Reference number : GC-2017-Q2-00025, amendment number : , agreement type : G, recipient legal name : Santato, Clara (École Polytechnique de Montréal), recipient country : CA, recipient province : nan, recipient city : Quebec|Québec, recipient postal code : nan, program name english : Engage Grants for Universities, program name french : Subventions d'engagement partenarial pour les universités, program purpose english : Developing sustainable bio-based packaging systems is presently a key challenge in the packaging industry._x000D_
Presently, the packaging industry uses synthetic UV stabilizers to protect plastics against damage and_x000D_
degradation caused by UV exposure._x000D_
In collaboration with ProAmpac, a Canadian manufacturer of flexible packaging, the research group led by_x000D_
Professor Clara Santato proposes to use melanin biopigments in biocompatible and biodegradable Ultraviolet_x000D_
(UV) stabilizers in plastics and food packaging. Santato has a long experience in the processing and_x000D_
characterization of melanin, in terms of optical, thermal and electrical properties. ProAmpac is interested in_x000D_
using the abundant pigment melanin to replace current UV stabilizers in packaging films._x000D_
Melanin is a pigment ubiquitous in flora and fauna. In humans, various forms of melanin are responsible for a_x000D_
variety of functions: photoprotection of skin and eyes, hair and eye color. The ink of Sepia officinalis, used by_x000D_
squids for camouflage or defense, contains Sepia melanin._x000D_
We propose to replace synthetic UV stabilizers, currently employed in the packaging industry, with melanin_x000D_
biopigments._x000D_
Our approach includes an unprecedented survey of the evolution of the spectroscopic properties of melanin_x000D_
from the monomer to the polymer. Based on this approach our trainees will acquire valuable knowledge in_x000D_
materials and polymers processing, optical characterization of materials and scanning probe microscopy, much_x000D_
needed for different sectors of the job market (packaging, optical instrumentation, solar energy conversion_x000D_
technologies, cosmetics and dermatology)., program purpose french : Developing sustainable bio-based packaging systems is presently a key challenge in the packaging industry._x000D_
Presently, the packaging industry uses synthetic UV stabilizers to protect plastics against damage and_x000D_
degradation caused by UV exposure._x000D_
In collaboration with ProAmpac, a Canadian manufacturer of flexible packaging, the research group led by_x000D_
Professor Clara Santato proposes to use melanin biopigments in biocompatible and biodegradable Ultraviolet_x000D_
(UV) stabilizers in plastics and food packaging. Santato has a long experience in the processing and_x000D_
characterization of melanin, in terms of optical, thermal and electrical properties. ProAmpac is interested in_x000D_
using the abundant pigment melanin to replace current UV stabilizers in packaging films._x000D_
Melanin is a pigment ubiquitous in flora and fauna. In humans, various forms of melanin are responsible for a_x000D_
variety of functions: photoprotection of skin and eyes, hair and eye color. The ink of Sepia officinalis, used by_x000D_
squids for camouflage or defense, contains Sepia melanin._x000D_
We propose to replace synthetic UV stabilizers, currently employed in the packaging industry, with melanin_x000D_
biopigments._x000D_
Our approach includes an unprecedented survey of the evolution of the spectroscopic properties of melanin_x000D_
from the monomer to the polymer. Based on this approach our trainees will acquire valuable knowledge in_x000D_
materials and polymers processing, optical characterization of materials and scanning probe microscopy, much_x000D_
needed for different sectors of the job market (packaging, optical instrumentation, solar energy conversion_x000D_
technologies, cosmetics and dermatology)., agreement title english : Biopigments for UV-stabilized films for the packaging industry, agreement title french : Biopigments for UV-stabilized films for the packaging industry, agreement number : EGP, agreement value : 25000.0, agreement start date : 2017-07-12, agreement end date : nan, description english : nan, description french : nan, expected results english : nan, expected results french : nan, additional information english : Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019)., additional information french : Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019)., owner organization : nserc-crsng, owner organization title : Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada | Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada