Lapuz trains on nanocellulose production
October 26, 2015
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DOST-FPRDI researcher Anniver Ryan P. Lapuz (left) poses with Engr. Richard S. Reiner, in-charge of the Nanocellulose Pilot Plant of the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) of the US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service in Madison, Wisconsin. Lapuz trained at the FPL from 10-21 August 2015 on methods for producing and utilizing nanocellulose materials.
Cellulose is the major component found in the cell walls of plants, while nanomaterials are very small substances, either natural or synthesized, which are 10,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair.
Nanomaterials are produced to exhibit extraordinary properties (such as high strength, chemical reactivity or conductivity) compared to the same material at a bigger scale. Worldwide, hundreds of products containing nanomaterials are already being used, such as batteries, coatings, anti-bacterial clothing, etc.
Lapuz reports, “The laboratory techniques I have learned from the FPL will be useful to me as project staff of the R&D Program on Abaca Fiber for Specialty Papers, Textile and other high-end Products which is spearheaded by FPRDI. We hope to be able to successfully extract nanocellulose from abaca fibers using FPL methods.”
Lapuz’s training was funded by the DOST’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technologies - Philippine Bases Conversion and Development Authority (PCIEERD-BCDA). (Rizalina K. Araral, 22 October 2015)#
