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Title of the thesis: Shimmering Wood – Experimenting with Nanocellulose-Based Structural Colour

Thesis defender: Noora Yau
Opponent: Prof.Valentina Rognoli, Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy
Custos: Prof. Kirsi Niinimäki,Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture

Colour Without Pigments – A Doctoral Study Advancing Wood-Based Structural Colours Through Design and Materials Science Can colour be created without pigments, metals or plastics? Could nature’s own shimmer – like the glint of a butterfly’s wing – guide us toward a more sustainable future? 

Noora Yau’s doctoral research at Aalto University’s School of Arts, Design and Architecture focuses on the material development of nanocellulose-based structural colour (CNC SC) from a design perspective. The study explores how iridescent and shimmering hues – such as those seen in the gleaming shades of butterfly wings – can be produced from renewable, wood-based materials without relying on traditional pigments. The research is centred around the Shimmering Wood material development project, in which structural colour was developed through collaboration between design and materials science. The project combines technical methods, such as laboratory work, with design-led approaches that focus on aesthetic and visual qualities, including experimental material testing and prototyping. 

One of the key outcomes of the dissertation is the clarification of structural colour terminology for designers and artists. Previous research on structural colour has mainly concentrated on understanding the physical mechanisms of nanostructures, while the appearance and visual properties of colour have often been secondary. From a design perspective, however, these visual characteristics are central. The dissertation therefore seeks to build a more holistic understanding of how structural colours function and how they can be used in design. The research combines theoretical framing with practical experimentation: it develops a distinct aesthetic for CNC-based structural colour and examines its potential in design and artistic practice. 

The study offers perspectives on how a bio-based material still in its early stages of development can be advanced comprehensively through collaboration between design and the natural sciences – aiming for both ecological and aesthetic sustainability in the colours of the future.

Thesis available for public display 10 days prior to the defence at .