Location: Nutrition, Food Safety/Quality
Project Number: 0500-00090-001-004-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jul 1, 2022
End Date: Jun 30, 2025
Objective:
• The focus area of this project will be that of developing new manufacturing technologies for engineered wood products.
• Further development and potential adoption of a timber matting standard.
• Research and development of automated wood identification tools and technologies.
• Pursue research to enhance the economic and utility value of timber based products such as lumber and other composites as a means of improving and maintaining timberland value and timber conversion-related jobs throughout the gulf south region of the USA.
Approach:
Design and fabricate mold-based technologies to make corrugated engineered strand composites. Manufacture and test pilot scale corrugated strand based engineered composites. Work with hardwood lumber manufacturers, users, specifiers, engineers, and third party grading agencies in support of timber matting standardization. Develop and test novel laminated engineered products as well as innovative processes to enhance marketing, performance, and durability of wood based products. Continue to evaluate and develop rapid wood identification tools and technology to enhance international lumber trade. Cooperate with USDA Forest Products Laboratory as a technical advisor.
