Title: Application of bio-based fibers for composites ~ from green composites to advanced compositesÂ
Abstract: Nowadays, there has been a growing interest in the application of bio-based fibers composed of cellulose in composite materials from the perspective of sustainable development. Cellulose is known as the most abundant resource on Earth and is also known to have high mechanical characteristics almost comparable to synthetic fibers. This lecture introduces recent studies related to bio-based fiber reinforced bio-based polymer composites, also called “green composites”. Moreover, the application of bio-based fibers for enhancing the mechanical properties in advanced composites is also discussed in the lecture.
Bio: Kiyotaka Obunai is currently a Professor in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Doshisha University in Japan and a Visiting Adjunct Faculty Member in the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. From 2010 to 2011, he was a research fellow of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS). After receiving his Ph.D. from Doshisha University, he joined Okayama Prefectural University as an Assistant Professor. In 2018, he joined the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Doshisha University as an Associate Professor. His research area includes materials science and mechanical engineering.