Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CELLO (Cellulose Based Photonic Materials)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2022-06-01 do 2023-11-30
Cello relies in the use of cellulose and derivatives for photonic applications , opening new pathways for one of the most abundant biopolymers on the earth.
Transparent materials can exhibit exciting optical properties if they present a nanostructure with dimensions similar to that of the incident light. This is the case of the well-known photonic crystals, periodic dielectric materials in which light propagation is described in terms of photonic bands and photonic bandgaps. One of the most interesting properties of these architectures is the exhibition of bright colors without the existence of pigments or dyes (hence, they will not fade over time). Using biocompatible materials to produce photonic structures will result in architectures that can control the flow of light in the material while being biocompatible, bioresorbable and even transient or edible. My group has demonstrated that cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer on earth, has also great potential for photonics as summarized in our 2018 publication in Nature Photonics 20189. In our work, we fabricated hydroxypropyl cellulose based photonic and plasmonic crystals by nanoimprinting lithography, resulting in films with bright colors that can serve for SERS sensing or feature water solubility. Molding materials is a simple task with the aid of nanoimprinting lithography, a technique in which a pre-patterned elastomer is used as a stamp to deform a thin film of a wide range of materials while compatible with roll to roll fabrication processes. Furthermore, our variation of NIL used in our group requires no cleanroom, since we perform the imprint process in a chemical lab. In this project, we prepare and characterize different photonic films from cellulose and demonstrate the versatility and potential of this biopolymer for optical applications.
Transparent materials can exhibit exciting optical properties if they present a nanostructure with dimensions similar to that of the incident light. This is the case of the well-known photonic crystals, periodic dielectric materials in which light propagation is described in terms of photonic bands and photonic bandgaps. One of the most interesting properties of these architectures is the exhibition of bright colors without the existence of pigments or dyes (hence, they will not fade over time). Using biocompatible materials to produce photonic structures will result in architectures that can control the flow of light in the material while being biocompatible, bioresorbable and even transient or edible. My group has demonstrated that cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer on earth, has also great potential for photonics as summarized in our 2018 publication in Nature Photonics 20189. In our work, we fabricated hydroxypropyl cellulose based photonic and plasmonic crystals by nanoimprinting lithography, resulting in films with bright colors that can serve for SERS sensing or feature water solubility. Molding materials is a simple task with the aid of nanoimprinting lithography, a technique in which a pre-patterned elastomer is used as a stamp to deform a thin film of a wide range of materials while compatible with roll to roll fabrication processes. Furthermore, our variation of NIL used in our group requires no cleanroom, since we perform the imprint process in a chemical lab. In this project, we prepare and characterize different photonic films from cellulose and demonstrate the versatility and potential of this biopolymer for optical applications.
Our target at the begining of the project was:
We designed a value creation process structured in three stages. The first stage was focused on technology development, from ideation to lab-scale materials and defining potential use cases. The second stage will be finalized within CELLO and consists of strategy development on several levels (manufacturing and validation, market, IP and business). The third stage of the value creation process will be initiated after CELLO and consists of business/commercial exploitation. The latter can be achieved through several business models. A potential scenario to be tested in CELLO is setting up a service-based company that could use the know-how on cellulose-based opacifiers as a novel approach to bring products within a circular economy. Lastly, we could out license the technology to a company on a milestone/royalty approach. A decision on the exploitation model will be taken towards the end of CELLO, based on the strategies developed in the project, the business potential and availability of seed/series A funding (or success in an EIC Transition application).
Close to the end of the project we have:
Point 1: Technology development. We have explored different ways to create added value optical films of nanocellulose. We have explored anti-reflective coatings made of CNC, and we are currently finalizing th studies in which we use CNC films doped with organic dyes as lasing media.
Point 2. Strategy. We have carried out a market study in order to identify the market niche for our technology and to focus our efforts.
Point 3. Exploitation: We have been approached by the company ORLOGA (industry for building machines to produce nanocellulose out of waste from paper industries) with the main idea to assemble a consortium in which they can add value to their products. We are also collaborating with BCM Materials (technological center) to develop cellulose based films and other biocompatible films for nanophotonic applications.
We designed a value creation process structured in three stages. The first stage was focused on technology development, from ideation to lab-scale materials and defining potential use cases. The second stage will be finalized within CELLO and consists of strategy development on several levels (manufacturing and validation, market, IP and business). The third stage of the value creation process will be initiated after CELLO and consists of business/commercial exploitation. The latter can be achieved through several business models. A potential scenario to be tested in CELLO is setting up a service-based company that could use the know-how on cellulose-based opacifiers as a novel approach to bring products within a circular economy. Lastly, we could out license the technology to a company on a milestone/royalty approach. A decision on the exploitation model will be taken towards the end of CELLO, based on the strategies developed in the project, the business potential and availability of seed/series A funding (or success in an EIC Transition application).
Close to the end of the project we have:
Point 1: Technology development. We have explored different ways to create added value optical films of nanocellulose. We have explored anti-reflective coatings made of CNC, and we are currently finalizing th studies in which we use CNC films doped with organic dyes as lasing media.
Point 2. Strategy. We have carried out a market study in order to identify the market niche for our technology and to focus our efforts.
Point 3. Exploitation: We have been approached by the company ORLOGA (industry for building machines to produce nanocellulose out of waste from paper industries) with the main idea to assemble a consortium in which they can add value to their products. We are also collaborating with BCM Materials (technological center) to develop cellulose based films and other biocompatible films for nanophotonic applications.
Results potential impacts:
- We have created antireflective films made of nanocrystalline cellulose. These films could potentially replace current AR coatings in solar cells and windows, specially replacing coatings based in plastic materials that end up increasing the microplastic pollution that is becoming an issue for our society.
- We further support other observations of the use of cellulose as a material viable for photonic applications. We hope to open up the gamut of possibilities for this material.
Key needs to ensure further uptake and success:
We would need to continue research in the mechanical and durability of the films, first in the lab then in exterior environment. We would need the support of more specialized groups to work of the formulation/functionalization of the cellulose nanocrystal films. Thanks to the market study performed in the project, we have identified the best partners for a future follow up project.
Overview of the results
Nanocrystalline cellulose can be obtained from the paper industry waste and can find application in photonic applications such as antireflective films, hosting lasing systems and other nanostructured systems. Thanks to the eco-resorbability of the material , cellulose photonic films can replace current optical coatings made in plastic becoming a green alternative.
- We have created antireflective films made of nanocrystalline cellulose. These films could potentially replace current AR coatings in solar cells and windows, specially replacing coatings based in plastic materials that end up increasing the microplastic pollution that is becoming an issue for our society.
- We further support other observations of the use of cellulose as a material viable for photonic applications. We hope to open up the gamut of possibilities for this material.
Key needs to ensure further uptake and success:
We would need to continue research in the mechanical and durability of the films, first in the lab then in exterior environment. We would need the support of more specialized groups to work of the formulation/functionalization of the cellulose nanocrystal films. Thanks to the market study performed in the project, we have identified the best partners for a future follow up project.
Overview of the results
Nanocrystalline cellulose can be obtained from the paper industry waste and can find application in photonic applications such as antireflective films, hosting lasing systems and other nanostructured systems. Thanks to the eco-resorbability of the material , cellulose photonic films can replace current optical coatings made in plastic becoming a green alternative.