Complementary biomaterials research approach - towards high value-added biomaterials

Complementary Biomaterials Research Approach - Towards High Value-added Biomaterials focuses on functional nanostructure controlled supramolecular biopolymers and nanocomposites. The project aims to develop a new generation of biodegradable bio-based/plant-derived high-performance polymers and composites that can replace some of the synthetic materials. These microbicidal biopolymers can be used in medical products such as surface disinfectants, antimicrobial materials, wound dressings, and orthopedics.

The project is being developed by Professor Jukka Seppälä, Head of the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering at Aalto University and Leader of the Polymer Technology research group. This project continues the existing collaborative research and teaching activities of Aalto University with the SPARC program, an international academic cooperation program led by IIT Kanpur. Aalto University is currently a partner with IIT Kanpur in a SPARC project titled Development of 3D printable bone and nerve guiding drug-eluting composite implants for vertebral/spine trauma in infection/tuberculosis and cancer. 

The development of biobased materials links the project to the FinnCERES Flagship. According to Professor Jukka Seppälä, “ by using microbicidal biopolymers the need for excessive antibiotics and disinfectants can be decreased, preventing severe infections or other bacteria/virus-related complications, like SARS-CoV-2”.

Complementary Biomaterials Research Approach- Towards High Value-added Biomaterials is seed-funded as part of the India Pilot initiative from the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture. Aalto is coordinating the India Pilot Network FICORE (Finnish Indian Consortia for Research and Education) which involves 38  higher education institutions from Finland and India.