2007 Research Highlights

1. Composites made from polymers reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals
2. Thermoplastic composites reinforced with natural fibers and inorganic nanoparticles
3. Co-extrusion of Juniper/HDPE wood-plastic composites
4. Development of advanced bio-based composites
5. Weathering characteristics of wood-plastic composites
6. 9th International conference on wood and biofiber-plastic composites
7. Prediction of fiberboard properties using Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy
8. Finite element modeling to assist in the analysis of heat transfer in wood
9. Using biocomposites as tools for forest restoration and to achieve sustainable forest management
10. Durable, fire-resistant, engineered biocomposites
11. Reactive metal compounds for wood protection against fungal and UV degradation
12. Silicate for wood floor applications
13. Enhanced performance of wood flour and fiber filled-plastic composites (WPCs) against moisture, decay and termites through chemical modification
14. Methods for evaluating the moisture, UV, termites and biological resistance of WPCs in the laboratory and field
15. Chemically modified wood to understand bond durability and adhesion
16. Relationship between microscopic properties and nanoindentation
17. The effect of chemical modification on wood properties
18. Accelerated weathering and moisture adsorption-desorption characteristics of sol-gel treated wood substrates
19. Creation of anti-microbial characteristics on sol-gel treated wood substrates
20. Investigations into methods to improve color stability and UV resistance of wood
21. Adsorption mechanisms of heavy metal cations on pelletized bark
22. Synthesis of B-aryl ether, phenylcoumaran, and pinoresinol models for studying lignin reactions with model pMDI. Problem Area 2, Component 2.
23. Improved method for dissolution of non-derivatized wood cell walls using synthesized deuterated solvents for characterization via high-resolution solution-state NMR spectroscopy. Problem Area 3.
24. Understanding wood decay mechanisms of Gloeophylum trabeum and Daldinia concentrica using high-resolution solution-state NMR spectroscopy. Problem Area 1.
25. Methods for the nanoindentation of wood
26. Preparing surfaces for nanoindentation
27. Initiated a study in cooperation with FPInovations -- Forintek Division on the chemical modification of mountain pine beetle-killed lodgepole pine
28. Continued evaluation of 20 field studies on wood/finish interaction
29. Design a new computer-controlled cyclic strain test apparatus to advance the research on the service life of sealants (in cooperation with NIST)
30. Plant trials to move the soy adhesive technology from lab staff to industry
31. Fire resistant adhesives
32. Basic studies on models for wood adhesives
33. Imaging methods using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study the fundamental reaction of wood adhesives
34. What does bonding to modified wood tell us about adhesion
35. Development of modular platforms for in vivo mapping of local metabolite concentrations important to cell wall degradation by microorganisms
36. The genome sequence of the Brown Rot Fungus Postia placenta
37. Natural chlorination of wood by fungi
38. Publication of the complete genome sequence for the xylose-fermenting yeast, Pichia stipitis
39. Purifying and identifying major constituents of conifer oleoresin
40. Detecting the growth of a pathogen in host cells
41. Biorefining process developed
42. Metals management in pulp bleaching
43. Effects of growth suppression on wood fiber properties
44. Use of Raman imaging in wood chemistry
45. Imaging to determine stress concentration in paper under tensile loads
46. Z-direction fiber orientation in paper
47. Changes in kraft residual lignin oxidized by Polyoxymetalates
48. Measuring residual ink in recycled paper
49. Column compression of paperboard tubes
50. Fiber losses in floatation deinking
51. Promotion of recycling-compatible label adhesives
52. Globalization and structural change in the U.S. Forest sector -- A technical document supporting the US Forest Service interim update of the 2000 RPA assessment
53. Modeling fire growth on fire-resistive wood-based materials
54. New uses for dead Alaskan yellow cedar
55. Inhibiting Formosan termite attack with wood preservatives
56. Climatic conditions influence colony development of subterranean termites
57. Preservative-treated wood and alternative products for use in Forest Service recreational structures
58. Does calcium influence the rate of wood decay?
59. Assessment of wood preservation retention and penetration of NIRVANA
60. Corrosion behavior of metals in preservative treated wood
61. Accelerated decay detection methods
62. Nanoparticle termite inhibition
63. Small diameter softwood for use in transportation structures
64. Forest Products Laboratory Supporting the Nations' Armed Forces with valuable wood research for 90 years
65. Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers, 11th Edition
66. Field assessment of wood stake decomposition in forest soil