Modified Lignocellulosic Materials

FPL-RWU-4722

Roger M. Rowell, Project Leader
Phone: (608) 231-9416
Fax: (608) 231-9262
Email: rmrowell@fs.fed.us

The mission of this unit is to develop advanced durable and sustainable environmentally friendly composite materials. The Unit works on four basic problem areas:

• The relationship between the chemical and physical properties of wood-based and other lignocellulosic materials and final composite properties need to be understood to identify new sources of polymeric feedstocks and advanced composite materials. The basic research in this area is to determine the chemical and physical properties of a wide variety of agricultural resources to be able to use these resources for the production of composite materials.
• Chemical and structural modifications of wood-based and other lignocellulosic materials are required to improve properties and to maximize end use performance of bio-based composite materials. The basic research in this area is to modify the properties of agricultural resources using reactive chemical systems or monomers to improve performance of composite materials used in adverse environments.
• Improved techniques are needed for better understanding of the interface and interphase chemistry between wood-based resources and other resources to improve surface interactions. The basic research in this area is to develop interface and interphase agents for compatibilization between two dissimilar resources.
• Environmentally friendly technologies are lacking for the development of new wood-based and other lignocellulosic composite materials that will lead to more efficient use of out forest resources. The basic research in this area is to develop environmentally friendly sustainable composite materials for such uses as filters to remove contaminates from water and air, oil sorbents, and erosion control mats.