Wood – an ancient raw material with enormous future potential
Needs related to climate change in combination with energy and resource use efficiency have today made wood an important renewable raw material. Comprehensive knowledge is required to adapt the raw material for use in practical applications. The Department of Wood Biology and Wood Products conducts research across a broad range of material science topics pertaining specifically to wood and wood use.
Research focus
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Use of hardwood
The “Research Centre Innovative Hardwood Products (FIL)” has been developed to promote cutting-edge research in the field of innovative and pioneering products made of hardwood. The total construction costs of around EUR 1.2 million and appropriations for equipment (around EUR 710 000) come from the University and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF and ERDF React).
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Solid wood
The focus on solid wood includes work on the definition of wood quality as the starting point for characteristic-oriented raw wood sorting. The consideration of indigenous hardwoods forms a central research content. The adhesive properties and coating behavior are also investigated as a prerequisite for economic value creation.
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Wood degredation and wood protection
As a natural material, wood is subject to various discoloration and degradation processes. One research focus of the Wood Biology and Wood Products department characterizes the individual degradation patterns. On the other hand, efficient wood protection methods are developed to increase the durability of wood products.
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Wood modification
Another research focus is on the development of innovative wood modification processes as a biocide-free alternative to traditional wood preservation.
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Structural characterization
This research focus includes the imaging investigation of the complex and heterogeneous structure of wood and wood products. The focus is on examining the surface properties and microscopic structure of samples in 2D and 3D. The imaging examination methods used include classic light microscopy, laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy as well as micro-computed tomography.
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Wood-based materials
The adaptation of classic wood-based materials, such as fiberboard, chipboard, oriented strandboard, plywood and laminated veneer lumber as well as wood-polymer composites, to modern product requirements defines the activities of the Wood-Based Panels division.
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