Forest Careers Spotlight
Forest Careers Spotlight on...
Dr. Mohini Sain, Associate Professor of Wood Composites
Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto
(Published in Re:view, September 2004)
by Alexandra Link
“It is important to understand that we have to care for the environment we live in. In order for that to happen, we have to be aware and conscious of what factors benefit and don’t benefit the environment… we need to make use of what we have and use it more and more so that environmental impact is minimum.”
Dr. Sain speaks from years of research and experience in forestry and engineering. His professional trajectory began in his home country of India, where he completed a Masters degree in Chemical Technology (P. Eng.) and worked in polymer processing. He then went to Czechoslovakia and finished his Ph.D. on a UNESCO international scholarship.
Continuing along his globetrotting path, Dr. Sain then worked in the European polymer industry, taught at the University of the West Indies in the Caribbean, and briefly held an appointment in the United States.
Eventually he found his way to Canada as an international fellow, a rare post at that time, and started working on renewable forest products research at the University of Quebec.
Presently, Dr. Sain is an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Forestry, the Director of the Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, and holds a co-appointment to the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, all at the University of Toronto. He also holds adjunct appointments with the Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of Toronto and with the Pulp and Paper Centre at the University of New Brunswick.
As if these accomplishments weren’t enough, Dr. Sain has conducted innovative and practical research with multiple-benefits for society. He states, “the best aspects of my work are reducing forest utilization, conserving the environment and adding economic value to the forest biomass.”
The key focus of Dr. Sain’s in-depth studies is to foster innovative product creation by developing green technology from renewable resources such as forests. By putting these green technologies into practice, the negative environmental impacts that arise from making and using synthetic materials are lessened. Synthetic materials, like plastics, are made by processing crude oil, which is energy-intensive and uses up non-renewable fossil fuels.
Basically, Dr. Sain’s research looks into the use of forest biomass resources, such as leaves, bark, residues from sawmills and the lumber industry, and sludge from pulp and paper processing to make natural bioplastics. Bioplastics are biodegradable and carbon-neutral, which means that they store carbon and thereby do not contribute to the greenhouse effect.
Dr. Sain sees the need to, “reduce the consumption of trees by developing products with a good economic potential.” The way he understands it, the pulp and paper and lumber industries are eminent exporters for Canada in an increasingly competitive market. One way for Canada to keep pace is to think outside of conventional lines.
“The forest industry’s future as a whole will depend on the innovation of new products and their fast implementation on a commercial scale. The industry should look at research potential and collaboration with other institutions in order to accelerate the research process and become a leader in society.”
The forest industry’s success will depend on visionary thinking, according to the wise professor. As such, there is a need to “diversify the forest product line to the area of biofuels, biochemicals, bioplastics, high performance fibres, and the novel design of performance construction products by combining forest resources and other biomaterials.”
While coming up with new technologies, Dr. Sain says, we must be aware of what factors benefit and don’t benefit the environment. He proposes, “…you have to think, ‘can these (products) be made from natural materials which can be used again and again without damaging the environment?’ ”
For young people thinking about pursuing a career in the forest sector, Dr. Sain suggests coming up with innovations that will have environmental benefit and recycle resources. He concludes by saying, “I encourage young people to reduce energy in daily life. There are many ways to do this.”
Dr. Mohini Sain, Associate Professor of Wood Composites
Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto
(Published in Re:view, September 2004)
by Alexandra Link
“It is important to understand that we have to care for the environment we live in. In order for that to happen, we have to be aware and conscious of what factors benefit and don’t benefit the environment… we need to make use of what we have and use it more and more so that environmental impact is minimum.”
Dr. Sain speaks from years of research and experience in forestry and engineering. His professional trajectory began in his home country of India, where he completed a Masters degree in Chemical Technology (P. Eng.) and worked in polymer processing. He then went to Czechoslovakia and finished his Ph.D. on a UNESCO international scholarship.
Continuing along his globetrotting path, Dr. Sain then worked in the European polymer industry, taught at the University of the West Indies in the Caribbean, and briefly held an appointment in the United States.
Eventually he found his way to Canada as an international fellow, a rare post at that time, and started working on renewable forest products research at the University of Quebec.
Presently, Dr. Sain is an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Forestry, the Director of the Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, and holds a co-appointment to the Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, all at the University of Toronto. He also holds adjunct appointments with the Institute of Environmental Studies at the University of Toronto and with the Pulp and Paper Centre at the University of New Brunswick.
As if these accomplishments weren’t enough, Dr. Sain has conducted innovative and practical research with multiple-benefits for society. He states, “the best aspects of my work are reducing forest utilization, conserving the environment and adding economic value to the forest biomass.”
The key focus of Dr. Sain’s in-depth studies is to foster innovative product creation by developing green technology from renewable resources such as forests. By putting these green technologies into practice, the negative environmental impacts that arise from making and using synthetic materials are lessened. Synthetic materials, like plastics, are made by processing crude oil, which is energy-intensive and uses up non-renewable fossil fuels.
Basically, Dr. Sain’s research looks into the use of forest biomass resources, such as leaves, bark, residues from sawmills and the lumber industry, and sludge from pulp and paper processing to make natural bioplastics. Bioplastics are biodegradable and carbon-neutral, which means that they store carbon and thereby do not contribute to the greenhouse effect.
Dr. Sain sees the need to, “reduce the consumption of trees by developing products with a good economic potential.” The way he understands it, the pulp and paper and lumber industries are eminent exporters for Canada in an increasingly competitive market. One way for Canada to keep pace is to think outside of conventional lines.
“The forest industry’s future as a whole will depend on the innovation of new products and their fast implementation on a commercial scale. The industry should look at research potential and collaboration with other institutions in order to accelerate the research process and become a leader in society.”
The forest industry’s success will depend on visionary thinking, according to the wise professor. As such, there is a need to “diversify the forest product line to the area of biofuels, biochemicals, bioplastics, high performance fibres, and the novel design of performance construction products by combining forest resources and other biomaterials.”
While coming up with new technologies, Dr. Sain says, we must be aware of what factors benefit and don’t benefit the environment. He proposes, “…you have to think, ‘can these (products) be made from natural materials which can be used again and again without damaging the environment?’ ”
For young people thinking about pursuing a career in the forest sector, Dr. Sain suggests coming up with innovations that will have environmental benefit and recycle resources. He concludes by saying, “I encourage young people to reduce energy in daily life. There are many ways to do this.”
posted by Alix at 1:10 AM
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