Job Description The successful candidate will work with Asst Prof PANG Bo on research related to biodegradable composite foams, under an A*STAR MTC Young Individual Research Grant (YIRG) funded project focused on developing all-natural cellulose-plant protein biofoams as sustainable, high-performance alternatives to plastic foams for cold-chain packaging.
Responsibilities - Fabricate and characterize DES-assisted, functionalized cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), using FTIR, XPS, ssNMR, TEM, AFM, zeta potential and rheological analysis.
- Develop and optimize CNF-plant protein interfacial co-assembly for stable wet foam formation.
- Establish ambient air-drying and hydrophobization protocols for dry foam fabrication, and characterize foam microstructure, mechanical performance and thermal insulation properties.
- Conduct life‑cycle assessment and cold‑chain packaging validation trials benchmarking foam performance against commercial PS/PP foams...