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Researcher of the month: Juho Sirviö

Submitted by Outi Lemettinen on 2 January, 2012 - 08:29
Subtitle: 
First doctoral thesis started in FuBio program now ready
Ingress: 
Researcher Juho Sirviö takes part in both FuBio research programs FuBio JR2 (Future Biorefinery - Joint Research 2) and FuBio Cellulose (Future Biorefinery – Products from Dissolved Cellulose) of Forestcluster Ltd. The work package concentrates on reactive improvement of cellulose during periodate oxygenation. Work group is led by Osmo Hormi from the University of Oulu.
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The goal of Juho’s work is to make more efficient reaction using periodate oxidation. More efficient reaction is possible using mechanical grinding, higher temperature and salts. New matter in this research is the simultaneous grinding of cellulose with periodate oxidation which enables better prehensile the surface of cellulose for chemicals to attach to. Also reaction time matters. The goal is to produce dialdehyde cellulose that has different properties than common cellulose. Because of this fact, the use of dialdehyde cellulose is much wider than common cellulose. "Cellulose is the renewable natural resource and excellent start for environmentally friendly chemistry" says Juho.
The purpose of this work package is to produce particle form flocculation chemicals from dialdehyde cellulose. Flocculation chemicals are polymers which have usually positive or negative charge. They are used e.g. the cleaning of water and paper production. Chemicals tie together noxious particles into aggregates which can easily be removed from water. Research group also creates barrier materials e.g. food packaging and new type of fiber filters using dialdehyde cellulose. 
In 2011, Juho graduated from the University of Oulu. His doctoral thesis considers improvement of birch cellulose periodate oxidation and further modification of flocculation chemical.
When not working, Juho spends time reading and playing different types of computer games. He also enjoys his common-law wife’s accompanying at home.