Forest Products Laboratory

The long-term health of our Nation’s forests depends on sound conservation practices, including utilization. Founded in 1910, the Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin, uses science and technology to conserve and extend our Nation’s forest resources. FPL is recognized around the world as a source of unbiased information about wood science and use.

Restoring America’s Forests Through the Wise Use of Wood

January 2013

www.fpl.fs.fed.us

Fast Facts and Key Points ......................................................................................................... 1

Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) ........................................................................................ 1

Wood Use ............................................................................................................................... 1

Forest Products Industry ...................................................................................................... 1

Forest Management .............................................................................................................. 1

Mission and Science Themes .................................................................................................... 2

FPL Mission ........................................................................................................................... 2

Science Themes ...................................................................................................................... 2

RWU Contributions to Science Themes ................................................................................... 3

Durability and Wood Protection Research ........................................................................... 3

Engineered Composites Sciences .......................................................................................... 3

Engineering Properties of Wood, Wood-Based Materials and Structures ......................... 4

Economics and Statistics Research ....................................................................................... 4

Fiber and Chemical Sciences Research ................................................................................. 5

Institute for Microbial and Biochemical Technology .......................................................... 5

Performance Enhanced Biopolymers ................................................................................... 6

Budget ........................................................................................................................................ 6

Recent Accomplishments ......................................................................................................... 7

Build Green: Wood Can Last for Centuries .......................................................................... 7

Residuals to Aviation Fuel ..................................................................................................... 7

Going to Bat for Major League Baseball ............................................................................... 7

Flexible Electronics Using Cellulose Nanofiber Composite Substrates ............................. 7

Protecting Wooden Bridges .................................................................................................. 8

Highly Unusual Yeast Makes Biofuel Production Faster and Less Expensive .................... 8

Making Recyclable, Compostable Stamps that Last “Forever” ........................................... 8

Making the Most of Beetle-Killed Trees ............................................................................... 8

Projecting the Future of the U.S. Forest Products Industry ................................................ 9

Effect of Heat Treatment on Black Locust ........................................................................... 9

Effective Fire Retardants for Wood–Plastic Composites ..................................................... 9

Public–Private Partnership Moves Research Results to Marketplace ................................ 9

The Cellulose Nano-Materials Pilot Plant ..........................................................................10

FPL Capabilities in USFS R&D Priority Areas .......................................................................11

Biomass and Bioenergy .......................................................................................................11

Nanotechnology ..................................................................................................................13

Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation ......................................................................15

Technology Transfer ...............................................................................................................16

Patents Program ..................................................................................................................16

Technology Marketing Unit ................................................................................................16

Leadership and Research Work Units ....................................................................................17

Contents

Forest Products Laboratory (FPL)•LocatedinMadison,Wisconsin,since1910

•Nation’sonlyfederallyfundedwoodutilization research laboratory

•Currentlyemploys60scientists

•Primarilyorpartlyresponsibleformanyoftoday’swood-basedtechnologies,includingwoodpreserva-tives, glulam beams, oriented strandboard, and fiber-based packaging, recycling and building deconstruc-tion,greenbuildingtechnologies,andnewusesforforest biomass from restoration activities

•Researchpartnershipslocatedinvirtuallyeverystate in the Nation

•Currentresearchinitiatives

‒Underutilizedwoodybiomass

‒ Nanotechnology

‒ Biobased energy and biorefining

‒ Advanced composites

‒Advancedwoodstructuresandgreenbuilding technologies

•Researchoutcomes

‒Reducewildfireintensityandsuppressioncoststhrough economic use of forest biomass

‒ Create economically viable uses for beetle-killed trees

‒ Mitigate the effects of climate change on forests through carbon sequestration

Wood Use•Moresustainabletousethanalternativeconstruction

materials

•Requiresmuchlessenergytoprocessthanother materials

•Energyrequirementtobuildwood-framedhouses15%to20%lessthanforsteel-orconcrete-framedhouses

•Produceslessairpollution,solidwastes,andgreen-house gases than steel and concrete

Forest Products Industry•Employsabout1millionworkers

•Accountsforapproximately6%ofthetotalU.S. manufacturing GDP

•Ranksamongthetop10manufacturingsector employers in 48 states

•Generatesover$200billionayearinsalesandabout$54billioninannualpayroll

•In2011,recovered66.8%ofpaperconsumedandis theleadinggeneratoranduserofrenewableenergy

Forest Management•Roughaverageof10ft3ofwoodperharvestedtree

•9.9billiontreesperyear(1.1milliontreesperhour)harvestedworldwide—equivalentto1.7treesper person per year

•1.5billiontreesperyear(170,000treesperhour) harvestedintheUnitedStates—equivalentto 6.3 trees per person per year, nearly 4 times the global rate

•Harvestedtreesreplacedbyplantingandnatural regeneration at a rate of more than 3 to 1 in the United States

•VolumeofgrowingtreesincreasingintheUnited States despite rate of harvest

•U.S.consumptionofwoodproductsin2005at28% of global total

•U.S.consumptionofwoodproducts(roundwoodequivalent,excludingfuelwood)increasing,from 16.3 to 18.8 billion ft3between1990and2006

•U.S.harvest(excludingfuelwood)decreasing,from high of 15.7 billion ft3 in 1989 to 14.9 billion ft3 in 2006, as consumption from imports increasing

•Nearly215,000treesperhourareconsumedintheUnited States, and the Nation is a net importer of woodandpaperproductsthatrequireanaverageof 45,000 trees per hour

Research at the Forest Products Laboratory promotes healthy forests and forest-based economies by developing efficient, sustainable uses for our wood resources.

Fast Facts and Key Points

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Mission and Science ThemesMission and Science Themes

Science Themes

Nanotechnology—Using nanotechnology tools and nanoscale materials to enhance the utility or performance of wood-andfiber-basedproducts,understandwoodproper-tiesattheirmostfundamentallevelandhowtheydiffer,anddeveloptotallynewproductsenabletheU.S.forestproductsindustry to compete successfully in the increasingly competi-tive global marketplace.

Advanced composites—Developing engineered biocomposites can simultaneously meet the Nation’s diverse needs for high-performance building and com-modityproductswhilemaximizingthesustainability of forest resources.

Underutilized woody biomass—Developing uses for small-diametersoftwoods,underutilizedhardwoods,andurbanwoodybiomasswillimproveforesthealth,decrease fire risks, boost local economies, and provide renewableproducts.

Biorefinery/bioenergy—Processing forest feedstocks, suchaswastefromwoodprocessingplants,treetopsandlimbs,andurbanwastewood,canproducehighervalue products, such as ethanol, specialty chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.

Advanced wood structures—Creating advanced technologies and alternative building methods can greatlyenhancethevalueofwoodinresidential,nonresidential, and transportation structures.

FPL MissionTo identify and conduct innovative wood and fiber utilization research that contributes to conservation and productivity of the forest resource, thereby sustaining forests, the economy, and quality of life.

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RWU Contributions to Science Themes

Durability and Wood Protection ResearchMission: Improving durability and wood protection through improved building design, advances in low-toxicity wood preservatives, and improvements in fire safety

Wood is an aesthetic and versatile structural material, and it represents one of our most valuable renewablere-sources.However,vulnerability to moisture, fire, and biodeterioration are important limitations to the expected long service lifeofwoodandcanresultinsignificanteconomicandresourceloss.Oneofthesurestwaystoextendtheavail-able timber supply and increase the resources to meet present and future demands is by improving the durabil-ityofwoodinuse.

Research Focus Areas

•Extendingtheservicelifeofresidentialandnon- residential buildings through proper design and operation of the structures

•Improvingthefiresafetyofforestproductstoensurepersonal safety and forest health

•Developingwoodtreatmentsthatimprovedurability ofwoodproductswithoutadverselyaffectingthe environment

•Formulatingnew,sharplytargetedinhibitorstoprotectwoodproductsinserviceandpreventeconomicandresource losses that result from biodeterioration

Engineered Composites SciencesMission: Understanding relationships between materials, process, and performance to engineer biocomposites that benefit users while promoting sustainability of both virgin and recycled forest resources

Theengineeredwoodand other bio-based composites developed through our research provide improved value, service life, and utility to consumers, whilealsopromotingsustainability and recycling. Biocom-posite technologies can be manufactured intohighlyengineeredbuildingproductsusinglow-valuenatural resources, helping to offset the costs of thinning operations needed to improve forest health. Composites also present an opportunity to promote jobs in rural communities that depend on forest resources for their economic health.

Ourresearchwillfocusonenhancingtraditionalcompos-iteswhilesimultaneouslydevelopingthenextgenerationofbiocomposites,whichwillprovideconstructionandbuilding products that far exceed current expectations whileopeningnewmarketsandreducingeffectsontheenvironment.

Research Focus Areas

•Understandingthefundamentalrelationshipsbetweenwood,naturalfiber,andalternativematerialstoopti-mizecompositeprocessingandperformance

•Improvingtheperformance,durability,andvalueofexisting composites and defining the next generation of hybrid composites made from natural fibers and alternative materials

•Developingtoolstoaddressresourcesustainability,enhancerecyclability,andminimizetheenvironmentalimpacts of composite processing

RWU Contributions to Science Themes

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Engineering Properties of Wood, Wood-Based Materials and StructuresMission: Improving the characterization of mechanical and physical properties of wood and wood-based products that are important in engineering design and fostering their efficient use in wood building systems

The United States is the world’slargestproducerandconsumerofwoodproducts. Annual harvest ofroundwoodisapproxi-mately 350 million tons, and more than half that harvest is used in some formofsolidwoodproduct(lumber,wood-basedcom-posites,androundwoodproducts, such as posts, poles, and pilings).

Because construction accountsformostoftheconsumptionofsolidwoodproducts, trends in demand for these products are largely determined by trends in construction. It is projected that overthenext50yearstherewillbeatwo-thirdsincreaseinthenumberofnewhouseholds;therefore,ourresearchisfocusingonincreasingtheefficiencyofwood-productsuse to support both the conservation and productivity of our Nation’s forests.

Research Focus Areas

•Conductingfundamentalresearchaimedatdevelopinginformation on the fundamental anatomical, physical/mechanical,andprocessingcharacteristicsofwood

•Providinginformationontheengineeringpropertiesandperformancecharacteristicsofwood-based structural products

•Developinginformationontheperformanceand designofstructuralwoodsystems

Economics and Statistics ResearchMission: Providing economic information, analysis, and projections and enhancing the efficiency of FPL’s research through development, evaluation, and application of modern statistical research

Economics and statistics are critical components of the success of research at FPL. Economists provide information indicatinghowandwhymarkets and technologies forwoodproductschangeover time, implications for natural resources management, and select-ed broad environmental and social impacts. Statis-ticians apply modern statistical methods to enhance the integrityandefficiencyofutilizationresearch.

This unit supports other research projects by providing statistical methods that help develop innovations that expandthecompetitiveuseofwoodtomeetneedsandconserveresources;evaluatingtheroleofmarkettrendsandinnovationsoncompetitivenessofU.S.firmswithforeignfirms;andevaluatingtheimpactonforestsofpossible forest industry or forest management policies andinitiativesthatprovidenewvalueforwoodorcon-servewood.

Research Focus Areas

•ApplyingstatisticalmethodstoenhancethequalityofFPL’swoodutilizationandeconomicsresearch

•Improvingstatisticalmodelingofwood,fiber,andcom-posite properties, processing, and performance

•Monitoringandmodelingmarketequilibria,produc-tion trends, and technology changes of the U.S. forest products industry

•Improvingunderstandingoftheeffectofproductiontrendsandtechnologychangesinsolidwood,compos-ites,andend-useindustriesonproductandwoodneeds

•Providingreadilyavailable,consistentinformationontimber,woodproducts,andpaperproductsindustriesfor forestry and forest industry strategic planning

•Providingknowledgeoftheeconomicviabilityofnewtechnologiesforconvertingwoodandfiberintoneworimprovedpaperandwoodproductsorbiofuels

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Fiber and Chemical Sciences ResearchMission: Formulating efficient processes for converting wood to chemicals and fibers, developing economically viable uses for underutilized wood resources, and improving meth-ods for recovering and reusing forest products such as waste paper and construction debris

The need to reduce fire risk has led to a sig-nificant change in the utilizationneedsoftheForestService;avail-able material has shifted from traditional timber tosmalltrees,woodyshrubs, and forest floor debris. Fortunately, there are national efforts to use such materials as fuels, chemicals, and nanoscale materials. Our research is helping to developcommercialusesforthisnewwoodsupplyandForest Service need. The unit also continues research on improving pulping technologies, paper performance, and the performance of recycled paper.

Research Focus Areas

•Advancingforestbiorefineryforproductionof transportation fuels, such as ethanol, and valuable chemicals

•Conductingresearchonnano-materialsderived fromwood

•Continuingadvancesintraditionalwoodpulp applications

•Improvingpaperandpaperboardrecycling

•Understandingthefundamentalsofpaperstructureand applications for pulp-fiber-based products

Institute for Microbial and Biochemical TechnologyMission: Developing biotechnology and nanotechnology for wood and fiber conversion through research that contributes to efficient wood utilization and improved forest health

Research conducted in the Institute for Micro-bial and Biochemical Technology (IMBT) at FPL extends basic dis-coveries in microbiology, genetics, biochemistry, biophysics, nanotechnol-ogy, and bioprocessing into technologies that improvewoodutilizationand forest management practices.

Ourresearchimprovesknowledgeofthechemicalprop-ertiesofwood,particularlyastheyrelatetomechanismsand processes for bioconversion and decay prevention. Thisenhancedknowledgewillincreaseproductyieldfromtraditionalwoodsuppliesandwillleadtonewandimprovedtechnologiestoconvertlow-value,underuti-lizedforestresourcesintorenewablefuels,chemicals,pulp, paper, and paperboard.

Research Focus Areas

•Developingtechnologiesfortheefficientandeconomi-calbioconversionofunderutilizedwoodybiomass,suchas forest thinnings, unmerchantable timber, and mixed species,intoaarrayofwood-basedmaterials,fromfiber to chemicals

•Identifyingandunderstandingthemechanismsofwooddecayfungitoincreasetheirefficacyinbiocon-versiontechnologies,devisenewenvironmentallysoundwoodpreservatives,andacceleratedecomposi-tion of forest litter

•Developingbasicinformationandoperationconditionsforefficientandeffectiveenzymaticandmicrobialpro-cessingofwoodandwoodfiber

•Increasingunderstandingofthefunctionalgenomicsoflignocellulose-degradingfungitooptimizetheiruseinbioprocessingandbioconversionofwood

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Performance Enhanced BiopolymersMission: Understanding the basic properties of wood and other materials used in conjunction with wood to improve their properties, enhance their service life, and develop new uses

Research in performance-enhanced bio-polymers focuses on three problem areas: advanced structures, ad-vanced compos-ites, and nano-materials. There is considerable interdependence among these three areas (i.e.,improvementsinstructureswilldependonadvancesin composite materials), and improving the performance ofwoodandwood-basedstructureswillrequirebasicand applied research in each of these three areas. Our researchwillhelpensurethatnewlydevelopedmaterialsand structure components are robust, durable, cost effec-tive,compatiblewithothermaterials,andeasilydisposedof or recycled at the end of their useful service lives.

Research Focus Areas

•Understandingwhywood-basedmaterialsfailunderend-useconditions,developingnewandimprovedmethods for predicting service life, and incorporating newdesigns,materials,andmethodstomakestruc-tures last longer

•Understandingwoodsurfacechemistry,howmaterialsbondtowood,andtheprocessingofcomponentsdur-ingmanufacturetoimprovewood-basedcomposites

•Understandingwoodpropertiesatthemolecular, nano,andcellwalldimensionstosolveperformanceproblems

Budget

Allocations FY11 FY12 FY13*

Research Base $18,643,000 $18,451,000 $18,266,000

National Fire Plan $703,000 $597,000 $591,000

*President’s Budget

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Recent Accomplishments

Build Green: Wood Can Last for CenturiesSinceweareonthecuspofa“greenrevolution”,thereisnobettertimethannowtopromotewoodincon-struction as a means to mitigate climate change and to highlighttheenvironmentalbenefitsofchoosingwoodfor residential and non-residential construction. FPL researchers published a report to dispel the myth that woodconstructionwillnotlastaslongorbeas“green”as steel or concrete. They aim to educate the public on homemaintenanceandempowerthemwithproperinformation to make an informed choice for their next construction project. With user-friendly information, home-ownerscanaddressmanyhomemaintenanceis-sues prior to costly repairs. This report illustrates many common moisture-related problems that can lead to decayifignoredandpointsoutthatwithproperatten-tiontodetail,woodthatisprotectedfrommoisturecanlast indefinitely.

Converting Northwestern Forest

Going to Bat for Major League BaseballBreakage of bats during play has become a safety concern for Major League Baseball (MLB), and FPL research-ers,alongwithuniversityandprivatesectorpartners,are on board to help improve the situation. Researchers have been giving technical advice to MLB officials on the mechani-cal properties of various species of woodcommonlyused to make baseballbats,andacontractbetweenFPLandMLBwassigned to continue the partnership. The committee com-piled relevant information for each broken bat, including manufacturer,model,dimensions,gamesituationwhenitbroke,areainwhichthebatfragmentslanded,andvideofootageofeachincident.FPLbeganworkingwithaprivate certification and testing agency to help assess and categorizethebatfailures,asafirststeptowardreducingfuturecatastrophicincidents.Recommendationswerethen made on steps that could be taken to reduce the number of bats broken during play, and implementing thoserecommendationsresultedina50%reductioninthe number of catastrophic bat failures.

Flexible Electronics Using Cellulose Nanofiber Composite Substrates Flexible electronics have many potential applications including malleable displays, solar cells, smart cards, radio frequency tags, medical implants, and wearablecomputers.Transpar-ent films made from cellulose nanofibers,arenewablenano-material, have the potential to serve as a foundation for flexible electronics. Researchers from FPL and the University of Wisconsin–Madison have demonstrated the first example of using cellulose nanofiber composite substrates for flexible electronics. Although some chal-lengesremain,thecellulosenanofibercompositeshowedgood chemical and thermal resistance necessary for elec-tronic fabrication and the use of cellulose nanofibers as a sustainable component for high-speed flexible electronics is extremely promising.

Residuals to Aviation FuelIn September 2011, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announcedthatWashingtonStateUniversitywastoreceiveafive-year,$40milliongranttohelpdevelopalternatives to petroleum-based fuels and chemicals. CalledtheNorthwestAdvancedRenewablesAlliance(NARAforshort),FPLreceiveda$1.1millionsub-contracttopretreatwoodybiomassforconversiontoaviation fuel. FPL’s participation is to demonstrate the SPORL (Sulfite Pretreatment to Overcome Recalcitrance of Lignocellulose) process for efficient sugar produc-tion from Douglas-fir forest residue. In the first year of the project, FPL scientists developed a fractionation technique to reduce the bark content of forest residues. The goal is to leave the bark in the forest for soil con-ditioning and nutrients. Improved bark removal also reduces the deadload in transportation and biorefin-ery processing. Preliminary laboratory evaluation has confirmed the high performance of the SPORL process for pretreatment of the Douglas-fir, providing efficient enzymeconversiontosugarsandhighbiofuelyield.

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Making Recyclable, Compostable Stamps that Last “Forever”The US Postal Service has sponsored cooperative research projects at FPL for more than 20 years. Initial research developed stamp adhesives that do not cause problems duringpaperrecycling.Researchersarenowdevelop-ing improved performance and accelerated aging tests toassurethatForeverStampsareindeeduseful—ifnotforever—atleastclose enough to qualify for the name. Also, in an effort to reduce the environmental impact of stamp materials, research-ers are developing newadhesivesthatare produced from renewablematerialsanddegradeinlandfills.Beyonddeveloping adhesives that may be used on future stamps and other commercial products, researchers are develop-ing experimental methods for determining the biodegra-dationrateofnewmaterials.

Making the Most of Beetle-Killed TreesFPL researchers and their partners have developed a user-friendlyguidethatfocusesonhowbesttousewoodobtained from trees thatwereinfectedbyinvasive species. Wood Utilization Options for Urban Trees Infected by Invasive Species is a comprehensive manu-al that can be used by professionalswhenassessing use options for this material. The publication includes a summary of the tech-nical viability of using these materials for value-added products inavarietyofapplications,andwillbeusefultourbanforesters, municipalities, and local industries looking for waystousebeetle-killedtrees.Thepublicationplacesamajor emphasis on trees killed by the emerald ash borer.

Protecting Wooden Bridges

Woodenbridges,whetherhistoriccoveredbridgesorcurrenthighwaytimberbridges,canbevulnerabletodamage from biodegradation or fire. Only about 800 of more than 10,000 covered bridges built in the United States are still standing, and many of those are suffering from biodeterioration. The remaining covered bridges are also vulnerable to damage by intentional or accidental fires.Moderntimberbridges,whichrepresentanimpor-tant component of the transportation resource, can also be vulnerable to fire and decay. With funding provided by theFederalHighwayAdministration,ForestServiceanduniversity researchers collaborated to evaluate methods ofprotectingwoodenbridgesfromfireandbiodegrada-tion. This research and the resulting recommendations wereconsolidatedintoaguidethatprovidesdetailedinformation on factors that contribute to vulnerability, bestpracticesforminimizingvulnerability,selectingandapplying supplemental preservative treatments, use of fire retardants, and fire protection technology. This is the first document of its kind to provide such detailed informationandinstructions.Itwillbeusedbyhistoricpreservationists and transportation maintenance per-sonnel in their efforts to extend the life of both historic andmodernwoodenbridges.

Highly Unusual Yeast Makes Biofuel Production Faster and Less Expensive A yeast isolated from thegutofwood-boringpassalid beetles can fer-ment xylose to ethanol three times faster than it ferments glucose, whereasnormalyeastsdo not ferment xylose atalloratamuchslow-er rate than glucose. It can also ferment different sugars simultaneouslywhenpresentedwithamixture,andcanferment xylose to ethanol under anaerobic conditions on minimal medium. All these features are conducive to faster, cheaper biofuels production, and the findings are being developed for possible commercial use.

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Projecting the Future of the U.S. Forest Products IndustryFPL researchers developed a detailed model that provides projections of future timber demands and timber prices under alternative scenarios regarding global economic growthandwoodenergy consump-tion. The model provides insights onhowU.S.com-petition and trade in forest products could be impacted by expanded global useofwoodforenergy in future decades.Themodelprovidesarangeofnewandex-panded capabilities, including modeling regional U.S. forest product production and trade, stumpage markets forhardwoodandsoftwoodtimber,regionaltimberharvestandwoodresiduedispositioncalibratedtoFor-estServicetimberdata,andtherelationshipbetweenhousingconstructionandwoodproductdemands.Usingglobaleconomicscenarios,theFPLmodelshowedthatscenarioswithlargeexpansioninglobaluseofwoodforenergywouldlikelyresultinlargeincreasesinrealtim-ber stumpage prices in U.S. regions, but U.S. producers of forest products could nevertheless gain competitive advantagesifglobalroundwoodpricesincreasemoreinforeign countries than in the United States as a result of expandedglobalwoodenergyconsumption.

Effect of Heat Treatment on Black LocustBlacklocustisafastgrowingwoodspecieswithsuperiormechanical properties. It is often used in making furni-ture but discoloration during drying often limits its ap-plication.Heattreatmentvariableshavebeenshowntoaffectcolorchangesinwood.Colorchangeislargelyduetochemicalstructureswithinthewood.Abetterunder-standing of heat treatment variables during the drying ofwoodallowsforenhancementofcolorinblacklocustwood.Heattreatmentcreatesthepotentialforblacklo-custwoodtoresembleexotichardwoodsthusincreasingtheuseofthisfastgrowingwoodspeciesandpotentiallydecreasing demand for exotic foreign species.

Effective Fire Retardants for Wood–Plastic Composites (WPC)Wood composites made withhighlyflammableplastics are increasingly beingusedinawiderangeof applications. Such ap-plications include decking boards and other exterior products around homes in thewildland–urbaninterface.Testshaveshownthatfireretardant treatments can reduce the potential contribu-tionoftheWPCtoafire.StudieshavealsoshownthatincreasingthewoodfibercontentintheWPCsignificant-ly improved the fire performance over that of the plastic alone.

Public–Private Partnership Moves Research Results to MarketplaceResearchersatFPLhavedevelopedtechnologywherebycellulose fibers can be formed into structural and three-dimensional engineered fiberboard panels. Noble Envi-ronmental Technologies Inc. (NET), San Diego, Calif., has signed an exclusive license agreementwiththe USDA to use jointly patent-pending technol-ogy and structures for office furniture and packaging ap-plications. These naturally bonded boardscanusefibersproducedfromavarietyofrenew-able sources including forest thinnings and recycled paper fibers. A number of global industries and mar-ketswillhaveaccesstoproductsandprocessesthataredesign-versatile,non-toxic,100%recycledcontent,100%bio-based. Such license agreements exemplify the value of public-private partnerships in moving basic research to valuable market-driven applications. The collabora-tionbetweenFPLandNETisanexcellentexampleofgovernment and industry collaboration aiming to meet market demands. By combining the unique capabilities of NET and FPL, research results have transferred into tangible products bringing improved, sustainable options to consumers.

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The Cellulose Nano-Materials Pilot PlantFPLopenedanewForestService-funded$1.7millionnanocellulosepilotplantin2012.Thepilotplantisnowproducing about 30 kg of cellulose nano-crystals (CNC), or5kgofcellulosenano-fibrils(CNF)perweek.Thesematerials are being supplied to three government agen-cies and six partner universities to accelerate the devel-opment of advanced cellulose-reinforced composites, and printed, flexible electronic circuits and products.

Cellulose nano-crystals are rod-like particles of pure cellulose, about 5 nm in diameter and 150–200 nm long. Withthestrengthofsteelat1/6ththeweight,theyhaveapplications in high-performance composites, replacing Kevlar and carbon fibers in these materials. Cellulose nano-fibrils are string-like particles, 20 nm in diameter and up to 2 microns long. They form high-strength clear films that can be used in high-performance epoxy layup processes,barriercoatings,orbecauseoftheverylowco-efficientofthermalexpansion—thebackingforprintedcircuits.ThenewpilotplantenablesForestServiceR&Dto continue to supply these materials to our partners, andmakethematerialsavailabletodozensofnewpart-ner companies. Product applications as diverse as flexible solar panels, printed electronic circuits, auto body parts, militarydrones,lightweightarmorandballisticglassareall under investigation by our partners.

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FPL Capabilities in USFS R&D Priority Areas

Biomass and Bioenergy

VisionAmerica’s forest resources significantly contribute to energysecurityandindependencewhilereducinggreen-house gases.

Through sustainable forest management and cost- effective harvesting and collection, America’s forests are a strategic asset in meeting U.S. energy security, environ-mental quality, and economic development needs and ef-fectivelycontributetodisplacing30%ofU.S.petroleumconsumption by 2030.

Sustainable forest management on public and private landsgeneratesexcesswoodymaterialthatcanbeusedtohelpmeettheNation’srenewableenergyneeds.Biomass management also supports efforts to provide economic opportunities, improve ecosystem health, decreasecatastrophicwildfires,enhancewildlifehabi-tat,andprotectwatersheds.Sustainablewoodybiomassmanagement also mitigates, in part, the impacts of cli-mate change and provides an alternative fuel and chemi-cal source.

Incoordinationwithotherfederalandstateagencies,academia, businesses, environmental interests, and non-governmentalorganizations,wewillcontinuetoimproveand deploy technologies and underlying science for bio-fuelsproductionwhileapplyingandsupportingsustain-able forest management practices on the Nation’s forests.

CapabilitiesFollowingaresomeattributesofForestServiceResearchand Development:

•Anintegratedplatformofinnovativefieldandlabora-tory research that provides a unique opportunity for advancing biofuels feedstock production and conversion technology

•Acadreofwoodscientists,biologists,chemists,andengineerswhohavealreadydevelopedpartnershipswithuniversitiesandindustrialpartnersincooperativebiofuels R&D ventures

•Extensiveexperiencewithbusinesscaseanalysisforbiorefinerieswithexpandingworkrelevanttotoday’squestions about net energy and net greenhouse gas emissionsforwood-basedbiofuelsandchemicals

•Atrackrecordofprovidingleading-edgescienceandtechnologythathasformedthebasisfornewproductsandimprovedefficiencyfromwoodymaterialsinamannerthatisconsistentwithsustainableforest management

•Afullspectrumofdataandmodelstohelpreduce financial risk

DeliverablesFollowingaresomeadvancesinforestbiomasstoen-ergyscienceandtechnologythatwewillaccomplishanddeploywithanexpandedemphasisinbiofuelsintheResearch and Development mission area:

•Sustainable forest bioenergy production systems and new wood energy crops–Bestmanagementpracticesforforestrywithex-pandedbiomassremoval,whileprovidingimportantwildlifehabitat,waterquality,fuelsreduction,andnutrient management.

–Newvarietiesofperennialwoodycropsthatare resistanttodisease,fastgrowing,nutrientandwaterefficient,andoptimizedforbioenergy

–Strategiestointegratewoodyplantswithagriculturalproduction of biofuels, so that environmental perfor-mance and synergistic outcomes are improved

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–Experimentaldeploymentandevaluationofwoodybioenergyfeedstockthatwillprovideimprovedun-derstanding of plantation silvicultural practices, soil nutrient management, and economics

•Competitivebiofuelsconversiontechnologiesthatreduce fossil fuel use greenhouse gas emissions

–Newchemicalandbiochemicaltechnologiesfor extracting, modifying, and fermenting carbohydrates andligninfromwoodybiomassfeedstocks

–Newcost-effectivethermoconversion(pyrolysisandgasification)

– Demonstration and evaluation of various forest feed-stockusedwithemergingtechnologysuchassmall-scale gasification, pilot biochemical conversion, and thermochemical conversion technologies

– Feedstock selection, sorting, and preprocessing technologyoptimizedtomeetqualitystandardsforvarious biofuels and biochemical conversion technol-ogy platforms

– Improved microbes for extracting and converting woodybiomasstofermentablematerials

•Efficientandenvironmentallyfriendlywoody biomass harvesting systems

– Improved harvesting and transportation systems for forest biomass, cost and equipment information, and options for field processing to improve efficiency and mitigate impacts

•Life-cycleandsustainabilityanalysisforwoodbioenergy systems

Benefits An expanded science program in forest-based biofuels willprovidebenefitstoawiderangeofconstituents:

•Increasingnationalenergysecurityandindependenceas a result of a technically, financially, and ecologically sound biofuels systems replacing some fossil fuel usage

•Improvingforesthealthandreductionoffireriskasexcess forest biomass is used for biofuels production.

•Reducinggreenhousegasemissionsandincreasedfinancial benefits to non-industrial private forest land-ownersastheyreceivecreditforcarbonsequestration,emission offsets, and biofuels production

•Economicdevelopmentof$120billionfromanew forest biomass to biofuels industry

•Reducingoreliminatingtheneedforfederalbiomasstobioenergy subsidies

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Nanotechnology Wood-basednanotechnologyoffersarevolutionarywaytorestorethehealthofourNation’sforests,whilecreat-ingnewjobsandstrengtheningAmerica’sforest-basedeconomy through industrial development and expansion.

Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matteratdimensionsbetweenapproximately1and100nanometers,whereuniquematerialpropertiesenablenovel, high performance applications. (For frame of reference, a sheet of paper is about 100,000 nanometers thick.) Wood, or cellulose, at the nano-scale is a high-value material that enables products to be lighter and stronger, have less embodied energy, and come from a renewableresource.

Nanotechnologywillallowforthecreationofnewmultifunctionalmaterialsanddeviceswithavastrangeof applications in many realms, including medicine, electronics, transportation, biomaterials, and energy production and use. It holds the potential for a dramatic impactonthenationaleconomy—estimatedtobeasmuchas$250billionworldwideby2020.

Asforforesthealth,todaywegrowabouttwiceasmanytreesasweuse.Ourforestsarebecomingovercrowdedwithhazardousfuelsthatcausecatastrophicfires.Thedevastating impacts of these fires are seen time and again,withliveslost,homesdestroyed,andmillionsofacres blackened. The cost of fighting these catastrophic wildfiresisenormous,sometimesasmuchas$1millionper hour.

Wood-based nanotechnology offers a solution to this wide-spreadloss.Currently,thereareatleast300millionacres of forests in America needing some type of restor-ativeaction.Wood-basednanotechnologywillcreateacost-effectivewaytoenableenoughhazardousfuelstoberemovedsowildfirescanremainsmallerandbecomea tool for improved forest health. It is estimated that a strong,establishedprograminwood-basednanotechnol-ogythatcreateshigh-valuemarketsfromlow-valuewood(hazardousfuels)couldhelprestore20millionforestedacres annually and reduce future fire suppression costs byatleast15to20percent—upto$300to$400millionannually.

Potential Markets for Cellulosic NanomaterialsCellulosic nanomaterials are expected to find applica-tionswithinmanyindustrialsectors,manyofwhicharenotcurrentlyemployingwood-basedmaterials.Beingalight-weight,high-performance,renewableandrecyclablematerialmakesnanocelluloseverycompatiblewiththegrowingtrendofgreeningproductsandmarketsinorderto meet the pressing need to supply sustainable materials for the 21st Century.

Applications include:

•Structuralcompositepanelsfor construction

•Flexibleelectronicdisplays

•Printedelectronics

•Abrasionresistant/self-repairing architectural finishes

•Lightweightarmor

•Ballisticglass

•Medicaldevices

•Aerospaceandautomotivepanelsandparts

•Industrialtools

•Consumerproducts

•Superinsulatingandsoundproofingmaterialsforbuildings, appliances, devices, construction, and industrial processing

•Sensorsforfoodpackaging

•Sensorsforstructuralloadapplications

•Actuatorsandswitches

•Batteriesandenergystoragedevices

•Photoactivestructuresforconstructionmaterialsandconsumer products

•Smartlabelsandpackaging

•Packagingbarriercoatings

•Printingpapercoatings

•Potentialcomponentbuildingblockinadditive manufacture (3-D printing)

Within these industrial sectors several companies have begun to explore uses of nanocellulose, including: Lockheed Martin, PepsiCo, IBM, Hyundai-Kia Motor Company, Georgia Pacific, Ecolab, 3M, Ford Motor Com-pany,GeneralMotors,DuPont,HewlettPackard,Procter& Gamble and Kimberly Clark.

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CollaborationRecognizingtheimportanceofnanotechnologyandwood-derivedcellulosicnanomaterials,theU.S.forestproducts industry and the USDA Forest Service have established a common vision and agenda for the com-mercializationofcellulosicnanomaterials.Public–privatepartnerships that combine the unique abilities of in-dustry, government, and academic entities provide the bestwaytosuccessfullycommercializeinnovativenewtechnologyplatforms,developnewproducts,andcre-atenewjobs.Successfulpartneringwillhelptoreinventthe U.S. forest products industry, improve forest health, make sustainable and efficient use of America’s abundant forestresources,revitalizeruraleconomies,andpositiontheUnitedStatesasaworldleaderinthecommercializa-tion of cellulosic nanomaterials.

TheUnitedStatesandothernationswillseenumerousbenefitsfromthecommercializationofwood-derivedcellulosic nanomaterials. Development and com-mercializationofnewlightweight,high-performancewood-derivedproductscanhelpreducefossilfuelcon-sumptionandgreenhousegasemissionswhileimprovingforest health and increasing the potential for rural manu-facturing opportunities, including the creation of many newhigh-payingjobs.

FPL’snewfacilityaidsinthecommercializationofthesematerials by providing researchers and early adopters of thetechnologywithworkingquantitiesofforest-basednanomaterials.

The Cellulose Nano-Materials Pilot PlantThe Forest Products Laboratory recently opened a $1.7 million production facility for renewable, forest-based nanomaterials. This facility is the first of its kind in the United States and one that positions the laboratory as the country’s leading producer of these materials, also called nanocellulose.

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Climate Change Adaptation and MitigationClimatechangereferstochangesinlong-termweatherpatterns and in the environment caused by increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. These gases come from natural events such as forest fires and from burning wood,peat,andfossilfuelsforvarioususes.

Forest Service researchers have studied the effects of climate change and air pollutants on forests and grass-lands for over 30 years. This research already identifies trends and subsequent effects to ecosystems across the United States. The U.S. Forest Service is developing anationalframeworkforguidinganddirectinglandmanagement activities in light of expected changes. FPL research is contributing significantly to this effort.

For instance, FPL has been researching fundamental geneticsandphysiologyofwhite-rotfungifordecades.White-rotfungiaretheonlymicrobesknowntoeffi-cientlybreakdownlignin,acomplexchemicalcompoundmostcommonlyderivedfromwoodandoneofthemostabundantmaterialsonEarth.Collectively,thewood-andlitter-degradingbrown-andwhite-rotfungiplayapivotalrole in the carbon cycle and significantly influence forest health.

ResearchersatFPLarecombiningwoodfiberwithther-moplastic resin to create various composites. Composite researchhasalonghistoryatFPL,andwoodcompositetechnologies have been used for decades to create building and home furnishing products. Composites can use undervalued materials and improve the economics of costly forest restoration because they can be made from fiber, particles, or flakes from small trees, especially thosefrominvasivespeciesandovergrownforestsatriskofwildfire.Byusinglow-valueandproblematictimber(whichstoregreatamountsofcarbon)andclearingthismaterialfromourforests,newvigoroustimberwillgrow(sequestering additional carbon). This in turn mitigates the uncontrollable release of carbon into the environ-ment by forest fires.

Because transportation accounts for about a third of total U.S. emissions of carbon dioxide (an abundant greenhouse gas), cleaner transportation fuels can play an important role in addressing climate change. FPL econo-mists are evaluating business cases for making biofuels using selected biochemical and thermochemical tech-nologies. Trees are one of the best potential sources of biological fuel. Although a more challenging process than creating biofuel from agricultural matter, converting woodresourcesintoliquidfuelsandchemicalfeedstockis becoming more cost competitive, and FPL is a leader

in innovative research on forest biomass to energy production.

Contributing to the U.S. report under the UN Frame-workConventiononClimateChange,FPLresearchershave collaboratively estimated carbon emission offsets causedbyadditionstocarbonstoredinwoodandpaperproducts.TheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencywillusethese data in their annual greenhouse gas emissions and sinks report.

TheConsortiumforResearchonRenewableIndustrialMaterials (CORRIM) is a not-for-profit consortium of 15researchinstitutionsworkingwiththeeffectsofproducingandusingrenewablematerials.FPLhascollab-oratedwithCORRIMtoconductlifecycleassessmentsofcarbon offsets caused by forest treatments, fire emis-sionreduction,woodproductstorage,andwoodenergyoffset of fossil fuels emissions. We have also collaborated withCORRIMtoincreasewooduseinstructures,whichwilloffsetcarbonemissionsofmaterialsthatemitmorecarbon in production and use.

FPLscientistshavecooperatedwiththeNationalCouncilfor Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI) to estimate the carbon emissions/carbon emissions offset footprint of the U.S. forest products industry.

Using Unified Standard Format Markers (USFM) and the Global Forest Products Model (GFPM), FPL scientists havebeenevaluatingtheeffectofincreaseduseofwoodybiomass for energy on forest products markets. Our scientists have been using these models to contribute to the 2010 Resources Planning Act (RPA) Assessment. In addition to extending the treatment of climate effects, resourceanalyseswillcontinuetobelinkedbycommonassumptionsaboutpopulationgrowth,economicgrowth,andlandusechange.

FPLresearcherswereinstrumentalinestimatingcounty-level forest biomass supplies (including costs) for a revi-sion of the joint study conducted by the Departments of Energy and Agriculture, the USDA/DOE Billion Ton Biomass Supply Study.

TheForestServiceBiomassUtilizationGrantsprogramisintended to help improve forest restoration activities by using and creating markets for small-diameter material andlow-valuedtreesremovedfromforestrestorationactivities,suchasreducinghazardousfuels,handlinginsect and diseased conditions, or treating forestlands impactedbycatastrophicweatherevents.Thesefundsare targeted to help communities, entrepreneurs, and others turn residues from forest restoration activities into marketable forest products and energy products. FPL researchers are continually evaluating the economic effectiveness of projects funded under the grants program.

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Technology Transfer

Patents ProgramApartnershipwithFPLhelpsadvanceresearchbytap-ping into the expertise of our research personnel, pro-viding access to our extensive laboratory facilities and equipment, and creating opportunities for patent and licensing agreements.

Our researchers have a history of successful partner-ships,andtheywelcometheopportunitytocollaboratewithindustry,academia,tradeassociations,tribes,non-governmentorganizations,andfederal,state,andlocalgovernment agencies to convert research into usable information and technology.

Technologytransferagreementsweredevelopedtoimprovecooperationwithcommercialfirmstoconvertresearch to usable information and technology. This cooperation increases the benefits to the public and com-mercial firms.

Varioustypesofagreements,suchasCooperativeRe-search and Development Agreements, Memorandums of Understanding,andResearchJointVentureAgreements,allowthegovernmentandindustrytoworktogetherindevelopingnewtechnologies.

Agreements vary based on the level of contribution from each party and the expected benefits, but the ultimate purpose of all technology transfer agreements is to bet-tercoordinateresearchactivitiesbetweenthepartiessothe results are efficiently transferred to the public.

ApatentisaninstrumentbywhichtheUnitedStatesgrants an inventor the right to exclude others from mak-ing, using, or selling an invention for a term of years. To qualifyforapatent,theinventionmustbenew,usefuland a non-obvious process or product.

PatentingenablesFPLtograntpatentlicenses,whichprovide an important avenue for technology transfer. The exclusive nature of patent licenses promotes the transfer of technologies to the private sector for commercial mar-kets,ThefollowingpatentsareavailableforlicensingatFPL:boltedwoodconnections,concentricfingerjointedtimber,break-inresistantwoodpaneldoor,hardenedandfireretardantwoodproducts,methodandapparatusfor molding three-dimensional objects, and method for fiber loading a chemical compound.

Technology Marketing UnitSimilar to the extension services provided by many universities, FPL’s Technology Marketing Unit (TMU) providesabroadscopeofexpertiseinwoodproductsutilizationandmarketing,technologytransfer,andtechnical assistance. The TMU is part of the U.S. Forest Service’s State and Private Forestry, Cooperative Forestry Branch.

TMU’s mission is to promote the efficient, sustainable useofwoodbytransferringtechnologiesdevelopedbyFPL, other Forest Service research stations, universi-ties,andotherfederallaboratories.TheTMUworksincollaborationwithmanydifferentpartners,particularlythe Forest Service’s Research and Development staff, to identifyopportunitiesforworkingwithlocalgovern-ments,privatelandowners,ruralcommunities,andforest industries. They support the National and inter-national mission of the Forest Service in forest products utilizationbyensuringreadyadoptionofforest-basedmaterial technologies to many small, rural forest product businesses.

ThebreadthofTMU’sworkincludesforestproductscon-servation, processing, manufacturing efficiency, market-ing, recycling, and bioenergy. The technical assistance they provide includes publications, technical assistance visits,conferences,workshops,meetings,andjustsimplymeetingwithcustomersfacetofaceorviaphone.

TMUalsomanagesandawardsover$5millioneachyearingrantsdedicatedtohelpingimprovetheutilizationofwoodybiomassremovedfromforestrestorationprojects.TheWoodyBiomassUtilizationGrantProgramisintend-ed to help improve forest restoration activities by using and creating markets for small-diameter material and low-valuedtreesremovedfromforestrestorationactivi-ties,suchasreducinghazardousfuels,handlinginsectand diseased conditions, or treating forestlands impacted bycatastrophicweatherevents.Thesefundsaretargetedto help communities, entrepreneurs, and others turn residues from forest restoration activities into market-able forest products and/or energy products.

Leadership and Research Work Units

RWU 4714EngineeringProperties of

Wood, Wood Based Materials

& StructuresSupervisory Research

General EngineerRobert J. Ross

RWU 4851Economics &

Statistics ResearchSupervisory

Research Forester

Kenneth E. Skog

RWU 4723Durability & Wood

Protection Research

Supervisory Research

MicrobiologistCarol A. Clausen

Wood Products ResearchAssistant Director

Michael A. Ritter

Analytical Chemistry & Microscopy LaboratorySupervisory

ChemistVacant

Financial Resources

ManagementAdministrative

OfficerVacant

AdministrationAssistant Director

Lon Yeary

RWU 4712Institute for Microbial & Biochemical TechnologySupervisory

Research Plant Pathologist

Barbara L. Illman

RWU 4706Engineered Composites

SciencesSupervisory

Research Materials Engineer

Zhiyong Cai

RWU 4709Fiber &

Chemical Sciences Research

Supervisory Research Chemist

Alan W. Rudie

Paper Test

LaboratorySupervisory

General Engineer

Nancy Ross Sutherland

Engineering Mechanics &

Remote Sensing LaboratorySupervisory

General Engineer

Steve Kalinosky

RWU 4707Performance

Enhanced BiopolymersSupervisory

Research Materials Engineer

Gregory Schueneman

Research Facilities EngineeringSupervisory

General EngineerMichael J. Kaspszak

National Forest Service Library

Supervisory Librarian

Julie Blankenburg

Wood, Fiber, and Composites ResearchAssistant DirectorTheodore H. Wegner

Office of CommunicationsDirector

Doug Clawson

Forest Products LaboratoryActing DirectorMichael T. RainsU.S. FOREST SERVICE

Forest Products LaboratoryOrganization Chart State & Private Forestry

Technology Marketing Unit (TMU)Program Manager

Vacant

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The USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, andwhereapplicable,sex,maritalstatus,familialstatus,parentalstatus, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited basesapplytoallprograms.)Personswithdisabilitieswhorequirealternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaintofdiscrimination,writetoUSDA,Director,OfficeofCivil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

For more information, contact

Forest Products LaboratoryOne Gifford Pinchot DriveMadison, WI 53726-2398

608-231-9200

mailroom_forest_products_laboratory@fs.fed.us

www.fpl.fs.fed.us