Researcher Spotlight: Riku Andersson

We are thrilled to share insights into the research by doctoral student Riku Andersson at the University of Oulu as part of Emission Free Pulping program. Riku's research focuses on utilizing advanced NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) techniques to investigate the properties of lignocellulosic biomass, pushing the boundaries of sustainable pulping processes.

Partnering with NMR experts from NMR Research Unit at University of Oulu, Riku is leveraging advanced NMR analysis to delve deeper into the physical and chemical properties of wood. The goal is to understand how water diffuses through wood structures and how different chemical treatments affect this diffusion. This work moves beyond traditional chemical characterization to explore the physical phenomena within wood, such as how water movement changes under various chemical conditions—information critical for optimizing pulping processes. In addition, MRI technology will be utilized to characterize wood morphology after chemical treatment.

Riku’s work emphasizes characterizing how chemical treatment with a novel aqueous thiourea-based solvent, impacts the properties of wood, which is crucial for effective fiber production. The goal is to understand how wood disintegrates into fibers and how these changes in properties influence the fiber characteristics. 

Real-time in situ ultrafast Laplace NMR enables the study of how wood breaks down into fibers under milder conditions than conventional Kraft pulping, which traditionally requires high temperatures and pressures. By observing these processes in real-time, the team can gain unprecedented insights into how new chemical treatments affect fiber formation and quality.

This approach not only enhances our understanding of wood chemistry but also opens up new possibilities for developing new sustainable and efficient pulping methods. The aim is to optimize these methods to create high-quality fibers with minimal environmental impact, aligning with our mission of promoting emission-free pulping.

Stay tuned as we continue to explore these innovative techniques and share our findings!

#SustainableForestry #GreenChemistry #InnovationInPulping #NMRResearch #FiberScience #EmissionFreePulping #WoodChemistry #AdvancedImaging #SustainabilityInAction