Research Proposals 2024 -

WBC Research Planning Cycle

The Research Proposals result from a year-long process initiated by the Hopper or Research Roadmap. Faculty research ideas, refined through roundtable discussions, are incorporated into these proposals, now open for funding consideration. Click the buttons to download relevant documents.

Research Roadmap

Research Roundtable

Research Proposals

Funding Decisions

Research Proposals 2024

Review the research proposals submitted by faculty for funding consideration.

Please provide most valuable feedback using the LIFE Forms by April 8, 2024

LIFE Forms Proposals 2024

Password: wbc_proposals

Download PDF – Book of Presentations

RFP-24: Understanding Elevated Temperature Response of Wood and Wood Composites

Wood composites comprise 90% of the materials within a single-family residence. However, their performance under elevated temperatures is not well-documented. This study aims to explore the influence of elevated temperatures, preceding the composites’ flash point (212°C), on its mechanical properties. This study extends previous studies by the PI on elevated temperature properties, which resulted in three WBC student theses and papers – Sinha (2010); Mirazei (2016); Miyamoto (2022).

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Q-01-HI: Identifying Adhesive Bondline Quality to Improve Cross-Laminated Timber Performance

The goal of this project is to determine the correlation of adhesive bondline measurements with quality-control tests of CLT materials. This research will use a set of controlled wood specimens and a single bondline to create matched specimens for microscopic and quality-control testing. Variables examined in this study will include press pressure, use of primer, and moisture content of the substrate.

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Q-02-PR: Preliminary investigation of the potential for sorbitol-citrate modification to function in North American wood species and improve strandboard and plywood durability and dimensional stability

The sorbitol-citrate (Sor-CA) method for wood modification utilizes bio-derived compounds to improve wood durability and dimensional stability. The primary goal of this research is to assess the feasibility of incorporating the Sor-CA method into wood composites. This study will determine whether Sor-CA treatment is a viable option for improving composite durability using North American wood species.

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Q-03-HA: Microwave heat treatment of wood: characterization and process optimization

The overarching goal of this project is to develop an understanding and assess the potentials of microwave treatment of wood and how this impact the bonding quality of the prepared wood composites. This will be achieved through an experimental approach integrated with a predictive models.

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Q-05-NA: Using thermally modified wood for manufacturing mass timber elements with improved dimensional stability

Improving the dimensional stability and durability of engineered wood products. The project outcome will be used to assess the effectiveness of using thermally modified wood in manufacturing laminated products.

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Q-06-SC: Artificial intelligence integrated near-infrared hyperspectral imaging for rapid prediction of percent wood failure (PWF) in laminated wood products

This study aims to utilize visible and near-infrared hyperspectral imaging (Vis-HSI and NIR-HSI respectively) combined with artificial intelligence (AI) modeling to provide an objective, smart assessment of PWF in shear samples. Specifically, we are interested in using the spectral data collected from veneers prior to adhesive application and hot pressing to predict the PWF.

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Q-07-RI: Vibrational and stress-wave methods for rapid and cost-effective assessment of veneer-based mass timber elements

Developing an NDT method for mass timber elements as an in-line quality evaluation tool for manufacturers, and, with adjustments, for on-site inspections and forensics.

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Q-08-LE: Optimization of log conditioning and peeling process and real-time monitoring of veneer surface roughness

Development of an intelligent monitoring model for real-time estimation of veneer surface roughness using lathe vibration data and using veneer roughness information to predict bonding performance of veneer-based products.

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Q-09-NE: Enhancing Coating Performance on Profiled Medium-Density Fiber Boards (MDF)

There is a need to consider how fundamental MDF manufacturing parameters impact coating performance on shaped and profiled MDF. We suggest that the effects of the vertical density profile be viewed in the context of coating performance. We propose using a flat router to create profiles at different depths through the vertical density profile on MDF panels with various densities to find a correlation between profiled MDF surface properties and primer uniformity.

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Q-10-SC: Use of post-consumer wood waste for incorporation in wood-based panels: a state-of-the-art analysis

The objective of this project is to provide an updated, comprehensive, and global perspective on wood waste management and utilization policies, and technical solutions for waste wood quality control, segregation, decontamination, and recycling options. The focus is on waste generated from WBCs and their reuse in new WBC products.

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Q-11-PE: Robust fire test method for the performance evaluation of wood-based composites

Develop an inexpensive method for quickly and efficiently evaluating the fire resistance and flame spread properties of small samples of wood products. Understand how non-uniformities such as adhesive joints, knots, and cracks affect the fire resistance of the base material.

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Q-12-FR: Simple cross-laminate adhesive durability test

Our objective is to develop a new delamination-durability test that is simple, but analytically rigorous so results are interpreted with more insight. This will help determine how well FFM applies to bonded wood; practical challenges will be identified as we consider seeking formal test certification.

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