Research Emphasis Areas

Project Leader:
Rudie, Alan W.

Research Emphasis Area:
 Forest Biorefinery

Overview:
New technologies are needed to derive transportation fuels and valuable chemicals from wood. Researchers are studying various chemical and biological conversion methods such as acid hydrolysis, enzyme saccharification and fermentation, as well as thermochemical methods such as gasification and pyrolosis for the production of fuels and chemicals. The primary goal in each case is to overcome barriers to increase yield.

Project Leader:
Rudie, Alan W.

Research Emphasis Area:
 Nanotechnology
 Woody Biomass Utilization

Overview:
Explore the use of cellulose nano-crystals from high yielding dissolving pulp methods that can be used as reinforcement of polymers within composite materials.

Project Leader:
Rudie, Alan W.

Research Emphasis Area:
 Nanotechnology

Overview:
Research in this area includes investigating the use of invasive species and small-diameter trees from thinning operations for wood pulp and paper products and developing environmentally preferable pulping and bleaching processes.

Material from forest thinning operations can be used effectively in pulp and paper products; however, industry needs more information on the fundamental chemical and physical properties of these materials. Researchers are gathering this information and evaluating conventional papermaking processes as an outlet for the wood that needs to be removed from our Nation's forests to reduce fire risk. Evaluation of suppressed-growth trees can help to dispel the notion that these materials are inferior to normal pulpwood trees and increase their valuation in the market. Researchers are also investigating novel pulping and bleaching processes to increase yield and decrease the environmental impact of producing pulp.

Project Leader:
Rudie, Alan W.

Research Emphasis Area:
 Nanotechnology

Overview:
Using recycled wood fiber in paper products is an effective way to reduce societal demands for wood. Wastepaper recovery in the United States is at historically high levels, but much of the recovered paper is exported and not recycled for use in the United States. The high costs and reduced quality of the recycled fibers combine to make U.S. paper companies prefer virgin wood pulp. Yield and fiber quality improvement are keys to increasing paper recycling in the United States.

Research on improving paper recycling is focused on gaining a fundamental understanding of the physical behavior and removal of contaminants relative to fiber loss in the recycling process. Scientists are looking at treating recycled fibers to improve their performance and exploring methods to tailor fibers for specific products. For example, recycled fibers tend to have high stiffness, which can be used to improve paper products requiring stiffness or bulk.

Project Leader:
Rudie, Alan W.

Research Emphasis Area:
 Nanotechnology

Overview:
Researchers are investigating the mechanics of paper and paperboard failure, including developing improved methods to test and predict product performance. One goal in this arena is to characterize paper and other pulp-fiber-based products as engineering materials in order to improve current uses and develop new applications.