At the very practical level, questions around the kinetics of carbohydrate extraction are to be studied with particular attention to flake thickness and species effects.  Experiments will define the level of extraction that can be achieved without significantly disrupting flake structure and properties.  New information will also be generated on process measurement and modeling opportunities to better control the distribution of flake thickness produced in commercial processes.  In another program module, dynamic mechanical analysis will be used to assess the viscoelastic properties of extracted flakes, providing information on cell wall structure and flow characteristics that impact panel consolidation.  Research will also address the ultimate issue of performance properties of oriented strandboard panels prepared from flakes with different levels of hemicellulose removal.  Laboratory-scale panels will be tested for adhesive bonding, mechanical properties, and thickness swell behavior.  Finally, an important aspect of economic viability is the development of value-added chemicals and products based on the new carbohydrate product stream.  Experiments will also be conducted to develop novel, self-assembled systems derived from hemicellulose fragments.  These nanostructures are potentially valuable for catalysis in chemical synthesis, or as self-assembling coatings for wood and other substrates.

Abstracts of all current WUR projects can be found by visiting http://cris.csrees.usda.gov/ and utilizing the search function.