Instrumentation
Nanon MECC Electrospinning Setup (for spinning nano and microfibres)
To learn more about the instrumentation at the Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre:
Capabilities
The Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre is equipped for polymer processing and characterization
Education and Employment Background
Misra’s current research focuses primarily on novel bio-based composites and nanocomposites from agricultural, forestry and waste resources for the sustainable development of eco-friendly alternatives to the existing petroleum-based products. These bio-based materials and nanomaterials can be used in automotive, packaging, consumer products and biomedical applications. Misra co-leads the Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre alongside engineering/plant science professor Amar Mohanty. Many of her on-going projects are multidisciplinary, bridging engineering with materials science, chemistry, physics, and the life sciences. Her research focuses on the following major areas:
Research Themes
Misra’s current research focuses primarily on novel bio-based composites and nanocomposites from agricultural, forestry and waste resources for the sustainable development of eco-friendly alternatives to the existing petroleum-based products. These bio-based materials and nanomaterials can be used in automotive, packaging, consumer products and biomedical applications. Misra leads the Bioproducts Discovery and Development Centre alongside engineering/plant science professor Amar Mohanty. Many of her on-going projects are multidisciplinary, bridging engineering with materials science, chemistry, physics, and the life sciences. Her research focuses on the following major areas:
- Developing biocomposite materials for a wide range of applications. These applications include packaging, auto-parts, electronic components, civil structures, consumer goods, and biomedical implants. These materials have a lower carbon footprint and are more sustainable and supportive of energy security.
- 3D printing of bio-based materials. This research is applicable for many sectors, including aerospace, automotive, concept modelling/prototyping, smart packaging and biomedical fields. 3D printing allows construction of highly complex designs and moving parts faster and without need for additional tooling and machinery.
- Developing biodegradable polymeric materials. Such materials can replace single-use plastics such as packaging, consumer goods, and hygiene products. This research can help reduce the world’s plastic pollution which threatens ecosystems and the environment.
- Using a co-product of biomass pyrolysis, biocarbon, as a filler or reinforcing agent in composites to process a new generation of bio-based materials. This research can reduce the carbon footprint of bio-based materials to a further extent as biocarbon is sustainable and has many beneficial qualities.
Full List of Publications
Highlights
- Lead PI on the Ontario Research Fund - Research Excellence Award of $3,800,000 from the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade to develop sustainable packaging solutions, 2019–2023
- Awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the BioEnvironmental Polymer Society, 2021
- Listed as one of Canada’s most powerful women: Top 100 awards from the Women’s Executive Network, 2020
- Appointed Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry UK, 2019, Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers USA, 2020 and Fellow of the Society of Plastic Engineers USA, 2020
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Synergy Award for “Partnership with Two or More Companies,” honouring outstanding team achievements of collaboration between academia and industry, 2018
- Member of Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE), American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS), Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC), Materials Research Society, Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE), Bio-Environmental Polymer Society (BEPS), American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Society of Plastics Engineers, American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Received AIChE’s 2017 Andrew Chase Division Award in Chemical Engineering, recognizing an individual with significant chemical engineering contributions in the forest products and related industries.
Media Coverage
Awards and Recognitions:
Biocomposite Materials:
Developed Compostable Coffee Pods:
Available Positions for Undergraduate, Graduate or Postdoctoral Fellows
Hiring graduate students for opportunities within my research group for a M.A.Sc./M.Eng/PhD in Biological Engineering and a M.Sc. in Plant Agriculture. Applicants should have an interest in the following research areas; Polymer engineering, polymer processing (extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, film casting and blowing, additive manufacturing - FFF and SLS), polymer blends, bioplastics and biobased polymers, natural fiber composites and green composites including recyclability, durability and biodegradability, biobased nanocomposites and nanoblends, biomass and biomaterial sustainability, value-added biobased materials from the coproducts/byproducts of biofuel industries, biodegradability/compostability.
