energy harvesting

Nanowood: A Simple Approach to a Complex Nanomaterial
The UCC TRANSLATE team has developed nanowood, a natural nanofluidic membrane created by removing lignin from wood using household bleach. This simple yet effective process produces well-aligned nanochannels that exhibit key nanofluidic properties, such as ion-selective transport. Nanowood offers a sustainable, low-cost platform for studying nanofluidics, making nanoscale research more accessible. Its potential applications range from energy harvesting to filtration and sensing.
Anjali Ashokan from UCC pictured as part of Bioeconomy Ireland Week, PhD researchers from the innovative ‘NxtGenWood‘ Project, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, came together to engage the public as part of a 'Thesis in Trees' event. Eight researchers, stationed around the National Botanic Gardens, presented their innovative research in three minutes; including making chemicals, heat and even plastics from wood. The event was run in association with BiOrbic Bioeconomy Research Centre and Amber, Centre for Advancing Materials for Impact. 
Photo: Justin Farrelly.