Congratulations to Raissa Ngwane for her participation in the 2nd Interlevel Networking Symposium in Materials Science (CQMF QCAM)!
On August 15, 2025, Raissa Ngwane, a Ph.D. candidate in Wood Engineering and Bio-Based Materials, presented the progress of her doctoral project entitled « Development of anti-fingerprint coating for melamine laminated particleboard surfaces » at the CQMF QCAM symposium in Montreal. This event brings together researchers and students from different academic levels to share scientific progress, exchange innovative methodologies, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations.
Under the supervision of Véronic Landry and Caroline Szczepanski, and in collaboration with Vahideh Akbari, Raissa’s work aims to develop an anti-fingerprint coating for melamine-laminated particleboard surfaces. The project focuses on improving both the aesthetic and functional properties of materials used in the wood industry. It combines material engineering, surface chemistry, and wood science, and is part of the Corepan-Bois research program, which supports innovation in construction materials and bio-based products.
The symposium also gave Raissa the opportunity to discover I-CI Montreal, a center specialized in printing and innovation, while promoting networking and fostering inter-institutional and industrial collaborations.
Raissa’s presentation highlighted the excellence and innovative spirit of our research center. Congratulations to Raissa for this great achievement and for contributing to the visibility of materials science research!
Project Summary
Melamine-based surfaces are widely used in furniture and interior design due to their durability and affordability. However, their tendency to retain fingerprints—particularly on dark and matte finishes—remains a major aesthetic limitation.
The project introduces an innovative approach to improve these surfaces by grafting long-chain hydrophobic acrylates onto melamine through an aqueous-phase aza-Michael addition reaction. This mild and environmentally friendly method modifies surface properties to reduce fingerprint adhesion while maintaining the material’s mechanical performance.
The success of the final coating will be evaluated through characterization tests, including contact angle measurement to quantify surface hydrophobicity. Additional tests will confirm the overall quality and performance of the coating, ensuring it meets both functional and aesthetic requirements of wood-based decorative applications.