DOE Workshop Explores Sustainable Nanomaterial Opportunities
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in late June conducted a Sustainable Nanomaterials workshop in Washington, D.C., USA. Main objectives of the workshop, which resulted from discussions between D.C.-based Agenda 2020 and DOE's Advanced Manufacturing Office (AMO), were to gather input on the current state of the art for sustainable nanomaterials, to clarify development opportunities and manufacturing challenges, and to gather feedback on the value of AMO to support these emerging technologies in a DOE-funded manufacturing demonstration facility.
Key presentations included a review of cellulosic nanomaterial opportunities to benefit the national economy by Mark Watkins, SVP-MeadWestvaco, and Phil Jones, technical marketing director at Imerys. Beth Cormier, Sappi Fine Papers VP-research and innovation, and Paul Durocher, Sappi's coated paper development director, participated, as did Gopal Goyal, International Paper's chief scientist. TAPPI Nanocellulose Division Chair Sean Ireland, Verso manager of new technologies and market ventures, spoke, as did Professor Art Ragauskas of the Institute of Paper Science and Technology at Georgia Tech.
Watkins emphasized the potential for nanocellulosic materials to provide high strength, low-weight packaging and composites. Jones highlighted the importance of developing such sustainable materials to meet the rising demand and resultant materials cost pressures due to economic growth of China and other countries. Ireland stressed the need to focus on applications that hold the most promise for the forest products industry that provide sufficient business case and production volumes to be worthwhile. Cormier noted the key technology advancements that are still needed for higher-yield processes and cost.
Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) Director Ted Wegner said that FPL, "as part of the U.S. Forest Service, is pleased to see this effort by the DOE to explore the potential for sustainably producing 21st-century materials from our nation's abundant forest resources. Production of wood-based nanomaterials will directly contribute to healthy and productive forests that will not only help sustain our forest resources but also create and protect rural jobs. The combined support of the government and the industry in a public/private partnership is the best way to develop these possibilities."
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