Microstructure and Mechanics of Biomaterials

Welcome to the Microstructure and Mechanics of Biomaterials (MMB) Department of the Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lublin.

We study the structure-related mechanics of biomaterials. At present, we are focused on the mechanical properties of cell wall polysaccharides in fruits and vegetables and on their functionality for the development new bio-based products. Our research aims to ensure high quality fruit and vegetables, valorization of waste/by products, and obtaining new bio-based products for both food and non-food applications.

Structure and biomechanics of fruit and vegetables: We relate the structure to the  mechanics of raw plant agricultural materials like fruit and vegetables to explain postharvest dynamic changes of quality parameters such as firmness and texture. This research involves experimental and modelling approaches at various length scales… more

Functionality and functionalization of cell wall polysaccharides: We study the structure and functionality of polysaccharides like pectins, hemicellulose and cellulose in order to characterize fruit firmness and texture for both food and non-food applications. We extract the polysaccharides from fruit and vegetables, waste or microorganisms (e.g. exopolysaccharides). …more

Quality evaluation of fruits and vegetables: We study the quality of fruit and vegetables using various destructive and non-destructive methods and develop new methods. ….more

Our research relies on a combination of tools such as:

• Microscopy (AFM, CSM)
• Image analysis
• Mechanical testing (AFM, micro- and macro-mechanical testing)
• Spectroscopy (Raman, FTIR)
• Modelling (FEM, DEM, QM-DFT, MD)

 last update: 24.11.2016