Current Projects

1. Value Recovery through Merchandizing Hardwood Log Products: Investigate the current log merchandizing and optimal bucking processes in West Virginia, develop a handheld-based and a 3D Windows-based merchandizing systems to aid the optimal bucking in the woods or at the landing, and promote the application of the merchandizing/optimal bucking of hardwoods.

2. Increase Use of Low-Quality Wood in the Upland Hardwood Region: Increase utilization of oak by investigating knife angles and projections during stranding for OSB panel production. Determine the feasible use, by weight, of oak species that can be pressed into a panel while maintaining third party trade marking standards.

3. Oak Logging Residues in the Upland Hardwood Region : Determine lumber and component yields of low quality logs and bolts remaining after timber harvesting in West Virginia. Determine economic feasibility of converting logging residues into value-added products for the lumber, tie, pallet, and component industries.

4. Condition Assessment of Logs Using GPR: Use ground penetrating radar (GPR) to develop nondestructive scanning technology for identifying sub-surface defects in hardwood logs. Use of GPR technology combined with an expert system will provide imaging of sub-surface defects such as decay, knots, or foreign objects which will enable optimal orientation of saw blade to maximize production of higher grade wood and minimize waste.

5. Enhancement of Commercial Competitiveness: Application of Advanced Technologies: Produce cellulose nanocrystals from Appalachian hardwoods using both chemical and enzymatic methods. Determine the chemical composition of wood residues chemically using near-infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics. Determine in-situ types and concentration of organic biocides in the “new wood preservative system.” Determine non-destructively decay in wood-plastic composites.

6. A Regional Log and Lumber Yield Initiative: Develop a log evaluation system that is easily adapted to a variety of log grading systems as a basis to analyze lumber yields from logs. Data collected on individual logs will be made available to the industry through an online database system developed for the project.

7. Transforming Veneer-Mill Residues into Value-Added Composites: Develop products and technologies for a range of highly engineered wood composite panels, consolidated from high quality veneer residues.