Multifunctional nanostructured coatings using cellulose nanocrystals

This work explores multi-functional nanostructured coatings created from cellulose nanocrystals, tiny crystalline parts of cellulose derived from renewable plant sources. We explored first their basic behavior such as how they charge in water, and used this to control their assembly. By printing aligned cellulose crystals onto surfaces, it is possible to change the way that water interacts with the surface, control blood droplets for blood testing, and print on hydrophobic polymers for smarter packaging and high throughput medical diagnostics.