University of Alberta research is turning straw into economic gold, in the form of Canadian-made, environmentally friendly fibres that can be used for everything from dental floss to workwear.
The new project explores the most efficient way to process and manufacture specialized fibres from cellulose, a compound comprising linked sugar molecules found in all plants, says lead researcher Patricia Dolez, a textile scientist in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences.
The work, when fully developed, can benefit the environment, the economy and Canada's textile manufacturing sector, she says.
