Real time neutron and X-ray Imaging to characterize water transport mechanisms in sustainable paper straws

Important results from the project

The project goal to explore neutron-based experimental techniques to study the dynamic fluid transport in paper fibre materials has been fulfilled. Two neutron experiments have been performed. The project has given us a large network of contacts within neutron techniques as well as increased understanding of edge penetration and how fluids with different pH, surfactants and sugars affect swelling and water transport in fibre-based materials. Study visits to ESS have been made to gain insight.

Expected long term effects

The project has given us an increased understanding of how neutron tomography and radiography work, what opportunities and limitations exist, and what types of research questions these techniques can answer. This understanding and the strengthened collaboration between Tetra Pak, RISE, LU and the neutron facilities, will be useful in future research and product development with a focus on fluid transport in soft porous materials such as paper-based barriers or screw caps in fibre materials.

Approach and implementation

A sample environment for dynamic fluid transport was built to analyze different fluids using neutron radiography at ICON (SINQ/PSI), as well as neutron radiography and neutron tomography at NEXT (ILL). Sequential X-ray computed tomography was also performed at ILL. The data were reconstructed, normalized, and then analysed using image analysis. Confocal microscopy was also performed to obtain complementary data on fluid transport and structure. The results are being summarized in a publication.