Fibre and Particle Engineering

Our research focuses on new nanostructured biomaterials, their manufacturing, phenomena and applications. We study cellulose nanomaterials and several other nanostructures found in nature as well as lignocellulose-based hybrid materials. A key part of the research is biomaterial modification based on green chemistry.

Our vision is to enable processes for high-volume materials with inbuilt carbon utilization aspect to them. Out of the elements available on Earths crust, Mg is the most feasible for this purpose.

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Our research focuses on in-depth characterization and processing of inorganic side streams and utilizing them mainly in cementitious applications.

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Materials in Environmental Engineering group develops more sustainable and technically unique materials to answer the grand challenges of pollution and green transition.

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Sustainable Construction Materials and Applications research group focuses on creating value and purpose to the industrial residues (wastes) by incorporating them into construction applications.

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Chao Lyu, Ossi Laitinen, Mian Zhu, Pengze Li, Ruiqing Shen, Terhi Suopajärvi, Xiaotong Zhou, Chenming Liu, Xiaoyu Li, Faguang Yang, Jingxian Liu, Henrikki Liimatainen (2024) Synergic Cellulose Nanofiber/Tourmaline Nanoparticle–Assembled Layered Piezoelectric Cryogels for High-Performance Airborne Particulate Filtration. Small.
https://doi.org/10.1002/smll.202409157

Xiaoyu Li, Simiao Huang, Xinyu Wu, Junqian Deng, Hailan Lian, Henrikki Liimatainen (2025) Reactive amino acid-derived deep eutectic solvents for tailored lignin modification. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.142003

Nirrupama Kamala Ilango, Hoang Nguyen, Mohammad Alzeer, Frank Winnefeld, Paivo Kinnunen (2024) Stabilization of nesquehonite for application in carbon capture utilization and storage. Material Advances.
https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MA00947A

Adeolu Adediran, Tuan Van Truong, Priyadharshini Perumal (2025) Novel non-conventional raw materials as supplementary cementitious materials for low-carbon composite cement: Chemical reactivity, fresh and hardened state characterization. Environmental Research.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2025.121146

Bachelor’s thesis in the Fibre and Particle Engineering Research Unit can be either a literature review or experimental research related to ongoing projects. Topics can vary from inorganic circular economy to lignocellulose-based materials and processes of bioproduct technology. Students can utilize their work experiences or personal interest in the topics.

For further information, contact university lecturer Elisa Koivuranta (firstname.lastname@oulu.fi).

Keywords: biotechnology, geopolymers, green chemistry, lignocellulose-based materials, material efficiency, side stream utilization

The Fibre and Particle Engineering Research Unit supervises master thesis related circular and bio-economy. For further information, contact university lecturer Elisa Koivuranta (firstname.lastname@oulu.fi).

We regularly offer open positions for doctoral students. Open positions can be found in Saima. For more information visit the website of University of Oulu Graduate School or contact Professor Mirja Illikainen or Professor Henrikki Liimatainen.

Our laboratory is equipped with nano- and microcellulose manufacturing equipment including

• microfluidizer, homogenizer and supermass collider grinder
• analyzers to determine the size and the surface charge of particles
• microflotation cell
• equipment and laboratories to measure mechanical and barrier properties of materials
• equipment to modify and analyze lignocellulose (e.g., NMR, FT-IR, electron microscopy and XRD)

Material research of circular economy is enabled by the state-of-the-art laboratory facilities where we can manufacture and analyze for instance different kinds of binding materials such as geopolymers, mortars and concrete. We have equipment to measure for example

• the structural strength of materials (Zwick Z100)
• chemical properties and microstructure (e.g., FESEM-EDS, STEM-EDX, XRD, FTIR, XRF, ICP, XPS, TG-Raman, NMR)
• environmental impact of the materials.

In addition, we have different types of milling, screening and classification devices for material processing.