Johan Foster, University of British Columbia

"Sustainable Innovations: Transforming Materials for a Greener Future"

Abstract:

In recent years, the quest for sustainable and eco-friendly solutions has driven significant interest in bioproducts across various applications. Derived from renewable biomass sources, these bioproducts offer a promising pathway to address environmental concerns associated with conventional materials while introducing novel functionalities. This presentation highlights three key studies focusing on the synthesis, characterization, and performance evaluation of innovative bioproducts for automotive, construction, and water purification applications.

The automotive industry’s push for increased fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions can be significantly advanced through the use of bio-based rod-shaped fillers. These fillers present a viable alternative to conventional materials in critical automotive components, reducing vehicle weight and potentially enhancing mechanical properties.

In construction, biologically derived additives enhance the performance and sustainability of cement-based matrices. Systematic experimentation reveals improvements in workability, mechanical strength, durability, and environmental impact. This study illustrates the promising role of bioproducts in optimizing cement properties, offering a sustainable route to advanced construction materials that meet modern infrastructure demands while minimizing ecological footprints.

The persistence and adverse effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on human health and the environment have garnered substantial attention. This research explores the efficacy of modified and carbonized pulp fibers in breaking down PFAS compounds into environmentally benign constituents, leveraging their intrinsic structural properties.

Through the strategic selection of biomaterials and innovative processing techniques, this research underscores the viability of bioproducts as functional replacements and highlights their potential to surpass the performance of traditional counterparts. The findings of these studies hold significant implications for the sustainable advancement of technologies, fostering a greener and more efficient future.

Bio:

Johan Foster is faculty in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CHBE) at the Faculty of Applied Science at UBC and holds the NSERC Canfor Industrial Research Chair in Advanced Bioproducts. Previously, he held a position in Materials Science and Engineering at Virginia Tech University and prior to that at the Adolphe Merkle Institute in Fribourg, Switzerland. Dr. Foster has co-authored over 130 original research papers in high-impact journals, as well as 10 patents. His research focuses on designing, synthesizing, and engineering bio-inspired functional polymers and nanocomposites, including nanocellulose. Novel bio-derived materials developed through his research are finding use or commercial potential in cartilage tissue engineering, in drug-release formulations to improve tissue response to mechanically adaptive cortical implants, in fragrance-release technologies, and in highly novel photo-switchable nanocomposite materials, among a range of many promising applications. 

Dr. Foster has received as a PI or co-applicant over $15 million in competitively peer-reviewed funding and has trained 75 HQP in the past five years alone. In the past few years, he was recognized by his peers with three major international awards: the Kingfa Young Investigator by the American Chemical Society Cellulose Division, the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Nanotechnology Division Mid-Career Award and recognized as a Fellow of the American Chemical Society Polymer Chemistry Division. The awards recognized Dr. Foster’s world leading research in the areas of cellulosic and polymeric materials by international organizations. Johan serves as Chair of the nanotechnology division of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, and was chair and organizer of TAPPI NANO 2023. He is a member of five peer reviewed journal editorial boards.