Research Highlights

Cellulose nanomaterials can be produced for approximately $5/kg with greenhouse gas emissions near 11 kg/kg. Environmental performance is largely driven by energy consumption. This work will help guide commercial investment in nanocellulose production.

Results showed that the surface charring method reduced water uptake and decreased growth of both decay and mold fungi but did not provide resistance to subterranean termites. This may be a promising technique for use in certain building applications. Improving durability of wood materials using nontraditional treatment methods can reduce nontarget effects and increases service life of wood by lessening the demand on forest resources.

Lab researchers developed a new corrosion test method using isothermal calorimetry to measure the heat given off by the corrosion reaction. This new test method can help determine if the fasteners used in treated wood have sufficient corrosion resistance.

Better understanding mass timber panel diaphragms can lead to more widespread use of mass timber in buildings, which will improve sustainability of commercial-scale construction.

Kraft lignin carbon foam samples were evaluated for resistance to fire and native subterranean termites. Samples exhibit excellent fire resistance, and termite testing showed no degradation to the lignin carbon foam samples.

Wood’s interconnected channels over multiple length scales, provides efficient multiphase transport in living trees. Applied to cathode design, this structure mitigates the negative effects of volume changes and provides pathways for effective electron and ion transport. The new cathode design has led to some of the best lithium-sulfur battery performance to date.

This study can help policy makers anticipate the likely effects of sea level rise on the forest sector and develop plans and strategies to minimize the overall negative impacts of sea level rise on the economy and forest sector carbon. The analysis indicates a projected increase in the combined value of global industrial roundwood, sawn wood, wood-based panel products, and paper products of $1.2 trillion during 2020-2050 because of sea level rise.

Methods for improving timber bridge durability and protection are critical aspects in the physical, chemical, and design-based protection strategies against biotic organisms and abiotic stressors, methods of protection and maintenance.

Research indicates that the density of these films may be the primary factor affecting oxygen transmission rates. Adding cellulose nanocrystals into polylactic acid can improve the shelf-life of oxygen-sensitive foods, such as avocados. These wood-derived micro- and nanofibers have been shown to have good grease and oxygen barriers and offer the opportunity to create sustainable, recyclable, and biodegradable packaging products that can compete with plastics in performance. Developing more locally sourced sustainable packaging solutions has the potential to revitalize the forest products industry and create more local jobs.

Converting useless lignin to high value-added materials for advanced applications can help decrease environmentally detrimental biowaste and provide a source of energy. Lignin-derived freestanding 3D thick electrodes present a new alternative for converting biowaste lignin into a valuable product that helps fulfill the ever-increasing demand for green energy storage devices.

The new tool will improve ease of use and accuracy in the analysis of moisture-related risk in buildings. Designing durable wood buildings preserves forests, reduces waste, improves occupant health, and saves money on repair or replacement of wood buildings.

The newly developed method may reduce costs significantly by enzymatic production of xylobiose and other high-value sugars. This technology can be coupled to biorefinery operations, which will significantly increase the value of woody biomass.

This report provides methodologies and guidance on estimating greenhouse gas emissions and carbon removals and benefits (i.e., sequestration) associated with entity-level activities of the forestry sector.

After years of subassembly testing, numerical modeling, and design development, a series of full-scale shake table tests were conducted in the spring of 2023 on a 10-story mass timber building, using the self-centering rocking wall, to validate the design approach and building resilience at the world's largest outdoor shake table. After the mass timber rocking wall system is developed to resist earthquake conditions and the design approach is validated, it can be easily adapted to other regions of the United States.

In 2022, the U.S. housing market was valued at $45.3 trillion. New housing construction and existing house remodeling are the largest value-added markets for wood product manufacturers (and wood products) in the U.S.

Forest Service researchers led a team from 7 different wood science institutions to publish a comprehensive review of wood modification technologies.

Drought-induced effects on mature wood physical properties in 3 southern pines were determined using X-ray densitometry data from growth rings representing periods of above- (wet) or below-normal (drought) soil moisture conditions. Further processing of the increment cores generated the first wet chemical results showing differences in cell wall chemistry imparted to mature wood formed in pine trees during annual droughts. Among the southern pines evaluated here, impacts were significant for the species most susceptible to water stress.

Wildfires can result in loss of human life and lead to billions of dollars of property damage every year in the U.S.

Accurate identification of wood is crucial in forest products supply chain management, and is in great demand both nationally and internationally — from the timber trade and industry to public authorities and private individuals. Tools that assist in correctly identifying wood can help control or prevent trade in locally or globally endangered or otherwise protected species, enhance awareness of how countries use their natural wood resources, discourage illegal logging, and ultimately reduce deforestation and help combat global climate change.

Monitoring surface wear of bridge decking and truck and trailer flooring is critical to U.S. infrastructure.