Professor Haisong Qi from South China University of Technology Visited Biofuels Institute of Jiangsu University

Dr. Haisong Qi, professor from the South China University of Technology visited the Biofuels Institute at Jiangsu University and delivered a presentation titled as "Novel multifunctional materials based on cellulose and nanocarbons" on November 27, 2017. In this talk, the preparation and properties of cellulose-based electrically conducting materials were introduced, cellulose/carbon nanotube and graphene composites were presented in detail as case studies. These nanocarbon/cellulose composites can be applied as multifunctional sensors responding to different stimuli like tensile strain, liquids, environmental temperature, humidity, and others. Based on their smart structure and outstanding properties, the nanocarbon/cellulose composites are promising multifunctional biopolymer based materials worth for further investigation. At the end of the presentation, students and staffs from Biofuels Institutes had discussion regarding the interested points in the talk and also potential cooperation projects from both sides. Professor Haisong Qi joined the South China University of Technology as a full professor and as the candidate of the National Thousand Youth Talents Plan in 2016 after three years research at Friedrich-Schiller University of Jena and five years at Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden in Germany. Professor Haisong Qi leads the development of cellulose-based composites, such as cellulose/carbon nanotubes and cellulose/graphene composites in the School of Light Industry and Engineering, the State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology. Professor Haisong Qi is also one of the active scientists in the field of naturally derived biopolymers functionalization and/or modification and has published over 30 peer-reviewed journal papers and one book. He also holds or joins in many national, international, and industrial projects.