment

-    Increase the quality of learning using remote online lectures

As you understand, you must set aside time for reading and working between the meetings.

Laboratory Demonstrations (Optional)

We will provide the opportunity for lab demonstrations based on the demand and interest from students. The choices of lab demonstrations include:

1. The production of microfibrillated cellulose and preparation of cellulose nanopapers.

2. The preparation of foams and aerogels from microfibrillated cellulose.

3. Bacterial cellulose cultivation.

The Project Assignment

The main goal with the project assignment is that the students will use the knowledge from this and previous courses and, according to their own interest, design a nanostructured composite material using nanoscale building blocks from cellulose, or chitin, or other biomaterials. They will prepare a written report providing a review of the state of the art and illustrating their material design, synthesis and characterization plan. They will also prepare a PowerPoint presentation with voice and upload it to course website on Bilda. The detail instruction for the project assignment is in the schedule.

The course’s goal is to provide basic knowledge about the intersection of biology, materials science, and nanotechnology, and thus to give good theoretical and experimental insight into biomimetic designing of bio- and nanocomposites based on wood, fibers and their constituent polymers for advanced applications.

After passing the course, the student should be able to:

-Recognize the greater challenges in integrating complex biological knowledge into the design of improved materials.

-Describe how the chemical structure, physical and mechanical properties, and surface properties of biomaterials may be optimal for different applications.

-Describe the microstructure and function of wood, cellular structures and the cell wall, and how cell wall composition may be engineered for different applications.

-Describe the concepts and methods developed for obtaining a range of nanoscale biomaterial building blocks with strictly controlled size, shape, bulk and surface structure, composition and properties.

-Explain how nanoscale biomaterial building blocks can be organized and integrated into nanostructured materials using self-assembly, templating, layer-by-layer technology, and other advanced methods.

-Utilize the knowledge obtained from such multidisciplinary field to design functional bio- and nanocomposite materials using materials that occur in nature as the biomimetic model.

Students enrolled in the “Graduate School for Biomimetic Engineering” are prioritized. The applicant must hold a University degree in natural science. Graduation in engineering, biology, chemistry or biotechnology is recommended. Good knowledge in written and spoken English is required.

Scientific articles.

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

The course comprises written examination (4.5 hp), assignments between the lectures (1 hp), and the project assignment (2 hp). The final grade will be pass or fail on the course.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.