Biography

Prof. Foster focuses on advanced functional and supramolecular bio(nano)materials: Design, synthesis and engineering of bio-inspired, bio-sourced functional polymers, supramolecular materials, and nanocomposites; stimuli-responsive materials; biomedical materials; combining covalent and non-covalent interactions to create structured smart materials.Currently, Johan is an Associate Professor in the Materials Science and Engineering Department, and a member of the Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute at Virginia Tech.
Johan was previously leading a group of 8-12 researchers (Ph.D. students and post-docs) at the Adolphe Merkle Institute (AMI) in Switzerland, focusing on cellulosic nanocrystals, smart materials, nanocomposites, synthesis, functionalization, and biomedical implants. He came to the institute after doing a post-doctoral fellowship with Bert Meijer at Technical University Eindhoven, in The Netherlands, and a Ph.D. at Simon Fraser University in Canada.
The applicant is interested in continuing in his previous modus operandi (since his recent move from Switzerland to Virginia Tech in August of this year), wherein he is interested in programs and collaborations with the dual objectives of conducting cutting-edge, scientific research that advances the fundamental understanding of structure-property relationships in responsive polymer systems, and of simultaneously creating knowledge that is technologically valuable. His research group will continue to focus on the chemistry and engineering of functional bio(nano)materials, imbibing materials with ‘smart’ functionality, often utilizing cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) as a filler. These nanocrystals are a bio-sourced and bio-renewable alternative to carbon nanotubes. The use of CNCs represents a potential revolution in the use of green materials, propelling the field into the ‘nano-age’.
Prof Foster has published 37 peer-reviewed papers, filed 3 patents, and given over 25 invited talks internationally. Johan has extensive experience dealing with industry, spearheading projects with many industrial collaborators.
The applicant’s research features many opportunities for the development of novel materials that can form the basis of new technologies. In his previous position at the Adolphe Merkle Institute in Swizerland, the applicant filed three patent applications that cover the processingof polymer/nanofiber nanocomposites and the stimuli-res­ponsive natureof such materials. He envisions continuing building an intellectual property base in the area of smart materials, and others, as opportunities arise (i.e. if strategic patent applications can be generated which cover sig­nificant advancements in a sufficiently broad manner). As was his previous work, this will be done parallel to the submission of scientific publications, so that the publication of papers is not delayed.
Prof Foster also organizes symposia at the American Chemical Society National Meeting (the largest gathering of Chemists in the world), specifically on Smart Materials (including smart polymers, stimuli responsive materials and structured scaffolds).