Lecture Invitation: Multifunctional Nanocomposites from Naturally Derived Materials: Conductive Melanin and Crystalline Nanocellulose
The public lecture of Professor Bong (Inha University, South Korea) will be held on Friday, June 2, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. in the meeting room of the FCH Dean's Office, 5th floor.
Multifunctional Nanocomposites from Naturally Derived Materials:Conductive Melanin and Crystalline Nanocellulose
Bong Sup Shim
Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering & Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea (South Korea)
In the pursuit of sustainability and multifunctionality in materials science, we find inspiration in the elegance of nature’s designs. This lecture will dive into our exploration of naturally occurring biomaterials – the highly crystalline cellulose nanofibers and the conductive melanin nanoparticles – and how they inspire a biomimetic approach to creating advanced composites. Cellulose nanofibers, extracted from tunicates, demonstrate high crystallinity, straight fibrous shapes, and liquid crystalline alignments, closely resembling nature’s blueprint. Harnessing these characteristics, the derived nanocomposites exhibit superior optical, mechanical, and surface properties. On the other hand, melanin nanoparticles – a natural pigment found in most organisms – hold impressive conductive properties. These nanoparticles offer the flexibility of finely-tuned electrical and optical properties, inherent biocompatibility, and shape stability – attributes that echo the adaptability of biological systems.
Through biomimetic strategies, we integrate these two elements to form composites that are versatile, durable, and biocompatible. The composites employ the principles of hierarchical organization and functional gradation observed in natural composites, combining strength, conductivity, and biocompatibility in one material. This biomimetic approach to nanocomposite fabrication introduces new possibilities in the emerging field of bioelectronics. Potential applications range from creating biotic-abiotic interfaces, where the composite serves as a bridge between biological and electronic systems, to the development of implantable bionic devices and eco-friendly electronics. The lecture will delve deeper into these academic biomimetic strategies, the process of synthesizing these composites, and their potential applications. This journey into the intersection of biology and materials science illuminates the exciting future of sustainable and multifunctional materials.
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| Link | https://www.fch.vut.cz/en/faculty/organizational-structure/ichtep/news/f142342/d256797 |