The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the week of July 5th

#6 Chinese scientists produce moisture-resistant cellulose nanopaper

In China, researchers at Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology have converted tobacco stalks into cellulose nanopaper with improved tensile strength and water resistance.
Cellulose nanopaper has applications in electronic devices, displays, and batteries, among others. However, cellulose nanocellulose tends to lose strength and durability by absorbing moisture, limiting their use in certain environments. However, Li Bin and his team were able to produce cellulose nanopaper with improved water-resistance by using a one-step process treating tobacco stalks with organic acid hydrolysis with homogenization in dimethylacetamide.

Their work was published findings in the Journal of Materials Chemistry.