Natural Materials & Biocomposites Research Group

Research Group Summary

The Natural Fibres & Biocomposites Research Group at University of Canterbury is engaged in investigating novel environmentally, sustainable materials with the aim of reducing New Zealand’s reliance on materials derived from petrochemicals.

The group has worked on the processing of New Zealand flax fibre, bamboo, hemp fibre, regenerated cellulose fibres, bacterial cellulose, and other sources of cellulose for use in bio-plastics or bio-based composites.

The research involves the chemical, thermal and enzymatic treatment of these natural fibres to make them suitable for use as reinforcement in bio-based composites. The structure of the fibres are characterised after treatment using electron microscopy, wet chemistry and spectroscopy techniques. The mechanical properties (e.g. strength) of the fibres are measured using specialized equipment within our group to monitor the effect of various treatments in order to optimize processing treatments. Finally the fibres are combined with bio-plastics to form composites using a variety of processing routes such as hot compression and infusion under vacuum. An extensive range of facilities permits the assessment of mechanical, viscoelastic and thermomechanical properties of the final composite material.

We work with those industries interested in the application of bio-based composite materials in new products. If you are interested in becoming involved in our university-based research then please contact Dr. Mark Staiger.

Key Contact

• Mark Peter Staiger: Group Leader; Mechanical Engineering

Members - UC Staff

• Owen John Curnow: Chemistry (ionic liquids, cellulose dissolution); School of Physical & Chemical Sciences
• Jan Wolfgang Dormanns: Postgraduate researcher (all-cellulose composites); Mechanical Engineering
• Peter Alan Gostomski: Chemical Engineering (bacterial cellulose processing and properties); Chemical and Process Engineering
• Chaminda Deepal Jayasinghe: Postgraduate researcher (Cellulose dissolution, ionic liquids); School of Physical & Chemical Sciences
• Mokhtar Bin Mat Salleh: Postgraduate researcher (all-cellulose composites); Mechanical Engineering
• Shusheng Pang: Chemical Engineering (wood-polymer composites processing, durability and properties); Chemical and Process Engineering
• Jeremias David Mari Schuermann: Postgraduate researcher (all-cellulose composites); Mechanical Engineering
• Mark Peter Staiger: Group Leader; Mechanical Engineering
• Pablo Gerardo Torres Lepe: Postgraduate researcher (Electrospinning saccharides); Electrical and Computer Engineering

• Advanced manufacturing methods for single-polymer composites based on cellulose
• Deviation from elastic deformation in plant fibre composite materials
• Hygrothermal effects on the mechanical behaviour of all-cellulose composites
• Single-polymer composites based on cellulose: The search for a fibre-matrix interface

• Engineering and Technology: Acoustics; Bioprocess Engineering; Chemical & Process; Manufacturing; Materials; Mechanical; Natural Fibre & Bicomposites