Response surface methodology based on the central composite design was used to investigate modeling and optimizing the individual and interactive effects of independent process variables (temperature, pulping time, ethanol concentration and alkali concentration) on the yield, kappa number and brightness of the pulp produced from the bamboo species Yushania alpina. Based on the central composite design

Electrical conductivity (EC) of the unseasoned timber of three softwood species (Pinus radiata, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Sequoia sempervirens) and one hardwood species (Eucalyptus globoidea) was studied over the temperature range of \(20-90^\circ \hbox {C}\). EC was measured in sapwood, transitional wood, and heartwood in the three principle grain directions. All species exhibited similar behaviour:

To study the physical and mechanical properties of nano-pulverized cellulose nanofiber (CNF) sheets, CNF sheets were prepared by vacuum filtration and solvent exchange—hot press technique with different concentrations of CNF, respectively. The microstructures as well as the mechanical properties of the corresponding CNF sheets were investigated, and low density and high porosity of the solvent-treated

The change in the pore size of cell walls affects many physical properties of wood. In this paper, the dynamic changes in the pore size of wood cell walls during drying and moisture adsorption were studied at four relative humidities. The results showed that the average pore size of cell walls of Qingpi poplar (Populus- platyphylla var. glauca) was larger than that of pine wood (Pinus sylvestris var

In this study, activated carbon was prepared from lignocellulosic biomass and its electrochemical properties were analyzed and compared. The highest total specific net energy efficiency was 1.12 kW/kg when the mixed softwood (MSW) was ground, while the value was as low as 0.54 kW/kg for logging residue (LOR). The lignin content ranged from 27.38 to 33.43% depending on the biomass type, and the value

Wood density is one of the most important physical properties of the wood, used in improvement programs for wood quality of major timber species. Traditional core sampling of standing trees has been widely used to assess wood density profiles at high spatial resolution by X-ray microdensitometry methods, but alternative methods to predict wood properties quality are also needed. Near-infrared (NIR)

Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is an important engineered wood product. Internal structural changes have a substantial influence on the mechanical performance of LVL. To investigate the relationship between the internal structural changes and the compressive strength, poplar LVL layering is manufactured by taking into account the veneer lathe checks, namely lathe checks both facing inwards (TLLT), lathe

Wood-polymer composites technologies are gaining more and more attention in the scientific community, positively affecting the increase in their industrial applications, for example, automotive, building, 3D printing, etc. Many research works are focused on the improvement in matrix–lignocellulosic filler interactions to produce highly filled composites with satisfying performance properties. In this

The present paper studied the chemical composition of recent and historical oak wood comparing the extractive, holocellulose, α-cellulose, lignin, and ash contents. Comprehensive knowledge of the chemical components in recent and historical oak wood will facilitate the use of conservation agent in the restoration and conservation process of the investigated artifacts. The cyclohexane–ethanol extract

Predicting kiln-drying schedules for a given wood species is not yet possible, despite many research efforts. This is mainly due to insufficiently considering important spatio-temporal variables such as moisture and temperature gradients, and wood anatomical features during drying in the predictive modelling framework. To understand the influence of aforementioned variables, an experimental measurement

A wealth of forensic wood identification technologies has been developed or improved in recent years, with many attempts to compare results between technologies. The utility of such comparisons is greatly reduced when the species tested with each technology are different and when performance metrics are not calculated or presented in the same way. Here, a species-level XyloTron computer vision model

Because of the wide adaptability to samples in various states, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy has attracted increasing attention. In the present work, it was firstly used to analyze lignocellulosic biomass material and develop the possible use for rapid detection. Through the analysis of the spectra, it was observed that the extremely pure microcrystalline cellulose, filter paper and purchased

Advances in species recognition technologies can contribute to the conservation and protection of flora species, especially those threatened with extinction. The aim of this research was to compare the early fusion approaches of operators known as Local Binary Patterns (LBP) and late fusion, carried out at the level of the decision classifiers, in the construction of an automatic recognition system

The effects of temperature (T) and moisture content (MC) on bark/wood shear strength (BWSS) were studied. Fifteen stems of black spruce (Picea mariana (Mill.) B.S.P.) and balsam fir (Abies balsamea (L.) Mill.) logs were selected and cross-cut into three 1.25 m log sections, corresponding to bottom (1.3 m), middle (3.8 m), and top (6.3 m) positions. BWSS was measured at five temperatures, ranging from

For in situ timber structure applications, heat and mass transfer are strongly dependent on temperature. This work focuses on a parametrical modeling to evaluate and quantify temperature effect at each stage. The model is classically based on a coupling between Fourier's law, which establishes the temporal and spatial distribution of temperature, and Fick's law dealing specifically with the water field

Water vapor sorption is a fundamental physical property of wood and has numerous implications for the behavior of wood as a building material. As a result, water vapor sorption isotherms have been studied for over a century and are the topic of countless publications. Despite their importance and depth of study, there has not yet been a thorough review of these studies that can be used to guide readers

Furfurylation is a modification technique that improves many wood properties. The wood is first impregnated with furfuryl alcohol (FA) diluted in a solvent, and afterward the impregnated wood is cured, during which time a FA derived polymer is formed within the wood cell wall and to some extent also within the cell lumina. In this study, the effect of the solvent used during the impregnation step of

Synthetic and heavy metal antifungals are frequently used as wood preservatives. However, they exhibit relatively inert biodegradation and toxic properties when leached; this makes their replacement with environmentally degradable yet functional alternatives a key target in the wood protection industry. In this context, distilled fractions of raw thermomechanical pulp turpentine (TMP-T) from Picea

The effect of thermal modification (TM) on the chemistry, anatomy and mechanical properties of wood is often investigated using small clear samples. Little is known on the effect of growth-related and processing defects, such as knots and checks, on the bending strength and stiffness of thermally modified timber (TMT). Nine boards of Norway spruce with different combinations of knot types were used

Air-coupled ultrasound was used for assessing natural defects in wood boards by through-transmission scanning measurements. Gas matrix piezoelectric (GMP) and ferroelectret (FE) transducers were studied. The study also included tests with additional bias voltage with the ferroelectret receivers. Signal analyses, analyses of the measurement dynamics and statistical analyses of the signal parameters

Aucoumea klaineana Pierre (Okoume) tannins were extracted by an artisanal maceration method in the presence of acetone/water used as solvent. The tannins obtained from the sapwood and heartwood and characterized by Maldi-ToF and FTIR did not present any differences regarding their type of oligomers. Tannins were more abundant in sapwood than in heartwood, but in both of them, fisetinidin and gallocatechin

In this paper, multi-scale modeling was used to resolve diffusion in steam-exploded wood at tracheid scales including sub-micrometer features of bordered pits. Simulations were performed using the lattice Boltzmann method with high-resolution X-ray tomography image data as the input for the microstructure. The results show an effective method for utilizing a variable diffusion coefficient to implement

The resistance of wood against fungal decay, in short the natural durability, is one of the main criteria for defining the potential use of a wood species. Wood collections, or xylaria, offer the unique opportunity to screen many specimens and species for the latter purpose yet sample size is often limited and standardized tests are often not possible neither desired given the historical and cultural

Lignin valorization is strongly dependent on a right strategy for converting lignin into value-added products. Conversion of lignin into monomeric degradation products is one of the important avenues. In this study, chemical mechanisms and monomeric product compositions in hydrolysis (acidic and alkaline), hydrogenolysis, catalytic oxidation, electrochemical oxidation and reduction, photochemical and

The main objective of this research is to develop a technique to obtain magnetic cork particles. The magnetization is achieved by applying a coating of iron oxides, obtained directly on the surface of cork particles from an acid solution of Fe cations added to a basic solution containing the particles. Previous surface treatment of cork particles was required; hence, plasma pretreatment was applied

The wood structure anisotropy and moisture content variation within the volume create different patterns of light scattering inside the wood. The objective of this study was to assess the suitability of a laser method for online measurement of green veneer moisture content based on the so-called tracheid effect. Beech and poplar veneers with thicknesses of 1, 2 and 3 mm were subsequently laser scanned

This study was constructed in 1953 with the aim of clarifying the effects of differences in structural installation conditions, such as the downstream slope and the installation of concrete dams directly above, on the degree of wear of wooden check dam elements. A wear survey was conducted on the wooden check dam, and wear was compared with that of the wooden check dam located downstream. As a result

In this case study, machine and process variables were extracted from the process control system (Prod-IQ) and combined with tested mechanical properties of wood fiber insulation boards according to product type and time of manufacture. The boards were taken from the production line (dry process), and the internal bond strength (σmt) and the compressive strength at 10% deformation (σ10) were determined

In the bio-based economy concept, any biomass should not be used directly for energy purposes without considering the possibility of using it for bioproducts with higher added value. Extractable phytochemicals found in lignocellulosic biomass of perennial industrial crops (PIC) are used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, chemical, food and feed industries. Therefore, these compounds should be obtained

Maps developed using Akima’s interpolation method, and representing average data for trees aged 13 and 22 years, were used to compare patterns of within-tree variation for Pinus taeda L. (loblolly pine) tracheid properties: coarseness (C), specific surface (S), radial (R) and tangential (T) diameter and wall thickness (w). SilviScan-calibrated near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy provided data for the

This work proposes an experimental approach to study the scratch resistance of green wood under the effect of polyethylene glycol (PEG) impregnation. To this end, small-scale green spruce samples are stabilized against water by using the technique of PEG impregnation to prevent water to seep out of the wood during experimental tests. Scratches are performed in the radial-longitudinal and tangential-longitudinal

Water exists in lignocellulosic materials throughout the whole process from the plant growth to raw materials processing and utilization. The fiber saturation point (FSP) is the inflection point of the physical and mechanical properties of lignocellulosic materials and has an important influence on their physical and mechanical properties. This paper investigates the FSP of Calamus simplicifolius by

The direct use of lignin results in the synthesis and production of low-value materials. Therefore, the chemical modification of lignin increases not only its reactivity, but also improves its compatibility and better dispersion in the lignin-based polymeric materials where lignin acts as a good substitute for oil-based polyols. Systematic studies were conducted in the present work. Hydroxymethylated

This study focused on plasma treatment of European beech (Fagus sylvatica) and heat-treated European beech surfaces with varying distance from the planar electrode of the diffuse coplanar surface barrier discharge. In addition to the treatment in the air, plasma treatment was also carried out in O2, CO2, N2 and Ar atmospheres. Treatment was differentiated between treatment in the active plasma zone

To improve the mechanical and thermal properties of wood, a new functional composite was developed using an environmentally friendly low-melting-point alloy (LMA). Wood–metal functional composites (WMCs) were prepared by impregnating a puffed wood substrate with a LMA to form a LMA/wood network. The puffed wood was obtained by subjecting it to high-intensity microwave pretreatment. In-depth scanning

This study was aimed to determine and compare the effect of different percentages of extraction solvent ethanol 0% (E0), 20% (E20), and 40% (E40) with water (vol/vol) as well as extraction time 6, 9 and 15 h on the yield and antioxidant potential of Pinus densiflora needle (PDN) and bark (PDB) extracts. Extraction was performed at 60 ± 5 °C. A maximum yield of 10.99 ± 0.96 and 16.86 ± 1.96% from 20 g

Extrusion process using 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM]Ac) in co-solvent, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), was conducted to improve the pretreatment effect on the enzymatic saccharification of pussy willow (Salix gracilistyla Miq.). The use of a twin screw extruder capable of continuous processing increased the solid loading to 50% in [EMIM]Ac and its co-solvent DMSO. The water-soluble fraction

In this study, modification of European beech wood (Fagus sylvatica) through in situ esterification of sorbitol and citric acid (SorCA) was investigated at two curing temperatures, 140 and 160 °C. In order to determine the optimum condition for modification, an aqueous solution of SorCA at varying concentrations was evaluated (10, 20, 30, and 55% w/w). Physical, mechanical, chemical, and durability

Bark residual side streams from industries (Eucalyptus globulus—Eg and Picea abies—Pa) or from control of invasive species in Mediterranean countries (Acacia melanoxylon—Am and Acacia dealbata—Ad) are burned for energy production, although their high content of extractable compounds points to a possible valorization as sources of phytochemicals with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Non-polar

Cricket is a popular and increasingly wealthy bat-and-ball sport. Cricket bats made from willow are the focus of increasing scientific research and innovation, and in this paper, an innovative approach to improving the performance of cricket bats is described. Parametric modeling and genetic algorithms were used to converge the location of two points on a bat that are associated with increased velocity

In the classical approaches, used in Central Europe in practice, cutting forces and cutting power in sawing processes of timber are commonly computed by means of the specific cutting resistance kc. It needs to be highlighted that accessible sources in handbooks and the scientific literature do not provide any data about wood provenance, nor about cutting conditions, in which cutting resistance has

The general objective of this work was to evaluate the quality of the little-known tropical woods of the Congo Basin, particularly Coula edulis, while looking for new biocidal products. The natural durability of the hazel tree of Gabon Coula edulis versus basidiomycete fungi was evaluated with native and extracted samples of heartwood against brown rot (Rhodonia placenta and Coniophora puteana) and

This study presents a new chronometric method for the dating of wood. The clock used is the chemical breakdown of specific parts, such as the acetyl groups of the hemicelluloses. The presented prediction models cover a maximum of 3000 years and include old living trees, construction wood and cold waterlogged wood. Any other preservation conditions are not covered by these models. Under these conditions

Hydrophilicity of fast-growing plantation wood is the major restriction for its outdoor applications. Herein, a novel method is reported for improving the hydrophobicity of Cathay poplar (Populus cathayana Rehd.) by using a paraffin/carnauba (5:5 and 7:3)-mixed wax emulsion system. The poplar samples were impregnated in the single or mixed wax O/W emulsions of 4% solid content with subsequent drying

Two series of activated carbons were prepared by chemical activation of three different kinds of agricultural waste: cherimoya (Annona cherimola), fig (Ficus carica) and olive (Olea europaea) woods. KOH and H3PO4 were selected as activating agents. The main differences between these trees are their growth rate and the hardness of the wood. Due to these differences, distinct pore structure, surface

The chemical composition of wood is one of the key features that determine wood quality. The focus of this study was on identifying differences between juvenile and mature woods in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and developing models for predicting the chemical composition of these two wood types. Chemical traits, determined by traditional wet chemistry techniques, included the proportion of lignin

A visible-light-responsive TiO2 with carbonized medium-density fiberboard (c-MDF) was prepared by a one-step preparation method, and its application as an interior building material for decomposition of harmful aromatic volatile organic compounds was evaluated by investigating its toluene decomposition performance. Titanium tetraisopropoxide, cobalt nitrate, and iron nitrate were used as precursor

Features and characteristics of wood as a natural smart material allow us to use it to create new smart biocomposite materials, intelligent systems and environments. The shape-memory effect of oak (Quercus robur L.) and birch (Betula pendula Roth) veneers was investigated. Thermomechanical spectrometry was used to study these two species, which makes it possible to establish the relationship between

The new process of abies ethanol lignin sulfation by a low-toxic mixture of sulfamic acid and urea in 1,4-dioxane medium was optimized, and the structure of sulfated ethanol lignin was studied. The process of lignin sulfation is described by a first-order equation in the temperature range 70–100 °C. The value of the rate constants is weakly dependent on the ratios of lignin and sulfating complex (sulfamic

This research is dedicated to the study on the formation of levoglucosenone and other main volatiles from the catalytic pyrolysis with the addition of phosphoric acid of birch wood and lignocelluloses obtained by birch wood hydrothermal treatment. Py-GC/MS/FID method was used to evaluate the contents of the main products. Lignocelluloses were found to be a more promising precursor to obtain levoglucosenone

In this work, a simple two-stage pretreatment (TSP) was utilized to improve hemicellulose separation and alleviate lignin condensation and therefore facilitate hemicellulose extraction and subsequent kraft pulping. In contrast to single-stage pretreatment, TSP showed a significant improvement for hemicellulose extraction and hemicellulose degradation and provided an almost identical cellulose loss

The objective of this research was to investigate the presence of residual lignin in cellulose fibers on the efficiency and energy consumption during nanofibers processing. Four kinds of lignin-containing cellulose nanofibers (LCNFs) from switchgrass, yellow poplar, hybrid poplar, and pine, respectively, were isolated via organosolv fractionation coupling mechanical grinding. Nanofibrils were observed

Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy was applied to 120 samples of heartwood rings from eight individual pine trees from different locations in Spain. Pinus sylvestris cores were collected at the Artikutza natural park (Ps-ART). Pinus nigra cores were collected in Sierra de Cazorla (Pn-LIN) and in La Sagra Mountain (Pn-LSA). Three discriminant analysis tests

The impregnation process of Scots pine and beech samples with tannin solutions was investigated. The two materials involved in the process (impregnation solution and wood samples) are studied in depth. Viscosity of mimosa tannin solutions and the anatomical aspect of beech and Scots pine were analysed and correlated. The viscosity of tannin solutions presents a non-newtonian behaviour when its pH level

Recent museum studies have indicated the appearance of cracks and dimensional changes on decorated oak panels in historical Dutch cabinets and panel paintings. A thorough analysis of these damage mechanisms is needed to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the causes of damage and to advise museums on future sustainable preservation strategies and rational guidelines for indoor climate specifications