Abstract:

The Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology performs high standard soft matter research. It includes ca. 100 people where the main part is PhD-students. The department is research intensive but also give courses on bachelor, master and PhD levels. Examples of courses are Polymer materials, Polymer chemistry and Fibre technology. The department consists of six divisions; Biocomposites, Fibre technology, Polymeric materials, Polymer technology, Wood chemistry and pulp technology and coating technology. Examples of research within the different divisions are given below. In the Biocomposites group work is performed on nanocellulose, micromechanics or cellulose fibers and biofoams. Cellulose fibre surfaces and modifications, polyelectrolytes and adhesion of wood/biopolymers are central issues dealt with in the Fibre technology division. Ageing properties, modelling of polymers and development of new biopolymer/biopolymer products are central themes in the Polymeric materials division. Also in the Wood chemistry division nanocellulose is a matter of research but it also include research on lignin and softwood bark. Dendrimers, graft techniques, and adhesives are current topics in the coating technology group. Biomaterials, hemicellulose and ageing properties of polymers are examples of researcg topic within the Polymer technology group. Ann-Christine Albertsson, leading this group is also the Chief Editor of Biomacromolecules.