January 2008

Gordon Conference: John Nairn attended the Gordon Research Conference on Composites/Nanocomposites in Ventura, California where he was a discussion leader on Modeling of Nanocomposites. He also gave an invited talk with the tongue-in cheek title of "Numerical Modeling of a Low Cost, Green, Renewable, Machinable, Smart, Hierarchical, Adaptive, Self-Healing, Multifunctional, Attractive, Bio-Nanocomposite Material" (i.e., wood). The talk spoke to how wood science provides sample solutions to many composites problems that have been researched over the past 40 years. Conversely, basic composites science is helpful for understanding the properties of solid wood.

New Equipment: Lech Muszyński and the WSE Composites Group (Kamke, Simonsen, Nairn, Gupta and Li) were successful with the very competitive Research Equipment Reserve Fund program this Fall. They will be purchasing "A Compact System for Fatigue Testing of Small Composite Samples" with the award of about $60 k plus $15k of CoF and individual scientist matching funds. They partnered with Jamie Kruzic and Brian Bay from Mechanical Engineering.  

Recent Proposals: This is the season—here are some of the proposals that WSE faculty have been working on:

• Chris Knowles, Scott Leavengood, Eric Hansen. “Internationalizing Natural Resources Education and Wood Products Extension at Oregon State University.” to USDA CSREES.

• Kaichang Li, “Development of New Adhesives for Production of Fiberboard and Particleboard in Temple-Inland.” to Temple-Inland.

• John Nairn and Lech Muszyński. “Morphology Based Modeling of Micro-Mechanics and Failure Mechanisms in Bio-Materials with Polymer Matrices”.  Invited full proposal to USDA NRICGP.

• John Simonsen and Lech Muszyński, “Nano-Cellulose-Reinforced PLA for Polyolefin Replacement”, Invited full proposal to USDA NRICGP. John Simonsen is also a co-PI on an NSF proposal in the College of Science seeking a new transmission electron microscope for a university service center.

Leavings: Boris Clouet completed his internship with Lech Muszyński at the end of December and returned to his native France. Prof. Ho Yang Kang is concluding his 18 month visiting scientist program with Lech and Mike Milota and is returning to Seoul.

Timber Bridges—2008: Thirty five Civil Engineers and Wood Science students are building two wood bridges this term as part of the Wood Design class taught by Rakesh Gupta. This is the first time that two OSU bridges will be submitted to the National Timber Bridge competition. Look for chaos in the renovated East Bay of the Oak Creek Building for the rest of the term.

DEPARTMENT OF WOOD SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY

What is this? A monthly capsule summary of selected project updates, new ventures, new grants/ contracts/ testing programs, major papers, accomplishments, awards and kudos, other stuff you are proud of, or activities that your colleagues (and DH) might find interesting. The goal is better awareness of the professional activities of faculty, staff and students in Wood Science & Engineering.