Research summary
Sustainable bioproducts have the potential to reduce or even end our dependence on fossil fuels and other non-renewable materials. Dr. Nin Yan, Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Bioproducts, is developing these products using techniques from biomass materials science, nanotechnology, green chemistry, polymer science and other fields.
She and her research team are focusing on two areas: developing sustainable bio-based chemicals (with a focus on bio-epoxies), and engineering green wearable high-performance cellulose-based sensors. Replacing fossil-fuel-derived products with sustainable, bio-based chemicals from renewable materials will help to grow Canada’s bioeconomy and support the development of a circular economy. The projects that Yan and her team are working on will strengthen the competitiveness of Canada’s forest sector, reduce the carbon footprint of building construction, and mitigate plastic waste and e-waste issues.