PROBLEM SOLVER
Research Professor Tekla Tammelin studies the uses of cellulose. Among other uses, it could have new applications in the purification of drinking water and air, and replacing plastic and synthetic textile fibres – and even in the production of cancer drugs. She is a star in her field, and her enthusiasm is infectious.
TIINA TUPPURAINEN photos JUHA TÖRMÄLÄ
Tekla Tammelin (D.Sc. (Tech)), Research Professor in Biomaterials Engineering and Design at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, is walking along the road at a brisk pace. The passers-by greet her. She is looking forward to plenty of travel: a conference in Rhodes, another in Los An- geles, a third in London. At some point, she should also go on holiday. But Tammelin doesn’t mind the tight schedule. “I like meeting people from different industries – it gives me new ideas.” This is what Tammelin is like: an easily inspired and open person, who likes to hear other people’s opinions. She is also a successful surface chemist, whose ground- breaking studies have garnered interest the world over. Everyone wants to know what Tammelin thinks about cellulose’s potential for development. Can it solve the microplastics problem or replace oil-based textiles? Could it be used in the production of mobile phone parts and electronic devices? Tammelin is VTT Research PI (Principal Investigator) of the FinnCERES flagship Competence centre of VTT and Aalto University, which studies, among other things, lignocellulose and nanocellulose-based material solutions such as functional textiles and biocomposites, as well as purification solutions for water and air. The programme is massive: it involves 80 scientists and several companies, Metsä Fibre among them. “Cellulose is a multidimensional material. It forms the entire backbone of a plant, and its function is very broad. Cellulose is also adaptable. The most fun aspect of it all is that it’s a very responsive material, particularly in terms of water. If the water doesn’t travel, the plant dies. Using this idea in material sciences is a great opportunity.”
THE AIR OF THE FUTURE One of the most interesting research subjects at the moment is nanocellulose, which Tammelin has been working on for ten years. It is now also being studied by other teams, which have already been successful in grow- ing stem cells in nanocellulose. In cooperation with the University of Turku, Tammelin and her team have built cell factories mimicking the struc- ture of a tree leaf, in which they have embedded photo synthesising algae cells. “With the help of photosynthesis, we can make them produce the desired chemicals and molecules, which could serve as cancer drugs, for example. We’re not very far into this yet, but these are really big things. This has the air of the future about it.” Lignin, the adhesive found in wood, is also interesting. It often turns brown and gains sulphur-content in pulp cooking. New cooking methods could reduce the sulphur content. Lignin also has antimicrobial properties. It could be used as a sun blocker agent in addition to being used traditionally as an adhesive. However, nanocellulose has great potential. It can be used in the purification of air and water. Films made from nanocellulose could prevent microplastics going down the drain from a washing machine. They could also facilitate the recovery of gold, silver, copper and heavy metals – especially abundant in big cities – from drinking water. “When she was working on her doctoral dissertation, Minna Hakalahti , a former member of my research team, calculated that a square metre of nanocellulose film could capture enough gold for a small gold ring. And the algae thing is pretty cool too.”
36
Powered by FlippingBook