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Abstract:
By Dr. Mahendra Patel, (Published by Industrypaper, 2009); www.industrypaper.net

Micro and Nanotechnology in Paper Manufacturing

New Delhi, India | Posted on July 15th, 2009

Here is a book for paper industry to claim of having made access to the latest technology-Nanotechnology. Some of the significant developments that this increased understanding of Micro and Nanotechnology has introduced in the Paper world include:

* Increased understanding of the thermodynamic and the chemical properties of cellobiose and lignocellulosic raw materials has provided the base to design new energy efficient and environmentally friendly fibrelines.
* Genetically modified lignin-deficient trees with higher pulp yield and at short rotation have already been planned.
* Innovation in paper production from agro-residues and recycled fibre.
* The paper industry has come closer to its holy grail of achieving higher pulp yield with reduce water consumption, energy consumption and reduced pollutant concentration in effluents discharged. This has been supported by micro particle and micro polymer technologies that have been in application for several years enhancing the retention and drainage properties at the wet end.
* The concept of zero-effluent discharge mills appears to become a possibility because of innovative nanofiltration and membrane technologies. Biotechnological applications including aerobic and anaerobic treatment systems are being improvised every year with better understanding at micro levels
* Micro and nano size high-performance engineered minerals and oxides, are already in production, imparting superior optical, surface and printability properties to the paper.
* Paper Machinery manufacturers have started producing paper machine rolls and fabrics with a micro and a nano base. Online quality measurements using micro sensors are becoming almost common now for production of paper with consistent quality. Nanocoating process has already been adopted by many paper mills, producing paper of very high quality.
* The latest concept of pulp mill as a biorefinery has opened up new avenues for the pulp and paper mills to become a profitable industry. Harnessing of new energy in pulp and paper mill has already started - notably wind and solar energy.
* Production of intelligent wood, composites and packaging material is advancing at a rapid pace
* Nanotechnology has been embraced substantially in the production of packaging materials for security, counterfeiting, safety and antimicrobial purpose. New types of antibacterial paper, tissue paper and newsprint have recently been produced using nanotechnology.

Whilst there has already been significant growth in Nanotechnology and its application in the Paper Industry, there is going to be an explosion in the application of this technology in the future. The future will see a shift in the way scientists, academicians, and industries apply nanotechnology in the paper industry – the shift will be from the current top down application to a wider bottom-up application of the technology. This shift in approach will see a tectonic shift and change in the paper industry.

Whilst the Paper and Allied Industries have been impacted by Nanotechnology, there is a significant lack of reading material on this subject and is restricted to research journals and the web. This book for the first time addresses the specific subject of Nanotechnology in the paper industry and in all allied industries. It is written in mind ensuring that readers can get an in-depth view of the cataclysmic changes this technology is bringing to their industry. At the same time, the author recognizes that Nanotechnology is an emerging and a new technology, so the book starts with an introduction to the basic concepts and terminology of Nanotechnology.

The book consists of 37 chapters divided into five sections. The first section is designed to familiarize both beginners and advanced readers with the basic concepts, terminology and latest developments in nano-technology. The section also provides an overview of the impact and general application of nano-technology across several industries.

Section 2 covers nanotechnology in raw materials and on the different stages of paper manufacturing. Section 3 covers nanotechnology in packaging, printing and in specialty papers. Section 4 covers nanotechnology in production techniques, environmental and in energy issues. Section 5 covers the latest research and development initiatives on Nanotechnology and the future of Nanotechnology.

This book is the culmination of my research and industry experience of over 30 years. The book has rich illustrations through numerous SEM and AFM micrographs and diagrams which will help provide a clear understanding of the subject. This book is designed to serve as a reference on nanotechnology in areas other than pulp and paper technology. Sections on forest products, printing and packaging will ensure that readers from other domains will also be able to benefit from this book. This book will serve as text book for teaching and research of nanotechnology.

I would also like to thank my readers for their warm and outstanding response and demand for my first book Minerals in Paper Manufacturing which has provided me the inspiration to write this book.