JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #107 - August/September 2016 - 39

How genomics can revolutionize the automotive sector

Fig. 2: Fig. 2. Fibre cell-wall remodelling for enhanced strength: (left) b-galactosidase enzyme expression analysis; (M - A) normal fibre cell walls and (M - B) mutant fibre
(f) cell walls with differential b-galactosidase activity which reduces the G-layer of the fibres (indicated by arrows) in their natural position outside of the phloem (p) and
xylem (x) cellular structures; (right) Cell wall remodelling shows that decreased galactan hydrolysis results in decreased tensile strength of fibres (extra data sourced
from S. Southerton, CSIRO), indicating the critical role of this enzyme in the determination of fibre strength properties

flax and other lignocellulosics in the
production line of original equipment
manufacturers and tier-one part suppliers; (ii) identify high-performance
biofibres that can compete with carbon fibres; and (iii) increase the Canadian suppliers' share of the international market by 50% for raw materials
and finished parts in the building materials, automotive, aerospace and consumer product industries by 2020.

A novel biocomposite
A multinational project developed by
Genome Prairie with partners across

a critical component of the solution to
this problem. By combining the evaluation of genetically-selected flax fibre
sources conducted by Dr. Michael
Deyholos at the University of British
Columbia with a microbial-produced
resin designed by Dr. David Levin at
the University of Manitoba, this project will open doors to biocomposite
material manufacturing custom-tailored to the needs of various industries
such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and agricultural machinery.

Over 80 technologies
The Composites Innovation Centre
Manitoba Inc. (CIC) is a globally recognized centre of excellence with a
particular specialization in the commercialization of biocomposite materials. CIC works directly with indus-

Fig. 3. Geneticallyselected biocomposite
components used in
the production vehicle
(coloured panels)

No107 August - September 2016

/ jec composites magazine

Feature Wind energy

To capture the potential market penetration for sustainable biomaterials,
the development of optimized properties for both natural fibres and compatible renewable resins is required to
manufacture fully renewable biocomposites. New genomics technologies
are driving the advanced materials sector by genetically identifying, characterizing and developing superior crop
varieties with enhanced fibre properties. Informing and directing cropbreeding programmes using genomics
innovation has been demonstrated to
increase cost-effectiveness, quality and
consistency within the agriculture sector. Genomics-focused biomaterial development will help open up the possibility of fitting designer materials for
specific purposes in each individual
sector.

Canada and beyond - the Fibre Composites and Biomatrix Genomics (FiCoGEN) project - is currently being
conducted to develop and test a prototype part for a parking enforcement
vehicle using a novel biocomposite
produced from a combination of a
genetically-selected flax fibre with an
innovative bio-derived binding resin/
polymer (Figure 2). The use of specific flax varieties to manufacture biocomposites for particular applications
has not been properly optimized yet.
For instance, traits of a flax variety may
be suitable for one application but not
another due to a lack of compatibility
between the natural fibre and the petroleum-based resin that compromises
the quality of the biocomposite. Characterization and rational application of
existing and novel genetic resources is

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #107 - August/September 2016