The À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Institute for Nanotechnology (WIN) is pleased to present a Distinguished Lecture by Orlando Rojas, Professor and Canada Excellence Research Chair, Scientific Director of the Bioproducts Institute, Departments of Chemical & Biological Engineering | Chemistry | Wood Science, The University of British Columbia.
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Please join us on Thursday, July 24 at 2 p.m.Ìýto hear Professor Rojas's lecture titled "The Role of Bio-Based Colloids in Gelation Technologies and Green Interfaces."
Where: QNC 1501
When: Thursday, July 24, 2025Ìý| 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
About the lecture
In this talk, I will present emblematic cases from our recent work that illustrate the potential of biobased colloids derived from plant and ocean biomass and residues, including lignin and tannin particles as well as fibrillated polysaccharides. These materials demonstrate their suitability for tailoring surface chemistry, size and shape, which is critical for designing supraparticle assemblies, relevant to coatings, carbon capture and other applications. The correlation between particle size and physicochemical characteristics —such as molar mass, surface charge, and functional groups—is highlighted as a key strategy for identifying (nano)technological applications that leverage the functionality and cost-effectiveness of biogenic particles. Additionally, I will discuss processing routes that convert low-value residual biomass into all-green materials, showcasing their recyclability and biodegradability. These materials address challenges related to circularity and the end-of-life limitations of non-renewable products. Given the low cost of raw materials, their inherent microstructural design, and natural self-adhesion, this work demonstrates fully sustainable alternatives to fossil carbon-based products. The success of these technologies hinges on our ability to control water interactions and gelation phenomena, paving the way for broader adoption in sustainable material systems.
About the speaker
Professor Orlando Rojas is the Canada Excellence Research Chair at the University of British Columbia and Director of the Bioproducts Institute. His research focuses on bio-based materials and soft matter. He is internationally recognized for his contributions to renewable materials science, and has received several prestigious honors, including the Anselme Payen Award, the highest distinction in cellulose and renewable materials research. He is an elected Fellow of the American Chemical Society (2013), the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters (2017), and the TAPPI Association (2025). Earlier in his career, he served as a Finland Distinguished Professor and was named an inaugural Faculty Scholar at North Carolina State University. Prof. Rojas maintains active collaborations with institutions across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. He serves on the Selection Committee of the Marcus Wallenberg Foundation and holds scientific advisory roles with organizations including the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, the VALUED Project (with Imperial College London, University of Bristol, and University of Cambridge), and the Materials Institute of the University of Santiago de Compostela. He is Emeritus Editor of the Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology and Associate Editor of ACS Biomacromolecules. He is ranked among the top 1% of researchers globally by citations (Clarivate, Web of Science).