IN-PERSON EVENT - REGISTER HERE to attend

By Dr Samira Gharehkhani - University of Victoria, Canada

Abstract: Fossil-based materials are widely used in everyday products, but their environmental impact is driving an urgent need for sustainable alternatives. To build a cleaner, net-zero future, we must rethink how and where we source our materials. Our research looks to forests, specifically wood, as a renewable resource for high-performance applications. By extracting components like nanocellulose and lignin, we develop functional, low-cost, and sustainable materials. Dr. Gharehkhani will present her work on nanocellulose production, lignin engineering, and wettability control, as well as the development of sustainable substrates and lignin-based carbon for energy storage devices, all contributing to the advancement of greener technologies of tomorrow.

Short Bio: Dr. Samira Gharehkhani joined the University of Victoria, Canda, as an Assistant Professor in 2023. Her research focuses on developing sustainable advanced materials for energy and environmental applications. Dr. Gharehkhani's specific research interests include micro and nanofibrillated cellulose, lignin and nanolignin, biowaste-derived carbons for miniaturized energy storage devices. She has published over 25 peer-reviewed papers and received various awards and grants, including a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowship (Imperial College London), and Discovery Grants from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

Hosted by Prof. Pedro Gómez Romero,  Novel Energy-Oriented Materials Group Leader.