Bioinspired plant cell capsules for new applications
- Reference number
- ICA14-0045
- Start and end dates
- 150901-190831
- Amount granted
- 4 000 000 SEK
- Administrative organization
- KTH - Royal Institute of Technology
- Research area
- Materials Science and Technology
Summary
Nature-inspired materials is an expanding research field with enormous potential within technical and life science areas. In particular, plant cells and plant cell walls are fascinating constructions that take on different architectures depending on their specific environments and functions. The objective of the present project is to mimic aspects of how the different plant cell wall polymers (self)-assemble by synthesizing capsules and films. This will provide better understanding of how different aspects of the plant polymers influence cell wall properties. Furthermore, the goal is to use the knowledge to synthesize plant-cell-like capsules with tailored mechanical, porosity and/or oxygen barrier properties using only plant polymers and biomimetic cross-linking reactions. Such capsules have potential applications within pharmaceutical, technical and food-related areas. Additionally, these materials will improve the understanding of the architecture and mechanical properties of the primary plant cell wall.
Popular science description
Nature-inspired materials is an expanding research field with enormous potential within technical and life science areas. In particular, plant cells and plant cell walls are fascinating constructions that take on different architectures depending on their specific environments and functions. The objective of the present project is to mimic aspects of how the different plant cell wall polymers (self)-assemble by synthesizing capsules and films. This will provide better understanding of how different aspects of the plant polymers influence cell wall properties. Furthermore, the goal is to use the knowledge to synthesize plant-cell-like capsules with tailored mechanical, porosity and/or oxygen barrier properties using only plant polymers and biomimetic cross-linking reactions. Such capsules have potential applications within pharmaceutical, technical and food-related areas. Additionally, these materials will improve the understanding of the architecture and mechanical properties of the primary plant cell wall.