The fabrication of hierarchically structured nanomaterials for large-scale applications is still a difficult task. The biomaterial wood represents a large-scale bio-template for functionalization at multiple scales, which can be regarded as a promising alternative to manufacturing materials by energy-intensive disassembly and subsequent assembly processes. By functionalizing wood and wood derived cellulose scaffolds, the highly beneficial fibre directionality can be retained and the renewable resource can be provided with a more diverse property range. The presentation discusses nanotechnological approaches for the development of wood mineral hybrids and wood polymer composites for advanced property profiles and new functions.

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Bio

Ingo Burgert studied Wood Science and Technology at the University of Hamburg, Germany and received his diploma in 1995. He obtained a doctoral degree from the same University in 2000. From 2000-2003 he was Postdoc at BOKU, Vienna, Austria, and from 2003-2011 research group leader at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Potsdam, Germany. Since 2011 he is Professor for Wood Materials Science at ETH Zurich and group leader at EMPA, Dübendorf.