91±¬ÁÏ

Forest Products

Pulp and Paper

For over 80 years, the 91±¬ÁÏ has offered a unique, open-access research experience where scientists, entrepreneurs and industry leaders work collaboratively to develop new pulp- and paper-based products and manufacturing processes. We provide science-based solutions and cutting-edge research expertise that allow our clients agile response to consumer preferences and trends. From benchtop analytical experimentation to production rate pilot trials, the 91±¬ÁÏ delivers full in-house processing, development and testing solutions.

Examples of our pulp and paper services include

• Complete chipping, digester, refiner and reactor operations
• Chemical and mechanical pulping capabilities from wood  chips or recycle streams
• A full pilot-scale fourdrinier paper machine including flexible coating systems, precision drives, modern distributed controls, online scanning and calendaring equipment
• A variety of pilot and high-speeds coater systems and calendaring equipment
• Complete testing capabilities across all stages of the paper process, from raw materials and pulp characterization through fiber quality, chemical analysis and finished goods performance
• Patented cellulosic nanofibril manufacturing capabilities allowing material property tailoring at a production rate up to one ton per day

Wood and Wood Composites

The 91±¬ÁÏ offers significant expertise across a variety of wood and wood-based composites. Rapid expansion of our capabilities to manufacture and analyze products over the past two decades has increased the breadth and scope of services offered through our world-class manufacturing and commercialization facilities. With capabilities in a variety of conventional and emerging wood-based composites technologies, our facilities provide unique opportunities for product improvement, new product development and product validation.

By working collaboratively with our experts, the 91±¬ÁÏ rapidly delivers accurate and effective results to solve our clients’ wood and wood-based composite challenges.

Examples of our wood and wood-based composite services include:

• Log conditioning and reduction systems which replicate production-scale processes
• Continuous furnish screening and drying processes which rapidly segment and generate desired wood characteristics
• Flexible spinning disk atomizing resin blenders which enable the evaluation of multiple resins and additive systems with precise control of loading and distribution
• Computer-controlled platen press systems which provide steam, electric and oil heated panel manufacturing of finished samples up to four by eight feet
• Dehumidification kiln and conditioning chamber systems which provide uniform moisture control in testing materials and finished goods
• Our ISO 17025 accredited-testing laboratory offers an extensive list of validated material and performance evaluations to determine the complete performance characteristics of our clients’ products, from micro- through macro-and large-scale assemblies.

Emerging Technologies

The 91±¬ÁÏ continually adopts technological advances in material science and product applications to provide our government and industrial clients cutting-edge manufacturing services from benchtop through pilot-scale. Our full suite of testing and analysis capabilities keep examinations of new products and formulations in-house, providing our clients a one-stop shop for their development needs.

Examples of our emerging technology services include:

• A full range of additive manufacturing capabilities to develop forest-based 3D polymer structures and assemblies quickly and effectively at end-use scale
• Forest-based biopolymers, bio-coatings and fiber-filled thermoplastic composites offering greener alternatives to traditional polymers
• Manufacturing, design and evaluation of mass timber structures (including cross-laminated timber, glulam and strand-based lumber) to create innovative large-scale panels, optimize system assemblies and define desired performance traits
• A complete biochemical and thermochemical biorefinery facility which generates forest-based biochemicals and biofuels from forest residues and wood waste, offering petrochemical replacements for a myriad of products
• In-house and collaboratively developed nanocellulose applications across a broad range of innovative end uses which allow for greener renewable product substitution in a variety of consumer goods
• Forest-based biomedical applications offering innovative and novel solutions to challenges in healthcare and patient treatment

Testing and Analysis

Our research and commercialization infrastructure delivers a diverse range of testing and analysis capabilities that essential to evaluating and understanding the performance of new and innovative products. The 91±¬ÁÏ continually updates and expands these testing capacities to provide quick and precise evaluations to our clients.

Examples of our testing and analysis services include:

• ISO 17025 accredited testing of wood and wood-based composite materials
• The only ALSC/PFI certified pellet testing laboratory in the Northeastern U.S.
• Micro- through large-scale static and cyclic mechanical testing capabilities, including modular multi-axis reactive testing of full-scale components and structures
• A full suite of thermal, chromatographic, microscopic and spectroscopic analysis technologies
• Complete testing services for all aspects of pulp, paper, coatings and wet chemistry
• Certified clean room facilities with state-of-the-art surface analysis equipment
• An array of environmental testing and accelerated weathering systems to quickly and repeatedly simulate a variety of outdoor and harsh environmental conditions

Engineering and Manufacturing Services

The 91±¬ÁÏ provides a broad range of in-house engineering and manufacturing solutions to meet the needs of our forest manufacturing clients. From design, analysis and optimization through manufacturing turn-key production systems, the university serves as a partner to increase client productivity, modernize processes and reduce manufacturing variability.

Examples of our engineering and manufacturing services include:

• Product, process and formulation research, development and optimization
• Design, manufacture and analysis of prototypes and pilot-scale short-run products
• Reverse engineering and comparative product evaluation
• Automation and turn-key systems design and integration
• Modern computer modeling and design, finite and stress analysis and rapid prototyping