معرفی
Theo van de Ven is a Professor and holds the Sir William C. Macdonald Chair in Chemistry at McGill University's Department of Chemistry. He serves as Director of the Quebec Centre for Advanced Materials (QCAM/CQMF). His research focuses on cellulose chemistry and its applications in novel materials, including nanocellulose-based composites, biodegradable products (e.g., straws, films), and advanced materials for drug delivery and environmental applications. His work also explores polyphenolic chemistry, such as lignin and tannic acid interactions with proteins in viral and neurodegenerative contexts.
Van de Ven teaches CHEM 233 (Physical Chemistry for Engineers) and CHEM 585 (Colloid Chemistry), emphasizing phase boundary dynamics, electrochemistry, and surfactant science. His labs are located at the Pulp & Paper Building, with research emphasizing green chemistry and sustainable materials. His scientific contributions include pioneering work on hairy nanocellulose architectures and functionalized cellulose derivatives, earning recognition through prestigious awards.
His research spans environmental and biomedical applications, including carbon fiber production from asphaltenes, silica/cellulose hybrids for catalysis, and tannic acid's role in protein interactions (e.g., SARS-CoV-2 and Alzheimer's). Collaborative efforts with industry and academia aim to bridge fundamental research with industrial applications, such as scalable cellulose-based filaments and films.
