Biocomposites: Design and Mechanical Performance (Woodhead Publishing Series in Composites Science and Engineering)

Biocomposites: Design and Mechanical Performance describes recent research on cost-effective ways to improve the mechanical toughness and durability of biocomposites, while also reducing their weight.

Beginning with an introduction to commercially competitive natural fiber-based composites, chapters then move on to explore the mechanical properties of a wide range of biocomposite materials, including polylactic, polyethylene, polycarbonate, oil palm, natural fiber epoxy, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyvinyl acetate, polyurethane, starch, flax, poly (propylene carbonate)-based biocomposites, and biocomposites from biodegradable polymer blends, natural fibers, and green plastics, giving the reader a deep understanding of the potential of these materials.

• Describes recent research to improve the mechanical properties and performance of a wide range of biocomposite materials
• Explores the mechanical properties of a wide range of biocomposite materials, including polylactic, polyethylene, polycarbonate, oil palm, natural fiber epoxy, polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyvinyl acetate, and polyurethane
• Evaluates the potential of biocomposites as substitutes for petroleum-based plastics in industries such as packaging, electronic, automotive, aerospace and construction
• Includes contributions from leading experts in this field

Prof. Manjusri Misra is a world-renowned and is among the top highly cited materials researchers in the world. Dr. Manju Misra is a professor in the School of Engineering and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Plant Agriculture at the University of Guelph. She holds the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Sustainable Biocomposites from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Research Program Director of the Bioeconomy Panel for the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance a program between the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) and the University of Guelph. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK), the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and the Society of Plastic Engineers (SPE).

Dr. Misra’s current research focuses primarily on novel bio-based composites and nanocomposites from agricultural, forestry, and recycled resources for the sustainable bio-economy moving towards a Circular Economy. She has authored more than 850 publications, including 470 peer-reviewed journal papers, 30 book chapters, and 60 patents.

Professor Jitendra Kumar Pandey is a professor in University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun, India. He completed his PhD in chemistry, and his research interests include materials synthesis, characterizations and their application in energy storage, and water treatment. He has published more than 50 research articles and reviews in peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Mohanty is an internationally recognized leader in the field of sustainable polymer science & engineering. He made exceptional contributions in advancing the utilization of renewable, recycled and waste materials. His extensive research program has made world-leading discoveries in bioplastics, natural fibre composites, biocarbon, waste valorization, biomaterial functionalization, nanocomposites, and high-barrier biodegradable packaging. He is one of the highly cited researchers (Google Scholar Citations: 58,367 with h-index: 111 as on June 7, 2024).

He has more than 800 publications to his credit, including 500 peer‐reviewed journal papers, 71 patents (awarded/applied), 6 edited books, 30 book chapters, 300+ conference papers and over 200 plenary and keynote presentations