Prof. Dr. Zeki Candan Achieves Notable Success

Prof. Dr. Zeki Candan works on technologies including smart furniture, environmentally friendly bioadhesives and cellulose nanomaterials from sustainable natural resources, developing numerous patented products suited to human health and comfort with his team. Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA) selected Candan as "Outstanding Successful Young Scientist" in engineering sciences in 2019. As a member of TÜBA Young Academy and founder of the Biomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Group (BioNanoTeam), Candan conducts application studies in composite products, renewable energy, smart products and manufacturing systems. Recognized as "Academician with Most Patents" at Istanbul University Cerrahpaşa (İÜC) Faculty of Forestry Academic Achievement Award Ceremony, Candan described his work in the Nanotechnology and Thermal Analysis Laboratory. Prof. Candan stated that they work on products and technologies prioritizing personal comfort and health, encountered in all areas of life including homes, offices, workplaces, schools, hospitals and public buildings. Working on self-healing smart products with BioNanoTeam members Prof. Dr. İlven Mutlu and doctoral student Mert Yıldırım, Candan noted that with project partner Özkan Ocak they are developing smart furniture technologies called "Life-Saving Smart Bed-MedBed". [caption id="attachment_148743" align="aligncenter"] Prof. Dr. Zeki Candan[/caption]

Prof. Dr. Candan stated that nearly 10 inventions from their work have been registered by the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office and continued as follows:

"We work on smart products, smart beds and smart furniture that ease our lives and can be used by children, infants, elderly and adults, improving their sleep and quality of life. These have been patented. We are in discussions with companies and industrial organizations for commercialization." Candan explained that they have broad research groups spanning from medicine, health, engineering and basic sciences to social sciences, and alongside networks established with prestigious universities abroad, particularly in the USA, Canada and the UK, they conduct numerous research and innovation activities with support from global industry and civil society organizations. Prof. Dr. Candan stated that many of the dozens of patent applications filed by his team in this scope have been approved, while some are still under review. Emphasizing efforts to develop value-added, innovative engineering products and manufacturing processes with potential to contribute to national exports in joint work with industrial organizations, Candan continued: "Wood-based and wooden boards are used in homes and offices. We produce products that eliminate or minimize carcinogenic and harmful effects on human health while improving performance and user satisfaction. Approximately 50 percent of a tree is cellulose. Therefore, cellulose is a sustainable biomaterial and its tensile strength is 2-8 times greater than steel, with a density five times lighter. We produce cellulose nanomaterials from nature's waste, industrial waste, factory waste, forest waste or wood waste. We use these in adhesive modification. By using them in modification of certain chemicals like adhesives and paints and combining with boron-derived compounds, which are our domestic national resources, we produce products with reduced formaldehyde emissions, improved fire performance and increased strength."   Prof. Dr. Candan defined research and development as systematic work conducted to expand existing knowledge, and innovation as the process of converting an idea into money. Noting that patience is needed to realize new ideas and projects, Candan emphasized that industrial organizations, public institutions and civil society organizations need to create appropriate working ecosystems with serious financial resources for research and development and innovation. Emphasizing the important contributions of TÜBA, TÜBİTAK, European Cooperation in Science and Technology organization (EU COST), industry and civil society organizations in their work, Prof. Dr. Candan stated that research and development and innovation activities should not be limited only to universities and research and development centers of industrial organizations.   Source