Source: MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV submitted to
FOREST PRODUCTS STUDIES
Sponsoring Institution
Other Cooperating Institutions
Project Status
TERMINATED
Funding Source
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0062418
Grant No.
(N/A)
Project No.
MISZ-065030
Proposal No.
(N/A)
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Program Code
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jan 1, 2012
Project End Date
Dec 31, 2016
Grant Year
(N/A)
Project Director
Shmulsky, R.
Recipient Organization
MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
(N/A)
MISSISSIPPI STATE,MS 39762
Performing Department
Forest Products
Non Technical Summary
There is a current and pressing need for increased performance and utility value from wood and wood-based products. As the U.S. population continues to grow, there are increased pressures on domestic, and foreign, timberlands to satisfy the demand for environmentally friendly products and technologies. Timber based products are playing an increasingly important role in the supply of structural and non structural materials for housing construction, furniture, cabinetry, and other needs of the U.S. population. Competitors such as concrete, steel, and plastics are heavily energy dependent and each has numerous negative environmental drawbacks. With respect to social, environmental, and economic benefits, wood is the material of choice for home construction in the U.S.A. Additionally, wood based biofuels such as chips, pellets, pyrolysis oils, and wood-based liquid hydrocarbons are offering a great potential to displace a non trivial amount of foreign oil dependency. This research seeks to continue to develop and optimize heating and transportation fuels from wood. To assure that the U.S. population continues to have ready access to these cost effective and environmentally friendly materials, this research must proceed.
Animal Health Component
0%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
30%
Applied
60%
Developmental
10%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
5110650200030%
5110650202030%
5110650201040%
Goals / Objectives
The primary goal of this program is to conduct an overarching research program in the discipline of forestry and forest products that is of direct benefit to commercial and industrial forest products organizations, timberland owners, housing contractors, homeowners, technical associations, other state, federal, and private research organizations, and other stakeholders. The objective of this broad program is to promote the wise use, economic and environmental stewardship, and societal benefits associated with a healthy forest products industry. Expected outcomes include greater conversion efficiencies, higher levels of competitiveness among Mississippi and U.S. based timber conversion organizations, better environmental performance of wood and wood-based products, and improved living qualities for wood and wood based product users.
Project Methods
Basic and applied research projects relating to the fundamental understanding as well as the improvement of wood and wood properties will be conducted. Specific areas of study include, but are not limited, to renewable bio-fuels from wood and other lignocellulosic feedstocks, engineering and production of high performance composites for light frame and industrial construction, environmental science, development of more environmentally benign wood preservative treatments and methods, valuation of structural softwood lumber, waste reduction, conversion of municipal solid waste into fuel, reduction of formaldehyde in composite products, development of nanotechnology in bio fiber composites, etc. Scientific results will be evaluated and presented via the written peer reviewed format as journal articles and scientific presentations as well as through an ongoing outreach/technology transfer/extension program that his specifically targeted to forest products stakeholders.

Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/16

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences range from industrial manufacturers, academic institutions, research and development authorities, government and state agencies, entrepreneurs and private citizens. Forest land owners and investment firms looking for stable long-term returns. The wood preserving industry involved in the development of new and modified wood preservatives for residential use due to EPA action limiting the application of chromated copper arsenate (CCA). This change includes wood treating companies and consultants, as well as environmental remediation firms dealing with cleanup of organic and inorganic wood preservatives. Also impacted are home owners and contractors who use treated wood. Wastewater treatment engineers and consultants, nurseries, and poultry industries find value in this work. Researchers at public and private institutions and companies active in the production of bio-oil and its potential products, mainly the biofuel industrial companies and the interested governmental agencies such USDA and DOE were reached through publishing data in international journals. Paper companies are showing interest in converting biomass or its by-products such as lignin to high-value added carbon-based materials, especially, carbon- and lignin-based nanomaterials. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?In the very early years of this project, one researcher spent 10 months in the Republic of South Africa studying property variations of hardwood species in the Southern Hemisphere. This sabbatical allowed the researcher the opportunity to use this data comparatively with the investigation of property variation of hardwood species in Mississippi. Over four decades, the support provided by this project made it possible for additional qualified faculty to train numerous students on the efficient and safe operation of a very broad range of research instrumentation. This training enhanced the marketability of students entering the workforce both nationally and internationally. Academic classes with credit producing laboratories afforded hundreds of student's educational achievements that leveraged these funds to attract the interest of industrial partners. Faculty, staff, and students have also achieved professional development through travel to and presentation of scientific findings at national and international scientific and professional meetings. In many cases, the professional development at scientific meetings has led to funded research projects, industrial collaborations, scholarships, and employment opportunities for students. Additional training activities at various federal laboratories such as the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory have been conducted. These have ranged from a few days to a few weeks. In each case, these activities have provided a means of additional training, collaborations, and scientific advancement. As the forest products sector became more aware of the operations and research infrastructure available, workshops and short courses were offered both on site and at specific industry locations. This enhanced the work force training available to not only economic power houses but also rural communities. This project allowed older generation employees the opportunity to sharpen their skills with minimal time way from their jobs. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Throughout the existence of this research project, the general foundation of knowledge was documented and disseminated through annual reports, original peer reviewed, journal manuscripts, proceedings, poster presentation sessions, both formal and informal oral presentations, and presentations at professional meetings/conferences. Additional dissemination has occurred through direct contacts, visits to other federal and state research organizations, trade shows, shortcourses, and manufacturing associations. From 1971 through 2015, a total of 34 U.S. Patents have been issued. Twenty-five of those span from the 1990's and 2000's. Through conference presentations, trade show booths, and demonstrations at production mills, information has been shared and discussed with a variety of interested parties, such as fellow researchers, industry leaders, production manufacturers, students, etc. The breadth of knowledge dissemination via emails, tours, phone calls and other methods of correspondences, spans from 4th graders to industry representatives with high school, Jr. college students, undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral students interacting directly and indirectly. Other interactions to consider include graduate student research projects that lead to development of thesis/dissertation defenses and original publications. Interactions between undergraduate/graduate students and post-doctoral/research associates during research project development and completion were observed. One specific point to note was the birth and implementation of the Wood Magic Science Fair during the course of this research project. Since its inception in 1995, over 100,000 people have been introduced to the ways that timber impacts daily living. Originally this program, hosted 8,000 elementary students in the 3rd and 4th grades from all over the state of Mississippi. The program was in such high demand that the stationary fair held at Mississippi State University could not accommodate the interest. Thus, the Wood Magic Science Fair mobile classroom was developed. Visiting elementary schools, teaching students and their teachers, this mobile classroom is a hands-on experience for the children to be introduced to different timber products. Student see how paper and particle board are made. The relationship between timber strength and its byproduct lumber is discussed. The importance of forest conservation is reviewed. Various events are planned and staged to educate attendees of the importance, properties, and roles that wood products play in their everyday life. In summary, through conference presentations, trade show booths, demonstrations at production mills, information has been shared and discussed with a variety of interested parties, such as fellow researchers, industry leaders, production manufacturers, stakeholders, students, and the public at large. Research results have been disseminated to the communities of interest through presentation in scientific conferences (oral and posters) and publishing the data in both national and international peer reviewed journals (publications). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Spanning almost half a century, this project has researched numerous forest products needs and developed many improvements with an overall goal of utilizing every tree to its maximum value. Forest and timberland production has been improved. Diverse means that best utilize logs to finished lumber and other forest products have been explored. Lumber marketing practices have been examined with the objective of helping manufacturers maximize revenue while providing quality products. Length-diameter-grade relationships of processing logs to lumber has been studied extensively. Composite and engineered wood products have been a focus of this project throughout. Research has shown that high-quality laminated products can be produced from low-grade hardwood species. Applications of lumber and panelized products for use in furniture have been studied. Softwood products have been developed intensively. Optimal practices and procedures for using a variety of softwoods in composite products have been developed. These products fill a market need and increase the demand for another type of timber thereby making forest lands more productive. Adhesives research, related to structural and non-structural composites has focused on reducing costs, improving performance, minimizing formaldehyde, and enhancing the value of underutilized species. Extending the life of timber in-use as utility poles, ties, and other load bearing structural installations has been a significant research thrust of the project. Wood preservation in the southeastern US is challenging because of the severe climatic changes that occur daily, monthly, seasonally, and year after years. Climate-change related severe weather poses new challenges to treated wood. This shift, along with the ever present challenge of environmental and economic stewardship have forced research to move faster. In response, development of accelerated testing and evaluation of chemicals and treatment methods has emerged. Conventional kiln drying of poles and lumber was the method of choice for decades. Environmental changes, economic pressure, and demand growth have necessitated production increases. Poles must be produced more quickly to supply the demand of new installations and powerline rebuilds and upgrades. This demand has led to research and development of accelerated kiln schedules that more than double productivity. Wood utilization research and development has positively affected the economy. For example, because kiln dried poles weigh much less than green poles, shipping costs for kiln dried material are much lower. This savings is shared among producers and consumers. Also, this research has improved the ways and means of treating poles, ties, and lumber with creosote. A steam-conditioning treatment process that reduces processing time and improves uniformity of treatment was developed. With the utilization of steam and other treatment practices involving preservative chemicals, came the environmental issue of the waste water run-off which was considered contaminated and toxic. Studies ensued to determine the volume and types of contaminates, the chemical and bio-chemical processes that were causing them, and how those contaminates varied from one treatment facility to another. Researchers then sought to treat contaminated water such that it was once again safe for the environment. As laws were tightened and enforced strictly, this environmental research proved to save industrial facilities from heavy fines associated with their former inability to manage waste water. This applied environmental research has been vitally important to the wood products industry. From the need for wood treating plants to manage waste water run-off, engineering firms began designing waste-water treatment plants which eventually were also marketed to municipalities seeking to process sewage. The two main areas of environmental projects at MSU-FPL were concentrated first on bioremediation of wood treating chemicals in soil, water, and second on disposal of by-products from furniture and sawmill plants. As a research unit, there has been a research focus on bioremediation of contaminated soil water and treated wood wastes with wood treating companies in Mississippi and throughout the U.S. South since early 1980s. One of the most significant results of bioremediation research was a two-year field demonstration study conducted at a south Mississippi wood treating site to remediate pentachlorophenol (PCP) and creosote sludge's using land farming. This study made land farming (land treatment) technically acceptable by regulators and one of the most and cost effective treatments for organic pollutants in soil. Also, isolation of a bacterium Arthrobacter sp. from highly contaminated soil was another contribution of environmental research for remediation of organic wastes. This bacterium was liquid cultured here at MSU FPL and shipped to several wood treating companies for in situ and ex situ treatment of contaminated groundwater in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas for over fifteen years. Another environmental research project involved the disposal of burdensome furniture and other forest product wood wastes. Composting research in the Forest and Wildlife Research Center has focused and found ways to compost many of these wastes by adding poultry litter (another major waste in this state) and reclaiming them as value added products since 1996. Many publications resulted from these projects that informed local and regional companies to consider and implement this environmentally friendly disposal method instead of landfilling. Laboratory trials were used to study preservative-decay relationships. From this project work, the ASTM standard soil-block test for evaluating wood preservatives was rewritten such that the time required for this testing was reduced by 75%. Continued development of accelerated test standards has allowed the introduction of new wood preservative chemicals and products into the marketplace. Accelerated test methods for evaluation of potential wood preservatives have also incorporated non-destructive test methodology. This research led to the development of 3 AWPA Standards that are currently included in the AWPA Book of Standards. Other studies examined the variables affecting the quality of poles and piling. Development of non-destructive techniques has led to research on ways of judging wood quality in standing trees as well as timber products during manufacturing and in service. During this project, the U.S. South has seen the dramatic effects of many hurricanes on standing timberlands as well as wood products used in building construction. Data from the 1970s following Hurricane Camille showed the formation of broad bands of compression wood which gave timberland a negative economic value for poles and a reduced value for lumber. Thirty years later, researchers have confirmed that these original findings remain a problem that can be more closely described when examining failure of wooden structures such as bridges. It was realized in just the last twenty years that bridges and utility poles must be inspected regularly and remediated appropriately to enhance their service lives. Timber that fails during catastrophic storms results in significant financial losses to land owners. Extensive research has been conducted as to what can be done with this salvage timber. Some of the ideas and discoveries derived from this research has been applied to small diameter timber harvested in such cases where land was being cleared for new construction. Additionally, novel ways of communicating and networking about storm-salvage timber have been initiated. Finally, the development of improved grading, testing, non-destructive evaluation, and other standards has increased the value of pine lumber and timberland.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Akgul, A., Akgul, A., Roberts, S.D., Harkess, R.L., Diehl, S.V., 2016, Genetic variation in the FT1 locus involved in reproductive onset in populus deltoids, "Tree Genetics and Molecular Breeding 2016, Vol.6, No.1, 1-10, http://tgmb.biopublisher.ca
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Bari, E., Oladi, R., Schmidt, O., Clausen, C.A., Ohno, K., Nicholas, D.D., Daryaei, M.G., Karim, M., 2015, Influence Of Xylem Ray Integrity And Degree Of Polymerization On Bending Strength Of Beech Wood Decayed By Pleurotus Ostreatus And Trametes Versicolor, "International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 104 (2015) 299-306 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2015.06.019
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Barnes,H.M., Herian, V.L., 2014, 57th SWST International Convention 7th Wood Structure and Properties Conference 6th European Hardwood Conference, "Proceedings of the 57th International Convention of Society of Wood Science and Technology, June 23-27, 2014- Zvolen, SLOVAKIA
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Barnes, H.M., Franca, F., Franca, T.A., 2016, Properties of Southern Pine Modified with Melamine Formaldehyde Resin "Proceedings of the 59th SWST International Convention, pgs. 42-46, March 6-10 2016, Curitiba, Brasil
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Catchot, T., Owens, F., Shmulsky, R., Seale, R.D., 2016, Using Nondestructive Testing To Identify Premium Grades In Southern Pine and Douglas-fir Utility Crossarms, Wood and Fiber Science, 49(1), 2017, pp.1-8
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Dowlatabadi,L., Borazjani, H.,2016, Remediation of Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Process Water Mississippi, Water Resources Conference, 2016, Poster Session, pp 5-10, 2016
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Kitchens, S. C., Amburgey, T. L., 2015, Oil-borne Encapsulation Treatments Combined With Borate Treated Non-seasoned Crossties "Proceedings of the 111th Annual Meeting of the American Wood Protection Association 140-146
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2016 Citation: Kraszewska, K., Borazjani, H., Seale, D., Baldwin, B., Jeremic, D.,2016, Treatment of Bio-oil Refinery Storm Water By A Simulated Constructed Wetland: A Sustainable Management Alternative, Forest Products Journal(pre-press since 01/18/16) http://forestprodjournals.org/doi/pdf/10.13073/FPJ-D-15-00024
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Li, Q., Luo, Y., Hou, B., Han, Z.,2016, Synthesis and mechanism of flocculating-decolorizing agent PAD for polymer sulfonated drilling wastewater "Journal Of Residuals Science & Technology, Vol. 13, No. 2 - April 2016 1544-8053/16/01 135-09 doi: 10.12783/issn. 1544-8053/13/2/7
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2017 Citation: Lu, Y., Yan, Q., Han, J., Cao, B., Street, J., Yu, F., 2017, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of olefin-rich hydrocarbons from biomass-derived syngas over carbon-encapsulated iron carbide/iron nanoparticles catalyst, Fuel 193 (2017) 369-384, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016236116312820
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Luo, Y., Gudo, V. K., Steele, P. H., Wan, H., 2016, Hydrodeoxygenation of Oxidized and Hydrotreated Bio-oils to Hydrocarbons in Fixed-bed Continuous Reactor, "Bio Resources 11(2), 4415-4431 www.bioresources.com
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Mao, A., Shmulsky, R., Li, Q., Wan, H.,2014, Recycling Polyurethane materials: a compairson of polyol from glycolysis with micronized polyurethane powder in particleboard application "Bioresources 9(3), 4253-4265
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Franca, F., Franca , T., Vidaurre, G., Wang, X., Ross, R., 2016, Nondestructive Assessment of Eucalyptus Grandis vs Eucalyptus Urophylla, "Proceedings of the 59th International Convention of Society of Wood Science and Technology March 6-10, 2016 - Curituba, Brazil
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Franca, T., Franca, F., Arantes, D., Paes, J., 2016, Natural Durability Of Two Species of African Mahogany Planted In Brazil Against Termite Attack"Proceedings of the 59th International Convention of Society of Wood Science and Technology March 6-10, 2016 - Curitiba, Brazil, Acknowledgements: U Fed Espirito Santo-Brazil, VALE S.A-Brazil"
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Hafez, I., Hassan, E.B., 2015, Rapid Liquefaction of Giant Miscanthus Feedstock in Ethanol-Water System for Production of Biofuels "Energy Conversion and Management 91 (2015) 219-224 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2014.12.016
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Hassan, E.B., Elsayeda, I., Eseyin, A.,2016, Production High Yields Of Aromatic Hydrocarbons Through Catalytic Fast Pyrolysis Of Torrefied Wood and Polystyrene, "Fuel 174 (2016) 317-324 www.elsevier.com/locate/fuel http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2016.02.031
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Islam, Z.U., Hassan, E. B., Dongdong, C., Hongxun, Z., Zhisheng, Y.,2015, Microbial Conversion Of Pyrolytic Products To Biofuels: A Novel And Sustainable Approach Toward Second-Generation Biofuels "J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol (2015) 42:1557-1579, DOI 10.1007/s10295-015-1687-5
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Janzen, S., Nicholas, D. D.,2016, Relation of transverse compression properties and the degree of brown rot biodeterioration of Pinus glabra in the soil block test, Holzforschung 2016; Vol 70(11): pp. 1067 - 1071
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Nicholas, D.D., Goodell, Schultz, T. P., 2015, Deterioration and Protection of Sustainable Biomaterials "College Textbook-- American Chemical Society,ACS Symposium Series 1158 http://pubs.acs.org/
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Sanders, M., Carey, T., 2015, In-track Inspection of Four Year Old ACZA Treated Hardwood Ties "Proceedings of the 111th Annual Meeting Of The American Wood Protection Association 148-154
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Soni, B., Hassan, E. B., Mahmoud, B.,2015, Chemical Isolation and Characterization Of Different Cellulose Nanofibers (CNFs) From Cotton Stalks "Carbohydrate Polymers 134 (2015) 581-589
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Soni, B., Hassan, E. B., Schilling, H. W., Mahmoud, B., 2016, Transparent Bionanocomposite Films Based On Chitosan and Tempo-oxidized Cellulose Nanofibers With Enhanced Mechanical And Barrier Properties "Carbohydrate Polymers 151 (2016) 779-789 journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/carbpol
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Street, J., Yu, F., Columbus, E., Wooten, J., Yan, Q., Hassan, E. B., 2016, Pilot-plant production of gas-to-liquid synthetic fuel using gasified biomass over a novel biochar-supported catalyst, Transactions of ASABE, Vol. 59(6): 1485-1496
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Tao,J., Penmetsa, V.K., Steele, P. H., 2015, Addition of Gaseous Olefin to Produce Boiler Fuel and Stability Studies, Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy (Vol.00, No. 00) DOI 10.002/ep
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Yan, Q., Street, J., Yu, F.,2015, Synthesis of carbon-encapsulated iron nanoparticles from wood derived sugars by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and their application to convert bio-syngas into liquid hydrocarbons "Biomass and Bioenergy 83 (2015) 85-95 http://www.elsevier.com/locate/biombioe http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2015.09.002
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Yan, Q., Li, R., Toghiani, H., Cai, Z., Zhang, J.,2015, Synthesis and Characterization Of Carbon Nanospheres Obtained By Hydrothermal Carbonization Of Woodderived and Other Saccharides, "Trends in Renewable Energy, 2015, Vol. 1, No. 2, 119-128 doi:10.17737/tre.2015.1.2.2012
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Yan, L., Street, J., Steele, P., Entsminger, E., Guda, V.,2016, Activated Carbon Derived From Pyrolyzed Pinewood Char Using Elevated Temperature, KOH, H3PO4, and H2O2, BioResources 11(4), 10433-10447
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Yu, Y. S., Ni, C. Y., Yu, T., Wan, H.,2015, Optimization of the Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Plywood "Wood & Fiber Science, 47(1), 2015, pp.109-119 2015
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Akgul, Ayfer, 2016 Dissertation, Gene expression profiling of wood decay fungus (Fibroporia radiculosa) grown on different organic and copper based preservatives, Mississippi State University
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Zhang, Xuefang, 2016 Dissertation, Synthesis and characterization of carbon-based nanomaterials from lignin, Mississippi State University
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Zhou, Xiaoling, 2016 Thesis, Effects of fabric cover elastic property on cushion stiffness in upholstered furniture seating, Mississippi State University


Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences range from industrial manufacturers, academic institutions, research and development authorities, government and state agencies, entrepreneurs and private citizens. The wood preserving industry involved in the development of new and modified wood preservatives for residential use due to EPA action limiting the application of chromated copper arsenate (CCA). This includes wood treating companies and consultants, as well as environmental remediation firms dealing with cleanup of organic and inorganic wood preservatives. Also impacted are home owners and contractors who use treated wood. Wastewater treatment consultants, nurseries, and poultry industries find value in this work. Researchers at public and private institutions and companies active in the production of bio-oil and its potential products, mainly the biofuel industrial companies and the interested governmental agencies such USDA and DOE were reached through publishing data in international journals. Paper companies are showing interest in converting biomass or its by-products such as lignin to high-value added carbon-based materials, especially, carbon-based nanomaterials. Furniture manufacturers, wood-based panel manufacturers, and mechanical fastener manufacturers were also target audiences. Forest products professors, undergraduate and graduate students, and related industry constituents, such as timber landowners, lumber manufacturers, industrial bio-products manufacturers, lumber mill operators and managers, wood scientists, as well as government and state agencies. The guitar industry and wood buyers were targeted through seminar lectures. Other audiences included approximately 4,000 4th grade elementary school children plus teachers, parents, assistants, and chaperones from around the state of Mississippi who attended the Annual Wood Magic Science Fair hosted by the Department of Sustainable Bioproducts (DSB) at Mississippi State University (MSU). Designed to enhance the understanding of elementary students, this extension outreach event uses interactive demonstrations ranging from the Life of a Tree, Daily Wood Products, Termites, Strength of Wood (Rock Stars), Wood Properties (Bubbling Bazookas), Paper Making, Chemistry Properties (Chem-Is-Tree), OSB plywood (Wood Sandwich), Sawmill, and more to present research findings. Changes/Problems:In the Development of a Novel Lap-Joint for Rapidly Assessing Wood Decay in Field Test Samples project which involved methods for detecting and quantifying decay in field tests, research was also carried out to evaluate the use of dynamic MOE in evaluating test specimens used in soil contact lab decay tests. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The use of dynamic MOE and MOR equipment afforded opportunities for training research associates, 6 graduate students, and 8 student laboratory workers to develop new chemistry and analytical skills, as well as writing and speaking skills. By presenting papers at professional meetings, students learned to present high-level presentations and to interact with professionals in their respective fields. Five graduate students were trained in a variety of treatment methods for disposal of solid and liquid wastes. Two graduate students gained full experience in bio-decomposition of wood-wastes by two different composting methods. They participated in composting conferences and learned about compost maturity, spontaneous combustion, and greenhouse evaluation of composted materials. Another graduate student was trained on phytoremediation of heavy metals from contaminated water. Other graduate students were trained on remediation of wood preservatives such as pentachlorophenol (PCP), and chromated copper arsenate (CCA) from soil and treated wood. Two new graduate students were trained in the molecular procedures used in this work. One undergraduate student was trained in molecular techniques and is currently working as a research assistant in the laboratory. An Associate Professor, Professor, and Director of the Franklin Furniture Institute escorted visitors from Nanjing Forestry University (Dean of College of Furniture and Industrial Design, Dr. Zhihui Wu; and Lab Director, Dr. Yiqing Qi) to meet with the Mississippi Development Authority to initiate future collaborative ideas. After attending a Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) technical committee meeting, arrangements were made to visit the home offices of SPIB to learn how to measure knots in southern pine lumber according to ASTM D4761. A program was written in Microsoft Access to calculate knot size and codes according to ASTM D4761. Users take measurements with a tape measure to the nearest 1/16th of an inch and enter into the program. The program converts the measurement to a decimal figure and calculates the knot size. Provisions are made within the program for each of the 10 types of knots listed under ASTM D4761 with the appropriate equation to calculate the knot size. The user interface shows a picture of each knot type with the required instructions for measurements for each knot. As a result of the SPIB visit above and the program to calculate knot size, students are becoming proficient in measuring knots specifically, and many of the ASTM standards that pertain to evaluation of wood products. The project has provided training and professional development to professors, graduate students, and research associates. Two graduate students participated in a summer 2015 internship with a particleboard mill where they learned about issues in particleboard manufacturing and quality control. Suggested research improvements were delivered to the particleboard mill in a presentation/report. It was determined that increasing the amount of sanding resulted in the increase in overlay or laminate peel strength thus reducing the consumer complaint rate. The OSB particleboard mill has provided an assistantship to a student's Ph.D. program to address the OSB quality issue. A new bamboo composite concept was shared with an industrial client resulting in a request for additional research. Findings could result in new product development as graduate students continue to engage directly with industry. Research could provide a better understanding of how the resin manufacturing process affects hybrid resin system structure. Professional training and development included presentations through seminars about nondestructive testing of wood for the guitar industry to wood buyers and attendees of the Wood Magic Science Fair. Graduate research assistants met with scientists at the USDA Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin. Training through directed individual study courses in relation to chemical analysis of bio-fibers and use of equipment in laboratories was performed. Other laboratory hands on training for students included how to perform lignin characterization, make adhesive formulations, chemical extractions, metal analysis, identify wood properties, and administer wood treatments. Obtaining this type of training makes students more marketable within the workplace. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The general foundation of knowledge was documented and disseminated through annual reports, original peer reviewed journal manuscripts, proceedings, poster presentation sessions, both formal and informal oral presentations, and presentations at professional meetings/conferences. Through conference presentations, trade show booths, and demonstrations at production mills, information has been shared and discussed with a variety of interested parties, such as fellow researchers, industry leaders, production manufacturers, students, etc. The breadth of knowledge dissemination via emails, tours, phone calls and other methods of correspondences, spans from 4th graders to industry representatives with high school, Jr. college students, undergraduates, graduate students and post-doctoral students interacting directly and indirectly. Other interactions to consider include graduate student research projects that lead to development of thesis/dissertation defenses and original publications. Interactions between undergraduate/graduate students and post-doctoral/research associates during research project development and completion were observed. Specific details of research results was presented at the Annual American Wood Protection Association meeting in California. Presentations were also made at the International Research Group on Wood Protection meeting in Malaysia. In addition to scientific presentations, invitations were extended by many organizations interested in developing markets for their pine timber. One question of specific interest to these groups was what bio-oil really was and how the development of a bio-oil industry might be of benefit. Findings on the topic of biological treatment of forest products wastes have been disseminated through several oral and poster presentations such as were made by graduate students at the 45th IRG Annual Meeting Proceedings, St. George, Utah. Another phytoremediation paper and presentation about the use of duckweed (Lemna sp., Spirodela sp., and Wolffia sp.) for reduction of BOD solution in TimTek process water was presented at the 5th International Environmental Science and Technology Conference, Houston, Texas. Science-based knowledge was delivered to the industry and fellow researchers through private meetings, conferences and other communications to discuss research in progress. Specific gatherings included USDA Forest Service meetings and at the Edge of Chaos Conference and Deep South Center for Occupational Health and Safety. A Chinese delegation met with the Mississippi Development Authority and attended the Tupelo Furniture Market where MSU personnel gave a presentation on furniture research and testing capabilities available at MSU. Collaborations were explored with faculty at Nanjing Forestry University (NFU) to develop research proposals and recruit NFU students to continue education/research at MSU. The MSU Department of Sustainable Bioproducts Annual Wood Magic Science Fair hosted over 4,000 Mississippi 4th graders, their teachers and parents. Included in this year's event was the process of pyrolysis. The Wood Magic Science Fair mobile classroom visited elementary schools, teaching students and their teachers about timber and how it impacts daily living. This mobile classroom is a hands-on experience for the children to be introduced to different timber products. Student see how paper and particle board are made. The relationship between timber strength and its byproduct lumber was discussed. The importance of forest conservation was reviewed. Various events are planned and staged to educate attendees of the importance, properties, and roles that wood products play in their everyday life. In summary, through conference presentations, trade show booths, demonstrations at production mills, information has been shared and discussed with a variety of interested parties, such as fellow researchers, industry leaders, production manufacturers, stakeholders, students, and the public at large. Research results have been disseminated to the communities of interest through presentation in scientific conferences (oral and posters) and publishing the data in both national and international peer reviewed journals (publications). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?For the next project reporting period, Functional Genomics and Transcriptomics of the Copper Tolerant Brown-rot Fungus (Fibroporia radiculosa) will continue to compare global profiles of gene expression at different times and treatment conditions to learn more about the genes that differentiate oxidative from hydrolytic decay. Research will focus on thermal conversion of Kraft lignin to graphene materials, measure properties of produced graphene materials, and explore potential applications such as supercapacitors. Plans are to conclude the Synthesis of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials from Biomass with a project summary and to prepare a new research proposal for approval. The Investigations of Lumber Strength, Root Causes for Strength Reductions, and Substitute Engineered Wood Products to Fill the Lumber Void project will continue in the area of engineered wood products particularly in the arena of flooring and specialty products. Plans are to expand on the work associated with pre-treatments for phenolic resins, flooring and thick billets, and hopefully move to commercialize products. Plans are to acquire additional data for the carbon loss of aqueous fraction of bio-oil project. Work will continue toward improving OSB strength and dimensional stability. Addressing particleboard process control and diagnosis of panel quality issues will move forward. Personnel will see to identify additional hybrid resin structures for high performance resin systems development. Research will continue investigating the quality of solid southern yellow pine wood produced. Studies will examine the relationship between how trees are grown, the time of harvest, and how mills use the wood once it arrives on site. Ensuring the decisions made will have the best possible outcome for both landowners and the quality of the products produced will enhance southern yellow pine wood's attraction in the market place. As testing of clear bending specimen samples is completed, the data will be analyzed and sampling of the clear bending specimens from in-grade lumber will begin. To finish production of hydrophobin polymer and its characterization, to treat wood samples with the produced amounts of hydrophobin using tested and most applicable treatment parameters is planned. In order to make nanochitosan particles, researchers will seek to depolymerize chitosan chains to produce oligomers. Establishing a method of conversion of chitosan oligomers into nanochitosan particles as well as the nanochitosan will be tested to establish optimal condition treatments. For the lignin based bioproducts project, formulating lignin-based resin while optimizing the process conditions such as temperature, pH, and time is set to begin. The leaching remediation of forest products and liquid waste study should finish. Research on constructed wetland remediation and BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) reduction of engineered wood process water will begin. On the Effect of Concrete on the pH and Susceptibility of Treated Pine to Decay by Brown-rot Decay, plans are to remove one additional set of 4x4 posts from the field sites and assess pH changes in the cement and non-cement areas. Soil block tests will be initiated with the wood exposed to cement and the non-cement controls. An expanded modification study has been developed to further investigate impregnation and curing regimes. Mechanical testing along with dimensional properties and weathering characteristics will complete the impact of treatments and evaluations methods on the properties of biomaterials project.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In the production of hydrocarbon bio-oil produced from wood study, focus was on hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of bio-oil by use of reduced hydrogen in order to save costs. A substitution of syngas for hydrogen found this method was effective for HDO of bio-oil in a continuous reactor. Producing liquid hydrocarbon fuels from HDO catalysis of bio-oil by continuous catalytic processing was accomplished with lower costs. Without production of high carboxylic acid content, syngas HDO of bio-oil could not have been achieved. Papers were published. Two patents were filed to protect intellectual property. The biological treatment of forest products waste study found duckweed and parrot feather plants to be effective collectors of metals present in CCA and copper contaminated water. Duckweed was superior due to its ability to remove large amounts of metals while certain plants can have mediator effects on metals in aqueous environments. Results obtained from the hydroponic experiment provided data for using aquatic plants in remediating contaminated lakes/lagoons. Duckweed removed BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) from steam press scrim lumber process water as it was toxic and limited other aquatic plants growth at dilutions. Aeration combined with nutrients reduced BOD levels <70%. Bio-filtration followed by bioremediation removed >80% of oil/grease from process water and decreased toxicity by 90%. Kenaf and wood shavings adsorbed contaminants and reduced hydrocarbons/grease concentrations and toxicity. Composting research showed to co-compost wastes from the same facility (sawdust and process water) with chicken manure produced a mature product. Radish seed germination/greenhouse tests indicated mature compost is non-toxic potting media and offers nutrients to plants. Compost could be sold to nurseries/farmers as bulking agent and nutrient source to add revenue to future facilities. Other research indicated adding hardwood bark to poultry litter could produce similar products to currently used media. Genomics of brown-rot fungus study began transcriptomics to identify genes that are being expressed when fungus is decaying treated wood. Feeder strips were used on soil surface and inoculated with fungus until wood had completely degraded. The RNA was extracted from treatments and samples. Bioinformatics determined which genes are being expressed in each treatment and gave desired target genes for reverse transcriptase. A furniture fiber study resulted in development of design and testing loads of heavy duty and bariatric seating. This helped Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association International develop a new standard. A large occupant office chair test was approved. Many samples were tested and evaluated as scientists sought to further develop a novel lap-joint for use in various construction applications. A carbon-based nanomaterial study found carbon-based materials from woody biomass char, lignin, and sodium linosulfonates from sulfite pulping process to synthesize graphene. A scanning electron microscopy image was used to analyze material surface changes. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy analyzed nanostructures. Raman spectrum analysis confirmed that graphene sheets were formed in lignosulfonates treated with Fe catalyst. Images indicated Fe nanoparticle catalyst formed well-aligned graphitic carbon structures. The analysis of lumber strength study examined ways to enhance bonding bamboo using phenol formaldehyde resins, mechanical and chemical treatments. A wood utility pole test facility was constructed and data acquisition system measured tip deflection and butt rotation. The facility conforms to ASTM D1036 and provides robust/accurate data compared to procedures in the standard. A Microsoft Access program was written to calculate fitting test values of MOE and MOR. New technology was discovered that uses acoustic waves to determine if wood utility poles should remain in service or be replaced. The device was used on each pole; then poles were destructively tested to failure. A journal article was written and is in review. If technology is adopted it will prolong the life of an average pole reducing distribution costs. A carbon loss of aqueous fraction bio-oil study increased the value of sugars through converting added chemicals and removed inhibitors by fermenting sugars to ethanol. Based on total furans yield, optimized hydration reaction was achieved. Change of aqueous phase by adjusted DMSO led to increases in yields of furanose ring product and total yield of furan derivatives. Inhibitors were removed from bio-oil water fraction by extraction with n-butanol solvent. Residual n-butanol was found to inhibit fermentation of saccharomyces pastorianus yeast. Yield of ethanol from pyrolytic sugars in bio-oil water fraction reached a max of 98% theoretical yield. The bio-composite product study tests revealed surface quality of particleboards made with low formaldehyde emission resin had tendency of deterioration during hot press. Sanding the surface of particleboard bonded with low formaldehyde emission resin improved the pull of strength. Results indicate bamboo wood composite have high MOE. A study on an effective way to reduce fines in oriented strand board production has begun at a local OSB mill. Ideas to reduce fines generation and improve blending efficiency models were discovered. Mill operation confirmed increasing strand thickness decreased mill fines generation. Another analysis showed when panel thickness varied from 0.5-1.125", increasing panel thickness reduced the formaldehyde emission; increasing hot press densifying position increased emissions. Collaboration with Zeiss helped to verify a hypothesis and ultimately show the resin structures at nano meter level. Research on variation of wood quality relates to changes in silvicultural. This study examined changes occurring with percent latewood, juvenile wood, microfibril angle, and other properties. Ongoing research will discover how properties relate to tree genetics, environment factors and silvicultural treatments. The approaches for wood protection study had graduate research proposals defended and courses completed. Work on heterologous and the natural production of hydrophobins began and the Chitosan penetrability into wood determined. Chitosan results found it to be an effective short-term termiticide. The lignin-based bioproducts study samples were obtained from industries. Remediation of forest products wastes study conducted leaching treatment preservatives on lumber. Blocks were cut, ground into sawdust and different extraction fluids used to treat samples. The effect of concrete on treated pine decay study installed MCA treated posts on different sites. Samples were separated into zones and pH analyzed. Analysis indicated pH increased for the 1st two depth zones from test sites. Increases in pH were in the outer zones indicating cement had migrated into wood. Decay test used three different fungi species. Impact of treatments on biomaterials study completed objectives 1 & 2 and initial modification study with melamine formaldehyde was completed. Study showed treatment with 10% melamine enhanced bending strength and stiffness of wood. Expanded modification study added investigations of mechanical properties of wood with melamine formaldehyde.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Akhtari, M., Nicholas, D.D., 2014, Effect of Machined Profile, Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide Particles on Reducing Checking of Southern Pine Deck Boards During Weathering "The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2014IET Nanobiotechnoly., pp. 1-4 doi: 10.1049/iet-nbt.2014.0001"
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Barnes, H.M., Herian, V.L., 2014, 57th SWST International Convention 7th Wood Structure and Properties Conference 6th European Hardwood Conference, Proceedings of the 57th International Convention of Society of Wood Science and Technology, June 23-27, 2014- Zvolen, SLOVAKIA
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Barnes,M.H., Herian, V.L., 2015, 58th SWST International Convention, June 7-12, 2015 Jackson Lake Lodge Grand Teton National Park Jackson, Wyoming, USA. Convention Theme: Renewable Materials and the Bio-Economy, Proceedings of the 58th International Convention of Society of Wood Science and Technology June 7-12, 2015 - Grand Teton National Park, Jackson, Wyoming, USA
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Eseyin, A.E., Ekpenyong , K.I., El-Giar, E.M., Abel-Anyebe, O., 2015, The effect of pd-doped ?-Al2O3on the low-temperature thermal decomposition of corn cobs and leaves in bio-oil production, "The International Journal of Science and Technology (ISSn 2321-919X); Vol 3 Issue 2, www.theijst.com"
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Eseyin, A.E., El-Giar, E.M., 2015, Low-Temperature Catalytic Pyrolysis of Corn Stalks - A novel Route to the Production of Bio-Oil and Valuable Chemical Feedstock, International Journal of Science and Technology (IJST) - Volume 4 No. 3, March, 2015
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Eseyin, A.E., Ekpenyong, K.I., Dangoggo, S.M., Abel-Anyebe, O., El-Giar, E.M., 2015, Product Distribution in the Low Temperature Conventional Pyrolysis of Nigerian Corn Stalks, "International Journal for Innovation Education and Research Vol. 3-1, 2015, www.ijier.net"
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Eseyin, A.E., Steele, P.H., 2015, An Overview Of The Applications of Furfural and Its Derivatives, "International Journal of Advanced Chemistry, 3 (2) (2015) 42-47, doi: 10.14419/ijac.v3i2.5048"
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Eseyin, A.E., Hassan, E.B., El-Giar,E., 2015, Comparative Analyses of Nigerian and US Corn Stalks, using PY-GC/MS, "International Journal of Advanced Chemistry, 3 (1) (2015) 18-24 www.sciencepubco.com/index.php/IJAC doi: 10.14419/ijac.v3il.4328"
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Hafez, I., Hassan, E.B., 2014, Rapid Liquefaction of Giant Miscanthus Feedstock in Ethanol-Water System for Production of Biofuels, "Energy Conversion and Management 91 (2015) 219-224http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2014.12.016"
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Islama, Z.U., Hassan, E.B., Dongdong, C., Hongxun, Z., Zhisheng, Y., 2015, Microbial Conversion Of Pyrolytic Products To Biofuels: A Novel And Sustainable Approach Toward Second-Generation Biofuels, "J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol (2015) 42:1557-1579, DOI 10.1007/s10295-015-1687-5"
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Kitchens, S., Johnson, T., Dahlen, J., 2014, Reducing Susceptibility of Heat-Treated Sweetgum And Pine To Mold Colonization By Incorporating Traditional Biocides, "Wood and Fiber Science, 46(4), 2014, PP. 539-546
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Mao, A., Shmulsky, R., Li, Q., Wan, H., 2015, Recycling Polyurethane materials: a comparison of polyol from glycolysis with micronized polyurethane powder in particleboard application, Bioresources 9(3), 4253-4265
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Soni, B., Hassan, E.B., Mahmoud, B., 2015, Chemical Isolation and Characterization Of Different Cellulose Nanofibers (CNFs) From Cotton Stalks, Carbohydrate Polymers 134 (2015) 581-589
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Schultz,T.P., Nicholas, D.D., Preston, A.F., 2014, Wood Protection Trends in North America, "ACS Book. Deterioration and Protection of Sustainable Biomaterials doi: 10.1021/bk-2014-1158,ch021 http://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/bk-2014-1158.ch021"
  • Type: Book Chapters Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Schultz,T.P., Nicholas, D.D., Lebow, P., 2014, Discussion on Prior Commercial Wood Preservation Systems That Performed Less Well Than Expected, "ACS Books. Deterioration and Protection of Sustainable Biomaterials. Doi: 10.1021/bk-2014-1158.ch015. Http://pubs.acs.org"
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Tao, J., Penmetsa, V.K., Steele, P.H., 2014, Addition of Gaseous Olefin to Produce Boiler Fuel and Stability Studies, Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy (Vol.00, No. 00) DOI 10.002/ep
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Wang, X., Hagman, O., Sundqvist, B., Ormarsson, S., Wan, H., Niemz, P., 2015, Impact of Cold Temperatures on the Shear Strength of Norway Spruce Joints Glued with Different Adhesives, "European Journal of Wood and Wood Products ISSN 0018-3768 Eur. J. Wood Prod. DOI 10.1007/s00107-015-0882-4"
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Yan, Q., Wan.C., Liu, J., Gao, J., Yu, F., Zhang, J., Cai, Z., 2013, Iron Nanoparticles in Situ Encapsulated In Biocharbased Carbon As An Effective Catalyst For The Conversion Of Biomass-Derived Syngas To Liquid Hydrocarbons, Green Chem., 2013, 15, 1631-1640
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Yu, Y.S., Ni, C.Y., Yu, T., Wan, H., 2015, Optimization of the Mechanical Properties of Bamboo Plywood, "Wood & Fiber Science, 47(1), 2015, pp.109-119 2015 by the Society of Wood Science and Technology http://www.swst.org/publications/wfs/"


Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences to benefit from this research program range from industrial manufacturers, academic institutions, research and development authorities, government and state agencies, entrepreneurs and private citizens. Brief overviews of each group are presented here. Manufacturers of industrial bioproducts such as lumber, crossties, pallets, and cellulosic composite materials can potentially improve product quality and production quantity. Forest products companies, and peer researchers, together with wood scientists, building professionals, architects, and engineers could potentially expand and improve current manufacturing and construction methods. Additional target audiences include furniture manufacturers, paper companies, wood-based panel product manufacturers, forest landowners, lumber producers, lumber distributors, and component manufacturers. Biofuel industrial companies interested in converting biomass or its by-products such as lignin to carbon-based materials, especially, carbon-based nanomaterials are constituents and collaborators of present research. Entrepreneurs interested in starting up a bioenergy company, citizens interested in how bioenergy is produced from biomass, private and public researchers interested in producing fuels from biomass via pyrolysis pathways will find publications from this research useful. As bioenergy patents are developed, both national and international companies will potentially develop and grow. Wood protection and preserving industries as well as scientists and technicians involved in developing and evaluating new and modified wood preservative systems will use data generated. Wood treating companies marketing treated utility poles and/or treat railroad ties with creosote in the southeastern states such as Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana find research conducted to be of great benefit. Science-based knowledge is delivered to the industry, fellow researchers and the public through private meetings, conferences and personal communications in which discussions concerning the research in progress occur. As examples, within this past year research was presented and discussed at the International Research Group on Wood Protection annual meeting in St. George, Utah, and at the American Society of Microbiologist meeting held in the United States. Research personnel also attended conferences internationally and submitted manuscripts to international journals. Research developments can assist government and state agencies such as USDA and DOE with future areas to which funding can be directed. Academic programs that seek to educate undergraduate and graduate students particularly in the area of materials science and bioproducts can use discoveries to broaden classroom instruction materials and presentations. As a part of work assignments, two graduate students and three new undergraduate students were trained in the molecular procedures required during the discovery phase of research. One graduate student has been recruited for the planned research on the hydrophobin portion of this project. During the summer, another student participated in a directed individual study course with the mentor/PI. In this study, knowledge necessary for the chemical compositional analysis of wood material that served as characterization of the changes in the material upon the treatment with the proteins was learned. Regular weekly meetings to discuss projects and developed methodology of the wood treatment, protein expression and characterization of the final product as proposed are conducted. Approximately 4,000 4th graders plus teachers, parents, and chaperones from around the state of Mississippi attend the annual Wood Magic Science Fair hosted by the Department of Sustainable Bioproducts at Mississippi State University. This 3½ hour field day program is comprised of 15- minute presentations ranging from the life of a tree, how wood is used in everyday life, and demonstrations such as lumber, plywood, paper manufacturing, and testing lumber and furniture. Changes/Problems: The carbon sequestration life cycle analysis for treated wood products goal in the original proposal was altered to increase the focus on woody biomass protection systems derived from low environmental impact activities, wood sanitization processes that required less energy consumption, and/or activities that are environmentally sensitive and woody biomass inventory management systems. The “log-to-lumber” tracking/monitoring system to improve the inventory management of woody biomass had progressed to the data collection stage. The plan for establishing foundation data on how to augment woody biomass with other waste products by increasing the BTU conversion and improve emissions was not designed. The two objectives: 1) ways to refine the first draft of the F. radiculosa genome and identify response elements in upstream promoter regions and 2) to compare global profiles of gene expression at different times and treatment conditions to learn more about the genes that differentiate oxidative from hydrolytic decay will be emphasized to conduct the research. During the same research, the last two objectives will follow the protocol developed by a former graduate student on how to demonstrate successful Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of F. radiculosa using the green fluorescent protein (GFP), and to use the transformation system to over-and under-express specific genes that have been identified as being important in the regulation of lignocellulose utilization. An objective was modified to include fire retardant treatment effects on physical/mechanical properties so the objective now reads: Evaluate the performance and properties of wood/composites treated with biocide/non-biocide preservative or fire retardant systems. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Along with research associates, students and professors designed award winning poster presentations, published articles and gained acknowledgement in peer reviewed journals. Knowledge was disseminated through direct industry contact, face-to-face conversations, the internet, hosting of tour groups, public forums, and workshops. Professional personnel remained active within constituent groups and associations that support the knowledge base as well as the research and development entities that interact directly with related industries. Academic courses were modified to include new research discoveries. Graduate students, both Master and Ph.D., gained experience and instruction, and earned professional degrees. These students assisted in preparing and presenting at international and national conferences. These opportunities allowed them to gain exposure and meet professional and academic experts in related fields. New analytical instruments were purchased this year on which students were trained providing valuable skills to make them more marketable employees to industry, academia, and governmental agencies. Weekly meetings were held between the students and PI’s to brainstorm and establish details of project protocols. Students were trained to produce and follow study plans in which scientific milestones were achieved within a given budget and timeframe; thus educating them for future scientific research management positions. Undergraduate student workers assisted with installation of samples and data collection in both field and lab settings. Training in molecular techniques in the laboratory during the course of daily research was taught. Graduate students were mentored and trained in grant writings. Instruction was provided to all research personnel and students in the use of an internal program called Project Manager. Faucets of this program aid in the conduct of individual research programs including research data collection and basic management of the overall project. As opportunities came about for students to work hands-on within industrial settings, more about daily real time industrial life was learned. During these assignments, students applied the knowledge learned from academic classes to assist the industry in reducing fines within the raw materials and improving panel strength and other panel quality cost effectively. Annually the Wood Magic Science Fair brought 4th grade students, teachers, parents, industry representatives and a host of volunteers who were exposed to the technological advances and strides made by the research funded through this program. Lastly, the opportunities for training and professional development have provided funding which allowed university professionals to work with the industry to show their expertise in product and process development. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? The general foundation of knowledge was documented and disseminated through annual reports, original peer reviewed journal manuscripts, proceedings, poster presentation sessions, both formal and informal oral presentations, and presentations at professional meetings/conferences. The breadth of the knowledge dissemination via emails, tours, phone calls and other methods of correspondences, spans from 4th graders to industry representatives with high school, Jr. College students, undergraduates, graduate students and post-doctoral students interacting directly and indirectly. Other interactions to consider include graduate student research projects that lead to development of thesis defenses and original publications. Interactions between undergraduate/graduate students and post-doctoral students during research project development and completion were observed. The needed data collection to produce results during project development and completion was conducted by the knowledge post-data collection, phone conversations and personal face-to-face interactions between the PI, graduate students and direct industry contact from local, state, and federal agencies, and representatives. The posters and invited presentations at both trade and professional meetings and personal conversations were held with manufacturers of industrial bio-products such as lumber, crossties, pallets, and cellulosic composite materials on how best to evaluate and implement systems to address the defined challenges. Advisory sessions and general congressional hearings were useful in conveying research to the general public at large. Science-based knowledge was delivered to the industry and fellow researchers through private meetings and communications to discuss the work in progress at conferences. As research findings lead to the further refinement of the products, presentations were made to potential investors and partners in the technology. Research faculty traveled to meet with other universities to discuss possible collaboration opportunities within the specialized fields of research. All shareholders’ interests and concerns were considered in the design of experimental and test protocols before a new product concept had been developed or before a project was initiated. When the experiments/tests were completed, the project funding agencies were invited to visit MSU to witness how the product prototypes were made and the project results and conclusions were emailed to the associated company to allow them to assess the process for further development. Final results have been distributed to communities of interest by the professors and students as the needs of the industry are discovered. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? For the next project reporting period, the direction of the research program will continue as outlined in the original proposal based on accomplishments to date. Examples of specific research concentrations to be addressed during the next reporting period are outlined here. Research comparing global profiles of gene expression at different times and treatment conditions will continue. Researchers hope to learn more about the genes that differentiate oxidative from hydrolytic decay. Homologous expression of several of the genes identified in early wood decay as well as a gene expression study will be conducted. Manuscripts will be prepared for submission to refereed journals reporting data from the study of frame application of wood composite research and from development of design and testing loads of heavy duty and bariatric seating. Lumber will be purchased from across the southern pine region to begin the testing program for major and minor mechanical properties. Research on thermal conversion of lignin to graphene, especially focusing on Kraft lignin, in conjunction with federal and industrial constituents will continue. The goal will be to build a scaled up lab-size system to produce l lb. graphene per week. A sub-study on boron depletion will be initiated and property evaluation will continue. A study on the effect of preservative treatment on the mechanical properties of I-joists will be initiated and findings reported next year. Mentorship and supervising graduate students will continue by teaching methods by which to conduct experiments using testing standard protocol and reporting technical results in an orderly fashion. In the hydrophobin project, plans are to perform laboratory work aimed toward heterologous expression of hydrophobin proteins and characterize them. In the nanochitosan project, plans are to develop detailed methodology for the nanochitosan study. Graduate and undergraduate students will be trained on analytical procedures. Undergraduate researchers will examine the buffering capacity of wood and characteristics that may influence performance of laccase modification of wood and nanochitosan binding. Results from the undergraduate study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and a poster presented at the MSU Undergraduate Symposium. A new proposal will be written on leaching and recovery of copper from copper treated wood wastes as well as biotreatment of bio-oil process and storm water. The development of cost effective strategies to enhance bio-composite product performance would create a sustainable manufacturing environment for the society. Work will proceed with that goal in mind. With the assumption that bio-composite products are the best vehicles for carrying out the sustainable manufacturing concept, research personnel will seek to develop an international program to recycle municipal waste from landfill sites for composite products used in building construction applications. By working together with common interest groups, researchers will attempt to send a national message that using limited resources efficiently will be the key to the sustainable development of any entity. A proposal will be submitted to a national funding agency for the development of optimized solutions to recycle used wood composite panels. Articles will be published to demonstrate the impact of different recycling methods on final product performance. Research will continue on improving OSB strength and dimensional stability costs effectively. Stakeholders will be continually engaged to assist in identifying ways to improve PB panel MOR, in development of optimal blending strategies to improve OSB panel MOR, and in developing new products with low density and high strength features. Lap-joints installed in the field will be evaluated again after four years exposure for both visual ratings and dynamic MOE. This data will then be analyzed and used to further evaluate the potential of the dynamic MOE methodology.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Knowledge was gained by assisting industry in testing utility poles according to ASTM standards at a private testing facility. As a result of this experience, the need was identified and a utility pole testing center was created on site. During testing, a customized computer network collected data from four draw-wire sensors attached to the test specimen and one load cell attached to the winch cable. As the computer network and associated software processed the collected real-time data for each specimen, it summarized each test in terms of stiffness and strength. The computer software was upgraded to facilitate recording many tests that can be organized into an online video library. Major activities in development of design and testing loads of heavy duty and bariatric seating were completed. The vertical sitting forces and centre-of-force (COF) indicated that hard sitting down yielded the highest sitting force of 213% in terms of an individual’s body weight, followed by normal sitting down of 109%, rising of 103%, and load during seated of 94%. Results from this research such as the sitting force datacan help furniture manufacturers develop new product performance test standards for creating sound engineering design and manufacturing quality and durable products to meet a niche market. A Ph.D. student began a project to determine the role of two laccase genes, previously identified from transcriptomic work, in early stages of wood decay by brown-rot fungus (Fibroporia radiculosa) growing on copper-treated wood. A soil block test was run with F. radiculosa strain TFFH 294 on southern yellow pine sapwood wafers pressure treated with 0.58% (wtlwt) ACQ-D. A former graduate student successfully created protoplasts from two different isolates of F. radiculosa. A simple thermal treatment process was developed to prepare Fe-cored carbon nanomaterials from mountain pine beetles. The mountain pine beetle killed lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) wood treated with iron (III) nitrate solution was used for the preparation of Fe-cored carbon nanomaterials (Fe-CNs) under various carbonization temperatures. Investigations by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) methods were conducted to determine the influences of thermal treatment conditions based on temperature, reaction cycle, time, and purge gas type on nano-carbon formation over bio-chars from fast pyrolysis. The effects of thermal reaction cycle and purge gas type on bio-char surface functional groups were also analyzed. Parameters for laboratory termite tests were completed and changes submitted to AWPA for inclusion in Standard E1. Red oak and sweetgum were steamed to an internal temperature of 71°C, treated with creosote or ammoniacal copper zinc arsenate (ACZA) while still hot, and tested in bending and compression perpendicular to the grain using ASTM standards. The data indicated no severe reduction in bending properties of red oak, in the compression properties of sweetgum or in the red oak heated and then treated with ACZA or creosote. Catalytic graphitization of iron oxide-nanoparticle-coated cellulosic fibers from wood was investigated. The results showed that the graphitization of cellulosic fibers was accelerated during the pyrolysis process by the introduction of iron oxide nanoparticles. A successful increase in the yield of sugars in the aqueous fraction bio-oil was observed. Applying new membrane filtration technology to the concentrate to separate these sugars from aqueous fraction bio-oil was discovered. The bio-oil fraction was withdrawn from the separating funnel and the remaining aqueous fraction was transferred into another container for hydrolysis to convert the anhydrosugars to monomeric sugars. After chemical extractions, the upper layer was the solvent which was rich in lignin fragments (mainly phenolic compounds) and the lower layer was the aqueous layer which was rich in the monosugars. Phosphoric acid treatment of green pine wood prior to fast pyrolysis process considerably increased the yield of aqueous fraction and the anhydrosugars content in the produced bio-oil. The results obtained after the membrane filtration process proved that application of a solvent separation step enhanced the selectivity of the membrane towards monosugars. The hydrophobin study was initiated and samples obtained for an industrial collaborator. A graduate student was accepted for admissionto begin the nanochitosan study. An undergraduate research project was proposed and award obtained (CFR/FWRC Undergraduate Research Scholars Program) to study the research related to nanochitosan. Bio-diesel was found effective to be used in PCP mixture formulation. The addition of bio-diesel to PCP formulations can accelerate degradation of PCP in the environment. The pretreatment of raw bio-oil by oxidation allowed researchers to hydrotreat oxidized bio-oil under lower hydrogen pressure (800 psig) compared to the current process of treating at relatively high (1510 to 3000 psig) hydrogen pressures required for hydrotreating raw bio-oil. The oxidation process allowed the lower 800 psig pressure to be utilized to produce a superior partially deoxygenated product compared to that produced under the same pressure for raw bio-oil. The hydrocracking results of partially deoxygenated bio-oil from oxidized bio-oil hydrotreatment showed that 97.0 area% of the total GC-MS spectrum was produced as petroleum equivalents of gasoline, jet fuel and diesel range molecular weight hydrocarbons. Gas analysis results indicated that the reduced CoMo/g-Al2O3 catalyst had the highest hydrogen consumption among all the catalysts. Results showed that the liquid hydrocarbon contained petroleum equivalents of 50% gasoline (38-170°C), 30% jet fuel (170-250°C), and 20% diesel (250-304°C) range hydrocarbons. Research findings concluded that in recycling urea formaldehyde resin bonded particleboard (PB), medium density fiberboard (MDF) panels, and phenolic resin bonded oriented strand board (OSB) panels with different recycling processes had different impacts on products made from recycled PB, MDF and OSB material. Assistance was provided to cabinet companies on the improvement of laminated countertop quality using particleboard (PB). Two prototype products have been developed for a second industrial partner. A poster explaining the significance of recycling PB and MDF was presented at an international conference. The implementation of integrated wood protection systems and industrial sanitation systems enhanced the ability to deter the movement of invasive species such as the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus), emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) and other biological agents that cause economic and sociologic damage to forest inventories and wood-based structures/products. Through the establishment of baseline data on the interactions from a cradle-to-grave life cycle of wood-frame structures and woody biomass, the element of biomass conversion and carbon sequestration through the increased wood life cycle were explored. Testing and data collection evaluated many commonly used biocides such as DDAC, IBC, and Silane Quais to determine a foundation by which to expand while the products were assessed by modified combinations of AWPA E4-03 and ISPM 15 standard testing protocols. Three year data for a study evaluating the biodeterioration of treated and untreated three component lap-joints (AWPA Standard E27-10) exposed in Saucier, MS has been analyzed by both the visual rating system and dynamic MOE. For the untreated controls, the magnitude of the average MOE reduction was considerably greater than it was for reduction in the visual ratings. These differences indicate that dynamic MOE is a more sensitive and a better method for quantitative evaluation of wood decay.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Jeremic, D., Enzymatic Wood Modification For Wood Protection Purposes: Successes And Potential AWPA Proceedings. Vol. #109, 2013, Honolulu, HI. Pgs 163-168. 2014
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Sun, D., Wood-Jones, A., Wang, W., Vanlangenberg, C., Jones, D., Gower, J., Simmons, P., Baird, R.E., Mlsna, T.E., 2014, Monitoring MVOC Profiles over Time from Isolates of Aspergillus flavus Using SPME GC-MS., Journal of Agricultural Chemistry and Environment, 3, 48-63. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/jacen.2014.32007 ,
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Jeremic, D., Goacher, R., Yan, R., Karunakaran, C., Master, E., 2014, Scanning Transmission X-Ray Microscopy As A Tool For Examining Chemical Changes In Wood Cell Walls Due To Enzymatic Activity, "IRG-WP 14-20556 2014 Proceedings, Vol. #45, 2014, St. George, UT. Pgs Proceedings IRG Annual Meeting (ISSN 2000-8953),
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Joshi, V., Prewitt, D., Ma, D., Borazjani, H., Enhanced Remediation Of Pentachlorophenol (PCP) Contaminated Groundwater By Bio-Augmentation Of Indigenous Bacterial Communities, AWPA Proceedings. Vol. #109, 2013, Honolulu, HI. Pgs 98-107. 2014
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Sanders, M., Lindsey, G.B., 2014, Observations From Laboratory Termite Testing, AWPA Proceedings, Vol. #109, 2013, Honolulu, HI. Pg 97. (abstract) 2014
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., A Brief Review Of The Treatability And Efficacies Of Commercial Copper Preservatives., Proceedings AWPA Vol. #108, 2012, Nashville, TN. Pgs 80-86. 2014
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., 2014, Comparison of Fungal Efficacies of Commercial Preservatives using the Harsh Soil Block, Deck/Flower Pot, and Standard E7 and E8 Versus Accelerated E7 and E8 Tests. Proceedings AWPA Vol. #108, 2012/Nashville, TN. Pgs 126-132. 2014


Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Results from this research could be of great value to researchers in wood and materials science; furniture manufacturers; wood-based composite manufacturers; industries involved in remediation of wood preservatives especially pentachlorophenol manufacturers of wood preservatives; academic and industrial scientists involved in wood protection and the understanding of microbial degradation mechanisms; interested governmental agencies dealing with formaldehyde emission problems associated with the manufacture of wood composite boards; entrepreneurs, national and international companies interested in starting up a bioenergy company; citizens interested in bioenergy produced from biomass; private and public researchers interested in producing fuels from biomass via a pyrolysis pathway; researchers and wood products manufacturers such as paper companies interested in converting biomass or its by-products such as lignin to carbon-based materials, especially, carbon-based nanomaterials; importers and exporters of cellulosic material; manufacturing facilities charged with maximizing the utilization of woody biomass by increasing the resistance to cellulosic destroying organisms; manufacturers of industrial bioproducts such as crates, pallets, equipment mats, import and export companies, shipping companies, and other common markets that utilize wood as a raw material and other cellulosic materials for packaging and shipping products; governmental agencies such as DOE and USDA; homeowners; wood products retailers and manufacturers; the wood protection industry; forest products companies; peer researchers; trade organizations; building professionals; architects; upholstery furniture manufacturers; nurseries in the south; wood-treating companies; environmental consultants; agricultural and timber landowners and managers; particleboard and wood-based panel product manufacturing plants; wood preservative scientific communities; chemical industries; architects; engineers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Graduate Students, both Master and Ph.D., gained experience and training, and earned professional degrees. These students assisted in preparing and presenting at international and national conferences. These opportunities allowed them to gain exposure and meet professional and academic experts in related fields. New analytical instruments were purchased this year on which students were trained which providing them with valuable skills to make them more marketable employees to industry, academia and governmental agencies. Students were trained to produce and follow study plans in which scientific milestones must be achieved within a given budget and timeframe; thus training them for future scientific research management positions. Along with research associates, students and professors published articles and gained acknowledgement in peer reviewed journals. Award winning poster presentations were designed by graduate students working on this project. Knowledge was disseminated through direct industry contact, face-to-face conversations, the internet, hosting of tour groups, public forums, and workshops. Both graduate and undergraduate students were involved during project development, implementation and evaluation. Academic courses were modified to include new research discoveries. Annually the Wood Magic Science Fair brought 4th grade students, teachers, parents, industry representatives and a host of volunteers who were exposed to the technological advances and strides made by the research funded through this program. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Personal face-to-face visits, phone conversations, emails and other correspondences to research collaborators, students of all ages from primary educational institutions to Jr. Colleges and universities around the world. Presentations both national and international, poster sessions, publications in both peer reviewed and non-peer reviewed mediums and theses and dissertations. Technical discussions, reports and visits to industrial contracting partners. Invited talks to local county, state and regional governmental entities including congressional hearings. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Carefully focused research will continue to address the performance, utility, preservation and value of wood and wood based products. The demand for optimal quality and performance from these products remains strong. With environmental changes and growth in population, current and future timberland supplies will require new research findings and the development of additional technologies to meet this demand. Some of the specific goals to be addressed in the coming year will be utilizing laboratory results to produce larger quantities of bio-oil at pilot scale. Bio-oil will be produced at one-ton-per-day scale and converted to hydrocarbons in both a 4.5 gallon batch reactor and alarge 2-inch tubular hydroprocessing continuous reactor. The hydrocarbons will be distilled to gasoline, jet fuel and diesel equivalents and provided to collaborating groups for testing as to performance and emissions. The syngas replacement of hydrogen will be tested in continuous reactor mode to perform both hydro treating and, if possible, hydrocracking. Using discoveries to date, research will continue into the development of a cost-effective process for the utilization of wood char and lignin for fabricating value-added carbon materials. Specifically, characterization of carbon-based materials from woody biomass char and lignin will be reviewed. Evaluation of these nanomaterial potential applications as syngas cleaning absorbents and chemical conversation catalysts for bio-fuel processes will continue. Industry interaction will be expanded in an effort to address the needs of the cellulosic manufacturing facilities to better understand the logistical and environmental challenges that need to be addressed for the implementation of more energy neutral manufacturing within the wood industry sector. The use of dynamic MOE to evaluate the progression of decay in 14mm square sticks exposed to unsterile soil was implemented. Measurements of dynamic MOE on test samples after an additional 12 months exposure will be taken as the development of new improved wood preservative system test methods continue. Global profiles of gene expression at different times and treatment conditions will be compared to learn more about the genes that differentiate oxidative from hydrolytic decay. Homologous expression of several of the genes identified in early wood decay as well as a gene expression study will be pursued. Research will continue to seek to improve the tensile strength of KBFB-reinforced UPE composites through improving interfacial bonding between matrix and fibers and adjust matrix loading-deformation property; thus allowing for additional uses of natural fiber composites in the market place. Data will be collected and reported on the boron depletion study in biocide/non-biocide preservative systems. Research on effective compost materials made from hardwood residue, poultry litter and chemical fertilizer waste will be drawn to a close with findings reported. Examine practical ways to sample, modify, evaluate, test, classify, and rate southern yellow pine lumber to increase product properties and the resulting value of the products.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Research results of the DF resins system achieved a very high yield (99+%) of conversion in manufacturing resin raw material (D) from starting materials. Determining a conversion reaction process with respect to the solvent, catalyst, and reaction temperature and time required, as well as obtaining more refined procedural data helps expedite commercial development of DF resin technology. Efficacy of DF resins as a low formaldehyde emitting particleboard binder resins was verified. A means to detect the end-point of the conversion reaction in terms of the performance of resultant D as a component of DF resins was discovered. To be effective, the melting point of D must range between 213 C -216 C. Materials having lower melting points obtained due to inappropriate reaction variables used in the reaction were found to have a significant adverse effect of DF resin's binder performance. Overall, data obtained appeared to provide an adequate basis for future larger scale-up experiments. Studies identified the relationship between bacteria that degrade pentachlorophenol (PCP) in groundwater and in soil to see if cleanup could be achieved using biosparging technology. The environmental impact of formaldehyde released in leachate, soil and air from medium density fiber board disposed in landfills was researched. Soil contact field site test studies were established using accelerated field stakes, standard 4x4 posts used in residential and commercial structures and accelerated 4x4 posts to obtain long-term ground-contact efficacy data on how commercially treated products tolerate fungi attack. 28-months of exposure generated sufficient data to differentiate between the standard treatment method and the accelerated method. Accordingly, data shows that micronized copper azole performed poorly in comparison with amine copper quaternary compound (quat), copper azole and micronized copper quat. Comparative results from the standard 4 x 4 post tests are required before the significance can be determined. One study addressed development of liquid hydrocarbon transportation fuels producing a100% hydrocarbon mixture using both batch and continuous hydro processing methods. For the continuous reactor, a new process method developed allows the hydrotreating and hydrocracking to be performed in a single step. A method to utilize syngas to replace 100% hydrogen for hydrotreating bio-oil was developed. Catalysts that promote the water gas shift reaction that convert the carbon monoxide in syngas to hydrogen were developed to provide sufficient hydrogen for the hydrotreating step. Testing of a syngas richer in hydrogen and carbon monoxide to attempt to perform the hydrocracking step in addition to hydrotreating is ongoing. Successful utilization of syngas for either hydrotreating or hydrocracking will allow upgrading to be performed at any site with a biomass gasifier; thus eliminating the requirement to have a methane-to-hydrogen reforming facility to upgrade the bio-oil for at least the hydrotreating step. If hydrocracking can be performed with a richer syngas from a fluidized bed gasifier, no methane cracker will be required to upgrade bio-oil to hydrocarbons. Research to develop cost-effective synthesis processes to convert lignin, by-products from pulping and bio-ethanol processes, bio-char, by-products from bio-oil process, and other biomass waste materials into high-value carbon-based nanomaterials continues. To this end, a relatively simple thermal treatment process was developed. Sodium lignosulfonates (LS) from the sulfite pulping processing was used as a carbon source to synthesize graphene. LS was mixed with Fe nanoparticles (FeNPs) as a catalyst and thermally treated. The Raman spectrum and X-ray diffraction pattern suggested that graphene sheets were formed. Scanning electron microscopy images of Fe-HTLS showed clusters of thin graphene sheets appearing as nanoflowers. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron reflection images provided further evidence of the formation of graphene in LS. New carbon-encapsulated iron nanocomposite core-shell catalysts were synthesized and demonstrated high activity and stability for catalytic conversion of biosyngas to liquid fuels. Results show these catalysts can improve CO conversion up to 90%+ and liquid hydrocarbon selectivity up to 60%+. Foundation data to create and implement a total inventory management system that encompasses everything from the tree, to the log, to the final product will maximize quality and quantity of products produced from the renewable inventory. Modified testing protocol designs will provide future products to be evaluated for the ability to increase the utilization of woody biomass inventories. The carbon sequestration life cycle analysis for treated wood products will include a focus on woody biomass protection systems derived from low environmental impact actives, wood sanitization processes that require less energy consumption and/or actives that are more environmentally sensitive. Research conducted to evaluate bending stiffness and dynamic MOE as quantitative methods to progressively measure the rate of biodegradation of specimens subjected to adverse environments found that dynamic MOE was superior to visual ratings for tracking progress of decay. Research sought to demonstrate successful Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of F. radiculosa using the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to combat decay in wood. Results were not favorable. Research identified TFFH 294 as a monokaryon suitable for homologous recombination studies. A method was developed to predict the lateral load resistance of multi-staple connected joints in oriented strand board materials based on basic material mechanical properties such as single-staple lateral resistance load capacity. Also, a mechanical model was developed for deriving bending moment resistance capacity of gusset-plate-connected joints based on basic material mechanical properties obtained from the studies of lateral resistances of single-, and multi-staple-connected joints in oriented strand board materials. Reviews of the optimization of the parameters for laboratory termite tests indicated that improvements beneficial to future research could be made within the standards. A study on boron depletion in biocide/non-biocide preservative systems was initiated. Composted material must be tested for toxicity and maturity before it is utilized as a soil amendment. Maturity implies that the compost contains no phytotoxic compounds or pathogens that could impact the overall health and growth of the plant. If not completely mature when added to soil, microorganisms in the soil will continue to utilize the substrate as metabolic material; thus inhibiting plant growth though nitrogen immobilization. Research confirmed that applying a modified pyrolysis technique can increase the yield of some important chemicals during biomass pyrolysis and accordingly improve the economy of the whole process making it favorable for industrial application. A HPLC technique was employed with that research. Low moisture wood fiber is exhibited after natural disasters such as forest fires leaving standing stems and/or insect damage in standing timber to dry out over long periods. After attempting a number of methods, a procedure was developed to rehydrate this type of material so the fiber could be successfully converted to scrim for conversion in beam and lumber composite products. As a result of producing beams from low moisture content wood a major company is evaluating the economic feasibility of converting standing timber, that would otherwise not be harvested or used for any purpose, to composite lumber products. It has been demonstrated that this composite lumber would have excellent MOE and MOR properties.

Publications

  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Akhtari, M., Nicholas, D, D. 2013. Evaluation of particulate zinc and copper as wood preservatives for termite control, European Journal of Wood and Wood Products. 71:395-396
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Dahlen, J., Jones, P, D., Seale, R, D., Shmulsky, R. 2013. Mill variation in bending strength and stiffness of in-grade southern pine No. 2 2x4 lumber. Wood Science Technology (2013) 47:1153-1165. 1/14/2013
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Dahlen, J., Jones, P, D., Seale, R, D., Shmulsky, R. 2013. Mill variation in bending strength and stiffness of in-grade Douglas Fir No. 2 2x4 lumber. Wood Sci Technol (2013) 47:1167-1176
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Gajjela,S., Tanneru, S., Steele, P.H., 2012, Novel Methods to Produce Biofuels from Bio-Oil Derived from Fast Pyrolysis of Biomass, In: Proceedings, American Institute of Chem. Engineering Spring Meeting & 8th Global Congress on Process Safety, April 1-5, 2012, 7 pgs.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jones, P, D., Fox, T, R. 2013. Stem sinuosity changes in young and merchantable stands of pinus taeda. Forest Prod. J., 2013. 62(5):354-358.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Liang, K., Shi, S, Q., Nicholas, D, D., Sites, L, S. 2013. Accelerated weathering test of kenaf fiber unsaturated polyester sheet molding compounds. Wood and Fiber Science. 45 (1) 42-48" 7/12/2013
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Little,N, S., Schultz, T, P., Diehl, S, V., Nicholas, D, D., Londo, A, J., Musser, F, R., Riggins, J, J. 2013. Field evaluations of subterranean termite preference for sap-stain inoculated wood. Journal of Insect Behavior (2013) 26:649-659
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Skrobot III, F., Aglan, H., Diehl, S, V. 2013. Communities of mold fungi on flooded building materials. In: Proceedings, IRG/WP 44th Annual Meeting, Stockholm, Sweden, 16-20 June 2013. IRG/WP 13-10799. 18 pp. 8/22/2013
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Walker, K., Langroodi, S, K., Borazjani, H. 2013. Bioremediation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Creosote-Contaminated Processwater, Symposium of Bioremediation and Sustainable Environmental Technologies. (A-46) 2013. 5/9/2013
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Other Year Published: 2012 Citation: Wu, Y., Wu, Z., Zhang, J. 2012. "Preparation of cellulose micro/nano fibrils by sonochemical method and its morphological characterization" 14th Annual Conference and 3rd International Conference of the Chinese Society of Micro/Nano Technology. Hangzhou, China
  • Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Jones, P, D. 2013. Forest Products Department. (Brochure)" 6 page tri-fold brochure created for general distribution 6/20/2013


Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Research findings on engineered wood composites, the impact of treatments/evaluation methods on properties of biomaterials, and non-biocidal additives in organic wood preservatives were reported at the Annual Meetings of the American Wood Protection Association, the Society of Wood Science & Technology, Forest Products Society and the International Research Group on Wood Preservation with additional information being published in various research organs. During the term of the project involving wood fiber based composites for application in the furniture industry, research findings were shared at 12 conferences. Through on-site plant visits, workshops and via the web, information was shared with furniture manufacturers, their suppliers and customers. Research on genomics and transcriptomics has fostered collaboration among MSU entities and the USDA-ARS Functional Genomics Laboratory. Files generated from the RNA-Seq analysis (count files, SCARF files) were deposited in a database in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus which is accessible from NCBI Entrez webpage. In an attempt to disseminate knowledge gained on procedures and systems to increase the life cycle of woody biomass through integrated protection systems and the use of wood sanitization on industrial wood-based products, research findings have been incorporated in both graduate and undergraduate courses. Throughout the conduction of research on furniture engineering and natural fiber composites, several publications were generated as three students earned their graduate degrees working on this project. Experiment results on the synthesis of carbon-based nanomaterials from biomass were prepared for publication in four refereed journals. Forest products and poultry industry sites were visited to evaluate manufacturing wastes and collect samples of these byproducts with a view to determine how these might be amended to develop a marketable product. The results of research into the production of hydrocarbons from bio-oils produced from wood have been disseminated in 11 scientific oral presentations and 15 poster presentations were made to various audiences both locally and nationwide. Understanding the role microorganisms play in biodegradation and biodetoxification of wood and wood preservatives was disseminated through 5 poster presentations and one oral presentation at regional and national scientific meetings. Graduate students won poster session competitions through presentation of research findings on this subject. Audiences included the Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute Conference, the Forest Products Society, and the Environmental Science and Technology Conference. 8 Intellectual Property disclosures have been filed as a direct result from this research. Several patent applications are in the works. PARTICIPANTS: Primary participants include: Professors - H. Michael Barnes, Sheldon Shi, Terry L. Amburgey, Jilei Zhang, Charles Pittman Jr., Hossein Toghiani, Thomas E. Lacy, Jr., Yibin Xue, Darrel Nicholas, Tor Schultz, P. Steele, L. Ingram; Assistant Research Professor - PD Jones, M. Lynn Prewitt; Post Doctoral Research Associates - Junli Shi, Juliet Tang, Quian Yan; Research Associates - Michael Sanders, Brian Lindsey, Franklin Quin, Bob Tackett, Amy Rowlen, Linda Sites, Jenny Shi, Brian Mitchell, Don Parish, P. Bhattacharya, Qi Li, Sanjeev Gajjela, K. Walters, Kanthi Penmetsa; Visiting Research Professor - Dr. Sung Mun; Graduate Students - Yicheng Du, Can Tu, JM Hill, W Leng, Samet Demirel, Onder Tor, Yongcheng Zhang, Xiaojian Liu, Juliet Tang, Todd Johnson, Elizabeth Meadows, Hoda Bakhshizadeh, Saeed Langroodi, Toktam Moghbeli, An Mao, Vaibhav Joshi, Min Lee. S. Tanneru, Divya Parapati, Jingming Tao, Vamshi Guda, D. Patton; Partner Organizations and Collaborators - J.E. Winandy, C.R. McIntyre, Ken Moss, President of Piedmont BioProducts TARGET AUDIENCES: Results from this research could be of great value to researchers in wood and materials science, furniture manufacturers, wood-based composite manufacturers, academic and industrial scientists involved in wood protection, interested governmental agencies such as DOE and USDA, homeowners, wood products retailers and manufacturers, the wood protection industry, importers and exporters, forest products companies, peer researchers, trade organizations, building professionals, architects, upholstery furniture and wood-based composite manufacturers, nurseries in south Mississippi and Alabama, wood-treating companies, environmental consultants, potential industries licensing the fuel technology, scientists working in the pyrolysis field, agricultural and timber landowners, particleboard manufacturing plants, wood preservative scientific communities, chemical industries. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Modifying the furnish for engineered composites demonstrated the feasibility of improving its durability with a new technology being developed. Based on the fire retardant work conducted, standard revisions to an American Society for Testing and Materials method have been submitted which will improve composite materials testing programs. Furniture manufacturers will use engineering data on new engineered wood-based composites to reduce product development and manufacturing costs while maintaining product performance and quality. Wood-based composite manufacturers gained a better understanding of critical material properties related to furniture frame performance allowing for reengineering and manufacture of products for furniture. Automotive manufacturers make use research showing advantages and disadvantages of using natural fiber-based polymer composites as reinforcement materials. Using renewable natural fibers to produce lightweight vehicles will result in energy savings and low emission to the air. Data continues to support the use of benign and non-fungicidal antioxidants and/or metal complexing additives to enhance the efficacy of all the organic biocides tested. Physical and chemical characterization of bio-oil produced from black willow and yellow poplar indicated that both Southern wood feedstock species can also produce bio-oil similar to pine wood bio-oil. This could increase dependence on domestic renewable resources reducing reliance on foreign fossil for fuels. To unravel the complexities and better understand the process and regulation of fungal decay of wood, the genome of Antrodia radiculosa, an aggressive copper tolerant brown rot decay fungus, was sequenced using the Illumina next generation system. Files generated from the RNA-Seq analysis (count files, SCARF files) were deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information Gene Expression Omnibus database and include 862 scaffolds and the 9262 predicted proteins. The implementation of integrated wood protections systems and industrial sanitation systems will detour movement of invasive species such as the Formosan termite, emerald ash borer and other biological agents that cause damage to forest inventories and wood-based structures/products. Protocols developed are evaluating natural elements showing the ability to potentially detour pests when implemented in the total protection systems to introduce as industry standard evaluation practices. Experimental results from testing single-staple joints of wood composite furniture frame pieces indicated that the face strand orientation of oriented strandboards (OSB) had no significant effect on their staple holding capacity in resisting lateral shear loads. Highly sophisticated research on the synthesis of carbon-based nanomaterials from biomass focused on using southern yellow pine wood is productive. Data indicated that barrier wraps can be used at lower preservation retentions in ground contact thus minimizing the environmental impact of the systems. Development of a bio-oil pretreating technology to allow production of boiler fuel, biodiesel and hydrocarbons with more efficient catalytic methods continues.

Publications

  • Thompson, A., Cooper, J., Ingram Jr, L.L., 2006, Distribution of terpenes in heartwood and sapwood of loblolly pine. Forest Products Journal 56(7/8):46-48.
  • Steele, P.H., Cooper, J., Mitchell, B., Liu, X., 2006, Identifying juvenile wood in green southern pine lumber with dielectric scanning. Abstract: In Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium, Wood Structure and Properties 06. The International Union of Forestry Research Organizations. 2006, September 3-6. Sliac-Sielnica, Slovakia. The Technical University in Zvolen. pp. 143. Binbuga, N., Henry, W.P., Schultz, T.P., 2006, Binding of hydroxychromones with A13+ in methonol. Polyhedron 26:6-10.
  • Cooper, J.E., Steele, P.H., Mitchell, B., 2006, Identifying knot wood in kiln-dried red oak and southern pine lumber with dielectric scanning. Pages 1-5 in ASNT Fall Conference and Quality Testing Show 2006 Paper Summaries. Houston 2006-Space for Infinite NDT Possibilities.
  • Kakeh, M., Dahlen, J., Shmulsky, R., Jones, P.D., Seale, R.D., 2012, Bowtie Beams: Novel Engineered Structural Beams from Southern Pine Lumber, "Wood and Fiber Sci., 2012. 44(3):325-333.
  • Steele, P.H., Puettmann, M.E., Penmetsa, V.K., Cooper, J.E., 2012, Life Cycle Assessment of Pyrolysis Bio-Oil Production, Forest Prod. J., 2012. 62(4):326-334.
  • Little, S.N., Riggins, J.J., Schultz, T.P., Londo, A.J., Ulyshen, M., 2012, Feeding Preference of Native Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae: Reticulitermes) for Wood Containing Bark beetle Pheromones and Blue-Stain Fungi, Journal of Insect Behavior, (2012) 25:197-206.
  • Kirker, G.T., Wagner, T.L., Diehl, S.V., 2012, Relationship between Wood-Inhabiting Fungi and Reticulitermes spp. in Four Forest Habitats of Northeastern Mississippi. International Biodeterioration & Biodegredation . 2012. (72):18-25.
  • Little, N.S., Blount, N.A., Londo, A.J., Kitchens, S.C., Schultz, T.P., McConnell, T.E., Riggins, J.J., 2012, Preference of Formosan Subterranean Termites for Blue-Stained Southern Yellow Pine Sapwood.,J. Economic Entomology, 2012. 105(5):1640-1644.
  • Seale, R.D., Borazjani, H., Langroodi, S.K., 2012, Efficacy of manufactured wood shavings to mitigate marsh land impacts associated with deep water oil spills., MWRRI Proceedings 2012 Poster Session 3-9.
  • Hill, J.M., Barnes, H.M., Winandy, J.E., 2012, Evaluating the Mechanical Properties of Fire Retardant Treated OSB, "107th AWPA Proceedings, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. May, 2011 p.106.
  • Little, N.S., Riggins, J.J., Schultz, T.P., Londo, A.J., Ulyshen, M., 2012, Susceptibility of Lumber cut from Beetle-killed Southern Pine Trees to Subterranean Termite Attack, "AWPA Proceedings, Ft. Lauderdale, FL May, 2011. 107:115.
  • Green, B., Jones, P.D., Nicholas, D.D., Schimleck, L.R., Shmulsky, R., Dahlen, J.M., 2012, Assessment of the early signs of decay of Pupulus deltoides wafers exposed to Trametes versicolor by near infrared spectroscopy."Holzforschung, 2012. 66:515-520.
  • Jones, P.D., 2012, Disaster Relief Home Cleanup and Renovation for floors, MSU Extension Service, Information Sheet 1702
  • Jones, P.D., 2012, Disaster relief: home cleanup and renovation for walls,MSU Extension Service Information Sheet 1703
  • Gordon, J.S., Jones, P.D., 2012, Modern Timber Bridges: An Alternative for Mississippi, MSU Extension Service Publication 1783
  • Nicholas, D.D., Schultz, T.P., 2012, Effect of Sapwood/Heartwood, growth rate, grain orientation, juvenile wood, and moisture content on the treatability of southern pine dimension lumber with Two Commercial Copper Preservatives, AWPA Proceedings. (107):52-65
  • Yan, Q., Toghiani, H., Yu, F., Cai, Z., Liu, X., Du, Y., Zhang, J., 2011, Effects of Pyrolysis Conditions on Yield of Bio-Chars from Pine Chips, Forest Prod. J.,61(5):367-371.
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., 2011, Chemical Wood Preservative Systems in North America, Managing Treated Wood in Aquatic Environments, Chapter III. (2011):29-35.
  • Little, N.S., Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., 2011, Effect of Different Soils and pH Amendments on Brown-Rot Decay Activity in a Soil Block Test, AWPA Proceedings (2010) Vol 106 p.189
  • Parker, L.A., Diehl, S.V., 2011, Regulation of decay in Phanerochaete chrysosporium, American Society of Microbiologists (abstract), New Orleans, LA. May, 2011.
  • Parker, L.A., Diehl, S.V., 2011, Regulation of selective delignification in the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Southeastern Natural Resources Graduate Student Symposium Proceedings (abstract), Mississippi State, MS. March 2011.
  • Steele, P.H., Gajjela, S.K., Hassan, E.M., 2010, Comparison of hydroprocessed bio-oil and jet fuel fraction characteristics to ASTM standards for drop in fuels., Proceedings 2010 ACS. 55(2):952.
  • Callicut, J.T., Kaminski, R.M., Shmulsky, R., Schummer, M.L., Lestrade, J.P., 2012, Acoustical Comparison between Decrescendo Calls of Female Mallards and Mimicry by Humans Using Artificial Duck Calls, Wildlife Society Bulletin, DOI:10.1002/wsb.228 1-6.
  • Duffy, S., Cathcart, T, 2008, The photovoltaic energy system for the MSU sustainable house, Southern Climatic Housing Report 10
  • Yu, F., Li, Q., Hassan, E.M., Ingram, L.L., Steele, P.H., 2008, Esterification of Bio-Oils in the Presence of sulfated iron oxide catalyst, American Chem. Society. 2008. 53(2):859-860.
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., Kirker, G.T., Prewitt, M.L., Diehl, S.V., 2006, Effect of the antioxidant BHT on reducing depletion of chlorothalonil in treated wood after 54 months of ground-contact exposure. International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation 57(2006):45-50.
  • Shmulsky, R., Shvets, V., 2006, The effect of subzero temperatures on FSP of cottonwood., Forest Products Journal 56(2):74-77.
  • Zhang, J., Han, N., Maupin, M., 2006, Lateral edge resistance of single-fastener furniture joints in wood-based panel products. Forest Products Journal 56(2):33-39.
  • Mohan, D., Pittman, Jr., C.U., Steele, P.H., 2006, Pyrolysis of wood/biomass for bio-oil: A critical review., Energy and Fuels 20(3):848-889.
  • Wan, Z., Leightley, L.E., 2006, Job satisfaction and workforce demographics: A longitudinal study of the U.S. forest products industry., Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Research Bulletin FP 362, Mississippi State University. 7 pp.
  • Kelly, A.M., Holmes, W.E., Schultz, T.P., 2006, An environmentally benign method for reducing off-flavor terpenoids in aquaculture: Initial laboratory studies., North American Journal of Aquaculture 68:249-252.
  • Thompson, A., Ingram Jr., L.L., 2006, Variation of terpenes in sapwood and heartwood of loblolly pine: Impact on VOC emissions from drying lumber samples. Forest Products Journal 56(9):80-83.
  • Cooper, J.E., Steele, P.H., Mitchell, B., 2006, Dielectric detection of knots in green read oak and southern pine lumber. Page 82 in Review of Progress in Quantitative NDE. July 30 - August 4, 2006. Portland, Oregon.
  • Diehl, S.V., 2012, Molecular Analysis of Microbes that Colonize Wood, AWPA Proceedings. (107):32-40.
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D, 2012, Relative fungal Efficacy results from the soil block tests employing a long incubation period of three commercial copper wood Preservatives, Holzforschung 2012. (66):245-250. DOI 10.1515/HF.2011.139
  • Mohan, D., Sharma,R. Singh, V.K., Steele, P.H, Pittman, C., 2012, Flouride removal from water using bio-char, a green waste, low-cost absorbent equilibrium uptake and sorption dynamics modeling. Industrial & Engrg Chemistry Research. 2012. 51:900-914.
  • Mun, S.P., Jang, J.P., Kim, M.G, 2012, Effect of Pinus radiata bark Polyphenols on Phenol Liquefation of Cellulose in the Presence of p-Toluene Sulfonic Acid Catalyst. Forest Prod. J., 2012. 62(3):234-239.
  • Stroble III, M.F., Howard, I.L., Shmulsky, R., 2012, Wood construction platform design using instrumentation, "Wood Material Science and Engineering, 2012. 1-12.
  • Barnes, H.M., 2012, Durable composites: An overview,"AWPA Proceedings, (107):267-279.
  • Little, N.S., Riggins, J.J., Londo, A.J., Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., 2012, Preference of Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar) for Southern Pine Blue-Stained Sapwood from Beetle-Killed Trees, Proceedings IRG Annual Meeting. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. May 6-10, 2012.
  • Aglan, H., Ludwick, A., Borazjani, H., Kitchens, S.C., Diehl, S.V., Amburgey, T.L., 2012, Diffusion Characteristics in Building Components of Immiscible Hydrocarbon-Water Mix from Flooding, International Journal of Soft Computer Engineering, 2012. 4(1):1-11
  • Hill, J.M., Barnes, H.M., Shi, S.Q., 2012, Bending Properties of FRT OSB, "Proceedings International Research Group on Wood Protection. Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. May 6-10, 2012. IRG/WP 12-40600"


Progress 01/01/11 to 09/30/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Enhancement of SPSL from pine continued. It is now comparable to or exceeds performance of other commercial products. For small-diameter lodgepole and ponderosa pine, only green logs are acceptable. A rehydration procedure was developed for low moisture wood such that after a forest fire they can be used for composites. The results of a major lumber strength study where lumber pieces were characterized by strength, rings per inch, E-Computer MOE value, percent latewood, presence of pith, etc. was presented to the American Lumber Standards Committee. Development of bio-oil as a transportation fuel, heating oil, or electrical power generation fuel was explored. Bio-oil from different feedstocks including pine, oak, pine bark, oak bark, sweet gum, plastics, municipal wastes, etc. were pyrolyzed using a proprietary MSU designed mobile auger reactor. New catalysts and upgrading techniques were developed. With enhanced bio-oil, the heating value, viscosity, and stability are improved. A method of producing hydrocarbons from bio-oil via catalysis has been refined and a method to produce biodiesel and green gasoline has been developed. Analyses of nanoscale reinforced wood-based composites indicated that kenaf / polyester composites were more cost effective than glass fiber-reinforced sheet molding compounds for carrying certain loads when their fiber levels reached 51.2 and 56.3 percent (wt/wt), respectively. Enhanced efficacy by combining non-biocidal antioxidant and/or metal chelating compounds with organic biocides continued among long term treated samples in laboratory and outdoor exposure. The research to better understand the complexities of the process and regulation of the fungal decay of wood has resulted in the first whole genome sequencing and annotation project at MSU to use the Illumina next generation system. Work to increase the life cycle of wood biomass through integrated protection systems continues. Development of wood and agricultural fiber based nanocomposites progressed as a process for increasing strength properties was explored. Due to its low toxicity and environmentally friendliness, it has been proposed that a modified pentachlorophenol carrier system based on a diesel/biodiesel mixture should replace conventional diesel/KB3 carrier as a wood preservative for utility poles and other wood products but research suggests that the modified system is less effective than the conventional formulations. Research was conducted to gain a better understanding of the role microorganisms play in biodegradation and biodetoxification of wood and wood preservatives. Papers were presented at national meetings on the enzyme activity of wood decay enzymes produced by the white rot fungus, Trametes elegans during decay of pine (non-decay resistant wood), cedar (naturally decay resistant wood) and ACQ-treated wood (chemically treated decay resistant wood) and the effect solvent fractions and compounds extracted from Eastern red cedar that were responsible for antifungal activity against two fungal species. PARTICIPANTS: Professors, Assistant and Associate Professors, Research Professors - Susan V. Diehl, Hamid Borazjani, Jilei Zhang, Philip H. Steele, P. David Jones, Darrel D. Nicholas, M. Lynn Prewitt, Sheldon Q. Shi, H. Michael Barnes, Terry L. Amburgey, Leonard L. Ingram, Jr., El Barbary M. Hassan, Shane C. Kitchens, Sanjeev Gajjela, Tor P. Schultz, R. Dan Seale, and Rubin Shmulsky. Post Doctoral Assistants, Research Associates and Research Staff - George Miller, John Black, David Butler, Brian Mitchell, Linda Sites, Amy Rowlen, Michael Sanders, Brian Lindsey, Jenny Shi, Joseph Dahlen, Kaiwen Liang, Don Parish, Kanthi Penmetsa, and Young Min Kang. Ph.D. Students - Saeed Keshani-Langroodi, Beth Stokes, Jinshu Shi, Sathish Tanneru, Qi Li, Priyanka Bhattacharya, Samet Demirel, Onder Tor, Nathan Little, Juliet Tang, Hugo Castillo, Divya Reddy Parapati, Vamshi Guda, Jingming Tao Masters Students - Leslie Parker, Joseph Hill, WeiQi Leng, Todd Johnson, Yan Shen, Min Lee Other MSU Faculty and Entities - Fei Yu, Charles Pittman, Jr., Hossein Toghiani, Keisha Walters, as well as the Life Science and Biotechnology Institute and Department of Computer Science. Collaborators - J.E. Winandy, Winandy and Associates. Dr. Sung Phil Mun, a visiting scientist from South Korea. USDA-ARS Functional Genomics Laboratory. Ken Moss, Piedmont BioProducts. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include university and federal level research organizations; petrochemical fuel refineries; renewable energy companies and organizations; sustainable fuel advocates; electric power regulators; transportation officials pipeline operators; automobile manufacturers; home heating equipment suppliers; national renewable energy laboratories; peer laboratories; energy policy makers; timberland owners; biomass traders; the general public; furniture manufacturers; wood-based composite manufacturers; international scientists; economic development agencies, and/or government entities that have vast raw materials or responsibility for management of forest resources; companies that produce or distribute engineered wood products; investors looking for new innovative manufacturing technologies with competitive cost advantages over current technologies used by industry; international wood protection industry; biomass utilization industry; pulp and paper industry and university/federal employees that work on wood decay and wood protection; wood protection industry; researchers interested in inhibiting fungal invasion; agriculture industry; polymer industry; and forestry land owners and managers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Work with fire retardant treatments for OSB will result in a revised ASTM standard. Pilot-scale work with SPSL may spur new industries based on under-utilized, small diameter feedstocks. Production of beams from low moisture content wood presents a market potential for converting low value standing timber, such as that left behind after a forest fire, to composite lumber. Software was developed to relate tree growth characteristics to resultant design values of 2x4 lumber. Commercialization of bio-oil toward drop-in transportation-, heating-, and electrical power generation-fuel was sought. Multiple patents are under development (5 provisionals filed) and multiple industrial cooperators are engaged. Results suggest that domestic feedstocks for the pyrolysis process may reduce national dependence on foreign oil. The simplicity and reduced cost of these technologies will likely increase adoption. A market opportunity may exist for natural fiber-reinforced composites as a replacement for wood fiber based/polymer composites. Standardization of screw torque in furniture production results in less product failure. Benign and non-fungicidal antioxidant and/or metal-complexing additives enhance the efficacy of organic biocides against decay fungi. 108 genes were metabolically mapped in relation to their roles in wood decay. Data has been gathered on the woody biomass life cycle (cradle to grave) to ensure the path forward which reflects the climatic conditions, design elements, ecosystems, and overall interactions of the complex elements, particularly with respect to carbon sequestration. This project provides an educational opportunity for both undergraduate and graduate students and provides a technical foundation on which woody biomass sustainable utilization can be expanded. For the nanocellulose project 40 percent for cellulose nanofiber and micro fiber was obtained. The all chemical process is more economical compared to the existing commercial nanowisker process. This outcome will provide for additional uses of kenaf as a biomaterial which will help the biomaterials industries that produce such commodities and the automobile industry which utilizes composites. Although the modified pentachlorophenol (PCP) carrier system based on a diesel/biodiesel mixture was not as effective as the conventional diesel/KB3 carrier as a wood preservative, this research may help determine if biodiesel could be a satisfactory replacement potentially reducing current environmental challenges. Research to understand the role microorganisms play in biodegradation and biodetoxification of wood and wood preservatives showed that there may be a relationship between gene expression and enzyme activity. Results have been disseminated via conferences, proceedings, other papers, and direct industry contacts. Several partnerships and industrial collaborations were developed. Additionally, a variety of demonstrations and tours have been used as a means of sharing this technology with students, other scientist, landowners, commercial partners, legislators, and economic development partners.

Publications

  • Liang, K., Shi, S.Q. 2010. Soy-based Polyurethane Foam Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes. Key Engineering Materials (419-420):477-480.
  • Little, N.S., Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D. 2011. Recommendations for Testing Subterranean Termites in Above-Ground Settings. AWPA Proceedings. (2010) Vol 106, p. 149.
  • Little, N.S., Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D. 2011. Termite-resistant heartwood: Effect of antioxidants on termite feeding deterrence and mortality. Holzforschung (64): 395-398
  • Little, N.S., Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D. 2011. Effect of different soils and pH amendments on brown-rot decay activity in a soil block test. Holzforschung 64: 667-671.
  • McConnell, T.E., Little, N.S., Shi, S.Q., Schultz, T.P. 2011. The Resistance of Modified Hardwood Material to Subterranean Termite Attack. AWPA Proceedings. (2010) Vol 106, p. 148.
  • McConnell, T.E., Shi, S.Q., 2011. Partially Hydrolyzing Southern Hardwoods: Possibilities for Biofuels and Wood Composite Manufacturing. Forest Prod. J., 61(3):235-239.
  • McConnell, T.E., Stuart, W.B., Grace, L.A. 2011. Learning through Service: Wood in Design and Engineering. Forest Prod. J. (61):14-19.
  • Mohan, D., Rajput, S., Singh, V.K., Steele, P.H., Pittman, C.U. 2011. Modeling and Evaluation of Chromium Remediation from Water Using Low-Cost Bio Char, a Green Absorbent. Journal of Hazardous Materials, (188):319-333.
  • Patton, R., Steele, P.H., Yu, F. 2010. Coal vs. Charcoal-fueled Diesel Engines: A review. Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization, and Environmental Effects 32:315-322.
  • Ragon, K.W., Donohoe, J.P., Amburgey, T.L., Sanders, M.G. 2010. Termite Control Methods and Apparatus. US Patent 7,698,853.
  • Ragon, K.W., Donohoe, J.P., Amburgey, T.L., Sanders, M.G. 2010. Termite Control System, Method and Apparatus. US Patent 7,707,767.
  • Nicholas, D.D., Schultz, T.P., 2011. Re-examination of the soil block test: Can We Obtain Comparative Efficacy Results AWPA 2010 Proceedings. (2010). Pp 315-327.
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., 2008. Long-term ground-contact efficacy studies of two synergistic biocide mixtures that laboratory decay students suggested may be promising wood preservative systems. Forest Products Journal 58(5):73-76
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., 2009. Short- and long-term ground-contact decay efficacies of three copper-organic systems and possible implications for standardization criteria for copper-based systems. Forest Products Journal 59(5): 13-18
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., 2010. Biocide retention variation and gradients in commercially-treated 4x4s. Forest Products Journal 60 (2): 190-193
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., 2010. Technical Note: Effect of soil on the pH of treated wood in ground contact. Wood & Fiber Science 42(3): 412-416.
  • Shmulsky, R., Jones, P.D. 2011. Forest Products and Wood Science, sixth edition. College Textbook-- Wiley-Blackwell.
  • Steele, P.H., Hartley, I., Cooper, J., Conners, T., King, R. 2010. The Differential Thermal Response of Knots and Clear Wood Following Rapid Heating. Research in Nondestructive Evaluation, 21:30-47.
  • Steele, P.H., Yu, F., Gajjela, S. 2011. Past, present, and future production of bio-oil. Proceedings, 2009 Conference on Woody Biomass Utilization. (2011):17-22.
  • Vasishth, P., Nicholas, D.D., Henry, W.P., Schultz, T.P., 2009. Effect of polyvinyl alcohol on copper leaching from treated wood. Forest Products Journal 59(10):28-30. Technical Note.
  • Yu, F., Le, Z., Chen, P., Liu, Y., Lin, X.X., Ruan, R. 2008. Atmospheric Pressure Liquefaction of Dried Distillers Grains (DDG) and Making Polyurethane Foams from Liquefied DDG. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology 148(3):235-243.
  • Zhang, Y., Zhang, J., Toghiani, H., Xue, Y., Pittman, Jr., C.U., 2009. Flexural properties and micrimophologies of wood flour/carbon nanofiber/maleated polypropylene/polypropylene composites. Composites: Part A (40): 948-953
  • Amburgey, T.L., Sanders, M.G., 2009,Protecting Wooden Doors, Windows, and Wall Framing from Decay. AWPA Proceedings. (2009) Vol 106. pp. 107-108
  • Amburgey, T.L., Kitchens, S.C., Baileys, J.K. 2008. Recommendations for Applying Anti-Sapstain Biocides to Fresh Southern Hardwood Logs. Research Advances. (2008) Vol. 12, No.1.
  • Hatten, N.R., Borazjani, H., Diehl, S.V., Prewitt, M.L., 2009. Effects of composting on removal of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from sawdust amended with chicken litter. Compost Science and Utilization 17(3):166-172
  • Hua, J., Chen, G., Shi, S.Q., 2010. Effects of Incorporating Chinese Poplar in Wood Chips on Fiber Refining. Forest Prod. J. 60(4):362-365
  • Irby, N.E., McConnell, T.E. 2010. Peer-to-peer recruiting: An open letter on effectively enrolling wood science and forest products students. Wood and Fiber Science as an Editorial, Society of Wood Science and Technology (SWST) International Convention October 11-15, 2010, Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Irby, N.E., Ragon, K.W., McConnell, T.E. 2011. It's Not Easy Being Green-Consumer Perceptions of treated Wood as a Sustainable Material. AWPA Proceedings. (2010) Vol 106, p. 151.
  • Chatterjee, S., Hassan, E.M., Yang, X., Pittman, C.U. 2009. Bio-oil Upgrading by the Addition of Olefins. American Chemical Society, Div. Fuel Chem. 2009, 54(2): 2 pgs.
  • Cooper, J.E., Steele, P.H., Mitchell, B.K., Boden, C., Lionheart, W.R. 2009. EIT-based Detection of Juvenile and Knot Wood in Southern Pine Logs with Brush Electrodes. 3rd International Workshop on Process Tomography (IWPT-3), 6 pp.
  • Dahlen, J.M., Jones, P.D., Prewitt, M.L., Shmulsky, R. 2010. Emissions Released During Kiln Drying of Southern Pine Utility Poles. 2010 Southeastern Utility Pole Conference, Session III. Pp. 88 - 92.
  • Dahlen, J.M., Shmulsky, R., Jones, P.D. 2011. Volatile Organic Compounds Emitted During the Kiln Drying of Southern Yellow Pine Utility Poles. Forest Prod. J., (60):7/8.629-631.
  • Diehl, S.V., Prewitt, M.L., Kang, Y., Tang, J., 2008. Wood decay research using molecular procedures: What can it tell us RG/WP 08-10678 Paper prepared for the IRG Americas Regional Meeting Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica November 30- December 2, 2008.
  • Du, Y., Wang, C., Toghianai, H., Cai, Z., Liu, X., Zhang, J., Yan, Q., 2010. Synthesis of Carbon-Encapsulated Metal Nanoparticles from Wood Char. Forest Prod. J., 60(6):527-533.
  • Green, B., Jones, P.D., Nicholas, D.D., Schimleck, L.R., Shmulsky, R. 2011. Nondestructive Assessment of Pinus spp. Wafers Subjected to Gloeophyllum Trabeum in Soil Block Decay test by Diffuse Reflectance Near Infrared Spectroscopy. Wood Sci. and Tech. (45):583-595.
  • Jones, P.D. 2010. Forest Products. Mississippi State Extension Service, Publication 2607, 2 pp.
  • Jones, P.D., Seale, R.D., Shmulsky, R. 2010. Softwood Lumber Grades and You. Mississippi State University Extension Service, Publication 2630. 4pp.
  • Lee, S., Shi, J., Shi, S.Q., Barnes, H.M., 2010. Inorganic nanoparticle impregnated kenaf fibers as reinforcement for polypropylene matrix composites in the automobile application. International Congress of Nano-Bio Clean Tech, abstract
  • Liang, K., Mao, A., Shi, S.Q. (2010). Incorporation of Nanoparticles into Soy-Based Polyurethane Foam. Proceedings of Nanotech Conference & Expo 2009. May 3-7, 2009. Houston, TX, Vol. 2:290-293.


Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: New studies in the design strength of domestic softwood structural lumber were initiated. Lumber from ten states is being evaluated in an effort to help determine if a timber resource change has occurred and if so, the prudence of potentially performing a national in grade retest. Pyrolysis oil upgrading to drop in hydrocarbon transportation fuels continued. A private green energy company has announced its intent to build three fuel production mills in Mississippi and an additional ten or more plants around the gulf south region. This company's technology is very similar to that developed at Mississippi State University. This company has received a billion dollar loan guarantee from the U.S. Dept. of Energy. Applied research to minimize the environmental toxicity of railroad ties, via partial substitution of creosote with borates and soybean oil continued. A novel formaldehyde-free adhesive system was further developed at the bench scale. Investment capital is being actively sought for pilot scale trials. A dynamic elastic modulus technique for accelerating the testing of decay and preserved wood was further developed and is currently in use. Incorporating near infrared spectroscopy into the wood decay testing was continued. This technology was also used in measuring earlywood/latewood ratios as part of the in grade lumber testing. Anti-oxidant based wood preservation was continued. Genetic mapping of wood decay fungi was performed and the nature of fungal communities was investigated. A long-term study related to monitoring, tracking, and remediating of wood treatment chemicals such as creosote, pentachlorophenol, and CCA in ground water at a mill site continued. Testing, development, and standardization of structural platforms for use in the heavy construction industry continued. Graduate Student Years: 0.46 FTE PARTICIPANTS: Primary participants include: Faculty, as principle investigators and active researchers; Research Associates and Technicians as hands-on on the ground staff who perform highly skilled research and development; Graduate students who participate in research and actively lead on report writing, and statistical analysis; industrial and commercial collaborators who provide in kind support, cost share, plant and mill trials, and research materials; and timberland owners who assist in guiding the research such that it produces economically beneficial returns. Of the Graduate Students involved, there were four, spending almost six months towards this research: James Callicutt, Joe Dahlen, Joseph Hill, and Thomas Eric McConnell. TARGET AUDIENCES: National and International Forest Products companies, Timberland owners, mill personnel, corporate executives, policy makers, governmental officers, state level departments of environmental quality and protection, economic development agencies, peer research institutions, non-governmental organizations, lawmakers, homeowners, new construction and remodeling contractors, etc. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
Accurate and safe engineering design values are critical for the continued specification and use of wood in the structural light framing industry. As a structural material, wood is highly favorable with respect to economics, environmental impacts, and ease of use. Work at Mississippi State University is intended to assure that wood remains the material of choice of homebuilders and homeowners throughout the North America. Technology to produce green gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel is developed. Currently these products are being marketed on a commercial scale. The use of existing infrastructure, such as pipelines, tank trucks, and filling stations, is possible with this type of drop in fuel. A variety of means of developing and producing environmentally benign wood preservatives is ongoing. Organic wood preservatives, micronized metal-based preservatives such as copper, and elemental wood preservatives such as borates each have developing shares of the highly varied wood preservative market (industrial, commercial, residential, etc.). Research at MSU is helping to determine the optimal fit of each wood preservative type into each market. The impacts of air pollution research have lead to better adhesive systems, cleaner products, and better quality of life. The California Air Research Board's strict pollution requirements are stimulating major changes in particle board and other composite products. Research in this department continues to pioneer cleaner production of furniture, housing, and other manufactured products.

Publications

  • Cooper, J.E., Steele, P.H., Mitchell, B.K, Boden, C.T., Lionheart, W., 2007, Detecting juvenile and knot wood in southern pine logs with electrical impedance tomography. Proc.12th International Conference on Scanning Technology and Process Optimization in the Wood Industry. Wood Machining Institute. Atlanta, GA. Pgs. 16-26.
  • Lee, S., Shupe, R.F., Groom, L.H., Hse, C.Y. 2007, Wetting behaviors of phenol- and urea-formaldehyde resins as compatibilizers. Wood and Fiber Science 39(3):482-492.
  • Lee, S., Shupe, R.F., Groom, L.H., Hse, C.Y. 2007, Thermomechanical pulp fiber surface modification for enhancing the interfacial adhesion with polypropylene. Wood and Fiber Science 39(3):424-433.
  • Kirker, G.T., Prewitt, M.L., Diehl, S.V., 2007, Effects of chlorothalonil (CTN) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) on microbial communities involved in the deterioration of wood using T-RFLP II: Results from field studies , The International Research Group on Wood Protection IRG/WP 07-30429.
  • Lee, S., Shupe, R.F., Hse, C.Y., 2008, Thermosets as compatibilizers at the isotactic polypropylene film and thermomechanical pulp fiber interphase. Composite Interfaces 15(2/3):221-230.
  • Schultz, T. P., Nicholas, D.D., McIntyre, C.R., 2008, Recent patents and developments in biocidal wood protection systems for exterior applications. Recent Patents on Materials Science 1(2):128-134
  • Amburgey, T.L., 2008, Insects that infest seasoned wood in structures. In: Development of Commercial Wood Preservatives: Efficacy, Environmental and Health Issues. ACS Symposium Series 982. pgs. 32-57.
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., 2008, Long-term outdoor efficacy trials of wood treated with organic biocides and co-added non-biocidal additives. Proceedings, American Wood Protection Association 104:96-102
  • Hartner, H., Schmitt, S., Ciu,F., Barnes, H.M., 2008, Polymeric betaine as a wood preservative, International Research Group on Wood Protection, IRG/WP 08-30487 11 pp.
  • Kirker, G.T., Diehl, S.v., Prewitt, M.L., Diehl, W.J., 2008, Microbial community analysis using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis: Field study results. International Research Group on Wood Protection, IRG/WP 08-20377 18 pp.
  • Melby. P., Allen, M., Barbour, F., Gatlin, C. Miller, S., Murdock, J., Roberts, H., Rogers, M., Ruffin, A., 2008, Energy savings checklist. Southern Climatic Housing Report 9, 7 pp.
  • Su, Y., Maruthi Sridhar, B.B., Han, F. X., Monts, D.L., Diehl, S.V., 2008, Effect of bioaccumulations of Cs and Sr natural isotopes on folier structure and plant spectral reflectance of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea) - 8105. Proceedings, WM Syposia, Waste Management Conference & Exhibition 14 pp.
  • Binbuga, N., Hasty, J., Gwaltney, S.R., Henry, W.P., Schultz, T.P., 2007, Determination of the stability constants for the binding of sulfonated morin with Fe2+. Inorganica Chimica Acta 360:2339-2344.
  • Gummaraju, R., Shi, S.Q., 2007, Evaluation of polyurethane adhesive in construction applications. Pages 582-586 in Proceedings, Polyurethanes 2006 Technical Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. 9/25-27/2006.
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., Shi, J., 2007, International Research Group on Wood Protection, IRG/WP 07-40364. 9 pp.
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., 2007, Totally organic wood preservative systems for exterior residential applications. Pages 289-294 in Wood Protection 2006, H. M. Barnes, editor. Proceedings No. 7229, Forest Products Society, Madison, WI.
  • Diehl, S.V., Prewitt, M.L., ,2007, Detection and identification of wood decay fungi and molds by DNA sequence and fragment analysis. In: Wood Protection 2006, H.M. Barnes, editor. Proceedings No. 7229, Forest Products Society, Madison, WI. Pg. 379.
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., Ingram Jr., L.L., 2007, Laboratory and outdoor water repellency and dimensional stability studies of southern pine sapwood treated with a waterborne water repellent made from resin acids. Holzforschung 61:317-322
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., Preston, A.F., 2007, A brief review of the past, present, and future of wood preservation. Pest Management Science 63:784-788.
  • Borazjani, H., Diehl, S.V., Prewitt, M.L., 2008, Long-term performance evaluation of a pump and treat system at a wood-treating site. Fourth International Conference on Environmental Science & Technology 1:221-226
  • Cooper.J.E., Steele, P.H., Mithcell, B.K., boden, C.t., Lionheart, W.R., 2008, Detecting juvenile wood in southern pine logs with brush electrodes. Physiological Measurement, 4 pp.
  • Dahlen, J., Schultz, T.P., Prewitt, M.L., Nicholas, D.d., 2009, Effect of chemical and physical properties on the decay and mold susceptibility and dimensional styability of flatsawn southern pine sapwood decking in two aboveground exposures. Forest Products Journal, 59(9): 74-78
  • Amburgey. T.L., Kitchens, S.C., Irby, N.E., 2009, Anti-saptstain biocides for fresh southern hardwood logs when delays occur between felling and water-spray storage. Proceedings, AWPA 105:302-305
  • Amburgey. T.L., Kitchens, S.C., Irby, N.E., 2009, Lumber discolorations: Causes and prevention. Proceedings, American Wood Protection Association 104:198-202
  • Amburgey. T.L., Irby, N.E., 2009, Southern hardwood logging logistical constraints: How to retain quality raw materials. Proceedings, American Wood Protection Association 104:44-47
  • Sanders, M.G., Amburgey, T.L., Barnes, H.M., 2007, Delivery System for Supplemental Wood Preservative and/or Metal Corrosion Inhibition Treatment. US Patent 7,195,823
  • Zhang, J., Shi, S.Q., Xue, A., Horstemeyer, M.F., Sklad, P.S., Carpenter, J.A., 2007, Natural fiber composites for structural component design. Technology Achievement, FreedomCAR & Vehicle Technologies Program
  • Shi, S.Q., Peng, Y., 2008, Effect of adhesive on the performance of engineered wood products and smoke toxic emisson at elevated temperatures. Proceedings, International Symposium on Wood Science and Technology, 2 pp.
  • Holly, D.C., Ervin, G.N., Jackson, C.R., Diehl, S.V., Kirker, G.T., 2008, ,Effect of an invasive grass on ambient rates of decomposition and microbial community structure: A search for causality. Biological Invasions. DOI 10.1007/s10530-008-9354-5. 14 pgs.
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., 2008,Introduction to developing wood preservative systems and molds in homes.American Chemical Society Syposium Series 982, Development of Commercial Wood Preservatives, Ch.1:2-8
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., 2008, Improving the performance of organic biocides by using economical and benign additives. American Chemical Society Symposium Series 982, Development of Commercial Wood Preservatives, Ch.16:272-284
  • Melencion N., Morrell, J.J., 2009, Effect of fungal attack on maximum load capacity of simulated wall assemblies. Wood and Fiber Science 41(1):22-27
  • Jones, P.D., Seale, R.D., 2008, Where is the cake, Tree Talk. Winter 2009 18-19
  • Jones, P.D., 2009, Marketing your timber: Forest Products. Mississippi State University Extension Service, Publication 1777, 4 pp.
  • Jones, P.D., 2010, Basic guide to identification of hardwoods and softwoods using anatomical characteristics. Mississippi State University Extension Service, Publication 2606, 8 pp.
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., 2009, Effect of co-added antioxidants and/or metal complexing compounds on decay efficacy and biocide leaching of southern yellow pine (SYP) samples treated with 4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (DCOI) or azoles. American Wood Protection Association, 105th Annual Proceeding San Antonio, TX
  • Jones, P.D., Harper, D., Taylor, A. 2008, Wood pellets: An introduction to their production and use. Mississippi State University Extension Service, Publication, 4 pp.
  • Shmulsky, R., Saucier, C. L., Howard, I.L., 2008, Composite effect of bolt-laminated sweetgum and mixed hardwood billets. Journal of Bridge Engineering 13(5):547-549
  • Armstrong, J., Shmulsky, R., 2008, Accreditation: Elevating programs, the profession and SWST, Wood and Fiber Science 40(4):481-483
  • McConnell T.,E., Shi, S.Q., Shmulsky, R., 2009, Technical Note: A preliminary study on the binding stiffness of chemically treated wood material for structural composite lumber, Wood and Fiber Science 41(3):322-324


Progress 01/01/09 to 12/31/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Long term studies with respect to augmentation of the service life of railroad ties were reviewed, amended, and continued. These studies have the potential to reduce overall shipping and freight costs domestically and internationally. A novel formaldehyde-free adhesive system was further developed and tested in particleboard manufacture. A scale-up pyrolysis bio-oil reactor was planned and construction has begun. Pyrolysis oil was tested in a fuel jet nozzle similar to that in a power plant boiler, the results are being used to attract interest in using the bio oil for electrical generation. A dynamic elastic modulus technique for accelerating the testing of decay and preserved wood was further developed and is currently in use. Additionally, a means of incorporating near infrared spectroscopy into the wood decay testing was initiated. Anti-oxidant based wood preservation was continued. Genetic mapping of wood decay fungi was performed and the nature of fungal communities was investigated. The method of fungal advancement with respect to enzymes in the mucilage was investigated. A long-term study related to monitoring, tracking, and remediating of wood treatment chemicals in ground water at a mill site continued. Development of a structural composite for building construction, from waste oil-palm biomass from Malaysia was performed. The use of natural fibers in nano-technologically enhanced composites, for automotive application, was investigated. Wood drying research with respect to energy savings, dehumidification, pollution control, and lumber warp reduction continued. A variety of testing, research, and development was completed on both domestic furniture and on industrial access platforms, such as crane, dragline, pipeline, and oilfield mats. PARTICIPANTS: Primary participants include: Faculty, as principle investigators and active researchers; Research Associates and Technicians as hand-on on the ground staff who perform highly skilled research and development; Graduate students who participate in research and actively lead on report writing, and statistical analysis; industrial and commercial collaborators who provide in kind support, cost share, plant and mill trials, and research materials; and timberland owners who assist in guiding the research such that it produces economically beneficial returns. TARGET AUDIENCES: Timberland owners, mill personnel, corporate executives, policy makers, governmental officers, state level departments of environmental quality and protection, economic development agencies, peer research institutions, non-governmental organizations, lawmakers, etc. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None

Impacts
Improved service life of rail-type infrastructure is critical. As transportation fuel costs have increased significantly, it is imperative that other fixed costs, such as track maintenance, be kept at a minimal rate of increase. Research findings developed as part of this project, which minimize track maintenance cost and increase service life, are actively being incorporated by major commercial rail carriers. Inclusion of wood based pyrolysis oil in electrical generation provide a commercially feasible means of increasing "green" power with minimal changes to the generation infrastructure. Liquid bio-fuel can be burned in existing generation facilities. The impact of this diversifies and stabilizes the fuel stream going into electrical generation. Organic wood preservatives have become increasingly important in the market place. Older, more environmentally persistent metallic based systems are facing increased scrutiny and regulation. The more environmentally friendly preservatives being developed herein have made significant and positive impacts with respect to health and safety issues associated with treated wood. The impacts of air pollution research have lead to better adhesive systems, cleaner products, and better quality of life. The California Air Research Board's strict pollution requirements are stimulating major changes in particle board and other composite products. Research in this department has lead to cleaner production of furniture, housing, and other manufactured products.

Publications

  • Cassens, D.L. Hunt, M.O. Barnes, H.M. 2009. Yellow-poplar lumber for exterior architectural applications in new construction and for historical restoration. Purdue Extension, FNR-410-W.
  • Nicholas, D.D. 2009. Wood preservation in the 2010's. CWPA Proceedings 11/18/2009.
  • Barrier wrap performance in hazard zone 4. 2009. American Wood Protection Association 05/18/2009.
  • Mangum, L.H. Borazjani, H. Diehl, S.V. Prewitt, M.L. Seale, R.D. Sloan, R.C. 2009. Co-composing of TimTek process water. Forest Products Journal 12/09/2009.
  • McConnell, T.E. Shmulsky, R. 2009. Hurricane Katrina's Effects on Mississippi Lumber Manufacturers. FWRC Research Advance 12(4)-7/21/2009.
  • Borazjani, H. 2009. Long-term performance of a pump and treat system at a wood treating site. Proceedings, 38th Annual Mississippi Water Resources Research Conference, pp. 12-16 06/30/2009.
  • Hassan, E.M. Kim, M. G. Wan, H. 2009. Phenol-formaldehyde type resins made from phenol liquified wood for bonding of particle board. Journal of Applied Polymer Science 112(3):1436-1443.
  • Liang, K. Shi, S. 2009. Resins from soybean oil-based additives for natural fiber sheet molding compound (SMC) composites: synthesis and characterization. Wood Adhesives 2009 Proceedings 11/30/2009.
  • Steele, P.H. Boden, C. 2009. Saw Engineering and Troubleshooting Software (SETS) User's Manual for Band and Circular Saws. FWRC Research Bulletin 07/15/2009.
  • McConnell, T.E. Shi, S.Q. Shmulsky. R. 2009. Technical Note: A preliminary study on the binding stiffness of chemically treated wood material for structural composite lumber. Wood and Fiber Science 41(3):322-324 07/16/2009.
  • Peng, Y. Shi, S. 2009. Thermal property improvement of phenol resorcinol formaldehyde resin by incorporation of Cloisite clay particles. Wood Adhesives 2009 Proceedings 11/30/2009.


Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: This year further construction continues on the southern climatic house. This structure is intended to highlight energy saving / sustainable construction techniques, methods, and materials. A hands-on program to educate 4th grade level students with respect to forest, forest products, and natural resources was implemented. A variety of renewable transportation and electrical generation fuels from varying types of biomass and consumer waste products were manufactured, characterized, upgraded, and tested. Applied research toward classification of microbial communities and environmentally benign wood preservatives was advanced. Advanced engineered wood based composites from a variety of low grade and low value raw materials were developed, tested, and otherwise readied for commercialization. Cutting edge type lean production and furniture engineering technologies were researched and developed. A project related to acoustically measuring, tracking, and mimicking via engineered wood products, the vocalizations of female mallard ducks. PARTICIPANTS: Terry Amburgey, Professor, MSU, Abdolhamid Borazjani, Professor, MSU, H. M. Barnes, Professor, MSU, Mark Bricka, Associate Professor, MSU, Susan V. Diehl, Professor, MSU, Tom Cathcart, Professor, MSU, Leonard Ingram, Professor, MSU, El Barbary M. Hassan, Assistant Research Professor, MSU, Priscilla Hill, Associate Professor, MSU, Steve Hunter, Professor, MSU, Moon Kim, Professor, MSU, David Lewis, Professor, MSU, Peter Melby, Professor, MSU, Darrel Nicholas, Professor, MSU, M. L. Prewitt, Assistant Research Professor, MSU, R. D. Seale, Professor, MSU, Sheldon Shi, Assistant Professor, MSU, Rubin Shmulsky, Professor, MSU, Radha Srinivasan, Assistant Research Professor, MSU, Philip Steele, Professor, MSU, Hossein Toghiani, Professor, MSU, Keisha Walters, Assistant Professor, MSU, Fei Yu, Assistant Research Professor, MSU, Jilei Zhang, Associate Professor, MSU, Adrienne Minerick, Assistant Professor, MSU, Chuck Pittman, Research Associate, MSU, Craig Boden, Research Associate, MSU, Dusty Snow, Research Associate, MSU, David Butler, Machinist, MSU, Eugene Columbus, Research Associate, MSU, Franklin Quin, Research Associate, MSU, G. B. Lindsey, Research Associate, MSU, Hua Leng, Research Associate, MSU, Michael Parsons, Research Associate, MSU, Michael Sanders, Research Associate, MSU, Robert Tackett, Research Associate, MSU, Rangaswami Arunkumar, Research Engineer, MSU, Priyanka Bhattacharya, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Robert Bucci, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, James Callicutt, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Joseph Dahlen, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Sanjeev Gajjela, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Young-Min Kang, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Shane Kitchens, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Jonathan Linton, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Lauren Mangum, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Lee Magnum, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, An Mao, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Eric McConnell, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Joseph Hill, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Grant Kirker, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Neil Melencion, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Qi Li, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Yucheng Peng, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Jingshu Shi, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Robert Slay, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Badamkhand Sukhbaatar, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Can Tu, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Juliet Tang, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Santosh Tuggali, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Justin Wilkes, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Yongcheng Zhang, Graduate Research Assistant, MSU, Sangyeob Lee, Post-Doc, MSU, Xiaojian Liu, Post-Doc, MSU, Kevin Ragon, Post-Doc, MSU, Sandun Fernando, MSU, James Dumesic, University of Wisconsin, George Huber, University of Massachusetts, Louis Chamra, Louisiana State University, USDA CSREES, USDA Forest Products Laboratory, USDA Forest Service, J. E. Winandy, Winandy & Associates, Wolman GmbH,. C. McIntyre, McIntyre Associates, Phibrotech, Rutgers Organics, Chris Edwards. TARGET AUDIENCES: U.S. consumers of paper, lumber, solid and composite wood products, gasoline, diesel fuel, chemicals, furniture, and housing. Manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, marketers, retailers, import and export personnel, and other individuals and companies who engage in research, development, consumption, utilization, commerce, and trade of paper, lumber, solid and composite wood products, gasoline, diesel fuel, chemicals, furniture, and housing. Automobile operators, builders, building designers, commercial manufacturers, industry, non governmental organizations, education organizations, electrical generating facilities and those who heat agricultural buildings, such as greenhouses, hog and chicken houses, extension organizations, federal research groups, furniture manufacturers, government/academic scientists, homeowners, industrial personnel, international wood protection industry, landowners who grow biomass in the form of agricultural and forestry biomass were targeted as entities that would provide biomass feedstocks for pyrolysis of bio-oil, petrochemical fuel refineries, petroleum refineries, polymer industry, producers of wood composites, renewable energy companies and organizations, research organizations, scientific community, state and federal regulation agencies on the formaldehyde emission problems from wood composite products, sustainable fuel advocates, university level research organizations, university research groups, university/ federal employees that work on wood decay and wood protection, users of wood composites, various biocide manufactures, wood adhesive industry, wood adhesives manufacturing industry, wood adhesives and raw material manufacturers, manufacturing industry, wood preservative companies research laboratories, wood treating companies that use diesel as carrier oil, transportation department, and environmental consultants, wood-based composite manufacturers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: None

Impacts
A long list of potential renewable energy partners were identified. Negotiations in support of technology commercialization are ongoing. A major wood products company has committed to commercializing one type of engineered laminated wood material. Results related to environmentally benign wood preservative were reported, anomaly detection in lumber as a means of retaining value, toxicity and proliferation of microbial communities on treated wood were reported. Naturally occurring water repellents were investigated and reported. Nano-scale natural fiber composites were manufacutured and tested. It is intended that these products will be applied as structural components in the automobile industry. A means of electronic quantification and characterization of female mallard duck vocalizations has been developed. Negotiations on how best to commercialize this technology are ongoing.

Publications

  • Shmulsky, R. and Shi, S. (2008). Development of novel industrial laminated planks from sweetgum lumber, ASCE Journal of Bridge Engineering, 13(8): 64-66.
  • Amburgey, T. (2008). Mold fungi as a major impediment to cleaning/repairing flooded and rain/damaged Homes. MSU Forest and Wildlife Research Center Research Advances, 11(2): 4pp.
  • Schultz, T., Ragon, K., and Nicholas, D. (2008). A hypothesis on a second non-biocidal property of wood extractives, in addition to toxicity, that affects termite behavior and mortality. International Research Group on Wood Protection, IRG/WP 08-10638.
  • Misna, T., Shmulsky, R., and Warren, S. (2008). Continuous monitoring of volatile organic compounds during kiln drying with a MEMS chemical sensor. American Laboratory, 1(2): 19-22.
  • Ragon, K., Nicholas, D., and Schultz, T. (2008). Termite-resistant heartwood: The effect of the non-biocidal antioxidant properties of the extractives (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Sociobiology, 52(1): 47-54.
  • Preston, A., Jin, L., Nicholas, D., Zahora, A., Walcheski, P., Archer, K., and Schultz, T. (2008). Field stake tests with copper-based preservatives. International Research Group on Wood Protection, IRG/WP 08-30459.
  • Hunter, S. (2008). The real costs of outsourcing from low-wage countries: An empirical study of the Mississippi wood furniture industry. Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Research Bulletin, 16 pp.
  • Schultz, T. and Nicholas, D. (2008). Development of commercial wood Preservatives: Efficacy, environmental, and health issues, American Chemical Society Symposium Series 982. 655 pp.
  • Hassan, E., Steele, P. H., Ingram, L. (2008). Characterization of fast pyrolysis bio-oils produced from pretreated pine wood. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, DOI 10.107//s12010-008-8445-3.
  • Binbuga, N., Schultz, T., and Henry, B. (2008). Intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding in 3-hydroxy- and -5-hydroxychromone. Tetrahedron Letters, 49: 5762-5765.
  • Binbuga, N., Ruhs, C., Hasty, J. K., Henry, W. P., Schultz, T. P. 2008. Developing environmentally benign and effective organic wood preservatives by understanding the biocidal and non-biocidal properties of extractives in naturally durable heartwood. Holzforschung, 62(3): 264-269.
  • Dahlen, J., Nicholas, D. D., Schultz, T. P. 2008. Water repellancy and dimensional stability of southern pine decking treated with waterborne resin acids. 2008. Journal of Wood Chemistry and Technology, 28(1): 47-54.
  • Cooper, J. E., Steele, P. H., Mitchell, B. K., Boden, C., and Lionheart, W. 2008. Detecting juvenile wood in southern pine logs with brush electrodes. Pages 142-145 in Proceedings of the International Electrical Impedance Conference 2008, Hanover, NH.
  • Steele, P. H. 2008. Sawmilling. Pages 873-877 in Gary A. Goreham, ed. Encyclopedia of Rural America: The Land and People, 2nd ed. Grey Houese Publishing, Millerton, NY.


Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Following is a synopsis of all FP research conducted in 2007: A demonstration house that highlights techniques that develop energy efficiency, durability, and improved air quality has been designed and is under construction. Feedstocks such as pine, oak, gum, cottonwood, corn stover, and switchgrass have been processed into pyrolysis oil. The said oil has been chemically described and chemically upgraded. Two wood preservative systems were researched for their use in structural wood composites. Additionally, a renewable biomass-derived compound has been investigated as a means of inhibiting wood decay. Fundamental work that investigates enzyme analysis and manipulation as well as gene knock-out as a means of inhibiting wood decay is progressing. Mechanical properties of treated wood composites have been evaluated. Duckweed and parrotfeather have shown viability in the uptake of metal-contaminated water. Field studies related to changes in microbial communities and activities in association with treated wood have been completed. A formaldehyde-reduced adhesive system has been developed. Accelerated test methods for detection of wood decay have been developed and refined. A commercially viable structural engineered lumber product has been researched and developed. A commercial manufacturing facility is under construction. Both natural and carbon fiber additives have been investigated as amendments to wood plastic composites. In association with structural composites, bond durability has been investigated. A real-time hazardous air pollutant sensor to monitor emissions from drying and remanufacturing has been developed. It can also be used as a process control device to minimize pollution. Another device has been fabricated and tested to retain grade mix through the processing chain of southern pine lumber. Lean production techniques that were developed and reported previously have been disseminated. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Following is a synopsis of impacts of FP research conducted in 2007: Reduced formaldehyde emissions in homes is of critical importance. This issue is highlighted along the Gulf Coast in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent utilization of travel trailers as temporary housing. The work described elsewhere improves the air quality in homes, has developed reduced formaldehyde adhesives, and has fabricated and designed a moderate cost, real time formaldehyde sensor. Bioremediation, especially through phytoremediation of soil and water that has been contaminated with historical wood preserving systems, as well as research and development of environmentally benign preservatives, are keys to environmental conservation. Taken together, these achievements will have great impact on the health and well being of local, regional, and national citizens. Upgrading of pyrolysis oil pushes the technology toward a viable alternative to fossil fuel. New biocides are entering the market each year. The work described elsewhere is critical in evaluating their efficacy in a timely and objective manner and in helping to reduce the need for broad spectrum preservative chemicals. The work on structural engineered wood composites is highly important as a means of providing housing for the next generation of citizens.

Publications

  • Sridhar, B.B., Han, F.X., Diehl, S.V., Monts, D.L., Su, Y. 2007. Spectral reflectance and leaf internal structure changes of barley plants due to phytoextraction of zinc and cadmium. International Journal of Remote Sensing 28(5):1041-1054.
  • Su, Y., Sridhar, B.B., Han, F.X., Diehl, S.V., Monts. 2007. Effect of bioaccumulation of CS and Sr natural isotopes on foliar structure and plant spectral reflectance of Indian Mustard (Brassica Juncea) Water, Air, Soil Pollution 180:65-74.
  • Turner, K.D., Borazjani, H., Baldwin, B., Prewitt, L., Diehl, S.V. 2007. Phytormediation of soil contaminated with pentachlorophenol (PCP). Six Pages in Proceedings of the Ninth International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Sympoisum. May 7-10, 2007. Baltimore, MD.
  • Burley, J.W., Amburgey, T.L. 2007. Surface mold prevention with chlorothalonil/disodium octaborate tetrahydrate systems. Pages 323-327 in Wood Protection 2006, H.M. Barnes, editor. Proceedings No. 7229, Forest Products Society, Madison, WI.
  • Gauntt, J.C., Amburgey, T.L., Kitchens, S.C. 2006. Decay in wood ties: Problem solved How application of proven preservative technology may eventually eliminate biological deterioration as a failure mechanism. In: Proceedings, American Wood-Preservers' Association 102:155.
  • Kitchens, S.C., Amburgey, T.L. 2007. Appearance, cause and control of lumber discolorations. Pages 105-106 in Wood Protection 2006, H.M. Barnes, editor. Proceedings No. 7229, Forest Products Society, Madison, WI.
  • Nicholas, D.D. 2006. Efficacy of commercial silver formulations against wood decay fungi. In: Proceedings, American Wood-Preservers' Association 102:67.
  • Nicholas, D.D., Freeman, M.H. 2007. PXTS: A new environmentally friendly metal free oligomer wood preserving system. Pages 311-317 in Wood Protection 2006, H.M. Barnes, editor. Proceedings No. 7229, Forest Products Society, Madison, WI.
  • Ragon, K., Amburgey, T.L. 2006. Can you hear me now Attracting subterranean termites using electric wavelengths. In: Proceedings, American Wood-Preservers' Association 102:73.
  • Salenikovich, A.J., Nicholas, D.D. 2007. Durability of light-frame houses in high winds: How moisture and biodeterioration affect frame-to-sheathing connections. Page 41 in Wood Protection 2006, H.M. Barnes, editor. Proceedings No. 7229, Forest Products Society, Madison, WI.
  • Sanders, M.G., Amburgey, T.L. 2007. Formosan termite research facility for conducting replicated studies on the durability of building components to Coptotermes formosanus. Page 377 in Wood Protection 2006, H.M. Barnes, editor. Proceedings No. 7229, Forest Products Society, Madison, WI.
  • Sridhar, B.B., Han, F.X., Diehl, S.V., Monts, D.L., Su, Y. 2007. Monitoring the effects of arsenic and chromium accumulation in Chinese brake fern (Pteris vittata) International Journal of Remote Sensing 28(5):1055-1067.


Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06

Outputs
Three devices were developed and patented to detect the characteristics of lumber and logs in a non-destructive manner. A new binder resin system for particleboard, medium density fiberboard, and other interior-grade wood composite boards was discovered and tested in the laboratory. A new lap-joint design has been developed to reduce the time needed for testing of wood preservatives. A new prototype restraint device to reduce warp was designed and tested. The antioxidant BHT was found to have a significant positive effect on reducing depletion of the organic biocide chlorothalonil. GC/MS analysis of bio-oil samples to determine chemical and physical properties was completed. The use of aquatic plants to remove contaminants from water containing CCA was shown to be effective. A growth media was developed to allow the study of the production of wood decay enzymes. Five new biocides were identified for use in the manufacture of engineered wood products. Various models were developed to aide in the understanding of bond durability and hygroscopic performance of engineered wood products. A novel auger pyrolysis reactor was designed and fabricated.

Impacts
The combined value of lumber and log characteristic detection devices developed, if applied to total U.S. lumber production, would exceed $1.5 billion. The new resin system will help wood composite industries reduce formaldehyde emissions, thereby helping to expand the use of low grade wood and wood residues ultimately resulting in job growth for rural forested regions. Development of a more rapid test method for wood preservatives will aid in development of new preservatives for the multi-billion dollar treated-wood market. Restraint device technology has the potential to save each mill ~ $500,000/year. The use of antioxidants to improve the efficacy of organic biocides could impact the future of the $120MM global wood preservative market. Chemical and physical characterization of bio-oil from woody-biomass feedstocks is crucial to development of alternate fuels and chemical sources to replace petroleum-based counterparts. Bioremediation of CCA-contaminated water using aquatic plants may be of great benefit in environmental cleanup. Understanding production of wood decay enzymes by microorganisms may result in development of more effective and environmentally benign wood preservatives. The ID of new biocides for use in newly developed engineered wood composite material will aide in the success of a new wood-based industry. Development of a novel auger reactor will reduce the capital cost of a typical pyrolysis reactor by ~50%. Studies on antioxidant capacities for use with organic biocides will help develop economical, safe, and effective wood preservative systems.

Publications

  • Barnes, H.M. 2006. Spurs, belt buckles, chaps and ten-gallon hats: An allegory for wood protection. Proceedings, American Wood-Preservers Association 102:30-37.
  • Barnes, H.M., TL Amburgey, MG Sanders. 2006. The impact of test site and oil content on the performance of pentachlorophenol-treated wood. Forest Products Journal 56(5):43-47.
  • Barnes, H.M., TL Amburgey, MG Sanders. 2005. Performance of Zinc-Based Systems. In: Proceedings, American Wood-Preservers Association, Volume 101:47-54.
  • Barnes, H.M., M Maupin, GB Lindsey. 2005. Bending properties of southern pine treated with waterborne copper naphthenate. Proceedings of the American Wood-Preservers Association 101:64-73.
  • Keith, C., H Borazjani, SV Diehl, Y Su, BS Baldwin. 2006. Removal of copper, chromium, and arsenic by water hyacinths. Pages 15-19 in Proceedings of the 36th Annual Mississippi Water Resources Research Conference, Jackson, MS.
  • McIntyre, C.R., HM Barnes, MH Freeman. 2005. 40-year assays of penta-treated posts in DeQueen, Arkansas. In Proc., American Wood-Preservers Association 101:181-186.
  • Wan, H., M Kim. 2006. Southern pine wood and strands impregnated with low levels of butanetetracarboxylic acid as stabilizing agent for oriented strandboard. Wood and Fiber Science 38(1):144-154.


Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05

Outputs
1) Wood waste from a furniture manufacturer was successfully composted with chicken litter. 2) Molecular biology tools based upon DNA identification have allowed data to be obtained on the ecology and activities of microorganisms associated with wood decay and biocide breakdown. 3) Oak and pine feedstocks have been converted into bio-oil using flash pyrolysis and an auger-fed reactor. 4) Water-borne copper napthenate, copper betaine and bifenthrin biocides were added to wood composite strandboard with no deleterious effects on physico-mechanical properties. 5) A patent was received based upon technology which can monitor moisture content in lumber whilst correcting for lumber density, which is a new development in sensing technology for the lumber industry. 6) Differences were found when wood treated with heavy metals was leached in soil or water. 7) A new accelerated soil contact wood decay test has been developed. 8) A Formosan Termite Field and Laboratory Research Facility has been developed to enable fundamental studies, insect studies and evaluation of methods of control. 9) Data has been collected on the structural analysis, modeling and testing of upholstered furniture frames.

Impacts
1) Composting wood waste with chicken litter could save small wood processing facilities $100,000 per year in land fill costs. 2) Understanding the mechanisms of wood decay could contribute to the development of safer biocides for the $7 million wood protection market. 3) Conversion of woody biomass into crude forms of diesel and petroleum could provide renewable forms of energy and a source of industrial chemicals. 4) Modified forms of urea-formaldehyde resins could allow manufacture of wood composite products with lower densities and lower formaldehyde emissions. 5) Durability of engineered wood products can be enhanced by incorporating fungicides and insecticides during manufacture, enabling end uses in high hazard situations. 6) The use of new moisture sensing technology during kiln drying would increase lumber value by $100 million. 7) Use of an accelerated standard laboratory method for soil-contact leaching of metals from treated wood could enable environmental concerns to be quickly identified. 8) Use of accelerated methods for evaluating the performance of new wood protection chemicals will enable chemical manufacturers to reduce product development time and introduce much needed, environmentally acceptable products. 9) Development of a Formosan termite research facility and new control methods will provide opportunities to control this termite which causes some $1 billion per year in damage and control in southern states. 10) Providing engineering data to furniture manufacturers can assist in reducing product development and manufacturing costs.

Publications

  • Amburgey, T.L., H.M. Barnes, D.D. Nicholas, T.P. Schultz, 2005. Wood protection: A guide to protecting your home. Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State University, Research Advance. 8(1). 4pp.
  • Amburgey, T.L. 2005. Controlling mold growth when cleaning flooded and/or rain-wetted homes. MSU Extension Forestry Technical Notes, MTN-E14.
  • Barnes, H.M. 2003. Softwood treatments: Where do we stand? Proceeding: Mid-South Section, Forest Products Society. Hot Springs, AR. November 2003. 30 pp.
  • Barnes H.M., M.G. Sanders, T.L. Amburgey. 2003. Field test results with copper carboxylates. In: Proc., American Wood Preservers' Association 99:166.
  • Barnes, H.M., T.L. Amburgey, M. G. Sanders. 2005. Performance of copper naphthenate and its analogs as ground contact wood preservatives. Bioresource Technology 96(10):1131-1135.
  • Barnes H.M., R.J. Murphy. 2005. Bending and tensile properties of vapor boron-treated composites. Wood and Fiber Science 37(3):379-383.
  • Binbuga, N., K. Chambers, W. P. Henry, and T. P. Schultz. 2005. Metal chelation studies relevant to wood preservation: Complexation of propyl gallate with Fe2+. Holzforschung: 59, 205-209.
  • Bullard, S.H. 2003. See the light: A multi-faceted effort by Mississippi State University aims to keep U.S. manufacturers competitive. Upholstery Design and Management 16(8):42-43.
  • Conners, T.E., R.D. Seale, A.W. Garrard. 2001. The roots of the Wood Magic Science Fair. In: Proceedings, Forest Products Education: Kids and Teachers, 2001 SWST Annual Meeting. Baltimore, Maryland. Pp. 27-50.
  • Kelly, A.M., T.P. Schultz. 2005. Method to control off-flavor in water and aquaculture products. U.S. Patent #6,902,675.
  • Leightley, L.E. 2005. Utilizing Biomass in the Southeast. Forest Landowner 64(5):16-17.
  • Motsenbocker, W.D., P.H. Steele, S.L. Hunter, S.H. Bullard, A. Schuler. 2005. Wood furniture components: implementation of flow-line technology based on lean manufacturing concepts. Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Bulletin FP 333, Mississippi State University. 15 p.
  • Nicholas, D.D., E.M. Ivankoe, M.G. Kim, C.U. Pittman, L. Wang, A. Kabir, T.P. Schultz, L.L. Ingram. 2003. Modified wood with surface coatings. U.S. Patent #6,602,605.
  • Schultz, T.P., D.D. Nicholas, W.P. Henry. 2005. Efficacy of a Copper(II)/oxine copper wood preservative mixture after 69 months of outdoor ground-contact exposure and a proposed mechanism to explain the observed synergism. Holzforschung 59:370-373.
  • Seale, R.D., A.W. Garrard, W. Motsenbocker. 2000. Mississippi furniture export study. Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Research Report, Mississippi State University. 7 pp.
  • Cooper, J. E., P. H. Steele, and B. Mitchell. 2005. Detecting juvenile wood in southern pine lumber by measuring phase shift. In Proc. of the Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation, Vol. 24A. July 25-30, Golden, CO. American Institute of Physics.
  • Freeman, M.H., D.D. Nicholas, D. Renz, R. Buff. 2004. PXTS: A Metal Free oligomer wood preserving system - A summary of data to date. International Research Group on Wood Preservation, IRG/WP 04-30350. 24 p.
  • Freeman, M.H., D.D. Nicholas, D. Renz, R. Buff. 2004. PXTS: A metal free oligomer wood preserving system - A summary of data to date. American Wood-Preservers Association 99:167-186.
  • Garrard, A.W., L.E. Leightley. 2005. Characterizing wood waste from wood products companies in North Mississippi. Research Report, Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State University. 9 pp.
  • Seale, R.D., A.W. Garrard, J.H. Leng. 2002. Change in wood use patterns by the furniture industry. Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Research Report, Mississippi State University. 13 pp.
  • Sridhar, G.G., S.V. Diehl, F.X. Han, D.L. Monts, Y Su. 2005. Anatomical changes due to uptake and accumulation of Zn and Cd in Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea). Environmental and Experimental Botany 54(2005):131-141.
  • Stiglbauer, P., P.H. Steele. 2005. The impact on wood quality resulting from the rapid increase in plantation pine acreage in Mississippi. Tree Talk 27(3):24, 26-27.


Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04

Outputs
1) Increasing the durability of Engineered Wood Composites is essential for full utilization of these products. Results have shown that several new generation biocides may be added to composite materials without deleteriously impacting properties. 2) Lean manufacturing continues to increase productivity and profitability of wood based industries. An engineering workstation has been obtained allowing the development of 3D graphics modeling, simulation, and analysis of complex furniture and wood products manufacturing workstations and systems. 3) Addition of water repellents to wood composites can improve durability and dimensional stability. Target water repellents were synthesized and added to wood furnish material. Further development is needed to improve addition rates of the water repellents to the wood furnish. 4) Improvement in the dimensional stability of wood is a continual goal for wood decking manufacturers. A compound was identified which dramatically improved dimensional stability after six months exposure in a high hazard situation. 5) Microbial populations associated with accelerated soil contact decay testing are being identified using molecular biology tools. The work has the potential to provide detailed information on the wood decay process. 6) Conversion of wood into BioOil can provide a direct source of energy and extraction of high value add chemical feedstock. Pyrolysis technology has been developed and BiOil production has been demonstrated. 7) Development of machine vision technology for lumber and panel products can enable the visualization of defects. A laboratory has been developed which is large enough to house a dynamic Through Log Density Detector (TLDD).

Impacts
1)Information on behavior and prevention of activities of the Formosan termite will provide important data on preventing damage caused by this pest; 2)Improving the treatability of refractory woods will provide increased service life for treated wood commodities; 3)Pumping contaminated groundwater through a multi-stage kenaf biofiltration system would be very economical due to its ease of operation and environmentally friendly nature; 4)Biofiltration could reduce control costs associated with air emissions by 20 to 50% and completely destroy all wastes on-site; 5) Improvements in the cross linking of urea formaldehyde resins could provide ways to manufacture boards at lower density to result in raw materials savings and less formaldehyde emission; 6)Data on characterizing current market dynamics for the lumber industry will benefit manufacturers of furniture, lumber and engineered wood products; 7)Tannin-based adhesive systems could result in reducing thickness swell in OSB and other wood composites; 8)Development of automated scanning to allow more efficient automated processing of wood products will allow wood to become more competitive in the marketplace, with benefits to the wood products industry worth hundreds of millions of dollars; 9)Data on fatigue properties of wood composites will enable furniture manufacturers to determine and select different materials in an effort to lower material costs, whilst satisfying frame performance requirements.

Publications

  • Hunter, S.L., Bullard, S.H., Steele, P.H., Motsenbocker, W.D., Schuler, A. 2004. Parallel pull flow: A new lean production design. Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Research Bulletin FP 312, Mississippi State University. 12 pp.
  • Lyman, M.R., Curry, K.J., Smith, B.J., Diehl, S.V. 2004. Effect of Cercosporella rubi on blackberry floral bud development. Plant Disease 88:195-204.
  • Maruthi Sridhar, B.B., Su, Y., Diehl, S.V., Monts, D.L. 2003. Structural and ultrastructural changes in plants subjected to metal phytoremediation. In: Proc., 7th International Symposium on In situ and On-site Bioremediation, Battell, 2003, Orlando, FL.
  • Nicholas, D.D. 2000. Preservation of Wood. In: D. Hon and N. Shiraishi, Wood and Cellulosic Chemistry, Chapter 21, Marcel Dekker, Inc. Pp. 795-806.
  • Nicholas, D.D., Ivankoe, E.M., Kim, M.G., Pittman, C.U., Wang, L., Kabir, A., Schultz, T.P., Ingram, L.L. 2003. Modified wood with surface coatings. U.S. Patent #6,602,605.
  • Prewitt, M.L., Borazjani, H., Diehl, S.V. 2003. Slurry-phase bioremediation of pentachlorophenol-treated utility poles. 8 Pages in V.S. Magar and M.E. Kelley (eds.), In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation-2003. Proceedings of the Seventh International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium. Orlando, FL. June 2003. CD-ROM
  • Sellers, Jr., T. 2002. Development in Adhesives for Plywood and LVL Production in North America. In: Proc., Plywood Association of Australia. Queensland Australia. November 15, 2002.
  • Sellers, Jr., T. 2002. Overview of Worldwide Trends in Adhesive Technology. 10 pp In: Proc., Plywood Association of Australia Annual Meeting. Nosa Heads, Queensland Australia. November 25, 2002.
  • Sellers, Jr. T. 2002. Phenol-formaldehyde resins as wood adhesives. 52 pp in Universidad Del Bio-Bio Concepcion Proceedings, Chile. May 23, 2002.
  • Sellers, Jr. T. 2004. Production numbers reveal worldwide emphasis of wood adhesives. PanelWorld 45(1):34-36.
  • Shmulsky, R. 2004. EMC response along the tensile face of small wood beams. Wood Science and Technology 37:447-449.
  • Sridhar, B.M., Diehl, S.V., Su, Y., Monts, D.L. 2003. Monitoring the internal structure of barley plants during metal phytoremediation. In V. S. Magar and M.E. Kelley (Eds.), In Situ and On-Site Bioremedation-2003. Proceedings of the Seventh International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium. Orlando, FL. June 2003. CD-ROM
  • Steele, P.H., Araman, P.A., Boden, C. 2002. Economic choice for hardwood sawmill operations (ECHO). Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Bulletin FP 252, Mississippi State University. 21 pp.
  • Steele, P.H., Cooper, J.E. 2003. Electrical capacitance method for detection of decay in treated poles. Pages 37-43 in Proceedings, ScanTech 2003. 10th International Conference on Scanning Technology and Process Optimization in the Wood Industry. Seattle, WA. November 4-5, 2003.
  • Steele, P.H., Motsenbocker, D. 2004. Doing is believing with Easy Life Chair company. Furniture Highlights 3(3):3.
  • Steele, P.H., Stiglbauer, P. 2004. The history and economic impact of the rapid increase in plantation pine acreage in Mississippi. Tree Talk 26(7):16-17, 20, 30.
  • Stewart, H.A. 2004. Cryogenic treatment of tungsten carbide reduces tool wear when machining medium density fiberboard. Forest Products Journal 54(2):53-56.
  • Vrazel, M., Sellers, Jr. T. 2004. The effects of species, adhesive type, and cure temperature on the strength and durability of a structural finger-joint. Forest Products Journal 54(3):66-75.
  • Wilson, B., Steele, P.H., White, M.S., Cooper, J.E., Rupert, R.L., Hamner, P.C., Mitchell, B.K. 2004. Dielectric heat treating of green pallet parts. Part 1 - Heat treatment results. Pallet Phytosanitary Project Bulletin, Number 5. Limestone Bluffs Resources Conservation Development Area and the Wood Education and Resource Center, USDA Forest Service. 3 pp.
  • Wilson, B., Steele, P.H., White, M.S., Cooper, J.E., Rupert, R.L., Hamner, P.C., Mitchell, B.K. 2004. Dielectric heat treating of green pallet parts. Part 2 - Mechanical testing results. Pallet Phytosanitary Project Bulletin, Number 6. Limestone Bluffs Resources Conservation Development Area and the Wood Education and Resource Center, USDA Forest Service. 4 pp.
  • Winandy, J.E., Barnes, H.M., Falk, R.H. 2004. Summer temperatures of roof assemblies using western redcedar, wood-thermoplastic composite, or fiberglass shingles. Forest Products Journal 54(11):27-33.
  • Zhang, J. 2000. Research provides solutions for upholstered seating frame failures. Modern Woodworking 14(6):33-36.
  • Zhang, J. 2000. Testing the ultimate bending strength of joints: How five different wood components fared. Modern Woodworking 14(8):29-32.
  • Zhang, J. 2000. Comparing bending fatigue life dowel joints: Strength levels of wood and wood components vary. Modern Woodworking 14(11). 3pp.
  • Zhang, J., Li, D. 2004. Introduction of US upholstered furniture performance test standards. Furniture Magazine 2:13-16.
  • Hunter, S.L. 2004. Ten steps to lean production. Steps 9 and 10: Pokayoke, automation and computer integrated manufacturing. Part 9 and 10. Furniture Design and Management, June 2004:20-23.
  • Hunter, S.L., Bullard, S.H., Steele, P.H. 2004. Lean production in the furniture industry: The double d assembly cell. Forest Products Journal 54(4):32-38.
  • Hunter, S.L., Bullard, S.H., Steele, P.H., Motsenbocker, W.D. 2004. The Double-D cell for assembling hardware in upholstered furniture production. Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Bulletin #FP300, Mississippi State University. 13 pp.
  • Barnes, H. M. 2003. Softwood treatments: where we stand. Softwood Utilization: Current Status and Strategies for the Future. Mid-South Section, Forest Products Society, Hot Springs, AR. November 2, 2003.
  • Barnes, H.M. 2003. Fieldtest results with coppercarboxylates.In:Proc., American Wood Preservers' Association 99:166.
  • Barnes, H.M. 2003. New tricks for old 'dawgs'. Wood and Fiber Science 35(1):1.
  • Barnes, H.M., Amburgey, T.L., Sanders, M.G. 2003. Effect of oil content on the performance of wood treated with pentachlorophenol. The International Research Group on Wood Preservation, Document #IRG/WP 03-30324. 7 pp.
  • Barnes, H.M., Amburgey, T.L., Watt, J.L. 2003. Crossties species identification guide. Railway Ties Association Crosstie Species Identification Guide. 26pp.
  • Barnes, H.M. 2004. A laboratory manual for FP 4013/6013 Wood Anatomy. Department of Forest Products, College of Forest Resources, Mississippi State University. 45 pp.
  • Barnes, H.M., Stewart, H.A., Murphy, R.J. 2004. Vapor boron treatment of composites reduces tool wear. Forest Products Journal 54(10):69-73.
  • Boyd, M.E., Triplett, G.H., Land, D., Jones, J., Gaddis, D., Steele, P.H., Grebner, D.L. 2004. Grazing conservation tillage corn with steers in an agroforestry environment: advantages for land owners, wildlife, and timber producers. Pg. 330 in Proc. SOFEW.
  • Hunter, S.L. 2004. Ten steps to lean production. Step 8: Lean Production Vendors. Part 8. Furniture Design and Management, May 2004:18-19.
  • Bullard, S.H. 2002. Innovate or Evaporate: Business concept innovation in the furniture industry in the age of information.Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Bulletin FP228, Mississippi State University. 8pp.
  • Bullard, S.H. 2002. Engineered wood products and their potential impact on forest landowners in the South. Tree Talk 25(4):21, 23.
  • Bullard, S.H., West, C.D. 2002. Furniture manufacturing and marketing: Eight strategic issues for the 21st century. Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Bulletin FP 227, Mississippi State University. 24 pp.
  • Conners, T.E., Seale, R.D., Garrard, A.W. 2001. The roots of the Wood Magic Science Fair. In: Proceedings, Forest Products Education: Kids and Teachers, 2001 SWST Annual Meeting. Baltimore, Maryland. Pp. 27-50.
  • Hunter, S.L. 2003. An introduction to lean production systems. Step one: Reengineer manufacturing. Furniture Design and Management, September 2003:58-60.
  • Hunter, S.L. 2003. Lean manufacturing: Designing the cell. Part 2. Furniture Design and Management, October 2003:32-34.
  • Hunter, S.L. 2003. The ten steps to lean production. Using the single-minute-exchange-of-dies principle can lead to drastically shorter setup times. Part 3. Furniture Design and Management, November 2003:22-25.
  • Hunter, S.L. 2003. The ten steps to lean production. Step three: Integrated quality control. Part 3. Furniture Design and Management, December 2003:26-29.
  • Hunter, S.L., Garrard, A.W. 2003. An introduction to lean production and cellular manufacturing for assembling upholstered furniture hardware. Furniture Highlights 3(2):2, 5.
  • Hunter, S.L., Garrard, A.W. 2003. Franklin Corporation's double-d cell for assembling hardware in upholstered furniture production: Case study number one. Furniture Highlights 3(2):3.
  • Hunter, S.L. 2004. The ten steps to lean production. Step four: Reliability through integrating preventive maintenance. Part 5. Furniture Design and Management, January 2004:2-5.
  • Hunter, S.L. 2004. The ten steps to lean production. Step Five: Refining the lean production system. Part 6. Furniture Design and Management, March 2004:32, 34-35.
  • Hunter, S.L. 2004. The ten steps to lean production. Steps six and seven: Inventory and production control via kanban. Part 7. Furniture Design and Management, April 2004:22-25.
  • Allen, C.E., Borazjani, H., Diehl, S.V., Hannigan, M.F. 2004. Phytoremediation of an organic wood preservative. Eight pages in V.S. Magar and M.E. Kelley, In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation-2003. Proceedings of the Seventh International In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium. Orlando, FL. June 2003.
  • Barnes, H.M. 2000. Education 'R Us. Wood and Fiber Science 32(1):1.
  • Barnes H.M. 2001. Forest Products Education: Kids and Teachers. Proceedings, 2001 Annual Meeting, Society of Wood Science and Technology; Baltimore, MD, June 24, 2001, 64 pp.


Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03

Outputs
Program objectives administer continuing research on utilization of southern timber, to strengthen exisiting efforts in wood utilization and to provide support for new research initiatives. Research progress includes: 1)Field test sites have been established in Mississippi to pursue studies on Coptotermes formosanus, the Formosan subterranean termite; 2)Diffusion treatment of non-seasoned hardwood crossties followed by creosote treatment has been shown to be a viable method for treating refractory heartwood of several species; 3)A multi-stage kenaf biofiltration system was designed and constructed for the evaluation of chemical and biological remediation of forest products wastes; 4)Bacterial biofiltration of volatile organic pollutants from forest products wastes gave mixed results; 5)Volatile compounds associated with the breakdown of carbohydrates and triglycerides were identified; 6)Increasing the crosslink density of urea-formaldehyde resins resulted in significant improvement in the physical strength of particleboard and less formaldehyde emissions; 7)The current lumber market has been characterized in terms of lumber produced, market environment, competition and distribution channels; 8)Strandboards bonded with three tannin-based adhesives have been made using relatively high moisture content (6-7%) strands; 9)Patented technology has been developed for the utilization of radio frequency waves to detect wood characteristics such as knots, reaction wood, juvenile wood, wetwood and moisture content; 10)Fatigue performance of furniture frame stock has been completed. Graduate students = 5.

Impacts
1)Information on behavior and prevention of activities of the Formosan termite will provide important data on preventing damage caused by this pest; 2)Improving the treatability of refractory woods will provide increased service life for treated wood commodities; 3)Pumping contaminated groundwater through a multi-stage kenaf biofiltration system would be very economical due to its ease of operation and environmentally friendly nature; 4)Biofiltration could reduce control costs associated with air emissions by 20 to 50% and completely destroy all wastes on-site; 5) Improvements in the cross linking of urea formaldehyde resins could provide ways to manufacture boards at lower density to result in raw materials savings and less formaldehyde emission; 6)Data on characterizing current market dynamics for the lumber industry will benefit manufacturers of furniture, lumber and engineered wood products; 7)Tannin-based adhesive systems could result in reducing thickness swell in OSB and other wood composites; 8)Development of automated scanning to allow more efficient automated processing of wood products will allow wood to become more competitive in the marketplace, with benefits to the wood products industry worth hundreds of millions of dollars; 9)Data on fatigue properties of wood composites will enable furniture manufacturers to determine and select different materials in an effort to lower material costs, whilst satisfying frame performance requirements.

Publications

  • Black, J.T., Hunter, S. L. 2002. Making lean die change possible. Forming and Fabricating 9(10):55-64.
  • Ehlers, E. 2002. Development of rough mill benchmark yield information. Thesis, Department of Forest Products, Mississippi State University.
  • Freeman, M.H., Shupe, T.F., Vlosky, R.P., Barnes, H.M. 2003. Past, present, and future of the wood preservation industry. Forest Products Journal 53(10):8-15.
  • Hunter, S.L., Thomas, R.E., Dischinger C., Babai, M. 2002. Ergonomic simulation for colossal tool design analysis. In: Proc, Huntsville Simulation Conference, October 2002. Huntsville, AL. CD-Rom.
  • Hunter, S.L., Thomas, R.E., Dischinger, C., Babai, M. 2002. Colossal tooling design: 3D simulation for ergonomic analysis. In: Proc., 5th Conference on Aerospace Materials, Processes and Environmental Technology, September 2002. Huntsville, AL. 8pp.
  • Hunter, S.L., Black, J.T., Thomas, R.E. 2003. 3D simulation and ergonomic analysis of aerospace tooling designs. In: Proc., 2003 World Symposium of the Group Technology/Cellular Manufacturing, July 28-30, 2003. Columbus, OH, pp. 249-254.
  • Hunter, S.L., Black, J.T., Thomas, R.E. 2003. Lean production in the furniture manufacturing industry: A case study. In: Proc., 2003 World Symposium of the Group Technology/Cellular Manufacturing. July 28-30, 2003. Columbus, OH. 149-153.
  • Hunter, S.L., Thomas, R.E., Dischinger, C., Babai, M. 2003. Colossal tooling design with 3-D simulation. Ergonomics in Design 11(1):23-27.
  • Nicholas, D.D., Schultz, T.P. 2003. Efficacy of copper:propiconazole and copper:citrate systems in ground-contact exposure at a site with copper tolerant fungi. International Research Group on Wood Preservation, Document #IRG/WP 03-30305. 7pp.
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., Lebow, S. 2003. Migration of iron and manganese into CCA-treated wood in soil contact and the resulting error in leaching results when using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometers. Forest Products Journal 53(9):77-80.
  • Strom, B.L., Goyer, R.A., Ingram, Jr., L.L., Boyd, G.D., Lott, L.H. 2002. Oleoresin characteristics of progeny of loblolly pines that escaped attack by the southern pine beetle. Forest Ecology and Management 158(2002):169-178.


Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02

Outputs
Program objectives administer continuing research on utilization of southern timber, to strengthen existing efforts in wood utilization and to provide support for new research initiatives. Research progress includes: 1)Initial experiments completed to identify and measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from southern pine. The analytical work used a solid phase micro extraction technique. This method will be useful for qualitative ID and semi-quantitative measurements of VOCs from samples of wood. 2)To evaluate biofiltration of wood VOC's, a pilot scale biofilter using bark packing was built and connected to a small wood dry kiln. Testing biofiltration under actual wood-drying conditions and VOC emissions measured, revealed a 10-fold decrease in hydrocarbon concentration as a result of the biofilter. 3)Effluent results using Kenaf core and stalk columns as a filtering material for removal of compounds such as benzene, toluene and xylene from wastewater indicated a significant reduction. 4)Radio frequency (RF) technology was evaluated to determine its effectiveness in detecting wood characteristics such as knots, reaction wood, juvenile wood and wetwood. Method development for detecting compression wood using RF signals resulted in 100% success. 5)Fatigue life of upholstered furniture components made of plywood and OSB framestock was studied to determine the direct withdrawal strength of single-staple joints in pine plywood. 6)Methodology developed using data obtained from specially designed computer programs and video recording of cyclic tests provided information pertinent to improving high-wind/seismic design of wood light-frame shear walls. 7)Viable treatment of refractive heartwood using mechanical stress/vibration has shown to increase the treatability in softwoods and hardwood. 8)A test site for evaluating the resistance of wood products to Formosan subterranean termites was established near Port Sulfur, LA. 9)Loss in bending strength due to fungal decay was proven successful as an accelerated method for testing performance of wood preservatives. Strength loss determinations offer a non-destructive, quantitative measurement of the extent of decay before it can be detected visually. 10)Evaluation of Near Infrared spectrometry for determining incipient fungal decay found considerable variation between replicates, indicating that this method would not be a useful sampling technique. 11)Improvements in adhesives for composites were pursued. Results from studies on the variations in the synthesis and curing parameters of low-level melamine-modified urea formaldehyde resins indicated that a key parameter set was found, offering formaldehyde emission reduction and strength improvement of particleboard. 12)The end-use durability and engineering characteristics of wood and other fiber based composites has been evaluated. Strandboards made from southern pine, Douglas fir and keruing were bonded with three tannin-based adhesives using relatively high moisture content (6-7%) strands. Graduate students=8

Impacts
Broad in scope, the impacts of wood utilization research effecting economic and environmental in the near and long term include; 1) Determination of volatile and semi-volatile compounds to better understand how they impact the use of wood products. 2)Biofiltration of VOC's entering the atmosphere during drying could reduce industry costs by 20-50%. 3)Using biodegradable, effective and economical filtering materials to remove organic pollutants from wastewater could make a viable alternative and reduce processing costs. 4)Development of scanning technology for more efficient automated processing of wood products provides hundreds of millions of dollars in economic benefit by increasing competitiveness in the marketplace and contributing to a reduction in the substitution of other products for wood. 5)Data on the strength properties of furniture joints and members made from composite wood products help design furniture frames to meet high performance standards enhancing competitiveness of the U.S. furniture industry in today's global market and changing technology environment. New design practices applied to building codes and construction improve performance of structures, reducing the loss of life and the adverse impacts of natural hazards. 6)Millions of dollars could be saved yearly by improving wood treatment process and deterioration prevention methods before placing wood in service. Accelerated test methods provide more reliable data faster. 7)Enhancing performance of adhesive binders increases the service life and market status of wood composite products.

Publications

  • Amburgey T.L., Freeman, M.H. 2000. An update on the efficacy and performance of a copper naphthenate-borax preservative paste. In: Proc., International Conference on Utility Line Structures, Fort Collins, CO. March 20-22, 2000. Pp 33-37.
  • Amburgey, T.L., Watt, J.L., Sanders, M.G., Barnes, H.M. 2002. Alternative treatments for crossties: an update on an in-track MSU/RTA/AAR project. Proceedings, American Wood-Preservers' Association 98:122-124.
  • Barnes HM. 2001. A preliminary evaluation of copper naphthenate-treated poles in service. In: Proc., American Wood-Preservers' Association 96: 146-153.
  • Barnes H.M., Freeman, M.H., Brient, J.A., Kerr, Jr., C.N. 2000. Serviceability of copper naphthenate-treated poles. In: Proc., International Research Group on Wood Preservation, IRG/WP 00-30214. 17pp.
  • Nicholas D.D., Freeman, M.H. 2000. Comparative performance of pentachlorophenol and copper naphthenate in a long term field stake test. In: Proc., International Conference on Utility Line Structure, Fort Collins, CO. March 20-22, 2000. Pp. 255-269.
  • Nicholas D.D., Freeman, M.H. 2000. Comparative performance of pentachlorophenol and copper naphthenate in a long term field stake test. In: Proc., International Research Group on Wood Preservation, IRG/WP 00-30231. 5 pp.
  • Barnes H.M., Freeman, M.H. 2000. The performance of copper naphthenate-treated southern pine pole stubs in field exposure: Part 1 - Gradient and biodeterioration analysis 12 years after treatment. In Proc., International Research Group on Wood Preservation, IRG/WP 00-30242. 10 pp.
  • Barnes H.M., Freeman, M.H. 2000. The performance of copper naphthenate-treated wooden pole stubs after 12 years of field exposure. In Proc., International Conference on Utility Line Structures, Fort Collins, CO. March 20-22, 2000. Pp. 207-226.
  • Lyon, D.E. 2001. Wood Properties. In Standard Handbook for electrical Engineers, Fourteenth Edition D.G. Fink and H.W. Beaty, editors. McGraw Hill Publishers. Pp 4/196-4/216.
  • Schultz, H.P., Schultz, T.P. 2000. Topological Organic Chemistry. 12. Whole-Molecule Topological Indices of Alkanes. Journal if Chemical Information and Computer Systems.
  • Schultz, T.P., Nicholas, D.D., Pettry, D.E. 2000. Effect of soil parameters on biocide depletion: Laboratory and Field studies of water-and emulsion-borne preservatives. In: proc., International Research Group on Wood Preservation, IRG/WP 00-30234.
  • Williams, L.H., Amburgey, T.L. 2002. Enhancing durability by building with treated wood: Termite damage and boron contents in 12-year-old test houses in Mississippi. In: Proc., Enhancing the Durability of Lumber and Engineered Wood Products. Feb 11-13, 2002. Kissimme, FL Pp. 295-303.
  • Winandy, J.E., Barnes, H.M., Hatfield, C.A. 2000. Roof Temperature histories in matched attics in Mississippi and Wisconsin. Research Paper FPL-RP-589. U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, 24 pp.
  • Winandy, J.E., TenWolde, T., Falk, R.H., Barnes, H.M. 2002. Temperature histories of plywood roof sheathing and roof rafters as used in North American light-framed construction. In: Proc., 7th World Conference on Timber Engineering, WTCE 2002, Vol. 3, September 2002, Selangor, Malaysia. Pp. 114-121.
  • Zhang, J., Yadama, V., Quin, F. 2002. Resistance of southern yellow pine to direct withdrawal of staples. Forest Products Journal 52(9):75-81.
  • Nicholas D.D., Kabir, A., Williams, A.D., Preston, A.F. 2000. Water repellency of wood treated with alkylammmonium compounds and chromated copper arsenate. In: Proc., International Research Group on Wood Preservation, IRG/WP 00-30231. 5 pp.
  • Nicholas D.D., Kim, M.G., Pittman Jr., C.U., Schultz, T.P., Ingram Jr., L.L., Kabir, F.R., Wasson, L., Wang, L., Ivankoe, M. 2001. Polyurethane resins-treated wood pallets which are decontaminable of chemical warfare agents. Journal of Wood Chemistry and Technology 21(3): 285-298.
  • Pearce, R.J., Sellers Jr., T. 2000. Five different agro-based particleboards bonded with urea-formaldehyde resin. In: Proc., American Kenaf Society, Third Annual Conference. Corpus Christi, TX. February 23-25, 2000.
  • Ra, J.B., Barnes, H.M., Conners, T.E. 2002. Predicting boron diffusion in wood from surface absorption. Forest Products Journal 52(10):67-70.
  • Schultz, T.P., Fisher, T.H. 2002. Alkaline hydrolysis of nonphenolic beta-0-4 lignin models: substituent effect of the A-ring on the rate. Holzforschung 56(2002); 555-560.
  • Sellers, Jr., T. 2000. Adhesive innovation and production of North American glued-wood and related products. In: Proc., XXI IUFRO World Congress, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. August 7-12, 2000.
  • Sellers, Jr., T. 2000. Adhesive innovation and production of North American glued-wood and related products. In Proc., 2000 Spring Annual Meeting of the Structural Board Association. Whistler, British Columbia, Canada. May 3, 2000.
  • Sellers, Jr., T, Butler, D.L., Griffin, C.L., Headley, D.E., Miller, Jr., G.D. 2000. Laboratory apparatus for applying air sprayed powdered adhesive. Forest Products Journal 50(5): 88-90.
  • Sellers, Jr., T., Miller, Jr., G.D., Fuller, M.J., Broder, J.G., Loper, II., R.R. 2000. Properties of low density composites made of kenaf core fiber. In: Kenaf Properties, Processing and Properties. Chapter 29. Mississippi State University. Pp. 349-357.
  • Sellers, Jr., T., Reichert, N.A., Columbus, E.P., Fuller, M.J.,Williams, K. 2000. Kenaf Properties, Processing and Products.
  • Sellers, Jr., T. 2000. Growing markets for engineered products spurs research. Wood Technology 127(3):40-43.
  • Sellers, Jr., T. 2001. Wood adhesive innovations and application in North America. Forest Products Journal 51(6): 12-22.
  • Slahor J.J., Barnes, H.M., Dawson-Andoh, B., Amburgey, T.L., Hassler, C.C. 2001. The durability of yellow-poplar and american beech treated with creosote and borate. Forest Products Journal 51(7/8): 51-55.
  • Shmulsky R. 2000. Influence of drying schedule on VOC emissions from kiln-drying loblolly pine lumber. Forest Products Journal. 50(3):63-66.
  • Shmulsky R. 2000. Influence of drying schedule on VOC emissions from kiln-drying loblolly pine lumber. Forest Products Journal. 50(4):45-48.
  • Shmulsky R. 2000. End-grain influence on VOC emissions from kiln-drying loblolly pine. Forest Products Journal 50(5):21-23.
  • Shmulsky, R., Taylor, F.W. 2001. Evaluation of energy conservation by second-stage drying. Forest Products Journal 51(3):75-78.
  • Steele, P.H., Boden, C., Araman, P.A. 2000. ECHO: Machine Feasibility Program. In: Proc., 28th Annual Hardwood Symposium. May 11-13, 2000. Davis, W.V. National Hardwood Lumber Association. Memphis, TN. Pp. 53-57.
  • Steele, P.H., Patton, M., Cooper, J. 2000. A thermal recognition system to identify knots in wood. In: Proc., Wood Technology Clinic and Show, Portland, OR. March 15-17, 2000. Pp. 255-266.
  • Steele, P.H., Patton, M.D., Cooper, J.E. 2000. Factors influencing differential thermal response of knots and clear wood. In: Proc., International Symposium on Nondestructive Testing of Wood. University of Western Hungary, Sopron, Hungary. September 13-15, 2000. Pp. 403-412.
  • Steele, P.H., Patton, M.D., Cooper, J.E. 2000. A thermal recognition system to identify knots in wood. In: Proc., American Society of Non Destructive Testing. Birmingham, AL. March 27-31, 2000. P. 75.
  • Steele, P.H., Quin, Jr., F., Cooper, J.E. 2000. Infared detection of knots in southern yellow pine lumber heated with Radiant heat. In: Proc., Eleventh International Symposium on Nondestructive Testing of Wood, pp. 57-62.
  • Steele, P.H., Kumar, L., Shmulsky, R. 2000. Differentiation of knots, distorted grain, and clear wood by radio-frequency scanning. Forest Products Journal 50(3):58-62.
  • Barnes H.M., Kamdem, D.P., Freeman, M.H. 2000. Copper naphthenate-treated southern pine pole stubs 12 years after treatment. In Proc., International Research Group on Wood Preservation, IRG/WP 00-30246. 10 pp.
  • Barnes, H.M, Murphy, R.J., Via, B. 2002. Bending and tensile properties of vapor boron-treated composites. International Research Group on Wood Preservation, Doc No. IRG/WP 02-40228, 7 pp.
  • Bullard, S.H. 2002. Engineered wood products may dramatically impact timber markets in the southern U.S. 2002 SC Forestry Magazine. 2 pp.
  • Bullard, S.H. 2002. Engineered wood products and their potential impact on forest landowners in the South. TreeTalk 25(4):21, 23.
  • Criss, D.L., Elder, T., Fisher, T.H., Schultz, T.P. 2002. Effect of the alpha-and gamma hydroxyls on the alkaline hydrolysis rate of nonphenolic beta-0-4 lignin diasteromers. Holzforschung 56(1):67-72.
  • Glasser W.G., Northey, R.A., Schultz, T.P. 2000. Lignin: Historical, Biological, and Materials Perspectives. American Chemical Society, Polymer Division. 576 pp.
  • Goswami J., Abramson, A., Buff, R., Nicholas, D.D. 2000. Evaluation of polymeric alkylphenol polysulfide as a new wood preservative compound. In: Proc., International Research Group on Wood Preservation, IRG/WP 00-30251. 4 pp.
  • Goswami, J., Abramson, A., Buff, R., Nicholas, D.D., Schultz, T.P. 2001. Lab and field tests results for wood treated with polymeric alkylphenol polysulfide. International Research Group on Wood Preservation, Document #IRG/WP 01-30268. 5 pp.
  • Goswami, J., Abramson, A., Buff, R., Nicholas, D.D., Schultz, T.P. 2002. Update on lab and field tests results for polymeric alkylphenol polysulfide treated wood. The International Research Group on Wood Preservation, Document #IRG/WP 02-20240.
  • Hunter, S.L. 2002. Ergonomic evaluation of manufacturing system designs. Journal of Manufacturing Systems 20(6):429-444.
  • Hunter, S.L., Dischinger, C., Estes, S. 2002. Three-dimensional simulation: Microgravity environments and applications. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets 39(2):194-197.
  • Khouadja, A., Barnes, H.M. 2001. Treatment and redrying of western hemlock plywood. Forest Products Journal 51(1):74-80.
  • Kim, M.G., Pittman Jr., C.U., Nicholas, D.D., Schultz, T.P., Ingram Jr., L.L., Kabir, F. R., Wang, L., Wu, Y., Wasson, L. 2001. Wood made decontaminable of chemical warfare agents after sunlight weathering or abrasion. Journal of Wood Chemistry and Technology 21(3):263-283.


Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01

Outputs
The program objectives are to administer a continuing program of research on utilization of southern timber, to strengthen existing efforts in wood utilization, and to provide support for new research initiatives. Research has been completed in the areas of wood chemistry, economic evaluation, timber manufacturing and processing, timber harvesting, protection and preservation of wood, and wood based composites. Progress includes: 1) Results from mechanically stressing wood via the TASK machine continue to look promising for preventing enzyme-mediated stains in hardwood lumber. Kiln-dried pine lumber is being processed through the TASK machine prior to preservative treatment to increase the treatability of heartwood faces which are essentially untreated. 2) A commercial surfactant was studied in combination with and without a bacterial species known to breakdown pentachlorophenol and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons associated with creosote. Using a processing method that involved air sparging, the total selected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were significantly reduced in the surfactant and the surfactant-amended bacterial treatments. 3) A pilot-scale biofilter connected to a small laboratory wood dry kiln showed a 10-fold decrease in hydrocarbon concentration is possible using a biofilter to reduce volatile emissions. 4) Research is also being directed toward finding a way to accurately measure and identify the volatile organic compounds (VOC) associated with the processing of wood. 5) Urea-formaldehyde wood adhesive resins research showed that additives to the chemical composition of urea-formaldehyde resins can lower formaldehyde emissions without increased costs and improve performance properties. 6) Researchers conducted an extensive study using modulus of elasticity (MOE) generated from radial compression as a measure of wood decay in soil block tests. It appears that use of MOE rather than maximum load at 5% stress results in less variation and is a better measure of wood decay in soil block tests. 7) A Dieffenbacher steam-injected hot press installed on site makes it possible to manufacture laboratory-scale composite board products such as low-density fiberboard, particle board, and strandboard. The laboratory samples have been examined for mechanical/physical properties to identify end-use durability and engineering characteristics of wood and other fiber based composites. 8) User-friendly computer software for analyzing manufacturing problems and utilization efficiency in the furniture and forest products industries has been developed and distributed. 9) Testing has begun on sheathing-to-framing connections of shear walls. The test fixture has been designed and is being constructed. 10) The possibility that near infrared (NIR) spectrometry could predict decay in southern yellow pine was evaluated. Results comparing the soil-block technique and NIR- predicted decay indicated no statistical differences between the two techniques which suggests it may be possible to analyze wood structures with minimal sampling preparation. Graduate students = 9.

Impacts
The impacts of wood utilization research are broad in scope, including both economic and environmental effects in the near term and the long term. Impacts associated with the research discussed here include; 1) Improving wood deterioration prevention methods before wood is placed in service will save millions of dollars each year and better utilize timber resources. Accelerated test methods provide more reliable data faster when evaluating new wood preservative systems. 2) Developing more environmental contaminants to microorganisms increased the means by the success of biodegradation in cleaning up industrial waste sites in the southeast; 3) Biofiltration of volatile organic compounds emitted into the atmosphere when drying lumber should result in lower control costs, minimal maintenance and all wastes being completely degraded on-site; 4) Improving the mechanical/physical properties of engineered wood products will make them competitive in the market place for a variety of building applications. Enhancing the performance of adhesive binders increases the service life and market status of wood composite products; 5) Incorporation of industrial engineering techniques into software packages developed and distributed increases productivity and reduces costs for forest products manufacturers who utilize them; 6) New design practices applied to building codes and construction will improve the performance of structures, reducing the loss of life and adverse economic impacts of natural hazards.

Publications

  • Amburgey, T.L. 2001. Coupling design and construction features with termite preventive techniques to protect structures from Coptotermes formosanus (Abstract). PATH Conference on Durability and Disaster Mitigation in Wood-Frame Housing. Madison, WI. Sponsored by Forest Products Society and Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing Consortium.
  • Amburgey, T.L., Barnes, H.M., and Sanders, M.G. 2000. Application of mechanical stress to improve wood treatability. US Patent #6,142,198.
  • Aguirre, J.E. 2001. The influence of batch versus segmented processing on rough mill yield. Thesis. Department of Forest Products, Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State University.
  • Janzen, S. 2001. Use of Transverse compression properties as a measurement of wood biodegradation. M.S. Thesis. Mississippi State University.
  • Kim, M.G. 2001. Examination of selected synthesis parameters for typical wood adhesive type UF resins by C-13 NMR spectroscopy IV. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 82:1155-1169.
  • Seale, R.D., Garrard, A. and Motsenbocker, D. 2001. Mississippi Furniture Export Study.
  • Shiohara, K., Diehl, S.V. and Borazjani, H. 2001. Use of a commercial surfactant for enhanced biodegradation of organic wood-preservative contaminated process water. In: Proc., Mississippi Water Resources Conf., Raymond, MS, April 10-11. pp. 48-51.
  • Steele, P.H., Harding, O.V., Boden, C. and Brunner, C.C. 2001. RIP-Xcut User's Manual:Comparing crosscut-first and rip-first yields and costs. Forest and Wildlife Research Center Bull. #FP 206. Department of Forest Products, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS. 30 p.


Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00

Outputs
The Objectives of this program are to administer a continuing program of research on utilization of southern pines, to strengthen existing efforts in wood utilization, and to provide support for new research initiatives in these areas. Research has been completed in the areas of wood chemistry, economic evaluation, timber manufacturing and processing, timber harvesting, protection and preservation of wood, and wood based composites. Highlights of these efforts include: (1) Selected synthesis parameter effects of typical wood adhesive urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins were elucidated by analyses of resin samples using the C-13 NMR spectroscopy; (2) Nonphenolic beta-aryl ether lignin models containing 4'-formyl, 4'-nitro substituents were synthesized, and reacted in base at room temperature; (3) Spent kenaf biofiltration media was successfully composted significantly degrading the adsorbed pollutants from creosote and pentachlorophenol contaminated water; (4) Accelerated test methods for evaluating wood preservatives were refined permitting more accurate measurements of torque and also detailed stress/strain curves; (5) The feasibility of producing oriented strandboard (OSB) panels using tannin-based adhesives were demonstrated; (6) Software to determine the feasibility of investments in thin-kerf sawing machines (ECHO) was developed; (7) Technology to identify pine boards at risk for excessive longitudinal shrinkage was developed resulting in reduction of drying degrade up to 35%. Graduate students = 3

Impacts
Research on urea-formaldehyde resin synthesis will lead to reduction in formaldehyde emissions. Information developed on beta-aryl ether lignin models will improve basic understanding of alkaline pulping of lignocellulosic materials. A multi-stage biofiltration system provides a superior alternative to free-cell systems for groundwater treatment that is also cost effective. New wood preservatives and improved test procedures to evaluate durability will extend the life cycle of wood products and reduce the probability of product failure. Development of user-friendly software with modern industrial techniques incorporated allows wood processors to cost effectively evaluate and implement new technologies. Improvements in drying decision making increases the value of lumber 200-400%.

Publications

  • Amburgey, T.L., and Kitchens, S.C. 1999. Method for preventing and/or controlling staining in lumber, apparatus therefore and non-stained lumber. U.S. Patent #5,858,484 (Issued January 12, 1999).
  • Criss, D.L., Fisher, T.H., Ingram, L.L., Jr., Beard, D.J., and Schultz, T.P. 2000. A room-temperature beta-O-4 to alpha-O-4 rearrangement. In: Lignin: Historical Biological and Materials Perspectives. ACS Symp. Series #742, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C.
  • Ingram, L.L., Jr., Shmulsky, R., Dalton, A.T., Taylor, F.W., and Templeton, M.C. 2000. The measurement of volatile organic emissions from drying southern pine lumber in a laboratory-scale kiln. Forest Products J. 50(4):91-94.
  • Kim, M.G. 2000. Examination of selected synthesis parameters for typical wood adhesive type UF resins by C-13 NMR spectroscopy II. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 75:1293-1259.
  • Oh, Y-S., Sites, L.S., Sellers, T., Jr., and Nicholas, D.D. 2000. A computerized dynamic swellometer evaluation of oriented strand products. Forest Products J. 50(3):35-38.
  • Sanders, M. G., Amburgey, T. L., and Barnes, H. M. 2000. Innovations in the treatment of southern pine heartwood. International Research Group on Wood Preservation, Doc. No. IRG/WP 00-40172, 6 pp.
  • Sellers, T., Jr., Miller, G.D., and Katabian, M. 2000. Recycled thermoplastics with renewable lignocellulosic materials. Forest Products J. 50(5):24-28.
  • Shmulsky, R., and Ingram, L.L., Jr. 2000. Empirical prediction of VOC emission from drying southern pine lumber. Forest Products J. 50(6):61-63.
  • Wan, H. 2000. Stabilization of strandboard by impregnating low molecular weight phenol formaldehyde resins and butanetetracarboxylic acid. Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Forest Products. Mississippi State University. 167 pp.


Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99

Outputs
The objectives of this program are to administer a continuing program of research on utilization of southern pines, to strengthen existing efforts in wood utilization, and to provide support for new research initiatives in these areas. Research has been carried out in the areas of wood based composites, wood property enhancement, wood chemistry, environmental biotechnology, business and production systems, and furniture research. Highlights of this research include: (1) Three new approaches to improving urea-formaldehyde wood adhesive resins were developed; (2) A biocide has been successfully incorporated into OSB siding material; (3) Accelerated testing equipment and procedures have been developed for assessing new wood preservative systems; (4) A second generation prototype of a thermally enhanced static vacuum extraction of wood preservatives has been successfully developed; (5) VOC measurement techniques using a lab scale dry kiln were developed; (6) Decision making software for processing lumber into furniture parts has been developed to increase productivity and reduce costs; (7) Improvements in tool geometry and materials have been incorporated into tool products; (8) A lab scale biofilter has been successfully demonstrated to reduce VOC's emitted during kiln drying of southern pine lumber

Impacts
Improvements in wood composite technologies and tool wear will enhance utilization of wood resources and reduce processing costs. New wood preservatives and improved test procedures to evaluate durability will extend the life cycle of wood products and reduce the probability of product failure. Information on VOC emissions and reduction technologies will assist industries in remaining compliant with regulations.

Publications

  • Diehl, S.V., Saileela, B., Wasson, L., Borazjani, H. 2000. Biofiltration of selected monoterpenes found in southern yellow pine wood emissions. Forest Products Journal 50(1):43-48.
  • Shmulsky, F.M., Diehl, S.V., Wasson, L. 1999. Efficiency of biofilters inoculated with various microorganisms in removal of alpha-pinene. (Abstract). Forest Products Society Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN. June 27, 1999.


Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98

Outputs
The objectives of this project are to administer a continuing program of research on utilization of southern pines, to strengthen existing efforts in wood utilization and to provide support for new research initiatives in these areas. Research has been carried out in the areas of composite wood products, wood property enhancement, wood chemistry, environmental biotechnology, business and production systems, and furniture research. Highlights of this research are: (1) a new non-formaldehyde-based resin has been successfully tested in a mill trial; (2) log fumigation with the ESTA Process, which prevents development of non-microbial enzymatic discolorations, was shown to be feasible to apply in an actual sawmill setting; (3) benzylic hydroxyl compounds have been synthesized using 2-carbon side-chain lignin models which we previously found to give results comparable to 3-carbon side-chain models; (4) surfactants were shown to increase degradation of polycyclic chromated hydrocarbons, pentachlorphenol, oil and grease; (5) volatile organic compound emissions from the drying of southern yellow pine in a pilot-scale kiln were in the range of 0.92 to 6.44 grams of carbon per kilogram of wood; (6) furniture frame spring load analyses showed that, due to tension on the spring, that the horizontal and vertical components of the central spring are nearly equal at maximum load, given a 20 pound initial preload.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

  • Amburgey, T.L., S.C. Kitchens. 1998. Method for Preventing and/or Controlling Staining in Lumber, Apparatus Therefore and Non-Stained Lumber. U.S. Patent #5,697,414.
  • Amburgey, T.L., E.L. Schmidt. 1998. Fumigation for preventing non-biological lumber stains. In: Proc., Forest Products Society, Biology and Prevention of Sapstain. pp. 75-76.
  • Criss, D.L., T.H. Fisher, T.P. Schultz. 1998. Alkaline hydrolysis of nonphenolic alpha-carbonyl beta-0-4 lignin model dimers substituent on the leaving phenoxide ring: Comparison with benzylic hydroxyl analogues. Holzforschung 52:57-60.
  • Diehl, S.V., H. Borazjani. 1998. Enhanced biodegradation of organic wood-preservative contaminated wastewater by commercial surfactants. In: Proc., 28th Mississippi Water Resources Conference, pp. 246-249.
  • Diehl, S.V., H. Borazjani. 1998. Enhanced biodegradation of organic wood-preservative contaminated wastewater by commercial surfactants. Technical Completion Report. U.S. Department of Interior, Mississippi Water Resources Research Institute. 18 pp.
  • Kim, M.G., L. Wasson, M. Burris, Y. Wu, C. Watt, R.C. Strickland. 1998. Furfuryl alcohol emulsion resins as co-binders for urea-formaldehyde resin-bonded particleboards. Wood and Fiber Science 30(3):239-249.
  • Kitchens, S.C., T.L. Amburgey. 1998. Mechanical control of enzymatic stain: The TASK Process. In: Proc., 26th Annual Hardwood Symposium, National Hardwood Lumber Assn., Cashiers, NC. May 6-9, 1998. pp. 135-141.
  • Pearce, R.J., Y.S. Oh, T. Sellers, Jr., D.D. Nicholas, L.S. Sites. 1998. Evaluation of oriented strand products with a computerized dynamic swellometer. Forest Products Society 52nd Annual Meeting, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. June 21-24, 1998. p. 37.
  • Schmidt, E.L., T.L. Amburgey. 1998. Prevention of Enzyme-Mediated Discoloration of Wood. Australian Patent #68226/94.
  • Schmidt, E.L., T.L. Amburgey, M.G. Sanders, C.D. Bell. 1998. Sulfuryl fluoride and methyl bromide fumigation of hardwood logs of various ages for control of lumber graystain. Forest Products Journal 48(11/12):77-80.
  • Schmidt, E.L., T.L. Amburgey. 1998. Log fumigation prevents enzyme stain in hardwoods. In: Proc., 26th Annual Hardwood Symposium, National Hardwood Lumber Assn., Cashiers, NC. May 6-9, 1998. pp. 143-145.
  • Schmidt, E.L., T.L. Amburgey, S.C. Kitchens. 1998. Mill trial confirms control of lumber graystain and sticker shadow after fumigation of southern hardwood logs with methyl bromide. Forest Products Journal 48(6):50-52.
  • Schultz, T.P., T.H. Fisher. 1998. Phenoxyl substituent effect on the alkaline hydrolysis rates of beta-0-4 lignin models: A review. Journal of Pulp and Paper Science 24:242-246.
  • Sellers, Jr., T. 1998. Wood-based panels industry deals with shrinkage, swelling. PanelWorld 39(4):28-30.


Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97

Outputs
The objectives of this project are to administer a continuing program of research on utilization of southern pines, to strengthen existing efforts in timber harvesting and wood utilization and to provide support for new research initiatives in these areas. Research has been carried out in the areas of Wood Chem., Structural Engr., Econ. Evaluation, Timber Manuf., and Proc., Timber Harvesting, Prot. and Preserv. of Wood, and Wood Based Comp. Mat. Hightlights of this research are: (1) vibration applied to kiln-dried southern yellow pine heartwood increased CCA retention and penetration; (2) in-situ treatment by ground water with bacteria greatly degraded total selected PAHs; (3) in laboratory-scale biofilters of inoculated bark the concentration of alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, camphene and limonene decreased by 94 to 98 percent; (4) volatile organic compounds (alpha-pinene, myrcene, beta-pinene, limonen, comphene and 4-allyanisole) were detected in the 0.010 to 12.5 mg/m range in the ambient air near living loblolly pine trees; (5) compression modules were shown to be the best indicator of polyurethane foam performance and durability; (6) information provided by a dynamic mechanical analyzer allowed optimization of copolymer additives, resin aging time, hot pressing condition, and cured resins thermal stability in wood composite panels; (7) initial loading of sinuous springs in upoholstered furniture frames causes an outward horizontal load component while the vertical load component is consistently negative.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

  • AMBURGEY, T.L. 1997. Diffusion biocides: Are they really that good? In: Proc., Forest Products Society, 2nd International Conference on Wood Protection with Diffusible Preservatives and Pesticides. pp.3-4.
  • AMBURGEY, T.L. M.K. FREEMAN. 1997. Groundline treatments with a water-borne copper naphthenate-boron paste. In: Proc., Second Southeastern pole Conference, MS State, MS. Jan. 22-25, 1996. p. 157.
  • FREEMAN, M.H., T.L. AMBURGEY. 1997. Groundline treatments with a waterborne copper naphthenate-boron paste. In: Proc., Forest Products Society, 2nd International Conference on Wood Protection with Diffusible Preservatives and Pesticides. pp 148.
  • STEELE, P.H. R. GAZO, P. ARMAN, D.J. JACKSON, J. BEARD. 1997. Band -vs- circular sawmills. Southern Lumberman, pp. 22-25.


Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96

Outputs
Scientists at the Laboratory worked in the areas of wood chemistry, biotechnology, business and production systems, composite wood products, wood property enhancement, and furniture. Research highlights in these areas are: 1) sawmill model software has been developed to provide optimization of lumber manufacture; 2) a mechanical compression apparatus that controls gray stain in lumber has been developed and patented; 3) a method for improving the treatability of southern pine heartwood has been developed; 4) the VOC's emitted from wood during drying have been identified and quantified; 5) a device and method for rapid evaluation of wood decay in lab tests has been developed; and 6) rapid evaluation of wood decay in lab tests has been developed; and 6) initial tests on in-situ bioremediation of PCP and creosote in groundwater show promise for this method. Graduate students=0.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications

  • BARNES, H.M. AND MURPHY, R.J. 1995. Wood Preservation: The Classics and the New Age. pp. 17-26.
  • SCHULTZ, T.P. AND SCHULTZ, E.B. 1995. Topological Organic Chemistry 9. Graph Theory and Molecular topological indices of steroisomeric organic compounds. FPL/MSU Reprinted from the J. of Chem. Inf. and Comp. Sci., 1995, 35 pp.
  • SELLERS, T., JR. AND HAUPT, R.A. 1995. New developments in wood adhesives and gluing processes in North America. C.C. Crow Publishing, Inc., Portland, OR. For. Ind. J. Part 1 10(4):20-25; Part 2 10 (5): 7-11.
  • NICHOLAS, D.D. AND Z. JIN. 1996. Use of compression strength loss for measuring decay in the soil block test. The Internatl. Res. Gp. on Wood Pres., May 19-24, Guadeloupe, Terr. of France. (Submitted for publication).
  • GUI, Y. Q., D.D. NICHOLAS AND D. CRAWFORD. 1996. A miniature mechanical apparatusand test protocol for bending and crushing tests in wood preservation research. Forest Prod. J. 46(10): 77-80.


Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95

Outputs
Scientists at the Laboratory worked in the areas of wood chemistry, biotechnology, business and production systems, composite wood products, wood property enhancement, and furniture. Research highlights in these areas are: 1) several synergistic wood preservatives have been identified and show promise as new wood preservatives; 2) a testing apparatus for staple joints has been developed; 3) a new electronic detector for wood defects has been developed and patented; 4) a patent has been obtained for use of 4-allylanisole as a pine beetle repellent; 5) a method for biodegrading polychlorinated biphenyls has been developed; and 6) some of the catalysts in resin binders for composite products have been shown to have a negative effect on tool wear. No graduate students worked on this project.

Impacts
(N/A)

Publications


    Progress 01/01/94 to 12/30/94

    Outputs
    Scientists at the Laboratory worked in the areas of wood chemistry, biotechnology, business and production systems, composite wood products, wood property enhancement, and furniture. Research highlights in these areas are: 1) a natural wood extractive that shows promise as a repellent for southern pine beetles has been identified and is in the process of being patented; 2) the major volatile organic compounds (VOC's) emitted from wood during the drying process have been identified and quantified; 3) several synergistic wood preservative systems have been identified and are being evaluated for commercial potential; 4) a mechanical compression method for inhibiting gray stain in southern hardwoods has been discovered; 5) several microorganisms that have potential for biodegrading the VOC's emitted from wood during drying have been identified; 6) a patent has been obtained on an infrared method for detecting knots in lumber; 7) the core material in kenaf has been shown to be an excellent substitute for the production of low density panel products; and 8) a resin treating system that makes wood suitable as a material for military pallets that require low absorption of line chemical agents has been developed.

    Impacts
    (N/A)

    Publications


      Progress 01/01/93 to 12/30/93

      Outputs
      Scientists at the Laboratory worked in the areas of wood chemistry, biotechnology, business and production systems, composite wood products, wood property enhancement, and furniture. Research highlights in these areas are: (1) an electronic non-contact defect detection device and accompanying software have been developed for delineating knots in lumber, (2) a computer based rational design system for furniture frames is under development, (3) it has been shown that the durability of some hardwood species is due to high levels of a few low toxicity wood extractive compounds, (4) the solid residue from acid hydrolysis of newspaper waste has been shown to be an excellent filler for phenol-formaldehyde resin used to bond plywood, (5) a biofiltration system using immobilized enzymes shows promise as a method for cleaning up contaminated water, and (6) a fire retardant formulation based on sodium silicate and thermosetting resins has been developed.

      Impacts
      (N/A)

      Publications


        Progress 01/01/91 to 12/30/91

        Outputs
        Scientists at the Laboratory worked in the areas of wood chemistry, biotechnology, business and production systems, composite wood products, wood property enhancement, and furniture. Research on the use of microorganisms to biodegrade soil and groundwater contaminants has been widely accepted and is now being used nationally by the wood-treating industry to meet state and federal environmental requirements. The construction and use of a furniture test facility has provided furniture manufacturers with the necessary information to select alternative materials and has resulted in substantial savings. Research at the Laboratory has shown that a substantial amount of the phenol in phenol-formaldehyde adhesives can be replaced with low cost natural products such as lignin and carbohydrates. Use of these modified adhesives by Mississippi fiberboard and plywood operations has resulted in considerable savings. Computer software which permits mill managers to make decisions on a product mix that optimizes profits has been developed and installed in several plywood mills. Non-contact defect detection systems are being developed. During 1991, MFPL scientists conducted research on 127 projects and wrote 31 publications. Eleven graduate students worked on this project as partial fulfillment of their graduate degree requirements.

        Impacts
        (N/A)

        Publications


          Progress 01/01/90 to 12/30/90

          Outputs
          Scientists at the Laboratory worked in the areas of wood chemistry, biotechnology, business and production systems, composite wood products, wood property enhancement, and furniture. Research on the use of microorganisms to biodegrade soil and groundwater contaminants has been widely accepted and is now being used nationally by the wood-treating industry to meet state and federal environmental requirements. The construction and use of a furniture test facility has provided furniture manufacturers with the necessary information to select alternative materials and has resulted in substantial savings. Research at the Laboratory has shown that a substantial amount of the phenol in phenol-formaldehyde adhesives can be replaced with low cost natural products such as lignin and carbohydrates. Use of these modified adhesives by Mississippi fiberboard and plywood operations has resulted in considerable savings. A wood preservative system developed by scientists at the Laboratory that imparts dimensional stability has been successfully used commercially for the treatment of wood shakes. During 1990, MFPL scientists conducted research on 116 projects and wrote 65 publications. Nine graduate students worked on this project as partial fulfillment of their graduate degree requirements.

          Impacts
          (N/A)

          Publications


            Progress 01/01/89 to 12/30/89

            Outputs
            Scientists at the Laboratory worked in the areas of forest products, pathology, reconstituted wood products, chemistry of wood and bark, wood preservation, furniture production, and adhesives. Research on the use of biological agents to destroy soil and groundwater contaminants at wood-treating sites has provided a low cost alternative for cleaning up these sites. This technology is being adopted nationally. Computer systems programs developed to optimize product mix and sales prices have resulted in improved efficiency of Mississippi plywood plants. Plants representing 95% of the total plywood production in the State have incorporated these programs into their manufacturing operations. Manufacturing and adhesive research has led to the widespread use of soft hardwood veneers in structural plywood. This results in more efficient use of pine and hardwood timber on forest lands. New, patentable waterborne wood preservatives have been developed which impart a significant amount of dimensional stability to wood. Further development of these treatments could lead to widespread commercial applications andincreased markets for southern pine lumber. During 1989, MFPL scientists conducted research on 75 projects, wrote 77 publications, and made 67 presentations at state and national meetings.

            Impacts
            (N/A)

            Publications


              Progress 01/01/88 to 12/30/88

              Outputs
              Scientists at the Laboratory worked in the areas of forest products, pathology, reconstituted wood products, chemistry of wood and bark, wood preservation, furniture production, and adhesives. Bioremediation research at the Laboratory identified low cost alternatives for cleaning up contaminated wood treating sites and ground water. Lignin-based adhesive formulations developed by Laboratory scientists are being adopted by the forest products industry to lower their raw material costs and reduce their dependency on petroleum-based chemicals. Research in the prevention of gray stain in hardwood lumber will save hardwood lumber mills throughout the south thousands of dollars each year and help open up attractive export markets for their products. Computer programs developed by FPL scientists to optimize product mix and sales prices have resulted in improved sales realizations in Mississippi plywood lants. Plants representing 60% of the total plywood production in Mississippi have incorpoprated these programs into their manufacturing operations. Som FPL scientiss have been involved in furniture production and processing research with Mississippi mills in an effort to support the industry's continued growth and competitiveness in nationald and world markets. During 1988, Forest Products Laboratory scientists conducted research in 63 projects, wrote 71 publications, and made 42 presentations at state and national meetings.

              Impacts
              (N/A)

              Publications


                Progress 01/01/87 to 12/30/87

                Outputs
                Projects in forest products pathology, reconstituted wood products, chemistry ofwood and bark, wood preservation, and adhesives were conducted under this title. All research focuses on economic development based on Mississippi's forest resource. Technology transfer involved 59 counties in Mississippi, 36 states in the United States, and 25 foreign countries. Five seminars were hosted by MFPUL personnel; faculty members presented papers at 54 national and 5 international meetings. Approximately 40 publications in these research areas were issued during the reporting period.

                Impacts
                (N/A)

                Publications


                  Progress 01/01/86 to 12/30/86

                  Outputs
                  Project in wood preservation, forest products pathology, reconstituted wood products, chemistry of wood and bark, and adhesives were conducted under this title. A partial list of abbreviated titles follows: Potential for Migration of Hazardous Wood Treating Chemicals During Land Treatment Operations; Utilization of Microcomputers of Processing Management; Development of an Air-Drying Calendar for Southern Red Oak in Mississippi; The Use of Computer Simulation for Predicting Particleboard Density Profile; Pressure Steam Drying of Hardwood Biomass for Fuel; Softwood Sawmill Performance; Microcomputer Modeling Plywood, Chip-N-Saw, and Log Allocation Operations Using Linear Programming; Development of New Wood Preservatives; Biological Efficacy Tests and Residue Analysis of Insecticide/Mildewcide Combination Treatments; Oil Carrier/Biocide Properties; Sap Stain Control; Analysis of Carbohydrates Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography; Solid-State Characterization of Lignocellulosic Materials; Activation and Chemical Conversion of Wood Cellulose; Lignocellulosic Analysis; On-Site Treatment of Creosote and Pentachlorophenol Sludges and Contaminated Soil. Approximately thirty publications in these research areas were issues during the reporting period. Two graduate students are involved with this project.

                  Impacts
                  (N/A)

                  Publications


                    Progress 01/01/85 to 12/30/85

                    Outputs
                    Project in wood preservation, forest products pathology, reconstituted wood products and chemistry of wood and bark were conducted under this title. A partial list of abbreviated titles follows: Lab bioassays using eight termite species; biodeterioration of logs in log structures; biodeterioration of wood in wood-frame test house; structural members from large-flake furnish; development of non-conventional resin and sizing agents; production of fuel-grade alcohol and other chemicals from wood; migration of creosote components into air, water and soil; vaporization of pentachlorophenol as affected by environmental variables; development of methods to retard pentachlorophenol vaporization; mechanism involved in decay of wood; identification of breakdown products from biological oxidation of creosote and pentachlorophenol; relationship between human exposure to pentachlorophenol and concentration of chemicals in blood and urine; effect of salt-type preservatives on strength of pine wood; effect of various pretreatments on treatability of refractory species with CCA-type preservatives; field tests of wood preservatives; efficacy of experimental preservatives in soil-block tests; theory of fracture mechanics as applied to board product; effect of hardwood species and species mix on properties of flakeboards. Approximately thirty publications in these research areas were issued during the reporting period. No graduate students are involved with this project.

                    Impacts
                    (N/A)

                    Publications


                      Progress 01/01/84 to 12/30/84

                      Outputs
                      Projects in wood preservation, forest products pathology, resonstituted wood products, and chemistry of wood and bark were conducted under this title. A partial list of abbreviated titles follows: Lab bioassays using eight termite species; biodeterioration of logs in log structures; biodeterioration of wood in wood-frame test house; structural members from large-flake furnish; development of non-conventional resin and sizing agents; production of fuel-grade alcohol and other chemicals from wood; migration of creosote components into air, water, and soil; vaporization of pentachlorophenol as affected by environmental variables; development of methods to retard pentachlorophenol vaporization; mechanism involved in decay of wood; identification of breakdown products from biological oxidation of creosote and pentachlorophenol; relationship between human exposure to pentachlorophenol and concentration of chemicals in blood and urine; effect of salt-type preservatives on strength of pine wood; effect of various pretreatments on treatability of refractory species with CCA-type preservatives; field tests of wood preservatives; efficacy of experimental preservatives in soil-block tests; theory of fracture mechanics as applied to board products effect of hardwood species and species mix on properties of flakeboards. Approximately thirty publications in these research areas were issued during the reporting period.

                      Impacts
                      (N/A)

                      Publications


                        Progress 01/01/83 to 12/30/83

                        Outputs
                        Projects in wood preservation, forest products pathology, reconstituted wood products, and chemistry of wood and bark were conducted under this title. A partial list of abbreviated titles follows: Efficacy of boron dip treatments of banak; lab bioassays using eight termite species; biodeterioration of logs in log structures; biodeterioration of wood in wood-frame test house; structural members from large-flake furnish; development of non-conventional resin and sizing agents; production of fuel-grade alcohol and other chemicals from wood; migration of creosote components into air, water, and soil; vaporization of pentachlorophenol as affected by environmental variables; development of methods to retard pentachlorophenol vaporization; mechanism involved in decay of wood; identification of breakdown products from biological oxidation of creosite and pnetachlorophenol; relationship between human exposure to pentachlorophenol and concentration of chemicals in blood and urine; effect of salt-type preservatives on strength of pine wood; effect of various pretreatments on treatability of refractory species with CCA-type preservatives; field tests of wood preservatives; efficacy of experimental preseervatives in soil-block tests; theory of fracture mechanics as applied to board products; effect of hardwood species and species mix on properties of flakeboards. A total of 31 publications in these research areas were issued during the reporting period.

                        Impacts
                        (N/A)

                        Publications


                          Progress 01/01/82 to 12/30/82

                          Outputs
                          Projects in wood preservation, forest products pathology, reconstituted wood products, and chemistry of wood and bark were conducted under this title. A partial list of abbreviated titles follows: Efficacy of boron dip treatments of banak; lab bioassays using eight termite species; biodeterioration of logs in log structures; biodeterioration of wood in wood-frame test house; structural members from large-flake furnish; development of non-conventional resin and sizing agents; production of fuel-grade alcohol and other chemicals from wood; migration of creosote components into air, water, and soil; vaporization of pentachlorophenol as affected by environmental variables; development of methods to retard pentachlorophenol vaporization; mechanism involved in decay of wood; identification of breakdown products from biological oxidation of creosote and pentachlorophenol; relationship between human exposure to pentachlorophenol and concentration of chemicals in blood and urine; effect of salt-type preservatives on strength of pine wood; effect of various pretreatments on treatability of refractory species with CCA-type preservative; field tests of wood preservatives; efficacy of experimental preservatives in soil-block tests; theory of fracture mechanics as applied to board products; effect of hardwood species and species mix on properties of flakeboards. A total of 34 publications in these research areas were issued during the reporting period.

                          Impacts
                          (N/A)

                          Publications


                            Progress 01/01/81 to 12/30/81

                            Outputs
                            Projects in wood preservation, forest products pathology, reconstituted wood products, and chemistry of wood and bark were conducted under this title. A partial list of abbreviated project titles follows: Efficacy of boron dip treatments of banak; lab bioassays using eight termite species; biodeterioration of logs in log structures; biodeterioration of wood in wood-frame test house; structural members from large-flake furnish; development of non-conventional resin and sizing agents; production of fuel-grade alcohol and other chemicals from wood; migration of creosote components into air, water, and soil; vaporization of pentachlorophenol as affected by environmental variables; development of methods to retard pentachlorophenol vaporization; mechanism involved in decay of wood; identification of breakdown products from biological oxidation of creosote and pentachlorophenol; relationship between human exposure to pentachlorophenol and concentration of chemicals in blood and urine; effect of salt-type preservatives on strength of pine wood; effect of various pretreatments on treatability of refractory species with CCA-type preservatives; field tests of wood preservatives; efficacy of experimental preservatives in soil-block tests; theory of fracture mechanics as applied to board products; effect of hardwood species and species mix on properties of flakeboards.

                            Impacts
                            (N/A)

                            Publications


                              Progress 01/01/80 to 12/30/80

                              Outputs
                              Projects in wood preservation, forest products pathology, reconstituted wood products, and chemistry of wood and bark were conducted under this title. A partial list of abbreviated project titles follows: Efficacy of boron dip treatments of banak; lab bioassays using eight termite species; biodeterioration of logs in log structures; biodeterioration of wood in wood-frame test house; diffusion of water in wood as a function of sample thickness and moisture content below FSP; cure rate of UF resins as affected by wood species; structural members from large-flake furnish; development of nonconventional resin and sizing agents; production of fuel-grade alcohol and other chemicals from wood; migration of creosote components into air, water, and soil; vaporization of pentachlorophenol as affected by environmental variables; development of methods to retard pentachlorophenol vaporization; effect of MSU process on strength of pine wood; effect of various pretreatments on treatability of refractory species with CCA-type preservatives; field tests of wood preservatives; efficacy of experimental preservatives in soil-block tests; exothermic pyrolysis of pine plywood at low temperatures; theory of fracture mechanics as applied to board products; mechanical tests of utility poles in line; machining and abrasive properties of medium-density fiberboard from hardwoods.

                              Impacts
                              (N/A)

                              Publications


                                Progress 01/01/79 to 12/30/79

                                Outputs
                                Included under this project number are 20 state- and/or industry-funded studies in the areas of preservation, mechanical properties, reconstituted wood products, chemistry, pathology, and drying. A description of these studies and the research activities associated with them are available in the records and reports of the performing organization.

                                Impacts
                                (N/A)

                                Publications


                                  Progress 01/01/78 to 12/30/78

                                  Outputs
                                  Included under this project number are 34 state- and/or industry-funded studies in the areas of preservation, mechanical properties, reconstituted wood products, chemistry, pathology, and drying. A description of these studies and the research activities associated with them are available in the records and reports of the performing organization.

                                  Impacts
                                  (N/A)

                                  Publications


                                    Progress 01/01/77 to 12/30/77

                                    Outputs
                                    Included under this project number are 34 state- and/or industry-funded studies in the areas of preservation, mechanical properties, reconstituted wood products, chemistry, pathology, and drying. A description of these studies and the research activities associated with them are available in the records and reports of the performing organization.

                                    Impacts
                                    (N/A)

                                    Publications


                                      Progress 01/01/76 to 12/30/76

                                      Outputs
                                      Included under this project number are 34 state- and/or industry-funded studies in the areas of preservation, mechanical properties, reconstituted wood products, chemistry, pathology, and drying. A description of these studies and the research activities associated with them are available in the records and reports of the performing organization.

                                      Impacts
                                      (N/A)

                                      Publications


                                        Progress 01/01/75 to 12/30/75

                                        Outputs
                                        Included under this project number are 15 to 20 state- and/or industry-funded studies in the areas of preservation, mechanical properties, reconstituted wood products, chemistry, pathology, and drying. A description of these studies and the research activities associated with them are available in the records and reports of the performing organization.

                                        Impacts
                                        (N/A)

                                        Publications


                                          Progress 01/01/73 to 12/30/73

                                          Outputs
                                          Research conducted under this project is financed wholly with state and industryfunds and is described in the records and reports of the Mississippi Forest Products Laboratory. Current progress reports on individual projects are on file in the offices of that agency.

                                          Impacts
                                          (N/A)

                                          Publications