Research
PAL Research Group – A Leader in Sustainable Materials Research and Advanced Manufacturing Innovation with Strong Industry and Public Partnership
Advances in Multi-scale Biomaterials for the Sustainable Future, Human Health, and Industry 4.0
- Sustainable synthesis and functionalization of lignocellulose and nanocellulose materials
- Advanced manufacturing and green chemical transformation of biomaterials
- Tissue and hygiene, smart packaging, flexible electronics and 3D printable materials
Sustainable synthesis and functionalization of lignocellulose and nanocellulose materials for
- Functional barrier materials for OGR, OTR, MVTR, and water absorption – alternative to plastics and fluorochemicals
- Light weight/flexible materials – alternative to Styrofoam
- Antimicrobial materials for self-disinfection, antibiofilm and sterilization – alternative to metal nanoparticles
- Smart stimuli-responsive materials for sensing, switchable bioadhesion and optics– alternative to analog systems
Advanced manufacturing and green chemical transformation of biomaterials
- Green chemically-generated lignocellulosic fibers for tissue and hygiene, smart packaging, flexible electronics and 3D printable materials – exploiting renewable resources for a circular economy
- Lignocellulose dewatering and drying for enhanced energy and machine efficiency and quality
- Smart manufacturing innovation utilizing industry 4.0 technologies
Check out below links to selected highlights of PAL Research Group projects
- Antimicrobial Tissue Paper Could Help Fight the Spread of COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases
- Industrial Hemp: A More Sustainable Option for the Hygiene Industry
- NC State Partners with CESMII to Promote ‘Smart’ Technologies in Paper Manufacturing, Other Industries
- Extraordinary Opportunities: PSE Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
RESEARCH THURSTS
- Advanced Renewable Materials Innovation (ARMI)
- Valorize Forestry and Agriculture Residues-based Materials (V-FARM)
- Waste to Advance Low-Cost Lignocellulose Innovations for Energy (WALLI-E)
- Multi-sensory Augmented Nanoscale Temporal Imaging and Spectroscopy (MANTIS)
- Artificial Intelligence-Visual Imaging & Spectral Imaging Optical Neural Networks (AI-VISIONN)
- Sustainable Alternatives to Plastics Packaging and Harvesting of Indigenous Renewable Energy (SAPPHIRE)
- Integrated Techno-Economics and Life-cycle Analysis (In-TELCA)