Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019).

3M Canada has been providing science-based products ranging from healthcare and highway safety to officex000D
products and adhesives for over 60 years. They are headquartered in London, ON with research, sales andx000D
manufacturing facilities across Canada. 3M Canada would like to incorporate cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) asx000D
a functional filler into their existing conductive gel adhesives used in bioelectrodes. CNCs are non-toxic, rigidx000D
rod shaped particles extracted from wood pulp that possess favourable properties to act as stabilizers,x000D
thickeners, templates and reinforcing agents. Conductive gel adhesives, such as in 3M Red Dot monitoringx000D
electrode products, are used routinely in hospitals to monitor electrocardiographic function and to providex000D
information in support of diagnosis; consistent performance is essential. Adding CNCs to 3M gel adhesives isx000D
anticipated to improve water retention to enhance adhesive and mechanical performance at low humidity. Ourx000D
preliminary studies have shown that adding CNCs to hydrogels significantly increases their mechanicalx000D
strength, functionality and water-uptake abilities.x000D
The challenge is to increase the moisture retention (and thus the performance lifetime and reproducibility) ofx000D
conductive gel adhesives without negatively affecting other gel properties such as electrochemistry,x000D
adhesiveness, strength, and elasticity. We will produce and characterize functionalized CNCs and measure thex000D
hybrid gel properties as a function of CNC loading and type, including: water retention/swelling, rheology,x000D
transparency, adhesive/mechanical testing. We will work with 3M Canada's R&D Centre for application testingx000D
and prototyping to ensure the formulations developed are industrially relevant. This research will establish thex000D
main benefits of adding CNCs to 3M's gel adhesives and the IP developed will be exploited in Canada. We arex000D
committed to helping Canada's Forestry sector and this work will be economically significant for Canada byx000D
ensuring that we remain at the forefront of CNC discoveries and develop new materials that will lead to jobx000D
creation in Canada.