FPL Leadership provided a summary of recent accomplishments to Secretary Vilsack and staff.
Led by Acting Director Michael Rains, the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) recently welcomed USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack for a tour through its unique and growing set of research facilities. Basic and applied research at FPL supports a number of USDA and Forest Service objectives, including forest management and restoration, the wise use of forest resources, job creation, and expanding economic opportunities through public-private partnerships on a national scale.
Throughout his tour, Secretary Vilsack talked with lab leadership about FPL’s diverse and innovative research efforts. Project leaders used the opportunity to field questions from the Secretary and explain work ranging from wood preservation and durability to advances in “green” building strategies and technology, use of beetle-killed trees, work on historic timber bridges, and advances in nanocellulose-related materials and applications.
Supervisory Microbiologist Carol Clausen briefs Secretary Vilsack on FPL’s Moisture Test Facility.
In FPL’s unique weather testing facility, project leader Carol Clausen described how wall assemblies can be tested for a range of harsh conditions, from heavy rain and extreme heat to high humidity and strong winds. “Developing durable building materials for green construction is a win-win situation for the Nation’s forests and the American people,” Clausen told Vilsack. “Utilizing beetle-killed trees to create value-added products, improves forest health, reduces the wildfire threat, and creates jobs.”
Supervisory Engineer Bob Ross discusses recent FPL research on a 2,500-year-old wooden mummy coffin.
In the Engineering Mechanics and Remote Sensing Laboratory, project leader Bob Ross brought out the big gun, an air-powered debris launcher used to develop protective safe-rooms in hurricane and tornado-prone areas. The Secretary watched as this unique air-cannon blasted an eight-foot 2×4 board into a test wall of cross-laminated material at over 100 miles per hour.
Supervisory Research Chemist Alan Rudie tours Secretary Vilsack through FPL’s new Nanocellulose Pilot Plant and shows nanocellulose samples.
In the world renowned Nanocellulose Pilot Plant, project leader Alan Rudie guided the Secretary through some of FPL’s most advanced equipment. Very strong and extremely versatile, nanocellulose materials can be used for a variety of applications including ballistic glass; small, powerful transistors; and heat-resistant additives for concrete, among many other uses.
Zhiyong Cai, project leader for FPL’s engineered composite science unit, demonstrated uses for cellulose nanofibrils material in bio-degradable electronic parts, high-performance insolation aerogel material, and regenerated cellulose braided reinforced fabric.
“The Secretary was very interested in nanotechnology applications in forest products research,” said Cai. “He was impressed with the impact that cellulose nanomaterial could bring to not only the forest products industry, but also electronics and other industries.”You can view more photos of the Secretary’s visit, including a slow-motion video of the hurricane-force 2×4 hitting a cross-laminated wall assembly, at FPL’s main site.
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By James T. Spartz, FPL Public Affairs Specialist.
