2023 PDC Forum Program

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Kim Nelson, Chief Technology Officer, GranBio Technologies

“From Trees to Tires: Development and Scale-up of the Nanocellulose Dispersion Composite (TM)”

Dr. Jo Anne Shatkin, President, Vireo Advisors

“Safety and Regulatory Aspects of Cellulose Nanomaterials: Challenges and Needs”

View the CNM Researchers Forum 2023 Program!

Guest Speakers

Sustainable, High-Performance, Cellulose-Based Thermal Insulation – Dr. Mark Fokema, VP R&D Aspen Products Group

CNF for Fire-fighting ApplicationsJames Anderson, Sr. R&D Program Manager II, Advanced Structures and Composites Center, University of Maine

P3Nano:  Removing Barriers to Cellulose Nanomaterials Utilization – Dr. Robert Moon, Forest Products Laboratory, USDA Forest Service

Dr. Jeffrey P Youngblood, Professor, School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University

PrinTimber – Dr. Soledad Peresin, Auburn University

Hybrid Natural Fiber/CNF Thermoplastic Composites – Dr. Katie Copenhaver, R&D Associate Staff, Manufacturing Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Pilot-Scale Preparation of a Surface Modified Cellulose Nanofibrils (CNF) Composite Feedstock – Dr. Meghan Lamm, R&D Associate Staff Member, Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies Group – Manufacturing Science Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Cellulose Nanomaterial Production at the Forest Products LaboratoryRichard Reiner, USDA Forest Products Laboratory

Production of microfibrillated cellulose using stirred media mills and selected applications – David Skuse, FiberLean Technologies Limited, UK

Heli Kangas, Valmet

University of Maine Speakers

What is happening at UMaine’s Laboratory of Renewable Nanomaterials – Dr. Mehdi Tajvidi, Associate Professor of Renewable Nanomaterials, School of Forest Resources, University of Maine

Waterborne modifications to cellulose nanofibrils for biomaterials, coatings, and composites – Dr. William Gramlich, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry

Plants sustain plants: Multiple applications of nanocellulose in agriculture – Dr. YongJiang Zhang, Assistant Professor of Plant Physiology, School of Biology and Ecology, University of Maine

Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) as additives in polymeric membranes for water vapor and air separation – Dr. Ling Li, Assistant Professor of Sustainable Bioenergy Systems, School of Forest Resources, University of Maine

Detailed Schedule

All events to be held at Wells Conference Center unless otherwise noted.

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

4:30 – 6:30 PM – Welcome Reception & Poster Preview

Wednesday, August 23, 2023

8:00 – 8:30 AM – Deluxe Continental Breakfast & Coffee
8:30 – 11:30 AM – Presentations
11:30-12:30 PM – Lunch
12:30 – 4:30 PM – Presentations
4:30 – 6:30 PM – Student Poster Session & Competition

Thursday, August 24, 2023

8:00 – 8:30 AM – Deluxe Continental Breakfast & Coffee
8:30 – 9:15 AM – Keynote Presentation
9:15-10:00 AM – Presentations
10:00 – 10:30 AM – Break
10:30 – 12:00 PM – Presentations
12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 PM – Tour of the PDC Nanofiber Plant
2:00 – 3:00 PM – Tour of the Advanced Structures & Composites Center