Wood Utilization
Federal Research and Product Development Activities, Support, and Technology Transfer Gao ID: GAO-06-624 June 15, 2006More wood is consumed every year in the United States than all metals, plastics, and masonry cement combined. To maximize their use of wood, forest product companies rely on research into new methods for using wood. At least 12 federal agencies have provided support to wood utilization research and product development activities, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service and Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES)-funded wood utilization research centers, which historically have specifically targeted support to these activities. GAO was asked to identify (1) the types of wood utilization research and product development activities federal agencies support and how these activities are coordinated; (2) the level of support federal agencies made available for these activities in fiscal years 2004 and 2005, and changes in the level of support at the Forest Service and at the CSREES-funded wood utilization research centers for fiscal years 1995 through 2005; and (3) how the federal government transfers the technologies and products from its wood utilization research and product development activities to industry. GAO provided a draft of this report to the 12 federal agencies for review and comment. Some of the agencies provided technical comments, which were incorporated as appropriate.
Federal wood utilization research and product development span a broad spectrum of activities. These activities fall into five categories: harvesting, wood properties, manufacturing and processing, products and testing, and economics and marketing. Of the 12 federal agencies that provided support to wood utilization research and product development, only the Forest Service and the CSREES-funded wood utilization centers had activities in all five categories; although all the agencies had activities in manufacturing and processing. Coordination of these activities is both informal and formal. Scientists informally coordinate their activities by conferring with each other and sharing information at conferences and professional meetings and through publications. In some cases, coordination occurs through more formal mechanisms, such as cooperative arrangements and other joint ventures. During fiscal years 2004 and 2005, the 12 federal agencies made available at least $54 million annually for wood utilization research and product development activities, measured either in budget authority or expenditures. (Dollars are reported in either budget authority or expenditure data, depending on the availability of agency data.) The Forest Service made available about half of these funds. In addition, the Forest Service--the only agency that directly employs scientists and support staff to conduct wood utilization research and product development--reported having almost 175 full-time equivalent scientists and support staff in each of these years. For fiscal years 1995 through 2005, the Forest Service's budget authority for wood utilization research and product development activities fluctuated moderately from year-to-year (in inflationadjusted dollars). In contrast, overall, CSREES' budget authority for the wood utilization research centers increased over the period (in inflation-adjusted dollars), in part because of the addition of four new wood utilization research centers between fiscal years 1999 and 2004. To transfer technologies and products to industry, federal agencies generally rely on scientists and technology transfer specialists, who use methods such as information sharing, technical assistance, and demonstration projects. For example, applying research from the Forest Products Laboratory, Forest Service technology transfer specialists assisted a small forest products company in producing flooring from small trees by, among other things, providing solutions to product imperfections like warping and discoloration.
GAO-06-624, Wood Utilization: Federal Research and Product Development Activities, Support, and Technology Transfer
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Report to Congressional Requesters:
United States Government Accountability Office:
GAO:
June 2006:
Wood Utilization:
Federal Research and Product Development Activities, Support, and
Technology Transfer:
GAO-06-624:
GAO Highlights:
Highlights of GAO-06-624, a report to congressional requesters
Why GAO Did This Study:
More wood is consumed every year in the United States than all metals,
plastics, and masonry cement combined. To maximize their use of wood,
forest product companies rely on research into new methods for using
wood. At least 12 federal agencies have provided support to wood
utilization research and product development activities, including the
U.S. Department of Agriculture‘s Forest Service and Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES)-funded wood
utilization research centers, which historically have specifically
targeted support to these activities.
GAO was asked to identify (1) the types of wood utilization research
and product development activities federal agencies support and how
these activities are coordinated; (2) the level of support federal
agencies made available for these activities in fiscal years 2004 and
2005, and changes in the level of support at the Forest Service and at
the CSREES-funded wood utilization research centers for fiscal years
1995 through 2005; and (3) how the federal government transfers the
technologies and products from its wood utilization research and
product development activities to industry.
GAO provided a draft of this report to the 12 federal agencies for
review and comment. Some of the agencies provided technical comments,
which were incorporated as appropriate.
What GAO Found:
Federal wood utilization research and product development span a broad
spectrum of activities. These activities fall into five categories:
harvesting, wood properties, manufacturing and processing, products and
testing, and economics and marketing. Of the 12 federal agencies that
provided support to wood utilization research and product development,
only the Forest Service and the CSREES-funded wood utilization centers
had activities in all five categories; although all the agencies had
activities in manufacturing and processing. Coordination of these
activities is both informal and formal. Scientists informally
coordinate their activities by conferring with each other and sharing
information at conferences and professional meetings and through
publications. In some cases, coordination occurs through more formal
mechanisms, such as cooperative arrangements and other joint ventures.
During fiscal years 2004 and 2005, the 12 federal agencies made
available at least $54 million annually for wood utilization research
and product development activities, measured either in budget authority
or expenditures. (Dollars are reported in either budget authority or
expenditure data, depending on the availability of agency data.) The
Forest Service made available about half of these funds. In addition,
the Forest Service”the only agency that directly employs scientists and
support staff to conduct wood utilization research and product
development”reported having almost 175 full-time equivalent scientists
and support staff in each of these years. For fiscal years 1995 through
2005, the Forest Service‘s budget authority for wood utilization
research and product development activities fluctuated moderately from
year-to-year (in inflation-adjusted dollars). In contrast, overall,
CSREES‘ budget authority for the wood utilization research centers
increased over the period (in inflation-adjusted dollars), in part
because of the addition of four new wood utilization research centers
between fiscal years 1999 and 2004.
To transfer technologies and products to industry, federal agencies
generally rely on scientists and technology transfer specialists, who
use methods such as information sharing, technical assistance, and
demonstration projects. For example, applying research from the Forest
Products Laboratory, Forest Service technology transfer specialists
assisted a small forest products company in producing flooring from
small trees by, among other things, providing solutions to product
imperfections like warping and discoloration.
[Hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/cgi-bin/getrpt?GAO-06-624].
To view the full product, including the scope and methodology, click on
the link above. For more information, contact Robin Nazzaro at (202)
512-3841 or nazzaror@gao.gov.
[End of Section]
Contents:
Letter:
Results in Brief:
Background:
Federal Wood Utilization Research and Product Development Activities
Fall into Five Categories and Are Coordinated Both Informally and
Formally:
Federal Agencies Made Available at Least $54 Million Annually for Wood
Utilization Research and Product Development in Fiscal Years 2004 and
2005; Forest Service Support Fluctuated Moderately, and CSREES Support
Increased Over 10 Years:
Federal Agencies Rely on Scientists and Specialists to Transfer
Technology Through a Variety of Methods:
Agency Comments:
Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and Methodology:
Appendix II: Forest Service's Conducted and Planned Wood Utilization
Research and Product Development:
Appendix III: CSREES Wood Utilization Research Centers, Fiscal Years
1995-2005:
Appendix IV: Budget Authority for the Forest Service's Research Work
Units and for the CSREES Wood Utilization Research Centers:
Appendix V: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments:
Tables:
Table 1: Federal Agencies That Support Wood Utilization Research and
Product Development, Principal Authorizing Legislation, and Description
of Selected Programs:
Table 2: Selected Laws That Support Technology Transfer for Wood
Utilization Research and Product Development:
Table 3: Categories of Major Wood Utilization Research and Product
Development Activities:
Table 4: Agencies' Wood Utilization Research and Product Development
Activities and Examples of These Activities:
Table 5: Federal Financial Support in Wood Utilization Research and
Product Development, by Agency, Fiscal Years 2004-2005:
Table 6: FTE Staff for Wood Utilization Research and Product
Development at the Forest Service, Fiscal Years 2004-2005:
Table 7: Forest Service Budget Authority for Wood Utilization Research
and Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Table 8: Forest Service FTE Staff for Wood Utilization Research and
Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Table 9: The Forest Products Laboratory's Budget Authority for Wood
Utilization Research and Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Table 10: The Forest Products Laboratory's FTE Staff for Wood
Utilization Research and Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Table 11: The Forest Products Laboratory's Operating Budget, Fiscal
Years 1995-2005:
Table 12: CSREES Budget Authority for Wood Utilization Research
Centers, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Table 13: Total Budget Authority for CSREES Wood Utilization Research
Centers, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Table 14: Conducted and Planned Activities for the Forest Service's
Research Work Units at the Forest Products Laboratory:
Table 15: Conducted and Planned Activities for the Forest Service's
Research Work Units Associated with Research Stations:
Table 16: University of Alaska Wood Utilization Research Center--
Activities Conducted under Grants for Wood Utilization Research and
Product Development, Fiscal Years 2000-2005:
Table 17: Inland Northwest Forest Products Research Consortium--
Activities Conducted under Grants for Wood Utilization Research and
Product Development, Fiscal Years 1999-2005:
Table 18: University of Maine Wood Utilization Research Center--
Activities Conducted under Grants for Wood Utilization Research and
Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Table 19: Michigan State University Wood Utilization Research Center--
Activities Conducted under Grants for Wood Utilization Research and
Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Table 20: University of Minnesota, Duluth, Wood Utilization Research
Center--Activities Conducted under Grants for Wood Utilization Research
and Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Table 21: Mississippi State University Wood Utilization Research
Center--Activities Conducted under Grants for Wood Utilization Research
and Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Table 22: North Carolina State University Wood Utilization Research
Center--Activities Conducted under Grants for Wood Utilization Research
and Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Table 23: Oregon State University Wood Utilization Research Center--
Activities Conducted under Grants for Wood Utilization Research and
Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Table 24: University of Tennessee Wood Utilization Research Center--
Activities Conducted under Grants for Wood Utilization Research and
Product Development, Fiscal Years 1999-2005:
Table 25: University of West Virginia Wood Utilization Research Center-
-Activities Conducted Under Grants for Wood Utilization Research and
Product Development, Fiscal Years 2004-2005:
Table 26: The Forest Service's Wood Utilization Research Work Units'
Budget Authority, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Table 27: FTE Scientists and Support Staff in the Forest Service's Wood
Utilization Research Work Units, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Table 28: Budget Authority for the CSREES Wood Utilization Research
Centers, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Figures:
Figure 1: Wood Utilization Activities from Harvesting through
Recycling:
Figure 2: Total Budget Authority for Forest Service Wood Utilization
Research and Product Development, and FTE Staff, Fiscal Years 1995-
2005:
Figure 3: Total Budget Authority for the Forest Products Laboratory's
Wood Utilization Research and Product Development, and FTE Staff,
Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Figure 4: The Forest Products Laboratory's Operating Budget, Fiscal
Years 1995-2005:
Figure 5: Total Budget Authority for CSREES Wood Utilization Research
Centers, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
Abbreviations:
CCA: chromated copper arsenate:
CNC: computer-numeric controlled:
CRADA: cooperative research and development agreement:
CRIS: Current Research Information System:
CSREES: Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service:
FTE: full-time equivalent:
GPR: ground- penetrating radar:
HUD: Department of Housing and Urban Development:
OSB: oriented strandboard:
RPA: The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974:
SBIR: Small Business Innovation Research:
STTR: Small Business Technology Transfer:
TMU: Technology Marketing Unit:
USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture:
VOC: volatile organic compound:
United States Government Accountability Office:
Washington, DC 20548:
June 15, 2006:
The Honorable Saxby Chambliss:
Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry:
United States Senate:
The Honorable Richard G. Lugar:
United States Senate:
The Honorable Thad Cochran:
United States Senate:
More wood is consumed every year in the United States than all metals,
plastics, and masonry cement combined. In residential construction, for
instance, wood accounts for about 90 percent of structural framing and
sheathing, as well as large portions of other wood products, including
cabinets, doors, windows, moldings, millwork, sub-flooring, and
finished flooring. Despite the nation's significant use of wood
products, some segments of the U.S. forest products industry, such as
furniture manufacturing, have declined. Over the past 10 years, forest
products companies have consolidated, in part by closing or idling
mills, to reduce costs and remain competitive with foreign companies.
The forest products industry is made up of a few large multinational
companies and many medium and small companies.[Footnote 1] To remain
competitive, these companies have had to become more efficient and
adapt to changing wood resources. For example, wood product companies
had primarily used large trees, but these trees are now becoming
scarce. At the same time, the supply of small-diameter trees has
increased, in part because of federal, state, and local efforts to thin
forests of these trees and therefore reduce the buildup of fuels that
could contribute to large forest fires. To maximize their use of small-
diameter trees and other wood resources, such as sawdust, companies
rely on research into new methods of using wood. However, only a few
large companies conduct wood utilization research and develop new
products.
Federal research and product development in wood utilization helps
provide the science and technology needed to conserve the nation's
forest resources, supply the demand for wood products, and support
forest management and restoration activities. At least 12 federal
agencies support wood utilization research and product development.
These include the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES), Forest
Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service; the Department of
Defense's (Defense) Army, Army Corps of Engineers, and Office of Naval
Research; the Department of Energy; the Department of Homeland
Security's Coast Guard; the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD); the Department of the Interior's (Interior) Bureau of Indian
Affairs; the National Science Foundation; and the Department of
Transportation. However, historically, only two of these agencies--the
Forest Service and CSREES--have had significant funds specifically
targeted to wood utilization research and product development. The
other agencies do not have defined programs for wood utilization
research and product development but provided support through various
mechanisms, such as grants.
Most of the Forest Service's wood utilization research and product
development is conducted at its Forest Products Laboratory in Madison,
Wisconsin, which is the agency's national laboratory for these
activities; five of its regional research stations also conduct wood
utilization research and product development. CSREES focuses on wood
utilization research and product development through a grant directed
by congressional committee (committee-directed grant) to 10 wood
utilization research centers in 12 universities around the country.
Although many agencies have provided support for wood utilization
research and product development, the Forest Service has the most
experience in this area--it has been conducting wood utilization
research and product development since 1910 and is a key player in
carrying out these research and product development activities.
However, a 2002 National Academy of Sciences report showed a nearly 30-
percent decline in the Forest Service's budget authority for forest
products research since 1980 (in inflation-adjusted dollars), and a
loss of about 46 percent in Forest Service research scientists from
1985 to 1999.[Footnote 2]
In this context, you asked us to review the status of federal agencies'
support for wood utilization research and product development. For this
report, we identified (1) the types of wood utilization research and
product development activities supported by federal agencies and how
these activities are coordinated; (2) the level of support federal
agencies made available for these activities in fiscal years 2004 and
2005, and the changes in the level of support at the Forest Service and
at the CSREES-funded wood utilization research centers from fiscal
years 1995 through 2005; and (3) how the federal government transfers
the technologies and products from its wood utilization research and
product development activities to industry.
To collect and catalogue the types of wood utilization research and
product development activities federal agencies conduct and the amount
of financial and personnel support they provide for these activities,
we collected and analyzed activity, budget authority, and expenditure
data in agency databases and files. For purposes of our review, wood
utilization research and product development refers to the activities
that occur from harvesting wood through recycling wood and paper
products. We collected financial data for fiscal year 2004 for each
agency and for fiscal year 2005, if available. In some cases, these
data were expenditure data, and in other cases, they were budget
authority data.[Footnote 3] In addition, we collected data for 11
fiscal years, 1995 through 2005, for the two agencies that historically
have had funds dedicated to wood utilization research and product
development--the Forest Service and CSREES' wood utilization research
centers. We analyzed these data in both nominal dollars and dollars
adjusted for inflation.[Footnote 4] CSREES also provides funding for
wood utilization research and product development as part of other
research and development grant programs; we collected these data only
for fiscal year 2004 because 2005 data were not available for these
grant programs. We collected information on full-time equivalent (FTE)
staff from the Forest Service for fiscal years 1995 through 2005; the
Forest Service is the only agency that employs full-time scientists and
support staff to conduct wood utilization research and product
development. We reviewed the reliability of agencies' budget and
expenditure data and determined that the data were sufficiently
reliable for the purposes of this review. We also interviewed
scientists, university researchers, technology transfer specialists,
and industry officials around the nation to obtain information on wood
utilization research and product development activities, financial and
personnel support, and technology transfer efforts. In addition, we
conducted site visits at a limited number of federal, university, and
industrial facilities that focus on wood utilization research and
product development--the Forest Products Laboratory; Forest Service
facilities in Virginia, West Virginia, and Oregon; the wood utilization
center at Oregon State University; and a Weyerhaeuser Company research
laboratory in Washington State. Among other things, we asked these
officials how federal agencies transfer technologies and products to
industry and asked them for examples of successful federal technology
transfer efforts. We performed our work between February 2005 and May
2006, in accordance with generally accepted government auditing
standards. Appendix I provides a more detailed description of our scope
and methodology.
Results in Brief:
Federal wood utilization research and product development span a broad
spectrum of activities, and coordination of these activities is both
informal and formal. These activities fall into five categories:
harvesting, wood properties, manufacturing and processing, products and
testing, and economics and marketing. For example, with respect to
manufacturing and processing, ongoing research in log scanning
technology and equipment focuses on detecting knots and rot in a log in
order to cut it for maximum use. Research in this area also examines
the manufacturing of high-performance products from wood previously
considered too small or unusable. Of the 12 federal agencies, only the
Forest Service and the CSREES-funded wood utilization research centers
had activities in all five categories; in contrast, all the agencies
had activities in manufacturing and processing. Informally, scientists
coordinate their activities by conferring with each other and sharing
information at conferences and professional meetings and through
publications. However, in some cases, more formal mechanisms have been
established through legislative provisions, agency rulemaking,
memorandums of understanding, and other joint ventures. For example,
HUD has a partnership with the leaders of the home building, product
manufacturing, insurance, and financial industries; and representatives
of six federal agencies to develop technologies for improving the
quality, durability, energy efficiency, and affordability of
residential building materials, which includes wood.
During fiscal years 2004 and 2005, the 12 federal agencies made
available at least $54 million annually for wood utilization research
and product development, measured either in budget authority or
expenditures. (Dollars are reported in either budget authority or
expenditure data, depending on the availability of agency data.) The
Forest Service made available about half of these funds. In addition,
the Forest Service--the only agency that directly employs scientists
and support staff to conduct this research--reported having almost 175
FTE scientists and support staff in each of these years. For fiscal
years 1995 through 2005, the Forest Service received total budget
authority of $268 million for wood utilization research and product
development (or $289 million in 2004 inflation-adjusted dollars), while
CSREES' budget authority was about $51 million (or $55 million in 2004
inflation-adjusted dollars). For fiscal years 1995 through 2005, the
Forest Service's budget authority for wood utilization research and
product development activities fluctuated moderately from year-to-year
(in 2004 inflation-adjusted dollars). In contrast, overall, CSREES'
budget authority for the wood utilization research centers increased
over the period (in 2004 inflation-adjusted dollars), in part because
of the addition of four new wood utilization research centers between
fiscal years 1999 and 2004.
To transfer technologies and products to industry, federal agencies
generally rely on scientists and technology transfer specialists, who
use such methods as information sharing, technical assistance, and
demonstration projects. In terms of providing technical assistance, for
example, federal scientists helped a small company that produces
flooring for the National Collegiate Athletic Association improve its
manufacturing efficiency. In addition, the Forest Service has a
dedicated technology transfer unit--the Technology Marketing Unit
(TMU)--that has four technology transfer specialists with expertise in
wood utilization and product development. These specialists work to
improve the use of wood by transferring technologies developed by the
Forest Service to industry and others. For example, applying Forest
Products Laboratory research, these specialists assisted a small forest
products company in producing flooring from small trees by, among other
things, providing solutions to product imperfections like warping and
discoloration.
Background:
The unique characteristics and relative abundance of wood have made it
a natural material for a variety of uses, including homes and other
structures, furniture, tools, vehicles, and decorative objects. Because
wood varies in characteristics and volume by species, it may be heavy
or light, stiff or flexible, and hard or soft. Federal agencies conduct
research on the range of processes that occur between the time a tree
is grown in the forest to the time it becomes a wood product and then
is recycled. For purposes of our review, wood utilization research and
product development refers to the activities that occur from harvesting
the wood through the recycling of wood and paper products. (See fig.
1.)
Figure 1: Wood Utilization Activities from Harvesting through
Recycling:
[See PDF for image]
Source: Dr. Glenn Murphy, Oregon State University, 2005.
[End of figure]
The Forest Products Industry:
According to the North American Industry Classification
System,[Footnote 5] the U.S. forest products industry is divided into
two sectors: wood product manufacturing and pulp and paper
manufacturing. The wood product manufacturing sector comprises small
companies, while the pulp and paper manufacturing sector tends to have
fewer, larger companies.
The wood product manufacturing sector can be broken into three sub-
sectors: (1) primary producers--sawmills and plywood mills; (2)
secondary producers--millwork, cabinet, and furniture manufacturers;
and (3) structural and reconstituted products producers--oriented
strandboard (OSB), I-Joist, laminated veneer lumber, medium density
fiberboard, and particleboard. The United States is the world's leading
producer of lumber and wood products used in residential construction
and in commercial wood products. According to 2004 data (the most
recent data available), the wood product sector employed 535,000
workers nationwide and produced shipments valued at $103
billion.[Footnote 6]
The pulp and paper manufacturing sector includes two industry groups:
(1) manufacturers of pulp and paper and (2) manufacturers of products
made from purchased paper and other materials, such as paper bags or
tissues. The vast majority of the raw material for making paper is the
residue from other mills--primarily chips from sawmills. The United
States is also a leader in the pulp and paper business, producing about
28 percent of the world's pulp and 25 percent of the total world output
of paper and paperboard. In 2004 (the most recent data available), the
paper manufacturing sector employed 440,000 workers nationwide and
produced shipments valued at $154 billion.
According to a federal government report, the U.S. forest products
industry faces increasing competition from its traditional competitors
(Canada, the Scandinavian countries, and Japan), as well as from
emerging competitors (Brazil, Chile, and Indonesia).[Footnote 7]
Domestic purchases of paper and paperboard declined from 2000 to 2002,
but have begun to rebound since then.[Footnote 8] Approximately 120,000
jobs were lost in the paper manufacturing sector from 1999 to 2004,
representing a 21.5-percent loss. Sectors of the wood product
manufacturing industry have also declined. According to a 2003 Forest
Service report, during the last decade, the wood household furniture
industry lost approximately one-third of its market share to imports.
China now accounts for one-third of U.S. imports, up from none a decade
ago.[Footnote 9]
Federal Agencies Support Wood Utilization Research and Product
Development:
Federal research and product development in wood utilization helps
provide the science and technology needed to conserve the nation's
forest resources, supply the demand for wood products, and support
forest management and restoration activities. At least 12 federal
agencies support wood utilization research and product development
activities, but only 2 of these agencies--the Forest Service and
CSREES--have programs targeted for these activities.
Primary Agencies--Forest Service and CSREES' Wood Utilization Research
Centers:
For the Forest Service, the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources
Act of 1978 is the primary legislation authorizing the Secretary of
Agriculture to implement a comprehensive research program for forest
and rangeland renewable resources, including wood utilization, and to
disseminate the results.[Footnote 10] Other relevant legislation
includes the following:
* The Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000, which requires the
secretaries of Agriculture and of Energy to cooperate on policies and
procedures that promote research and development leading to the
production of fuels and biobased products; the act also established the
Biomass Research and Development Initiative.[Footnote 11]
* The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established technical areas for
focusing research under the Biomass Research and Development
Initiative.[Footnote 12]
* The Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 established a grant
program to encourage the commercialization of woody biomass.[Footnote
13]
The Forest Service's research and development organization establishes
research work units in the field by developing formal mission
statements, which must be approved by the Deputy Chief for Research and
other senior managers.[Footnote 14] A team from the Deputy Chief's
Office and station directors' office formally reviews these mission
statements and the unit's work at least every 5 years, and the review
often includes input from the public and private sectors.
The Forest Service's wood utilization research and product development
is carried out by scientists and professional support staff in 27
research work units around the country that were operating at the time
of our review. Most of the Forest Service's wood utilization research
and product development takes place at 16 research work units in the
Forest Products Laboratory, which conducts research of national and
international scope. The other 11 research work units are located in
the Forest Service's Northeastern, Southern, Pacific Northwest, Pacific
Southwest, and Rocky Mountain Research Stations, and these units mostly
focus on regional wood utilization issues.[Footnote 15] For example,
research work unit 4104 of the Southern station focuses on managing
Southern pine ecosystems, whereas research work unit 4701 of the
Northeastern station focuses on efficiently using northern forest
resources. These research work units produce 5-year research work plans
that identify the mission, the problem to be solved through research,
the proposed research approach, planned accomplishments, and staffing
needs.
CSREES provides support for wood utilization research and product
development through several grant programs. CSREES awards committee-
directed grants to 10 designated wood utilization research centers at
12 universities. The first three centers were established in fiscal
year 1985 at Oregon State University, Mississippi State University, and
Michigan State University. These three centers were established to
support wood utilization and harvesting research on western conifers,
southern pine, and eastern hardwoods, respectively. In fiscal year
1993, three centers with specific research focuses were added at the
University of Maine, the University of Minnesota at Duluth, and North
Carolina State University. In fiscal year 1999, the University of
Tennessee and the Inland Northwest Forest Products Research Consortium
were added. The consortium consists of the universities of Idaho and of
Montana, and Washington State University. The most recent additions are
the University of Alaska Southeast, in fiscal year 2000, and West
Virginia University, in fiscal year 2004. Every year each center
submits a grant proposal, reviewed by CSREES staff, containing
information on proposed research activities, budgets, and progress to
date. Funding supports scientists and graduate students and helps to
pay for new equipment, supplies, and travel.
In addition, CSREES provides grants to state-supported colleges and
universities that can be used for, but are not specifically focused on,
wood utilization research and product development through the
following:
* The McIntyre-Stennis Act, a formula grant program, for forestry
research, including two of eight potential funding areas focused on
wood utilization and product development.[Footnote 16]
* The Hatch Act, a formula grant program, designed to fund a number of
broad agricultural research areas.[Footnote 17]
* The National Research Initiative,[Footnote 18] a competitive grant
program with several research areas, including biobased products and
energy. Wood utilization research and product development grants have
been awarded under this initiative, as well as under CSREES' Small
Business Innovation and Research grants and other small grants
programs.
Other Agencies That Support Wood Utilization Research and Product
Development:
Ten other agencies also support wood utilization research and product
development. Table 1 provides information on these agencies' principal
authorizing legislation and a description of the programs that have
supported wood utilization research and product development, and the
mechanisms used for program delivery.
Table 1: Federal Agencies That Support Wood Utilization Research And
Product Development, Principal Authorizing Legislation, And Description
Of Selected Programs
Federal agency: USDA--National Resource Conservation Service[B];
Principal authorizing legislation[A]: Biomass Research Development Act
of 2000, Title III of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000
(Pub. L. No. 106-224);
Program description: Administers and funds grants for the Biomass
Research and Development Initiative, under which competitively awarded
grants, contracts, and financial assistance are provided to, or entered
into with, eligible entities to carry out research on--and development
and demonstration of--biobased fuels and biobased products (including
woody biomass), and the methods, practices, and technologies, for their
production.
Federal agency: Defense--Army, Corps of Engineers, Office of Naval
Research;
Principal authorizing legislation[A]: 2005 Defense Appropriations Act;
Program description: Provides committee-directed grants or contracts to
specific universities to conduct wood utilization research and product
development.
Federal agency: Department of Energy;
Principal authorizing legislation[A]: Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Pub.
L. No. 102-486), Biomass Research Development Act of 2000 (Pub. L. No.
106-224, tit.III (2000);
Program description: Enters into cost-share cooperative agreements and
contracts with its national laboratories, private industry, and
universities to conduct research on energy-efficient processes in
energy-intensive industries, including the pulp, paper, and wood
products manufacturing industries. Also develops technology for
converting biomass into energy and chemicals.
Federal agency: Department of Homeland Security--Coast Guard;
Principal authorizing legislation[A]: 2002 Department of Transportation
Appropriations Act (Pub. L. No. 107-87);
Program description: Provides a committee-directed contract to conduct
wood utilization research and product development at a specific
university.
Federal agency: HUD;
Principal authorizing legislation[A]: Housing and Urban Development Act
of 1970 (Pub. L. No. 91-609);
Program description: Administers the Partnership for Advancing
Technology in Housing program, an interagency partnership that provides
grants and financial assistance for research on residential housing
materials, which includes wood.
Federal agency: Interior--Bureau of Indian Affairs;
Principal authorizing legislation[A]: Snyder Act of 1921;
Program description: Can award grants to support wood product
development.
Federal agency: Department of Transportation;
Principal authorizing legislation[A]: Section 1039 of the Intermodal
Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (Pub. L. No. 102-240, §
1039, 23 U.S.C. 144 nt); Section 401 of the Pipeline Safety Act of 1992
(49 U.S.C 112), Transportation Equity Act for the 21[ST] Century (Pub.
L. No. 105-178);
Program description: The Federal Highway Administration has awarded
grants for research to increase the usage of timber and wood products
in highway bridges, including improving the design and performance of
timber structures and developing engineering design criteria for
structural wood products for use in highway bridges.[C]; The Research
and Innovative Technology Administration established centers of
excellence and provides grants to advance technology and expertise in
all areas of transportation, including transportation structures made
from wood.
Federal agency: National Science Foundation;
Principal authorizing legislation[A]: National Science Foundation Act
of 1950 (Pub. L. No. 81-507);
Program description: Funds basic research at universities, small
businesses, and other organizations. Wood utilization research could be
funded under the National Science Foundation's broad research
categories of engineering, chemistry, biology, social science, and
education. Does not target wood utilization research and does not fund
product development.
Sources: Legislation and agency documents.
[A] All laws cited are as amended.
[B] In 2006, USDA's Rural Development Agency assumed responsibility for
this grant program from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[C] There was no new funding for this program in fiscal year 2004,
according to Department of Transportation officials.
[End of table]
Technology Transfer:
The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer defines
technology transfer as "the process by which existing knowledge,
facilities or capabilities developed under federal research and
development funding are utilized to fulfill public and private
needs."[Footnote 19] Since 1978, Congress has enacted a series of laws
to promote technology transfer and to provide technology transfer
mechanisms and incentives. Table 2 presents selected laws that support
technology transfer for wood utilization research and product
development.
Table 2: Selected Laws That Support Technology Transfer For Wood
Utilization Research And Product Development
Laws supporting technology transfer[A]: General technology transfer
laws: The Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (Pub. L.
No. 96-480);
Description: Enacted to stimulate improved utilization of federally
funded technology developments--including inventions, software, and
training technologies--by state and local governments and the private
sector.
Laws supporting technology transfer[A]: General technology transfer
laws: The Patent and Trademark Law Amendments Act of 1980 (Bayh-Dole
Act, Pub. L. No. 96-517);
Description: Allowed universities, not-for-profit corporations, and
small businesses to patent and commercialize their federally funded
inventions.
Laws supporting technology transfer[A]: General technology transfer
laws: The Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 (Pub. L. No. 99-502);
Description: Authorized federal agencies to permit the directors of
government-owned laboratories to enter into cooperative research and
development agreements (CRADA) and to negotiate licensing agreements
for inventions created in the laboratories.
Laws supporting technology transfer[A]: General technology transfer
laws: The Technology Transfer Commercialization Act of 2000 (Pub. L.
No. 106-404);
Description: Broadened CRADA licensing to authorize federal
laboratories to grant licenses to federally owned inventions for which
a patent application was filed before the CRADA was signed.
Laws supporting technology transfer[A]: Laws for research and
development conducted by small businesses, which can include wood
products companies: Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982
(Pub. L. No. 97-219);
Description: Established the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
program, requiring federal agencies to reserve a portion of their
research and development effort for awards to small businesses.
Laws supporting technology transfer[A]: Laws for research and
development conducted by small businesses, which can include wood
products companies: Small Business Research and Development Enhancement
Act of 1992 (Pub. L. No. 102-564);
Description: Extended the SBIR program, increased the percentage of an
agency's budget to be devoted to SBIR, and established the Small
Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR), a program under which a
portion of a federal agency's extramural research or research and
development effort is reserved for awards to small businesses.
Laws supporting technology transfer[A]: Laws for research and
development conducted by small businesses, which can include wood
products companies: Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000, enacted
as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year
2001(Pub. L. No. 106-554);
Description: Directed the Small Business Administration and
participating agencies to, among other things, expand the scope of
publicly available information on specific grants, and to annually
report on their SBIR programs.
Laws supporting technology transfer[A]: Laws focused on natural
resources, including wood and its uses: Cooperative Forestry Assistance
Act of 1978 (Pub. L. No. 95-313);
Description: Authorized the Forest Service to carry out a program of
technology implementation to ensure that new technology is introduced
and forest resources research findings are made available to state
forestry personnel, private landowners, wood processors, forest
operators, and others.
Laws supporting technology transfer[A]: Laws focused on natural
resources, including wood and its uses: The National Forest-Dependent
Rural Communities Economic Diversification Act of 1990, enacted as part
of the Food, Agriculture, Conservation and Trade Act of 1990 (Pub. L.
No. 101-624);
Description: Created the Economic Action Program to upgrade existing
industries to use natural resources (including wood) more efficiently,
and to expand the economic base of rural communities to alleviate or
reduce their dependence on National Forest System land resources.
Source: GAO analysis of laws and regulations.
[A] All laws are as amended.
[End of table]
In addition to these laws, Executive Order 12591 ("Facilitating Access
to Science and Technology") directs federal agencies to encourage and
facilitate collaboration among federal laboratories, state and local
governments, universities, and the private sector--particularly small
business--in order to assist in the transfer of technology to the
marketplace.
Technology transfer is also carried out through the nation's extension
system, established by the Smith-Lever Act in 1914,[Footnote 20] to
assist in the development of practical applications of research
knowledge in agriculture, including wood utilization. Under this
system, thousands of county and regional extension specialists bring
university expertise to the local level. Funding is provided by CSREES
through annual formula grants to supplement state and county funds for
extension services. The funds can be used for natural resources,
including forestry or wood utilization, depending upon the priorities
of the university.
The Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 created the Renewable
Resources Extension Program.[Footnote 21] Under this program, CSREES
provides funds to 72 universities, which use these funds, along with
state, local, and institutional funds, to deliver educational programs
to forest and rangeland owners and managers. The program also provides
guidance to states in developing their general extension programs for,
among other things, timber utilization, harvesting, and marketing; wood
utilization; and wood products marketing. These efforts have included
wood utilization extension services, usually through extension
specialists.
Federal Wood Utilization Research and Product Development Activities
Fall into Five Categories and Are Coordinated Both Informally and
Formally:
Wood utilization research and product development conducted by 12
federal agencies span a broad spectrum of activities, and coordination
of these activities is both formal and informal. These activities fall
into five broad categories: (1) harvesting, (2) wood properties, (3)
manufacturing and processing, (4) products and testing, and (5)
economics and marketing.
Federal Wood Utilization Research and Product Development Activities
Can Be Grouped into Five Broad Categories:
We grouped the wood utilization research and product development
activities that the 12 agencies conduct into five broad categories:
harvesting, wood properties, manufacturing and processing, products and
testing, and economics and marketing. Table 3 shows the definitions we
used for the five categories and provides examples of the types of the
research and product development activities that fall into each of
these categories.
Table 3: Categories Of Major Wood Utilization Research And Product
Development Activities
Category: Harvesting;
Definition: Using scientific and engineering principles to ensure cost-
effective, environmentally acceptable, and safe forest operations,
including planning, road building, harvesting, handling and processing,
and transportation;
Examples of research and development activities:
* constructing forest roads;
* providing safety training;
* developing equipment to reduce soil compaction;
* using equipment to remove trees at the stump.
Category: Wood properties;
Definition: Studying the basic and applied physical, chemical, and
mechanical properties of wood and wood fiber to determine the
suitability of this material for various uses, from pulp to structural
beams to recycled composite products;
Examples of research and development activities:
* examining the basic surface properties of different wood and wood-
based materials to determine interaction with contaminants in water for
improved water repellency;
* examining reactions to mold, mildew, fungi, and various temperatures;
* research on reactions to moisture;
* research on the suitability of dead or dying trees for use in several
new and emerging wood-processing technologies.
Category: Manufacturing and processing;
Definition: New and better manufacturing ways to extract, reduce, and
convert virgin wood raw materials to useful products and the
development of technology to allow the re-use of materials and products
to the maximum extent possible;
Examples of research and development activities:
* examining the process for removing moisture from wood and the impact
of the drying processes on the strength, durability, and color of the
wood;
* studying and developing log scanning technology and equipment to
detect knots and rot;
* examining the manufacturing of high-performance products from wood
previously considered too small, unsuitable, or defective, and from
recycled wood;
* using ultrasound to detect internal defects in wood;
* improving paper manufacturing technologies to reduce energy
consumption and improve paper quality;
* improving bonding of particles, flakes or fibers, and adhesives in
the manufacturing of composite wood products, such as oriented
strandboard (OSB)[A].
Category: Products and testing;
Definition: Developing test methods and gathering and evaluating data
on the differing uses of wood and wood fiber products;
Examples of research and development activities:
* testing chemical and other treatments designed to prevent the
deterioration or destruction of wood or to extend its service life;
* studying the long-term durability, safety, and structural performance
of adhesively bonded wood assemblies and the development of better
testing methodologies for the durability of wood products, such as
composite siding;
* testing to develop a performance-based moisture design approach for
wood frame buildings that includes interior moisture design, exterior
moisture design, and performance of wood products under various
moisture and temperature regimes;
* developing analytical computer programs and other methods to assess
the potential moisture accumulation in building components.
Category: Economics and marketing;
Definition: Evaluating and tracking (1) domestic and international
supply and demand trends, trade policies, and markets, including market
opportunities; and (2) harvesting and production costs for alternative
material and energy inputs and processing options;
Examples of research and development activities:
* describing the cost and price effects of changes in forest management
practices and forest sector policies;
* analyzing factors affecting the near-and long-term outlook for supply
and demand;
* analyzing broad-scale trends in trade and investment and their
effects on forest products industries and firms;
* analyzing marketing and distribution patterns in international trade
for furniture, lumber, and other raw materials;
* analyzing the stages of the manufacturing process to reduce the cost
of finished wood products.
Sources: GAO's analysis of agencies' activities and consultation with
Forest Service officials.
[A] OSB is a composite wood product made of layered wood strands, often
used as an alternative to plywood.
[End of table]
Table 4 shows the types of research and product development activities
and examples of these activities by agency. All 12 agencies had
activities in the manufacturing and processing category.
Table 4: Agencies' Wood Utilization Research And Product Development
Activities And Examples Of These Activities
Federal agency: USDA: Forest Service;
Research and product development categories of activities:
* Harvesting;
* Wood properties;
* Manufacturing and processing;
* Products and testing;
* Economics and marketing;
Examples of research and product development activities:
* examine and improve a variety of different types of machinery for
tree removal and processing and high-technology computers to measure
trees as they are processed;
* understand factors that lead to poor wood surface quality and their
influences on wood bonding;
* optimize how wood, woody biomass, and recycled and nonwood materials
are converted into durable cost-effective, high-performing, and long-
service-life products;
* conduct fundamental research in the areas of solid wood products,
composites, and paper manufacture;
* evaluate the effects of technology trends and market changes on
forest management.
Federal agency: USDA: CSREES;
Research and product development categories of activities:
* Harvesting;
* Wood properties;
* Manufacturing and processing;
* Products and testing;
* Economics and marketing;
Examples of research and product development activities:
* new equipment that reduces soil compaction and increases timber
production;
* wood preservative technologies that result in longer product life;
* improved machining technologies to increase the speed of
manufacturing wood products at lesser cost;
* automated lumber grading and machining systems using optical
scanners, machine vision, and radio frequency fields to detect and cut
around defects in lumber;
* recycling processes for converting newsprint into composite board.
Federal agency: USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service[A];
Research and product development categories of activities:
* Manufacturing and processing;
Examples of research and product development activities:
* adding value to woody biomass by processing material into lumber and
poles;
* using woody biomass as fuel for electricity generation;
* using biomass for wood-burning facilities to cogenerate power and
steam.
Federal agency: Defense: Army;
Research and product development categories of activities:
* Wood properties;
* Manufacturing and processing;
Examples of research and product development activities:
* studying the use of composite materials to construct modular
ballistic protective shelters, which include the development of
ballistic panels with a wood layer in the panel design.
Federal agency: Defense: Army Corps of Engineers;
Research and product development categories of activities:
* Wood properties;
* Manufacturing and processing;
Examples of research and product development activities:
* examining the use of wood composite materials in constructing
temporary facilities and quarters that are lightweight, affordable,
rapidly erectable, modular, protective, and blast or ballistic
resistant.
Federal agency: Defense: Office of Naval Research;
Research and product development categories of activities:
* Wood properties;
* Manufacturing and processing;
Examples of research and product development activities:
* developing low-cost and stronger wood composite materials to replace
Navy wood structures, such as pier components (e.g., decking and fender
components).
Federal agency: Department of Energy;
Research and product development categories of activities:
* Manufacturing and processing;
Examples of research and product development activities:
* reducing the energy intensity of manufacturing processes in the pulp
and paper and wood products industries;
* studying drying technologies to reduce the energy required to remove
water from the pulp used to make paper.
Federal agency: Department of Homeland Security--Coast Guard;
Research and product development categories of activities:
* Wood properties;
* Manufacturing and processing;
Examples of research and product development activities:
* designing, building, and demonstrating a pier made of wood composite.
Federal agency: HUD;
Research and product development categories of activities:
* Wood properties;
* Manufacturing and processing;
Examples of research and product development activities:
* study of insulated composite wood panels in residential construction.
Federal agency: Interior--Bureau of Indian Affairs;
Research and product development categories of activities:
* Manufacturing and processing;
Examples of research and product development activities:
* studying the feasibility of developing wood products using woody
biomass;
* studying the feasibility of using woody biomass to generate
electricity and heat greenhouses.
Federal agency: Department of Transportation;
Research and product development categories of activities:
* Wood properties;
* Manufacturing and processing;
Examples of research and product development activities:
* studying preservatives and coatings for structural wood products for
highway bridges;
* studying wood composite materials for transportation.
Federal agency: National Science Foundation;
Research and product development categories of activities:
* Wood properties;
* Manufacturing and processing;
* Products and testing;
Examples of research and product development activities:
* studying the mixing of plastics with wood fibers to create wood-
composite products that are used in doors, windows, decks siding, and
roofs;
* improving the conversion of wood chips and other biomass to paper
fibers.
Source: GAO analysis of agency documents.
[A] In 2006, USDA's Rural Development Agency assumed responsibility for
this research effort from the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[End of table]
The Forest Service and CSREES were the only two agencies that had wood
utilization research and product development activities in all five
categories. According to our analysis of the Forest Service's 27
research work units' plans covering fiscal years 1995 through 2005,
over 80 percent of wood utilization research and product development
occurred in three categories: wood properties, products and testing,
and manufacturing and processing. In addition, CSREES wood utilization
research centers' annual research proposals for the same period showed
that about 70 percent of their activities occurred in the following
three categories: wood properties, manufacturing and processing, and
economics and marketing. According to a CSREES official, the CSREES
wood utilization research centers are allowed by law to use the funding
to conduct technology transfer activities, which are reflected in the
economics and marketing category.
Appendixes II and III, respectively, provide detailed information on
wood utilization research and product development activities for the
Forest Service, for multiyear periods (beginning in the late 1980s) to
the present; and CSREES, for fiscal years 1995 through 2005.
Federal Wood Utilization Research and Product Development Activities
Are Coordinated Both Informally and Formally:
We found instances of both informal and formal coordination of federal
activities for wood utilization and product development. According to
many scientists at the Forest Service, informal coordination occurs
among the relatively small wood utilization research and product
development community of scientists, and these scientists are often
aware of related scientific research. Scientists share information at
scientific and industry conferences and professional meetings and
through publications, and in some cases work informally to share staff
and equipment. Specific examples include the following:
* One Forest Service scientist associated with the Southern Research
Station--with 30 years of experience in wood utilization research on
Douglas Fir--shares resources and expertise with the Pacific Northwest
Research Station on the plantation growth of this species.
* Forest Service scientists in the Southern Research Station have
collaborated with colleagues in Australia, Denmark, Japan, and New
Zealand on using wood from southern forests to develop wood composite
products. These collaborative efforts were established primarily
through professional relationships.
* A Forest Service scientist at the Pacific Northwest Research Station
told us that scientists use annual professional meetings, such as those
held by the Forest Products Society and the Society of Wood Science and
Technology, as important mechanisms for coordinating their work and
broadening the scope of their research area.
The CSREES wood utilization research centers reported that they have
more informal than formal coordination mechanisms with other wood
utilization research centers and federal agencies. Like the Forest
Service, these informal mechanisms include sharing information with
their colleagues through professional meetings, publications, and
newsletters.
We also identified some formal mechanisms to coordinate wood
utilization research and product development that are set up through
legislative provisions, agency rulemaking, memorandums of
understanding, cooperative arrangements, and other joint ventures.
Specific examples include the following:
* The Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000 requires USDA and
the Department of Energy to carry out a Biomass Research and
Development Initiative under which competitively awarded grants,
contracts, and financial assistance are provided to eligible entities
to carry out research on fuels and products derived from biomass,
including woody biomass. The agencies work together on developing grant
solicitations, reviewing grant proposals, and selecting recipients. The
act also created a Biomass Research and Development Board, co-chaired
by the Department of Energy and USDA, to coordinate programs within the
federal government for promoting the use of biobased fuels and
products. The board's mission is to maximize the benefits from federal
grants and assistance by promoting collaboration and avoiding
duplication of effort through strategic planning on biomass research.
The board has approved the formation of a federal Woody Biomass Working
Group to coordinate and focus federal efforts on woody biomass
utilization.
* For 40 years, Forest Service wood utilization scientists have had
standing annual meetings with representatives from both the paper and
pulp and solid wood industries to present research results and obtain
input and review from industry. When updating their research work unit
plans every 5 years, these scientists also seek advice from outside
sources, including industry representatives, academics, and
environmental groups.
* Scientists also participate in research consortiums or cooperative
arrangements with industry. For example, scientists in the Forest
Service's Southern Research Station participate in a consortium
studying wood quality that has members from nine companies, including
Weyerhaeuser and Georgia Pacific. CSREES wood utilization research
centers also form cooperative arrangements. According to an Oregon
scientist, these research cooperatives typically consist of 10 to 12
partners. The cooperatives set a research agenda and formally
coordinate research through annual meetings and reports; each
university, as well as government agencies, are asked to contribute
funding annually. For example, scientists at the University of
Minnesota wood utilization research center formed a productivity
cooperative that includes state, county, university, and industry
members (such as International Paper) to continue to strengthen applied
forestry concepts and ensure the sustainability of Minnesota's forest
products industry.
* The Forest Service's Northeastern Research Station formed the
Furniture Steering Committee, which is composed of furniture
manufacturers, consultants, equipment manufacturers, state economic
development agencies, and universities to provide guidance on furniture
research programs at the station and elsewhere. The steering committee
recommended research on more efficient manufacturing and "just-in-time"
training, which has been integrated into the research work unit's plan.
* HUD's Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing is a voluntary
partnership between leaders of the home building, product
manufacturing, insurance, and financial industries; and representatives
of six federal agencies concerned with housing.[Footnote 22] These six
agencies work with HUD to develop technologies to improve the quality,
durability, energy efficiency, and affordability of residential
building materials; these materials could include wood. For example,
with the partnership's support, the Forest Service's wood chemistry
research work unit has been able to work cooperatively with
laboratories in Japan, Sweden, and Finland on developing coatings to
protect wood from the effects of weathering.
* Forest Service scientists at the Southern Research Station's
Utilization of Southern Forest Resources work unit have a memorandum of
understanding with the Chinese government to host post-doctoral
students from China; the station has hosted 25 students in the past 5
years. These students serve as additional staff resources to help the
research work unit carry out its research activities.
* To construct a forest biomass life cycle assessment model, several
partners established a joint venture: the Forest Service's Pacific
Southwest Research Station; the California Energy Commission's Public
Interest Energy Research Program; the University of California at
Davis; several state and federal agencies; and energy, forestry, and
environmental consultants. Partners will use the model to identify and
analyze the social, economic, and environmental costs and benefits of
using forest biomass to generate electrical power. This research
project is planned in three phases over a 3-to 5-year period. Each
participant shares in the cost of the venture.
Federal Agencies Made Available at Least $54 Million Annually for Wood
Utilization Research and Product Development in Fiscal Years 2004 and
2005; Forest Service Support Fluctuated Moderately, and CSREES Support
Increased Over 10 Years:
The 12 federal agencies we reviewed made available at least $54 million
annually in financial support for wood utilization research and product
development activities in fiscal years 2004 and 2005, measured either
in budget authority or expenditures.[Footnote 23] Furthermore, the
Forest Service employed almost 175 scientists and support staff in each
of these two fiscal years. From fiscal years 1995 through 2005, the
Forest Service received total budget authority of $268 million for wood
utilization research and product development (or $289 million in 2004
inflation-adjusted dollars) while CSREES' budget authority for the wood
utilization research centers was about $51 million (or $55 million in
2004 inflation-adjusted dollars). For fiscal years 1995 through 2005,
the Forest Service's budget authority for wood utilization research and
product development activities fluctuated moderately from year-to-year
(in 2004 inflation-adjusted dollars). Over the same period, overall,
CSREES' budget authority for the wood utilization research centers
increased (in 2004 inflation-adjusted dollars), in part because four
new wood utilization research centers were added during fiscal years
1999, 2000, and 2004.
The Forest Service Provided Most of the Support for Wood Utilization
Research and Product Development in Fiscal Years 2004 and 2005:
The 12 federal agencies we identified as supporting wood utilization
research and product development made available at least $54.4 million
in financial support for this work, measured in either budget authority
or expenditures,[Footnote 24] in fiscal year 2004, the year with the
most complete data available. For fiscal year 2005, the agencies made
available at least $54.3 million. Our data for fiscal year 2005 are
complete except for data for the CSREES grants funded under the
McIntyre-Stennis Act and the Hatch Act; the National Research
Initiative; Small Business Innovation Research grants; and other small
grants. See table 5.
Table 5: Federal Financial Support in Wood Utilization Research and
Product Development, by Agency, Fiscal Years 2004-2005:
Dollars in thousands.
Department: USDA: Forest Service;
2004 financial support[A]: $28,251[B];
2005 financial support[A]: $27,179[B].
Department: USDA: CSREES;
2004 financial support[A]: 8,710[C,D];
2005 financial support[A]: 5,820[B,E].
Department: USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service;
2004 financial support[A]: 5,269[B];
2005 financial support[A]: 4,627[B].
Department: Defense: Army Research;
2004 financial support[A]: 25[B];
2005 financial support[A]: 1,050[B].
Department: Defense: Army Corps of Engineers;
2004 financial support[A]: 0;
2005 financial support[A]: 2,395[B].
Department: Defense: Office of Naval Research;
2004 financial support[A]: 1,459[F];
2005 financial support[A]: 1,424[F].
Department: Department of Energy;
2004 financial support[A]: 7,419[B,G];
2005 financial support[A]: 6,233[B,G].
Department: Department of Homeland Security--Coast Guard;
2004 financial support[A]: 442[F];
2005 financial support[A]: 351[F].
Department: HUD;
2004 financial support[A]: 0;
2005 financial support[A]: 225[B].
Department: Interior--Bureau of Indian Affairs;
2004 financial support[A]: 486[B];
2005 financial support[A]: 276[B].
Department: Department of Transportation;
2004 financial support[A]: 63[B];
2005 financial support[A]: 441[B].
Department: National Science Foundation;
2004 financial support[A]: 2,270[F];
2005 financial support[A]: 4,242[F].
Total;
2004 financial support[A]: $54,394;
2005 financial support[A]: $54,263.
Sources: Agency documents, CSREES' Current Research Information System,
and National Science Foundation's Project Reports Summary and Search
and Awards databases.
[A] Financial data are presented in either budget authority or
expenditures, as indicated.
[B] Budget authority.
[C] Includes both budget authority and expenditures.
[D] Includes $5.67 million for wood utilization research centers and
$3.04 million for the other CSREES grants funded under the McIntyre-
Stennis Act and the Hatch Act; the National Research Initiative; Small
Business Innovation Research Grants; and other small grants.
[E] Data for other CSREES grants were not available for 2005.
[F] Expenditures.
[G] Budget authority for the Industrial Technologies Program.
[End of table]
As table 5 shows, the Forest Service made available about half of the
financial support for conducting wood utilization research and product
development. In fiscal year 2004, the Forest Service made available
about 52 percent of the $54.4 million, while four other agencies--
CSREES, the Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation, and
the Natural Resources Conservation Service--made available about 44
percent of the support; the remaining seven agencies together made
available about 5 percent of the $54.4 million.
Of the $54.4 million made available in fiscal year 2004, about $34
million ($28.3 million for the Forest Service and $5.7 million for the
CSREES wood utilization research centers) was directly targeted to wood
utilization research and product development. In addition, $1.9 million
of other support targeted for wood utilization research and product
development was made available by the Army, the Coast Guard, and the
Office of Naval Research through committee-directed funding to specific
universities to conduct research on wood composites.
The remaining $18.5 million of the $54.4 million was made available in
fiscal year 2004 from grant programs not targeted to wood utilization
research and product development. That is, wood utilization research
and product development was not the sole purpose of the grant or
program. The Department of Energy made available the largest amount of
this nontargeted support--$7.4 million. CSREES provided $3.0 million in
fiscal year 2004 to support other wood utilization research and product
development through grant programs authorized under the McIntyre-
Stennis Act and the Hatch Act; the National Research Initiative; Small
Business Innovation Research grants; and other small grants. The
Natural Resources Conservation Service made available grant funding to
promote greater innovation and development in all forms of biomass--
including agricultural and woody biomass--with $5.3 million targeted to
woody biomass research, under the Biomass Research Development Act of
2000. The other agencies made available the remaining $2.8 million.
Of the 12 agencies, only the Forest Service directly employs full-time
scientists and support staff to conduct wood utilization research and
product development. Most of these employees work at the Forest
Products Laboratory, as shown in table 6.
Table 6: FTE Staff For Wood Utilization Research And Product
Development At The Forest Service, Fiscal Years 2004-2005
Forest Service unit: Forest Products Laboratory;
FTE scientists: (2004): 62.8;
FTE scientists: (2005): 59.6;
FTE support staff: (2004): 58.3;
FTE support staff: (2005): 57.3;
Total FTE staff: (2004): 121.1;
Total FTE staff: (2005): 116.9.
Forest Service unit: Northeastern Research Station;
FTE scientists: (2004): 9;
FTE scientists: (2005): 9;
FTE support staff: (2004): 11;
FTE support staff: (2005): 10;
Total FTE staff: (2004): 20;
Total FTE staff: (2005): 19.
Forest Service unit: Pacific Northwest Research Station;
FTE scientists: (2004): 9;
FTE scientists: (2005): 9.3;
FTE support staff: (2004): 4.5;
FTE support staff: (2005): 7;
Total FTE staff: (2004): 13.5;
Total FTE staff: (2005): 16.3.
Forest Service unit: Pacific Southwest Research Station;
FTE scientists: (2004): 1;
FTE scientists: (2005): 1;
FTE support staff: (2004): 0;
FTE support staff: (2005): 2;
Total FTE staff: (2004): 1;
Total FTE staff: (2005): 3.
Forest Service unit: Rocky Mountain Research Station;
FTE scientists: (2004): 0.1;
FTE scientists: (2005): 0.1;
FTE support staff: (2004): 0;
FTE support staff: (2005): 0;
Total FTE staff: (2004): 0.1;
Total FTE staff: (2005): 0.1.
Forest Service unit: Southern Research Station;
FTE scientists: (2004): 8.7;
FTE scientists: (2005): 8.7;
FTE support staff: (2004): 9.3;
FTE support staff: (2005): 9.8;
Total FTE staff: (2004): 18;
Total FTE staff: (2005): 18.5.
Total;
FTE scientists: (2004): 90.6;
FTE scientists: (2005): 87.7;
FTE support staff: (2004): 83.1;
FTE support staff: (2005): 86.1;
Total FTE staff: (2004): 173.7;
Total FTE staff: (2005): 173.8.
Source: Forest Service documents.
[End of table]
The other 11 agencies we reviewed do not have full-time federal
scientists dedicated to wood utilization research and product
development, and were unable to provide information on scientists and
support staff working on federal wood utilization research and product
development activities.
From Fiscal Years 1995 through 2005, Forest Service Budget Authority
for Wood Utilization Research and Product Development Fluctuated
Moderately from Year-to-Year:
For fiscal years 1995 through 2005, the Forest Service received total
budget authority for wood utilization research and product development
of $268 million (which is equivalent to $289 million in 2004 inflation-
adjusted dollars). As table 7 shows, during this 11-year period, the
annual budget authority ranged between $24.2 million and $28.2 million
(in 2004 inflation-adjusted dollars), with moderate fluctuations from
year-to-year.
Table 7: Forest Service Budget Authority For Wood Utilization Research
And Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Dollars in thousands.
Nominal dollars;
1995: $23,727;
1996: $20,873;
1997: $21,416;
1998: $21,616;
1999: $22,196;
2000: $23,195;
2001: $26,041;
2002: $26,726;
2003: $27,246;
2004: $28,251;
2005: $27,179;
Total: $268,465.
2004 dollars;
1995: $28,037;
1996: $24,201;
1997: $24,404;
1998: $24,336;
1999: $24,666;
2000: $25,264;
2001: $27,711;
2002: $27,907;
2003: $27,899;
2004: $28,251;
2005: $26,451;
Total: $289,128.
Source: Forest Service documents.
Note: Totals may not add due to rounding.
[End of table]
Table 8 shows the total FTE scientists and support staff for the Forest
Service's wood utilization research work units, from fiscal years 1995
through 2005.
Table 8: Forest Service FTE Staff For Wood Utilization Research And
Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Scientists;
1995: 98.2;
1996: 98.3;
1997: 90.6;
1998: 85.0;
1999: 82.8;
2000: 84.2;
2001: 86.6;
2002: 84.1;
2003: 86.1;
2004: 90.6;
2005: 87.7.
Support staff;
1995: 109.0;
1996: 101.5;
1997: 88.5;
1998: 87.4;
1999: 86.4;
2000: 87.8;
2001: 89.8;
2002: 89.3;
2003: 88.3;
2004: 83.1;
2005: 86.1.
Total;
1995: 207.2;
1996: 199.8;
1997: 179.1;
1998: 172.4;
1999: 169.2;
2000: 172.0;
2001: 176.4;
2002: 173.4;
2003: 174.4;
2004: 173.7;
2005: 173.8.
Source: Forest Service documents.
[End of table]
As figure 2 shows, over the period, the levels of budget authority
(adjusted for inflation) and FTE staff for wood utilization research
and product development at the Forest Service fluctuated moderately.
From fiscal year 1995 to fiscal year 1996, both budget authority (in
2004 inflation-adjusted dollars) and FTE staff at the Forest Service
decreased by 14 percent and 4 percent, respectively. After 1996, budget
authority for the most part increased through 2004 and then decreased
in 2005.
FTE staff continued to decrease through 1999, increased in 2000, and
thereafter remained relatively stable. (See app. IV for information on
changes in FTE Forest Service scientists and support staff for wood
utilization research work units for each year from fiscal year 1995
through 2005.)
Figure 2: Total Budget Authority for Forest Service Wood Utilization
Research and Product Development, and FTE Staff, Fiscal Years 1995-
2005:
[See PDF for image]
Source: GAO analysis of Forest Service documents.
[End of figure]
During the 11-year period, the Forest Products Laboratory's budget
authority also fluctuated moderately. Between fiscal years 1995 and
2000, the budget authority declined by 17 percent (in 2004 inflation-
adjusted dollars), from $20.8 million to $17.3 million; it increased
again from fiscal years 2001 through 2004, but was still lower in 2005
than in 1995. (See table 9.)
Table 9: The Forest Products Laboratory's Budget Authority For Wood
Utilization Research And Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Dollars in thousands.
Nominal dollars;
1995: $17,596;
1996: $15,800;
1997: $15,800;
1998: $15,726;
1999: $15,850;
2000: $15,850;
2001: $17,924;
2002: $18,551;
2003: $19,088;
2004: $20,025;
2005: $19,213;
Total: $191,423.
2004 dollars;
1995: $20,792;
1996: $18,319;
1997: $18,004;
1998: $17,705;
1999: $17,614;
2000: $17,265;
2001: $19,074;
2002: $19,370;
2003: $19,545;
2004: $20,025;
2005: $18,698;
Total: $206,411.
Source: Forest Service documents.
[End of table]
Table 10 shows the total FTE scientists and support staff for the
Forest Products Laboratory's wood utilization research work units, from
fiscal years 1995 through 2005.
Table 10: The Forest Products Laboratory's FTE Staff For Wood
Utilization Research And Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Scientists;
1995: 67.2;
1996: 69.0;
1997: 64.3;
1998: 60.6;
1999: 56.4;
2000: 55.8;
2001: 59.0;
2002: 58.5;
2003: 57.2;
2004: 62.8;
2005: 59.6.
Support Staff;
1995: 78.0;
1996: 73.5;
1997: 61.5;
1998: 60.4;
1999: 61.9;
2000: 60.3;
2001: 62.3;
2002: 61.5;
2003: 62.0;
2004: 58.3;
2005: 57.3.
Total;
1995: 145.2;
1996: 142.5;
1997: 125.8;
1998: 121.0;
1999: 118.3;
2000: 116.1;
2001: 121.3;
2002: 120.0;
2003: 119.2;
2004: 121.1;
2005: 116.9.
Source: Forest Products Laboratory.
[End of table]
The number of FTE Forest Products Laboratory scientists and support
staff generally declined from fiscal years 1995 through 2000; then it
fluctuated moderately. Figure 3 shows the changes in budget authority
and FTE scientists and support staff at the Forest Products Laboratory.
See appendix IV for funding and FTE staff, by research work unit, at
the Forest Products Laboratory and at the research stations for fiscal
years 1995 through 2005.
Figure 3: Total Budget Authority for the Forest Products Laboratory's
Wood Utilization Research and Product Development, and FTE Staff,
Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
[See PDF for image]
Source: GAO analysis of forest Service documents.
[End of figure]
While financial support for wood utilization research and product
development at the Forest Service has fluctuated moderately during the
past 11 years, Forest Service scientists and managers expressed
concerns about resource constraints. They noted that increases in
budget authority cover salary increases and other fixed costs, but that
these increases may not be enough to cover increases in the costs of
other operating expenses--such as purchasing or calibrating equipment,
obtaining laboratory supplies, and traveling for research. The Forest
Products Laboratory's operating budget authority declined by about 67
percent between fiscal years 1995 and 1998 (in 2004 inflation-adjusted
dollars), from about $1.95 million to $650,000; it also fluctuated
within a narrow range from fiscal years 1999 to 2005, ending with
$630,000. (See table 11.)
Table 11: The Forest Products Laboratory's Operating Budget, Fiscal
Years 1995-2005
Dollars in thousands.
Nominal dollars;
1995: $1,651;
1996: $1,337;
1997: $ 901;
1998: $577;
1999: $630;
2000: $613;
2001: $672;
2002: $642;
2003: $636;
2004: $647;
2005: $647;
Total: $8,953.
2004 dollars;
1995: $1,951;
1996: $1,550;
1997: $1,027;
1998: $650;
1999: $700;
2000: $668;
2001: $715;
2002: $670;
2003: $651;
2004: $647;
2005: $630;
Total: $9,859.
Source: Forest Service documents.
[End of table]
Figure 4 shows changes in the dollars available for operating expenses
(adjusted to 2004 dollars) in fiscal years 1995 through 2005 at the
Forest Products Laboratory.
Figure 4: The Forest Products Laboratory's Operating Budget, Fiscal
Years 1995-2005:
[See PDF for image]
Source: GAO analysis of data from Forest Service documents.
[End of figure]
Many of the scientists with whom we spoke cited instances in which
fewer resources had diminished their ability to conduct research. For
example, according to one scientist, he is spending less time in the
laboratory because he is devoting more time to obtaining outside
funding for his research work unit. Another scientist told us that his
research work unit must now limit the number of wood samples from
private sources that the unit has time to analyze, which it did not
need to do in the past. According to Forest Service officials, due in
part to funding constraints, as well as to better serve the scientific
community, the Forest Products Laboratory has developed a strategic
plan, and is in the process of reorganizing and consolidating its
research work units and reducing the number of scientists and support
staff.[Footnote 25]
From Fiscal Years 1995 through 2005, CSREES' Wood Utilization Research
Centers' Budget Authority and the Number of Centers Increased:
Table 12 shows that the total budget authority for fiscal years 1995
through 2005 for CSREES' wood utilization research centers was about
$51.2 million (which is equivalent to $54.8 million in 2004 inflation-
adjusted dollars), and figure 5 illustrates that, overall, CSREES'
budget authority (adjusted for inflation) for the wood utilization
research centers increased over the period. The increase in budget
authority was due in part to the addition of four new wood utilization
research centers, particularly when two new centers were added in
fiscal year 1999; new centers were added again in fiscal years 2000 and
2004.
Table 12: CSREES Budget Authority For Wood Utilization Research
Centers, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Dollars in thousands.
Nominal dollars;
1995: $3,530;
1996: $3,532;
1997: $3,305;
1998: $3,305;
1999: $4,805;
2000: $4,805;
2001: $5,400;
2002: $5,304;
2003: $5,730;
2004: $5,670;
2005: $5,820;
Total: $51,206.
2004 dollars;
1995: $4,172;
1996: $4,095;
1997: $3,766;
1998: $3,721;
1999: $5,340;
2000: $5,234;
2001: $5,747;
2002: $5,538;
2003: $5,867;
2004: $5,670;
2005: $5,664;
Total: $54,814.
Source: CSREES documents.
[End of table]
Figure 5: Total Budget Authority for CSREES Wood Utilization Research
Centers, Fiscal Years 1995-2005:
[See PDF for image]
Source: GAO analysis of data from CSREES documents.
[End of figure]
While the increase in the number of wood utilization research centers
would suggest an increased commitment to wood utilization research and
product development, after adjusting for inflation, most of the
centers, individually, experienced a downward trend in budget
authority, as table 13 shows. (See app. IV for wood utilization
research centers' budget authority in nominal dollars over the period.)
Table 13: Total Budget Authority For CSREES Wood Utilization Research
Centers, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Dollars in thousands (2004 inflation-adjusted):
Dollars in thousands (2004 inflation-adjusted): 1995: [Empty]; Dollars
in thousands (2004 inflation-adjusted): 1996: [Empty]; Dollars in
thousands (2004 inflation-adjusted): 1997: [Empty]; Dollars in
thousands (2004 inflation-adjusted): 1998: [Empty]; 1999: [Empty];
2000: [Empty]; 2001: [Empty]; 2002: [Empty]; 2003: [Empty]; 2004:
[Empty]; 2005: [Empty].
Wood utilization research centers: Maine;
1995: $889;
1996: $872;
1997: $802;
1998: $793;
1999: $916;
2000: $797;
2001: $877;
2002: $843;
2003: $827;
2004: $736;
2005: $698.
Wood utilization research centers: Michigan;
1995: 889;
1996: 873;
1997: 802;
1998: 793;
1999: 916;
2000: 797;
2001: 877;
2002: 843;
2003: 827;
2004: 736;
2005: 698.
Wood utilization research centers: Minnesota;
1995: 275;
1996: 270;
1997: 249;
1998: 246;
1999: 284;
2000: 247;
2001: 272;
2002: 261;
2003: 252;
2004: 228;
2005: 216.
Wood utilization research centers: Mississippi;
1995: 889;
1996: 872;
1997: 802;
1998: 793;
1999: 916;
2000: 797;
2001: 877;
2002: 843;
2003: 1,290[A];
2004: 1,154[A];
2005: 1,148[A].
Wood utilization research centers: North Carolina;
1995: 342;
1996: 336;
1997: 309;
1998: 305;
1999: 353;
2000: 307;
2001: 338;
2002: 325;
2003: 313;
2004: 283;
2005: 269.
Dollars in thousands (2004 inflation-adjusted): Oregon; Dollars in
thousands (2004 inflation-adjusted): 1995: 889; Dollars in thousands
(2004 inflation-adjusted): 1996: 872; Dollars in thousands (2004
inflation-adjusted): 1997: 802; Dollars in thousands (2004 inflation-
adjusted): 1998: 793; 1999: 916; 2000: 797; 2001: 877; 2002: 843; 2003:
814; 2004: 736; 2005: 698.
Wood utilization research centers: Consortium[B];
1995: [Empty];
1996: [Empty];
1997: [Empty];
1998: [Empty];
1999: 572;
2000: 497;
2001: 547;
2002: 526;
2003: 523;
2004: 460;
2005: 496.
Wood utilization research centers: Tennessee;
1995: [Empty];
1996: [Empty];
1997: [Empty];
1998: [Empty];
1999: 468;
2000: 407;
2001: 448;
2002: 430;
2003: 422;
2004: 376;
2005: 406.
Wood utilization research centers: Alaska;
1995: [Empty];
1996: [Empty];
1997: [Empty];
1998: [Empty];
1999: [Empty];
2000: 588;
2001: 634;
2002: 622;
2003: 599;
2004: 543;
2005: 586.
Wood utilization research centers: West Virginia;
1995: [Empty];
1996: [Empty];
1997: [Empty];
1998: [Empty];
1999: [Empty];
2000: [Empty];
2001: [Empty];
2002: [Empty];
2003: [Empty];
2004: 418;
2005: 451.
Wood utilization research centers: Total;
1995: $4,172;
1996: $4,095;
1997: $3,766;
1998: $3,721;
1999: $5,340;
2000: $5,234;
2001: $5,747;
2002: $5,538;
2003: $5,867;
2004: $5,670;
2005: $5,664.
Source: CSREES documents.
[A] The large increase in Mississippi grants in fiscal years 2003
through 2005 occurred because of an additional committee-directed grant
for a special statewide forest resources inventory.
[B] The Inland Northwest Forest Products Research Consortium consists
of the universities of Idaho and of Montana, and Washington State
University.
Note: Totals may not add due to rounding.
[End of table]
Federal Agencies Rely on Scientists and Specialists to Transfer
Technology Through a Variety of Methods:
The 12 federal agencies generally rely on scientists and technology
transfer specialists to transfer technologies to industry through a
variety of methods,[Footnote 26] such as information dissemination,
technical assistance, demonstration projects, and patents and
licensing. While federal scientists are involved in some technology
transfer, their primary responsibility is research; in contrast,
specialists are responsible solely for technology transfer. In
addition, the Forest Service has a unit dedicated to transferring the
results of wood utilization research and product development: the
Forest Service's TMU. We identified a number of examples of activities
that have occurred using each of the technology transfer methods,
mostly from the Forest Service and CSREES wood utilization research
centers.
Scientists and Technology Transfer Specialists Disseminate Information:
Scientists are expected to transfer the results of their work and
primarily disseminate information through publications--particularly
those in peer-reviewed journals--which help establish the validity of
their research results. The Forest Service counts the number of
articles published in these journals to assess scientists' performance
and reports this information as a performance measure for research in
its annual report to Congress.[Footnote 27] Furthermore, according to
Forest Service scientists, some industry officials may also read and
use these journals. For example, a window and door manufacturer used
the information from a journal article on the characteristics of wood
from smaller trees for use in composites to develop a new and higher-
value use for this wood. Instead of burning the wood as waste, the
manufacturer now uses it in his products.
Scientists also disseminate research results to industry through a
variety of other methods, including publications that are not peer
reviewed, Web sites, presentations of their work at professional
meetings, and workshops. Specific examples include the following:
* Publications that are not peer reviewed include the Forest Service's
one-page information sheets, TechLines; technical reports; industry
magazines; trade journals; and training manuals. For example, one
training manual was developed after industry representatives asked a
Forest Service scientist to create a publication on avoiding accidents
caused by improperly constructed logging trails. Scientists also
contribute to user manuals that are important to the building industry
and homeowners, such as Finishes for Exterior Wood--20,000 copies sold
in the past 10 years; and the Wood Mold Maintenance Manual--10,000
copies in circulation.
* Most of the Forest Service's wood utilization research work units
maintain Web sites that list articles or provide links to articles and
contact information. For example, a research work unit in the Southern
Research Station reported that 18,335 distinct users--approximately
1,528 per month--accessed its Web site in 2004, downloading 37,376
publications. Some of CSREES' wood utilization centers also have Web
sites, and some scientists have their own Web sites devoted to their
wood utilization research and product development.
* The Forest Service's State and Private Forestry's Wood Education and
Resource Center in West Virginia offers a grant program to transfer
research results. In one instance, grant funds helped support the
issuance of three newsletters informing pallet producers, shippers, and
technical assistance personnel of the latest developments in
implementing new international regulations. These regulations require
that all pallets crossing international boundaries be treated to
prevent the spread of invasive species. Additionally, three technical
bulletins summarizing the results of the center's applied research in
this area were developed and distributed to an international audience.
* Workshops conducted by scientists for industry include the University
of Minnesota's industry-specific training on streamlined manufacturing
procedures to over 75 companies, which has resulted in partnerships
with 15 of them. University of Minnesota scientists reported that these
partnerships have led to productivity improvements of 50 to 75 percent
and cost reductions of 25 to 50 percent, with estimated financial
impacts of over $750,000.
* Forest Service scientists have shared information through broadcasts.
A radio host in Arkansas has a weekly show on forestry issues, and
scientists from the Southern Research Station have discussed their
research.
* The Forest Products Laboratory conducts "Entrepreneur Tours" in which
small-to medium-size mill operators from western states tour the Forest
Products Laboratory to learn about current research and how they can
use it.
Technology transfer specialists--at the Forest Service's State and
Private Forestry program and extension specialists and programs at
universities--also play a key role in disseminating information to
industry. As of February 2006, the Forest Service employed nine
technology transfer specialists, who also provide other types of
assistance to small businesses. Like scientists, specialists reach
industry and other users through Web sites and publications--
particularly those that are not peer reviewed, like trade journals,
newsletters, and industry magazines. Specialists sometimes work
directly with scientists to disseminate research to targeted users. For
example, technology transfer specialists at Louisiana State
University's extension program publish the Dry Kiln Club newsletter,
which provides updated research results from the university's
scientists on wood-drying and moisture-related wood decay to an
audience of over 1,000.
Extension specialists also disseminate information through targeted
group education to industry and other users. This education includes
short courses, continuing education courses, and workshops. Specialists
often develop these courses using the results of research conducted at
their university and other universities, the Forest Service, and other
federal and state agencies. Specific examples include the following:
* Extension specialists at Virginia Tech University offered 27 short
courses to industry in calendar year 2004. In one of these courses,
they combined research from the College of Business with their own
knowledge of wood science to teach methods for selling wood products.
* Extension specialists in Ohio taught a multiweek course to landowners
on how to prune and manage their trees and market their products. The
course was designed to help the landowners take advantage of a new
pallet plant soon to be opening in their area.
* Extension specialists at Mississippi State's wood utilization
research center have provided logger education to over 3,000 logger
firms during the past 10 years.
* Extension specialists at West Virginia University's Appalachian
Hardwood Center have conducted technology transfer and outreach efforts
for the past 15 years. For example, in October 2004, the center hosted
a log-sawing and grading workshop that focused on the efficient grading
and recovery of lumber for low-grade logs.
* To enhance competitiveness in the region's forest products industry,
the University of Tennessee's Forest Products Center has a wood
products extension specialist who conducts workshops, issues
newsletters, and takes other actions to transfer information from the
CSREES wood utilization research center to industry.
Technology transfer specialists also attend industry and professional
conferences and meetings, where they present information and meet with
industry representatives to build their networks. In addition, they
disseminate information by creating directories that provide contact
information for wood industries in their state.
Technical Assistance Is an Important Tool for Transferring Technology
to Industry:
Both scientists and technology transfer specialists provide technical
assistance through (1) telephone calls; (2) hands-on technical
assistance; and (3) software development.
Both scientists and technology transfer specialists respond to
telephone calls requesting assistance from industry, consumers, and
homeowners. For example, one scientist at Oregon State University
estimated receiving over 200 calls per year; another scientist
estimated receiving over 400. Forest Products Laboratory managers
estimated that they receive 4,000 such calls per year.
Scientists and technology transfer specialists also provide industry
and others with hands-on technical assistance. Examples include the
following:
* Forest Products Laboratory scientists provided technical assistance
to help a small company improve its manufacturing efficiency by
applying research on the fasteners and connectors used to assemble and
disassemble portable flooring. This company produces flooring for the
National Collegiate Athletic Association.
* Forest Products Laboratory scientists helped a large drumstick
manufacturer solve a durability problem by developing a way to inject
drumsticks with a polymer to strengthen them.
* Forest Products Laboratory scientists provide technical assistance by
identifying wood samples for companies, as well as for private
citizens. As part of this wood identification, they assist
manufacturers in resolving problems they have in using different types
of woods with different finishes. In 2004, they identified 600
specimens for industry, 350 specimens for government agencies, and 370
specimens of wood for the general public.
* For 12 years, the University of Minnesota has worked with a company
to provide support in material selection, prototyping, performance
testing, and market assessment and development. These efforts have
helped the company introduce several new product lines in office
furniture, store fixtures, and cabinet components; expand from 30 to
450 employees; and increase the company's sales from $5 million to $50
million annually over the period.
* The Department of Energy offers energy assessments of facilities that
manufacture wood products or produce pulp and paper, although the
department requires a substantial cost investment from the company.
According to the Department of Energy, these assessments have resulted
in an annual savings of up to $9 million for some companies.
Agencies also develop software and make it available, often for free,
on Web sites. For example, a Forest Service computer program developed
by researchers at the Forest Service's Northeastern Research Station
provides a realistic simulation model that allows industry to identify
more efficient strategies to reduce waste in the manufacturing process.
More than 700 computer program packages have been sent to industry, and
follow-up telephone calls by Forest Service scientists indicate that
the program is being used in planning and optimization activities by
many of the recipients. Similarly, the Department of Energy's
Industrial Technologies Program provides free software tools to the
forest products industry to improve energy efficiency in industry
processes.
Demonstration Projects Can Highlight the Application of Wood
Utilization Research and Product Development:
Agencies also transfer research results through demonstration or pilot
projects in mills, plants, and on-site at research locations. Specific
examples include the following:
* The Forest Products Laboratory built a research demonstration house
in 2001 on-site. The research in the demonstration house focuses on
improving the use of traditional wood products, recycled and engineered
wood composites, natural disaster resistance, energy efficiency, and
indoor air quality. Features include a permanent wood foundation and
engineered wood composites in the roof.
* In cooperation with the homebuilding and forest products industries,
the Forest Products Laboratory constructed a house on the Washington,
D.C., mall as part of the 2005 annual Smithsonian festival. The house
showcases new technologies developed by the Forest Products Laboratory
and cooperators, such as manufacturers of structural insulated panels.
The house was visited by several thousand people over the course of the
10-day festival.
* Forest Products Laboratory scientists helped a company implement a
demonstration project in its saw mill. The project showed that, with
improvements to the company's machinery for determining lumber quality,
the company could increase efficiency by as much as 12 percent--thus
adding an estimated $1.2 million annually in profit.
* Scientists at West Virginia University's wood utilization research
center have developed a new technology for using oak as a raw material
in the manufacture of OSB. The Weyerhaeuser Company and other industry
partners are testing the process and the produced strands in test runs
to verify the results. If successful, the research work unit
anticipates lower raw material costs and increased use of oak as an
engineered wood product component. Success could lead to new or
expanded OSB manufacturing facilities, and new jobs, in the Appalachian
region.
* Forest Service scientists at the Southwest Wildland/Urban Interface
and Forest Health Restoration research work unit, in Flagstaff,
Arizona, have joined with Northern Arizona University on framing
techniques using small-diameter logs. This partnership has led to a
demonstration project with the Navajo Nation to develop hogans using
small-diameter wood. Hogans are traditional housing structures tribes
still use, and are typically built with more costly wood from larger
trees.
* HUD, through its Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing
program, helped a builder in North Carolina to demonstrate the
durability and cost of various building materials (including insulated
composite wood panels) in four residential duplex units. The builder
agreed to build each duplex out of a different building material, and
HUD is evaluating the materials' performance at this site.
* The Office of Naval Research has several demonstration projects in
place using wood-plastic composite materials to replace wooden pier
components, such as deck boards and fendering components. Such
demonstrations help Navy engineers become familiar with new
technologies and their benefits before the technologies are widely
available.
* The Coast Guard, in a contract with the University of Maine for
composite wood research, requires the university to demonstrate that
the composite structures it developed could be used in a marine
environment and be more durable than traditional structures. The
university will build a dock for the Coast Guard to demonstrate the use
of the composite material it has developed.
Results of Wood Utilization Research and Product Development Can Be
Patented and Then Licensed to Industry:
Technology can also be transferred to industry through licensing and
patenting. The Forest Service employs one full-time patent attorney,
stationed at the Forest Products Laboratory, to assist scientists in
patenting inventions they create as part of federally sponsored
research projects; industry can then license these patents.[Footnote
28] The Forest Service Patent and Licensing Program handles all aspects
of patents and licensing, including reviewing invention disclosures,
filing and prosecuting patent applications, negotiating patent licenses
and other technology transfer-related agreements. Between January 1,
1995, and December 3, 2005, a total of 58 patents were issued, and 12
applications related to wood utilization are currently pending,
according to the Forest Service.
Scientists at the CSREES wood utilization centers also obtain patents
on processes and products they have developed. For example, scientists
at the University of Minnesota's wood utilization research center have
obtained over 20 patents that they have then licensed to private
industry. These patents include those for extracting chemicals from
birch bark that can be used in medicine, in manufacturing absorbent
panels, and in a foam-and-wood composite log used for siding. They also
reported having a number of pending patent applications in the areas of
housing systems and the extraction of natural chemicals from birch bark
waste products.
The Forest Service Has a Unit Dedicated to Transferring Wood
Utilization Research and Product Development:
The Forest Service has a unit dedicated to transferring the results of
wood utilization research and product development activities--the TMU,
part of the State and Private Forestry Program, located at the Forest
Products Laboratory. TMU's mission is to improve wood utilization by
transferring technologies developed primarily by the Forest Products
Laboratory and other Forest Service research units. As of February
2006, TMU employed four technology transfer specialists with expertise
in wood utilization and product development. These specialists
collaborate with Forest Service scientists, primarily at the Forest
Products Laboratory, to provide technical assistance to local
governments, private landowners, rural communities, and forest
industries to ensure the ready adoption of technologies based on forest
materials.
Like scientists and other technology transfer specialists, TMU's
specialists disseminate research results through publications,
conferences, and workshops. Specific examples include the following:
* In fiscal years 2004 and 2005, TMU reported distributing 40,000 and
6,900 publications, respectively.[Footnote 29] For example, TMU's
newsletter, the Forest Products Conservation and Recycling Review, has
a circulation of over 800. In fiscal year 2005, it published 19 issues
of TechLines on topics ranging from the outdoor performance of wood-
plastic composites; to wood flooring and roofing; to using waste wood
for filtering water.
* TMU participated in 45 workshops, conferences, presentations,
training sessions, and exhibits in fiscal year 2004 that were attended,
in total, by over 5,000.
* In 2004, TMU cosponsored the SmallWood conference in Sacramento,
California, that was attended by over 350, including harvesting
contractors, rural development officials, community leaders, forest
products business owners, environmental groups, and tribes.
* TMU provided an updated software tool that allows users to compare
the unit costs of various heating fuels--the Fuel Value Calculator--
allowing wood to be compared to conventional fossil fuels, such as
natural gas or fuel oil. The calculator is available on TMU's Web
site.[Footnote 30]
In addition, since TMU's technology transfer specialists are located on-
site with Forest Products Laboratory scientists, they have an
opportunity to learn about the research from its early stages.
Furthermore, when a technology is developed, the specialists can work
with the scientists to conduct a market analysis to determine potential
applications. For example, in 2004, TMU published Assessing the Market
Potential of Roundwood Recreational Buildings,[Footnote 31] which
provides information on the applicability of the Forest Products
Laboratory's research on roundwood.
TMU also transfers technology to users by providing technical
assistance directly to industry, communities, and individuals
nationwide, as well conducting demonstration projects. Specifically,
TMU specialists perform the following activities:
* Answer numerous phone inquiries and letters, and host visitors--over
2,000 in both fiscal years 2004 and 2005. Specialists provide answers
to technical questions, point a user to key information sources, or
provide a link and contact information to researchers working in a
user's area of interest.
* Travel to facilities to provide hands-on advice and answer questions.
For example, TMU assisted a remote California logging community hard-
hit by mill closures to create over 100 new jobs through a small forest
products company and a nonprofit training center. Applying Forest
Products Laboratory research, TMU specialists helped the company
specialize in producing flooring from small-diameter trees by, among
other things, providing solutions to product imperfections like warping
and discoloration.
* Work with companies and communities in implementing research results
or new technology through pilot and demonstration projects. For
example, TMU staff are working with the Department of Energy's National
Renewable Energy Laboratory on a project testing small-scale biomass
modular units, called "BioMax 15s," that use wood chips to create
electricity. The technology is still in the pre-commercial phase, so
the department and the TMU are using a demonstration program at several
sites around the country, including a high school in Walden, Colorado,
and a furniture-making business at the Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico.
In addition to its technology transfer responsibilities, in fiscal year
2005, the unit led the evaluation of proposals for USDA's Woody Biomass
Grant Program. This program made available over $4 million in grants
designed to increase the utilization of woody biomass from or near
National Forest System lands. The program is designed to improve forest
restoration activities by using and creating markets for small-diameter
material and low-valued trees that were removed during activities to
reduce hazardous fuels. Grants could range in value from $50,000 to
$250,000.
Agency Comments:
We provided a draft of this report for review and comment to USDA's
CSREES, Forest Service, and Natural Resources and Conservation Service;
Defense; Department of Energy; Department of Homeland Security; HUD;
Interior; Department of Transportation; and the National Science
Foundation. The Forest Service, DOT, Energy, and Interior provided
technical comments, which we incorporated as appropriate. CSREES,
Natural Resources and Conservation Service, Defense, Department of
Homeland Security, HUD, and the National Science Foundation did not
have comments on the draft report.
As agreed with your offices, unless you publicly announce the contents
of this report earlier, we plan no further distribution until 7 days
after the date of this letter. At that time, we will send copies of
this report to interested congressional committees; the Secretaries of
Agriculture, Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban
Development, Interior, and Transportation; the Director of the National
Science Foundation; the Director of the Office of Management and
Budget; and other interested parties. We will also make copies
available to others upon request. In addition, the report will be
available at no charge on the GAO Web site at [Hyperlink,
http://www.gao.gov].
If you have any questions about this report, please contact me at (202)
512-3841 or nazzaror@gao.gov. Contact points for our Offices of
Congressional Relations and of Public Affairs may be found on the last
page of this report. GAO staff who made major contributors to this
report are listed in appendix V.
Signed by:
Robin M. Nazzaro:
Director, Natural Resources and Environment:
[End of section]
Appendix I: Objectives, Scope, and Methodology:
This report describes (1) the types of wood utilization research and
product development activities supported by federal agencies and how
these efforts are coordinated; (2) the level of support federal
agencies made available for these activities in fiscal years 2004 and
2005, and changes in the level of support at the U.S. Department of
Agriculture's Forest Service and at the Cooperative State Research,
Education, and Extension Service (CSREES)-funded wood utilization
research centers from fiscal years 1995 through 2005; and (3) how the
federal government transfers technologies and products from its wood
utilization research and product development activities to industry.
For this review, we defined wood utilization research and product
development as those activities that occur from harvesting the wood
through the recycling of wood and paper products. To better understand
the focus of the federal research and development efforts in wood
utilization, we worked with Forest Service and CSREES program officials
to develop the following five broad categories: (1) harvesting--using
scientific and engineering principles to ensure cost-effective,
environmentally acceptable, and safe forest operations, including
planning, road building, harvesting, handling and processing, and
transportation; (2) wood properties--studying the basic and applied
physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of wood and wood fiber to
determine the suitability of this material for various uses, from pulp
to structural beams to recycled composite products; (3) manufacturing
and processing--new and better manufacturing ways to extract, reduce,
and convert virgin wood raw materials to useful products and the
development of technology to allow the re-use of materials and products
to the maximum extent possible; (4) products and testing--developing
test methods and gathering and evaluating data on the differing uses of
wood and wood fiber products; and (5) economics and marketing. This
final category includes evaluating and tracking domestic and
international supply and demand trends, and trade policies, and
markets, including market opportunities; and harvesting and production
costs for alternative material and energy inputs and processing
options.
We performed our work at 12 federal agencies that support wood
utilization research and product development activities. These include
CSREES, the Forest Service, and the Natural Resources Conservation
Service; the Department of Defense's (Defense) Army, Army Corps of
Engineers, and the Office of Naval Research; the Department of Energy;
the Department of Homeland Security's Coast Guard; the Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD); the Department of the Interior's
(Interior) Bureau of Indian Affairs; the National Science Foundation;
and the Department of Transportation.
To answer the first objective--describing the types of wood utilization
research and product development activities supported by federal
agencies and how these efforts are coordinated--we collected
information on research and product development activities at the 12
agencies for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 and worked with the Forest
Service and CSREES to place these activities into one of the five
categories we had developed. Because certain Forest Service research
work units and CSREES-funded wood utilization research centers are
specifically dedicated to wood utilization research and product
development, we collected data on research activities for fiscal years
1995 through 2005 to understand how these activities changed over time.
At the Forest Service, we used a data collection instrument to
systematically gather data on the 27 research work units' plans for
wood utilization research and product development, covering fiscal
years 1995 through 2005. Because these plans span multiple years, some
dated back as far as 1988. In total, we examined the 71 plans for the
16 research work units at the Forest Products Laboratory and 11
research work units that were associated with other research stations
within the Forest Service--4 in the Northeast, 4 in the South, 1 in the
Pacific Northwest, 1 in the Pacific Southwest, and 1 in the Rocky
Mountains. From these plans, we collected information on each research
work unit's mission, research problems, and selected research
activities. (See app. II.) We also interviewed each research work
unit's project leader on the unit's wood utilization research and
product development activities.
For CSREES, we examined the 10 wood utilization research centers at 12
universities that receive congressional committee-directed grants for
wood utilization research and product development. Nine of these
centers are at the universities of Alaska Southeast, Minnesota-Duluth,
Maine, and Tennessee; Michigan State University, Mississippi State
University, North Carolina State University, Oregon State University,
and West Virginia University; and the tenth center is divided among
three universities--Idaho State, Montana State, and Washington State--
that participate in the Inland Northwest Forest Products Research
Consortium. To identify these centers' wood utilization research and
product development activities, we obtained copies of the research
proposals that the centers submit annually to CSREES. We used a data
collection instrument to (1) systematically review the 88 proposals for
fiscal years 1995 through 2005; (2) obtain information on the research
objectives, approach, and description of wood utilization research and
product development activities; and (3) summarize selected activities
for reporting purposes. We also obtained information on the centers'
research activities from CSREES' Current Research Information System
(CRIS) to obtain concise, nontechnical descriptions of selected
activities and to ensure that the CRIS summary reflected the
information in the CSREES proposals. We interviewed knowledgeable
agency officials regarding the reliability of data we used from CSREES'
CRIS database and compared selected CRIS data with grant files. We used
the data from CSREES for descriptive purposes only, and determined that
the data were sufficiently reliable for these purposes. For reporting
purposes, we primarily relied on the CRIS summary information to
describe the selected research activities presented in appendix III.
To identify other CSREES wood utilization research and product
development activities in fiscal years 2004 and 2005, CSREES officials
queried the CRIS database using key search codes to identify the wood
utilization research and product development activities being conducted
under other CSREES-funded grant programs. At the time of our review,
the CRIS database did not contain complete information for fiscal year
2005. We reviewed the grant projects--104--that fell within our
definition of wood utilization research and product development.
To collect information on wood utilization research and product
development from the remaining 10 agencies, we interviewed agency
officials and reviewed and summarized available information on the
research activities for fiscal years 2004 and 2005.
To obtain information on the coordination of wood utilization and
product development activities among the 12 federal agencies, we
interviewed agency officials to obtain their views on the use of
informal and formal coordination mechanisms. For all agencies, we
obtained this information through interviews with program officials and
scientists. In the case of CSREES wood utilization research centers, we
obtained this information through a data collection instrument sent to
the program leader at each center. In addition, we obtained documents
on selected formal coordinating mechanisms, such as interagency
agreements. We also attended the "Agenda 2020" meeting sponsored by the
Forest Service in 2005, which is held annually to exchange information
between industry and Forest Service scientists performing wood
utilization research and product development activities.[Footnote 32]
The Forest Service uses these meetings to seek industry views on
research results and future research needs. We also examined relevant
laws, regulations, and agency polices related to coordination for wood
utilization research and product development.
To address the second objective--describe the level of support federal
agencies made available for wood utilization research and product
development activities in fiscal years 2004 and 2005, and changes in
the level of support at the Forest Service and CSREES wood utilization
research centers from fiscal years 1995 through 2005--we collected
budget authority or expenditure information from the 12 agencies for
fiscal years 2004 and 2005, and from the Forest Service and CSREES'
wood utilization centers for fiscal years 1995 through 2005. We
reported dollars in either budget authority or expenditure data,
depending on the availability of agency data. We analyzed these data in
both nominal (actual) dollars and dollars adjusted for inflation
(real).[Footnote 33] Most agencies and programs received congressional
committee-directed budget authority for wood utilization research and
product development or allocated a portion of their budget authority
for these activities. Those budget authority amounts are reported when
available. However, the only data available for the other CSREES grants
and for the National Science Foundation were expenditure data.
For information on CSREES' budget authority for the wood utilization
research centers for fiscal years 1995 to 2005 for the grants awarded
to the wood utilization research centers, the CSREES official explained
how the funds were allocated across the 10 wood utilization research
centers over the 11-year period. These data were used to show the
historical trends of investment dollars for wood utilization research
and product development over the past 11 years. (See app. IV.)
In addition to the budget authority for the CSREES wood utilization
research centers, we obtained expenditure data for the wood utilization
research and product development activities conducted under the
authority of the McIntyre-Stennis Act, the Hatch Act, the National
Research Initiative, the Small Business Innovation Research Grants, and
other small grants, which can fund wood utilization research and
product development. We obtained specific expenditure amounts for these
activities for fiscal year 2004 from the CRIS database system. Fiscal
year 2005 data were not available for these CSREES activities.
For the Forest Service, we obtained information on budget authority
from an internal agency review of research stations and research work
units. We used this information to provide an overview of the changes
in budget authority for wood utilization research and product
development for fiscal years 1995 through 2005. See appendix IV for the
budget authority for each research work unit over this period. In
addition, we interviewed Forest Service budget officials in
headquarters, the Forest Products Laboratory, and the State and Private
Forestry Program on budget and other funding issues, such as the
allocation of funds and setting of research funding priorities. We
concluded that the data provided in the agency survey were sufficiently
reliable for the purposes of our review.
We also reviewed and summarized information from Forest Service
documents on the number of scientists and research support staff at the
Forest Service--the only agency that has full-time federal employees
who directly conduct wood utilization research and product development
activities. We reported the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff
at each of the 27 research work units that conducted research on wood
utilization and product development for fiscal years 1995 through 2005.
(See app. IV.)
To collect funding information from the remaining agencies, we asked
budget and program officials for budget authority or expenditure
information for fiscal years 2004 and 2005 for wood utilization
research and product development. Specifically, the National Science
Foundation provided us with expenditure information from its Project
Reports Summary and Search and Awards databases because that is the
only way it could identify the amounts devoted to wood utilization
research and product development. We interviewed knowledgeable agency
officials regarding the reliability of these data. We used the data for
descriptive purposes only, and determined that the data were
sufficiently reliable for these purposes.
The funding for Defense's Army, Corps of Engineers, and Office of Naval
Research; and the Department of Homeland Security's Coast Guard were
congressional committee-directed funds or budget authority. However,
for the Office of Naval Research and the Coast Guard, we reported
expenditures because those amounts were applicable to our time period-
-fiscal years 2004 and 2005.
To respond to objective three--how the federal government transfers
technologies and products from its wood utilization research and
product development activities to industry--we obtained and reviewed
relevant legislation and policies and procedures on federal technology
transfer activities. At the Forest Service, we interviewed and obtained
examples of successful technology transfer from project leaders at the
27 research work units that are responsible for wood utilization
research and product development; a patent attorney; technology
transfer program managers at the Technology Marketing Unit located at
the Forest Products Laboratory; and technology transfer specialists in
the State and Private Forestry Program. At CSREES, we had discussions
with program research officials and extension specialists. In addition,
we sent a short data collection instrument to the 10 wood utilization
research centers to obtain information on how they transfer the results
of their research to industry, as well as to obtain examples of
successful transfer efforts. We did not assess the success of these
agencies' reported efforts, nor did we try to quantify the results of
these efforts.
We also conducted site visits at a limited number of federal,
university, and industrial facilities--the Forest Products Laboratory;
Forest Service facilities in Virginia, West Virginia, and Oregon; the
wood utilization research center at Oregon State University; the
Western Wood Producers Association; the APA Engineered Wood
Association; and a Weyerhaeuser Company research laboratory in
Washington State. We also visited a sawmill, a manufacturer of wooden
steps and stair posts, a manufacturer of engineered products, and a
cabinet maker, and attended the 2005 Northeast Utilization and
Marketing Council's conference. We performed our work between February
2005 and May 2006, in accordance with generally accepted government
auditing standards.
[End of section]
Appendix II: Forest Service's Conducted and Planned Wood Utilization
Research and Product Development:
This appendix presents examples of work conducted and planned for the
Forest Service's research work units at the Forest Products Laboratory
(table 14), and in work units associated with five research stations:
Northeastern, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Southwest, Rocky Mountain, and
Southern (table 15).
Table 14: Conducted And Planned Activities For The Forest Service's
Research Work Units At The Forest Products Laboratory
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4502;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Biodeterioration of Wood, 1991-97: Area of research applicability:
National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Biodeterioration of Wood, 1997-2002: Area of research applicability:
National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Biodeterioration of Wood, 2002-07: Area of research applicability:
National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Biodeterioration of Wood, 1991-97: Mission: To increase wood efficiency
and serviceability through basic and applied research on the nature and
control of biodeterioration of wood in use;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Biodeterioration of Wood, 1997-2002: Mission: To increase wood
efficiency, protection, and serviceability through basic and applied
research on the nature and control of biodeterioration within the
context of changing environmental needs;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Biodeterioration of Wood, 2002-07: Mission: To increase wood efficiency
of use, protection, and serviceability through basic and applied
research on the nature and control of biodeterioration within the
context of changing environmental needs;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Research
work unit title, and period and activities covered: Research problem
and activities:
Problem: Lack of understanding of the biosynthetic and degradative
pathways that can be targeted to achieve improved methods for
controlling decay;
Activities: Study the induction and repression of degradative enzymes
in order to learn what parameters prevent their formation;
Problem: Lack of understanding in detecting incipient decay and in-situ
treatments to protect wood;
Activities: Investigate the presence of decay in a particular wood
structure to determine conditions promoting such decay and, where
necessary, the microorganisms responsible for the decay;
Problem: Lack of understanding in how to enhance nondecay
microorganisms to prevent fungal attack of wood;
Activities: Identify potential antagonists by laboratory screening and
select the most promising control agents by applying them to wood
blocks for exposure to important wood-attacking fungi;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Biodeterioration of Wood, 1997-2002: Research problem and activities:
Problem: Need to identify new biochemical processes of wood decay fungi
that can be inhibited to achieve improved methods for controlling
decay;
Activities: Determine efficacy against decay fungi of inhibitors to
targets identified from mechanistic studies;
Problem: Need to identify in-situ modes of antagonism of nondecay
microorganisms required to enhance their establishment in wood to
prevent fungal attack in order to develop new and effective biocontrol
agents;
Activities: Identify microorganisms with improved biocontrol qualities;
Problem: Need to determine the conditions required for bioremoval of
metals from chromated copper arsenate (CCA)-treated wood waste in order
to dispose of CCA-treated wood without damaging soils and watersheds;
Activities: Develop a fuller understanding of the microbial degradation
of CCA-treated wood wastes and the conditions required for remediation,
recycling, or composting;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Biodeterioration of Wood, 2002-07: Research and problem activities:
Problem: Need to identify new specific biochemical processes of wood
decay fungi and mold that can be inhibited to achieve improved methods
for controlling decay;
Activities: The recent sequencing of the entire genome of an important
decay fungus presents many opportunities for research on the mechanism
of decay, including the possibility of rapidly correlating specific
enzymes of the fungus with the corresponding genes;
Problem: Need to determine the conditions required for bioremoval and
recycling of preservatives from preservative-treated wood waste in
order to safely dispose of preventative-treated wood without damaging
soils and watersheds;
Activities: Develop a fuller understanding of the microbial remediation
and degradation of preservative-treated wood wastes and the conditions
required for remediation, recycling, or degradation (composting);
Problem: Need to develop rapid detection methods and the conditions
required for mold growth in order to prevent mold growth in housing;
Activities: Develop improved moisture control parameters to prevent the
establishment of mold and spread of mold spores.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4701;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Center for
Wood Anatomy Research, 1992-98: Area of research applicability:
National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Center for
Wood Anatomy Research, 1998-2003: Area of research applicability:
National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Center for
Wood Anatomy Research, 2003-08: Area of research applicability:
National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Center for
Wood Anatomy Research, 1992-98: Mission: To accumulate and make known
information on the anatomical and other characteristics of woods of the
world that may affect their utilization potential, and to develop new
and improved techniques for their identification;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Center for
Wood Anatomy Research, 1998-2003: Mission: To accumulate and
disseminate information on the anatomical, biochemical, and physical
characteristics of wood species that may affect their utilization and
decay, and to develop new and improved techniques for wood
identification;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Center for
Wood Anatomy Research, 2003-08: Mission: To develop, accumulate, and
disseminate information on the anatomical, biochemical, and physical
characteristics of wood species that may affect their utilization and
wood quality, and to develop new and improved techniques for wood
identification;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Center for
Wood Anatomy Research, 1992-98: Research problem and activities:
Problem: Need to develop a complete body of fundamental knowledge on
the macro-and microscopic structures and other characteristics for wood
to better understand, utilize, and identify lesser-known and lesser-
used woods, especially tropical woods;
Activities: Data-gathering and analysis that is directed toward the
development of descriptions and keys for commercially important and
emerging tropical groups;
Problem: Need to investigate new and improved nonanatomical techniques
and methodologies for wood identification for more accurate and
reliable identifications;
Activities: New and novel approaches to the separation of similar woods
must be developed. One of the first techniques to be studied will be
unique chemical tests that might aid in identifying woods at the work
site;
Problem: Need to accumulate common and scientific names, origin,
physical and strength properties, uses, and other information on
tropical species in databases to assist in organizing and disseminating
information to customers;
Activities: Gather information on properties, uses, and other data on
native and tropical species, convert it to a standard format, and
develop database structures that can readily retrieve selected
information in an orderly and efficient manner;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Center for
Wood Anatomy Research, 1998-2003: Research problem and activities:
Problem: Need to better understand the macro-and microscopic anatomy of
wood and develop new techniques and methodologies for wood
identification;
Activities: Data-gathering and analysis that is directed toward the
development of descriptions and keys for commercially important and
emerging tropical groups;
Problem: More information is needed to understand the
interrelationships between specific anatomical and chemical features
and the mechanisms of decay and natural durability;
Activities: Identify and test selected wood species for the ability to
resist decay and discoloration by brown-rot, white-rot, and soft-rot
fungi. Emphasis will be given to laboratory testing of selected
temperate and tropical species;
Problem: Need to understand the relationships between wood anatomical
characteristics and wood quality;
Activities: In the past, several characteristics (mostly anatomical)
have been investigated as predictors of wood quality. These include
growth rate (ring width), density/specific gravity, percentage of
latewood, tracheid length, cell diameter, cell wall thickness, and
cellulose microfibril angle. Cellulose microfibril angle contributes to
many wood properties, such as modulus of elasticity, creep, shrinkage,
and maximum crushing strength;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Center for
Wood Anatomy Research, 2003-08: Research problem and activities:
Problem: Need to better understand the macro-and microscopic anatomy of
wood and to develop new techniques and methodologies for wood
identification;
Activities: Data-gathering and analysis that is directed toward the
development of descriptions and keys for commercially important and
emerging tropical groups;
Problem: Need to understand the relationships between wood anatomical
characteristics and wood quality;
Activities: Develop better methods for delineating juvenile zones, and
conduct closer comparisons of juvenile and mature wood anatomy and
properties to better assess the impact of juvenile wood on overall wood
quality.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4703;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Adhesives Science and Technology, 1994-99: Area of research
applicability: National,
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Adhesives Science and Technology,1999- 2004: Area of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Adhesives Science and Technology, 2004- 09: Area of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Adhesives Science and Technology, 1994-99: Mission: Improve the
utilization of wood through a combination of basic and applied research
that will ensure adequate future supplies of durable, environmentally
acceptable adhesives, and improve the applicability, efficiency, and
durability of adhesives for bonding wood-to-wood and wood-to-nonwood
materials;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Adhesives Science and Technology,1999- 2004: Mission: Improve the
utilization of wood through a combination of basic and applied research
that seeks to ensure more efficient fabrication and performance of
bonded-wood products;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Adhesives Science and Technology, 2004- 09: Mission: Improve the
utilization of wood through a combination of basic and applied research
that ensures more efficient fabrication and performance of bonded-wood
products;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Adhesives Science and Technology, 1994-99: Research problem and
activities:
Problem: Need to develop durable wood adhesives from renewable
resources;
Activities: Utilize the chemical constituents that occur in wood and
other biomass (or compounds derived from these constituents) for
obtaining adhesive systems suitable for bonding wood products;
Problem: Need to eliminate chemical and physical barriers to bonding
wood-based materials;
Activities: Identify and develop means to overcome chemical and
physical barriers to bonding and wood-based materials that have been
chemically or physically altered through treating or processing, among
other things;
Problem: Need to improve the environmental acceptability of wood
adhesives through the modification of conventional adhesives and the
development of new adhesives;
Activities: Quantify the magnitude of the environmental impact of
composite wood panel production and use and develop methods to decrease
the environmental impact of the composite products;
Problem: Need to determine the behavior of adhesives and the
performance of adhesive-bonded assembly joints in wood structures used
for construction;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Adhesives Science and Technology,1999- 2004: Research problem and
activities:
Problem: Need to improve the properties and performance of wood
adhesive systems;
Activities: Demonstrate the use of computational chemistry methods to
develop a better fundamental understanding of the chemistry involved in
the synthesis and cure of existing adhesive systems;
Problem: Need to improve the adhesion of adhesives to wood and nonwood
substrates;
Activities: Understand the factors that lead to poor wood-surface
quality and their influence on wood bonding so that the most efficient,
cost-effective bonding solutions can be determined;
Problem: Need to improve the durability, safety, and structural
performance of adhesively bonded wood assemblies;
Activities: Determine the mechanical behavior of adhesives within
bonded materials and develop new information on the mechanical
properties of adhesively bonded joints;
Problem: Need to understand the environmental acceptability of wood
adhesives and composite wood panels;
Activities: Develop information on volatile organic compounds (VOC)
emitted from wood products. Successful completion of this component
will provide the information needed by other researchers,
manufacturers, and regulatory agencies to determine the impacts that
wood products have on indoor air quality, and to develop strategies to
control or prevent exposure to VOCs;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Adhesives Science and Technology, 2004- 09: Research problem and
activities:
Problem: Need to improve the durability, safety, and structural
performance of adhesively bonded wood assemblies;
Activities: Develop a methodology to understand where and why failure
is taking place when bondline failure occurs;
Problem: Need to better understand the adhesion of adhesives to wood
and nonwood substrates;
Activities: Understand the factors that lead to poor wood- surface
quality and their influence on wood bonding so that the most efficient,
cost-effective bonding solutions can be determined;
Problem: Need to improve the properties and performance of wood
adhesive systems;
Activities: Determine the mechanical properties of existing adhesive
systems;
Problem: Need to utilize more environmentally acceptable wood adhesives
in wood composite panels;
Activities: Evaluate the VOC emissions from composite wood products;
Activities: Develop knowledge that will support and encourage the use
of adhesives in building construction, opening the way for improvements
in the use of wood and the performance of wood structures.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4706;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Performance Designed Composites, 1993-97: Area of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Performance Designed Composites, 1997-2002: Area of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Performance Designed Composites, 2002-07: Area of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Performance Designed Composites, 1993-97: Mission: To develop the
capabilities in processing technology to improve the value and yield of
existing (and new) lignocellulosic-based composites;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Performance Designed Composites, 1997-2002: Mission: To conserve wood
and other renewable fiber resources, this research unit determines the
relationship between alternative resource options, processing
technologies, and composite performance levels to improve the value and
yield of existing and new lignocellulosic-based composites;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Performance Designed Composites, 2002-07: Mission: To conserve wood,
alone or in combination with other renewable fiber resources,
fundamental relationships between base materials and product
performance are defined and then processes are derived to engineer
reliable, high-performance composites from wood-and wood-
lignocellulosics, including new hybrid composites melding wood and
alternative materials;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Performance Designed Composites, 1993-97: Research problem and
activities:
Problem: There is a lack of knowledge that relates the resource and
processing variables to composite product performance;
Activities: Study alternative material options and fabrication
techniques that result in flat or shaped products that can either span
distances of 4 feet or more or that possess other unique properties;
Problem: There is a lack of information available on how to
economically produce and characterize the performance of inorganic
bonded structural composites in adverse environments;
Activities: Develop a broad database of processing and performance
information, which will make possible the introduction of economically
produced and performance-characterized inorganic bonded composites into
the U.S. marketplace;
Problem: There is a lack of information to allow the development of
processing methodology for the production of high- performance
composites from virgin and recycled lignocellulosic, plastic, and other
nonwood materials;
Activities: Develop technology to convert recycled biofibers and
nonwood materials into durable, long- service-life products that are
recyclable and otherwise environmentally friendly, and will effectively
remove raw materials from the waste stream;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Performance Designed Composites, 1997-2002: Research problem and
activities:
Problem: Knowledge is needed to characterize, assess, and prepare
alternative raw materials for processing into value-added composite
products; Activities: Develop correlations between raw material
influences, composite design, the physical properties of the
constituent biomass components, adhesive bonding mechanisms, and the
manipulative variables of product fabrication; Problem: Need to develop
new composite processing technologies and to refine existing
technologies to ensure that the composite raw materials of the future
are optimally assembled to achieve maximum performance at minimum cost;
Activities: Develop a database of information to define and
characterize various raw materials and processing options that can
affect the performance of alternative composites; Problem: Information
is needed to characterize, predict, and correlate composite performance
based on raw material, processing, and structure considerations;
Activities: Develop technology to convert wood and woody biomass,
recycled, and nonwood materials into durable, cost-effective, high-
performing and long-service-life products that are recyclable and
otherwise environmentally friendly;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Performance Designed Composites, 2002-07:
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Research
work unit title, and period and activities covered: Research problem
and activities:
Problem: It is necessary to understand the fundamental relationships
between wood-, natural-fiber-and alternative materials and use this
knowledge to optimize composite processing and performance;
Activities: Develop correlations between raw material influences,
composite design, the physical properties of the constituent biomass
components, adhesive bonding mechanisms, and the manipulative variables
of product fabrication;
Problem: Need to improve the performance, durability and value of
existing composites and define the next generation of hybrid composites
made from natural fiber(s) and alternative materials;
Activities: Build upon the fundamental knowledge gained in the above
activities to develop a database of information to define and
characterize various raw materials and processing options that can
improve the performance of traditional composites (or define new
composites);
Problem: Need to develop tools to address resource sustainability,
enhance recyclability, and minimize the environmental impacts of
composite processing;
Activities: Optimize how wood and woody biomass, recycled and nonwood
materials are converted into durable, cost-effective, high- performing,
and long-service-life products that are recyclable and otherwise
environmentally friendly.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4707;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Surface Chemistry, 1994-99: Area of research applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Surface Chemistry, 1999-2004: Area of research applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Surface Chemistry, 2004-09: Area of research applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Surface Chemistry, 1994-99: Mission: To determine the basic mechanisms
of wood surface deterioration outdoors--and innovative products and
processes--for modifying wood surfaces to enhance finishability and
gluability and to improve properties of wood and nonwood composites;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Surface Chemistry, 1999-2004: Mission: To determine the basic
mechanisms of deterioration of wood and wood-based composites used
outdoors and develop innovative technologies for modifying wood
surfaces to enhance durability;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Surface Chemistry, 2004-09: Mission: To improve the durability of wood
and wood-based composites;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Surface Chemistry, 1994-99: Research problem and activities: Problem:
Rapid changes in wood and wood-based materials, products used on these
materials, and the environment, have led to premature failure of many
wood products used outdoors; Activities: Address chemical changes on
the surface of wood and between the paint and wood interface and
evaluate paint adhesion so that the chemical changes can be linked to
measurable paint performance parameters; Problem: Inadequate wetting
and penetration of wood finishes, adhesives, and other treatments cause
decreased service life of many wood products; Activities: Research will
concentrate on the basic surface properties of wood and wood-based
materials as they relate to interaction with liquids; Problem: Chemical
incompatibilities at the wood/nonwood interface do not permit the
development of high-performance composites; Activities: Attempt to
elucidate the complex chemical structure of wood/nonwood interphases
and to modify the chemistry of the wood surface to achieve better
bonding between wood and nonwood materials;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Surface Chemistry, 1999-2004: Research problem and activities: Problem:
Premature weathering and decay of wood products used outdoors causes an
unnecessary drain on our forest resource; Activities: Address chemical
changes on the surface of wood and at the paint/wood interface and
evaluate paint adhesion so that the chemical changes can be linked to
measurable paint performance parameters; Problem: Water-based water-
repellent preservatives are not protecting products as well as
traditional solvent-based formulations; Activities: Research will
concentrate on the basic surface properties of wood and wood-based
materials as they relate to interaction with liquids; Problem:
Incompatibility of surface interactions between wood and other
materials impedes the development of advanced wood-based composites;
Activities: Attempt to elucidate the complex chemical structure of
wood/nonwood interphases and to modify the chemistry of the wood fiber
surface to achieve better bonding between wood and nonwood materials.
The major emphasis of this research is the measurement of wood surface
properties critical to good bonding;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Surface Chemistry, 2004-09: Research problem and activities: Problem:
Wood and wood-based materials used in residential construction are not
performing as expected because of inadequate understanding of the
mechanisms by which they are failing and inadequate methods for
predicting their service life; Activities: Address chemical changes on
the surface of wood and at the interface with other materials and also
evaluate adhesion so that the chemical changes can be linked to
measurable performance parameters; Problem: Lack of understanding of
the surface interactions between water and wood or other
lignocellulosic materials limits their use in many traditional and new
applications; Activities: Research will concentrate on the basic
surface properties of wood and wood-based materials as they relate to
interaction with liquids and solutions; Problem: Inadequate
understanding of the surface chemistry of wood and the mechanism by
which other materials bond to wood impedes the development of advanced
wood-based composites; Activities: Elucidate the complex chemical
structure of wood/nonwood interphases and develop processes to modify
the chemistry of the wood fiber surface to achieve better bonding
between wood and nonwood materials.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4709;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Chemistry
and Pulping, 1991-97: Area of research applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Chemistry
and Pulping, 1997-2002: Area of research applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Chemistry
and Pulping, 2002-07: Area of research applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Chemistry
and Pulping, 1991-97: Mission: To combine state-of-the-art knowledge in
wood chemistry and chemical engineering science in developing
environmentally benign processes for the production and utilization of
wood pulp fibers and the chemical byproducts of pulping processes. The
new processes will seek to conserve forest and water resources, avoid
adverse effects on air quality and the global ecosystem, and reduce
capital investment in order to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. pulp
and paper products in world markets;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Chemistry
and Pulping, 1997-2002: Mission: To develop environmentally benign and
resource-conserving processes for the production and utilization of
wood pulp fibers, and of the chemical byproducts of wood and pulp
processing, and to improve our understanding of the molecular and
physical characteristics of wood and wood pulp in order to achieve a
sustainable basis for the production of U.S. pulp and paper products to
meet the needs of the American people;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Chemistry
and Pulping, 2002-07: Mission: To develop more efficient,
environmentally benign, and resource-conserving processes for the
conversion of wood to fibers and chemicals, and to improve our
understanding of the chemical, molecular, and physical characteristics
of wood and fibers to provide a basis for sustainable conversion of
wood into value-added products;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Chemistry
and Pulping, 1991-97: Research problem and activities;
Problem: Need to develop new bleaching technologies;
Activities: Identify the major barriers to developing alternative
bleaching systems (to chlorine-based systems), and target fundamental
research programs to overcome these barriers;
Problem: Brightness reversion in high-yield pulps;
Activities: Develop information to provide a basis for addressing the
problem of brightness reversion and address the gap in knowledge about
the phenomena responsible for reversion;
Problem: New pulping concepts;
Activities: Seek systems which rely on catalysts to break down the
lignin, rather than requiring severe thermal and chemical environments
implicit in high-temperature alkaline pulping, and developing systems
that are based on simulating the action of biological systems that
break down lignin;
Problem: Recycling;
Activities: Research programs addressing the problem of surface
hardening will need to focus on new approaches to reactivating the
surface to enhance interfiber bonding;
Problem: High-value chemicals from wood;
Activities: Continue some efforts directed at the development of
analytical procedures currently underway and develop a new effort with
a focus on the problem of color in certain products;
Problem: Characterization of wood components;
Activities: Studies of the molecular architecture of cell walls in
wood, and the manner in which it is transformed by the various
biological and industrial processes which break down the native
structures using novel methods for characterizing the solid state and
states of molecular aggregation;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Chemistry
and Pulping, 1997-2002: Research problem and activities;
Problem: New technologies are needed to deliqnify wood for the
production of pulp in ways that will eliminate contamination of our air
and waterways;
Activities: Continue to define the fundamental science and engineering
that must be understood in order to fully develop the potential of
polyoromeralate delignification for effluent-free oxygen bleaching;
Problem: Need for improved papermaking properties of high-yield
mechanical and chemi-mechanical pulps, which makes more efficient use
of our wood resource; increase public acceptance of, and build markets
for papers, produced from these pulps;
Activities: Develop information to provide a basis for addressing the
problem of brightness reversion and to develop brightness-stabilizing
procedures;
Problem: Need for increased understanding of the biogenesis and
molecular architecture of wood cell walls, their response to
environmental stresses, and their transformation in the course of
industrial processing to improve forest health, utilize mixed species
of uneven acres, and increase efficiency of conversion;
Activities: Studies of the molecular architecture of cell walls in wood
and the manner in which it is transformed by the various biological and
industrial processes that break down the native structures;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Chemistry
and Pulping, 2002-07: Research problem and activities; Problem: New
technologies are needed to fractionate wood for the production of pulp
in ways that will eliminate contamination to our air and waterways;
Activities: Further develop the potential of polyosometalate
delignification to provide solutions to the environmental problems
currently associated with delignification processes; Problem: Need to
improve papermaking of high-yield mechanical and chemi-mechanical
pulps, which make more efficient use of our wood resources, to increase
public acceptance of and build markets for papers produced from these
pulps; Activities: Develop information to provide a basis for
addressing the problem of brightness reversion and to develop
brightness-stabilizing approaches; Problem: Need for new and innovative
methods to convert wood and other lignocellulosics into fibers and
chemicals; Activities: Develop technologies for biorefining wood into
ethanol and other chemicals, fiber, and structural materials in much
higher yields than are currently possible; Problem: Need for increased
understanding of the biogenesis and molecular architecture of wood cell
walls, their response to environmental stresses, and their
transformation in the course of industrial processing to improve forest
health, utilize mixed species of uneven age, and increase efficiency of
conversion;
Activities: Studies of the molecular architecture of cell walls in wood
and its relationship to the process of biogenesis.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4710;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Fiber
Processes and Products, 1990-97: Areas of research applicability:
National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Fiber
Processing and Paper Performance, 1997-2002: Areas of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Fiber
Processing and Paper Performance, 2002- 07: Areas of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Fiber
Processes and Products, 1990-97: Mission: To improve the efficiency
with which pulps derived from the nation's wood and recycled fiber
resources are converted to fiber-based products;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Fiber
Processing and Paper Performance, 1997-2002: Mission: To conserve fiber
resources by developing the knowledge and technology needed to better
utilize a fiber supply from a wide range of biomass resources, increase
the use of recycled fiber, improve paper performance, and address
environmental concerns;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Fiber
Processing and Paper Performance, 2002- 07: Mission: To conserve forest
resources through paper performance research aimed at increasing the
use of small-diameter and underutilized tree species, recycled fiber,
and a wide range of biomass resources addressing environmental and
energy concerns;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Fiber
Processes and Products, 1990-97: Research problem and activities:
Problem: Need to improve papermaking processing to reduce fiber needs
and increase the use of underutilized fiber sources;
Activities: Develop ways to permit basis weight to be reduced without
decreasing strength and opacity. An approach to this problem would be
to apply press-drying principles;
Problem: Need to develop the technologies to increase the use potential
of high-yield mechanical pulps from a wide variety of hardwood and
softwood species;
Activities: Research will be conducted to minimize reduction in optical
properties whenever strength properties are increased;
Problem: Need to develop the technologies to increase the use of
recycled wastepaper;
Activities: Use a materials-science approach to develop a better
understanding of the role of solid-liquid interfacial phenomena in
separation of synthetic adhesive contaminants from wastepaper pulp
slurries;
Problem: Need to improve product performance of paper and the efficient
use of fiber resources through chemical treatments and incorporation on
nonwood components;
Activities: Part of the solution to the problem of insufficient opacity
of low-basis weight papers involves the use of nonfiber components as
fillers and opacifiers;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Fiber
Processing and Paper Performance, 1997-2002: Research problem and
activities:
Problem: New technologies are needed to better utilize fiber from a
wide range of biomass resources for pulp and papermaking to improve
forest health and conditions to utilize wood now going to waste
streams;
Activities: Mechanical pulps are currently made from a small number of
select softwood species, and only one or two low-density hardwoods.
There are some indications that juvenile wood, which predominates in
thinnings and small-diameter trees, might be advantageous for
mechanical pulp production;
Problem: New technologies are needed to overcome undesirable
environmental impacts in converting wood to paper and paperboard;
Activities: Investigate the use of fungal pretreatment for kraft
pulping. Fungal pretreatment of the wood chips enhances the strength
properties of the paper while reducing the toxicity of the waste stream
for mechanical and sulfite pulping, as well as reducing the consumption
of mechanical pulping energy;
Problem: New recycling technologies are needed to overcome barriers to
increased use of wastepaper;
Activities: The technology for using enzymes to remove ink from toners
needs to be transferred to industrial practice. The recycling of paper
into pulp suitable for papermaking requires numerous steps of several
unit operations to produce an acceptable product;
Problem: Greater knowledge is needed to overcome limits in our
fundamental understanding of the relationship between fiber properties
and paper performance to optimize fiber use and extend forest
resources;
Activities: An improved understanding of how the performance of
corrugated containers relates to paper properties can provide the
rationale to differentiate among alternative fiber sources;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Fiber
Processing and Paper Performance, 2002- 07: Research problem and
activities:
Problem: Basic knowledge and technology is needed to increase the use
of small-diameter and underutilized tree species for pulp and paper
products to improve forest health and reduce fire risk;
Activities: Substituting mechanical pulp for chemical pulp is one way
to extend the current wood supply. There are some indications that
juvenile wood, which predominates in thinnings and small-diameter
trees, might be advantageous for mechanical pulp production;
Problem: New high-yield pulping technologies are needed to reduce
energy consumption, improve paper quality, and overcome undesirable
environmental impacts in converting wood to paper and paperboard;
Activities: Investigate enzyme-assisted grafting of carboxylic acid
groups on the surface of lignin-containing pulp fibers as a post
treatment for biotreated thermal-mechanical pulps;
Problem: New technologies are needed to overcome barriers to increased
recycling of recovered papers;
Activities: New approaches are needed to better use fibers from
recovered paper and paper mill residues. The major contaminant
categories are inks, adhesives, plastics, and inorganic materials;
Problem: Need for a fundamental understanding of the relationship
between fiber properties and paper performance to optimize fiber use
and extend forest resources;
Activities: An improved understanding of how the performance of
corrugated containers relates to paper properties can provide the
rationale to differentiate among alternative fiber sources.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4712;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Institute
for Microbial and Biochemical Technology, 1991-97: Area of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Institute
for Microbial and Biochemical Technology, 1992-2002: Area of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Institute
for Microbial and Biochemical Technology, 2002-07: Area of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Institute
for Microbial and Biochemical Technology, 1991-97: Mission: To explore,
through basic and applied research, the potentials of biotechnology in
wood conversions;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Institute
for Microbial and Biochemical Technology, 1992-2002: Mission: To
explore, through basic and applied research, the potentials of
biotechnology in wood conversions, and to better understand the roles
of such conversions in enhancing our environment;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Institute
for Microbial and Biochemical Technology, 2002-07: Mission: Develop
biotechnology for wood and fiber conversion through fundamental and
applied research that contributes to efficient utilization and improved
health of our forests;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Institute
for Microbial and Biochemical Technology, 1991-97: Research problem and
activities;
Problem: Need to understand the aromatic- mineralizing system of lignin-
degrading fungi to permit its use in many applications, as well as its
appreciation as a key component of the earth's carbon cycle;
Activities: Basic investigations into the mechanism of lignin
degradation by selected fungi;
Problem: Need for a greater understanding of the biochemistry,
physiology, and engineering of xenobiotic degradation by lignin-
degrading fungi to allow use of these organisms in bioremediation
technologies;
Activities: Gain an understanding of fungal physiology, fungal ecology,
and microbial engineering;
Problem: Need to identify the best enzymes and necessary conditions for
their action to permit their use in improving properties of virgin and
recycled fibers;
Activities: Basic and applied studies on the use of microbial enzymes
to treat virgin and recycled fibers;
Problem: Need to evaluate completely the promising concept of
biopulping to determine its technical feasibility;
Activities: Biopulping research is divided into research teams, each
charged with a specific part of the overall effort: fungal, pulp and
paper, engineering and scale-up, enzyme, and molecular genetics teams;
Problem: Need to develop fundamental knowledge concerning the molecular
genetics of ligninolytic fungi for biotechnical exploitation;
Activities: Elucidate the structure, organization, and regulation of
fungal genes involved in lignocellulose degradation;
Problem: Lack of fundamental knowledge of the enzymes and conditions
necessary for producing fermentable hydrolystes; and need to improve
microbial strains before fermentation of the principal hemicellulosic
sugars is economical;
Activities: Examine the effects of microbial cellulases and
hemicellulases on pretreated wood and lignocellulosic residues with the
objective of maximizing sugar yields and concentrations;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Institute
for Microbial and Biochemical Technology, 1992-2002: Research problem
and activities:
Problem: Need to better understand oxidative systems in wood decay
fungi to permit their use in many applications, including improvement
of forest health;
Activities: Basic investigations into the mechanisms of lignin and
cellulose degradation by selected white rot and brown rot fungi;
Problem: Research is needed to provide basic information and operating
conditions for enzymatic processing of wood fiber;
Activities: Basic and applied studies on the discovery and use of
microbial and low-grade enzymes to treat virgin and recycled fibers,
wood residues from timber harvest, or excess growth;
Problem: Need fundamental knowledge of the molecular genetics of
lignocellulose-degrading fungi for their optimal biotechnological use;
Activities: Identify and characterize key genes involved in the
degradation of lignin and related aromatic hydrocarbons, cellulose, and
hemicellulose;
Problem: Need to improve processing and fermentation technology to
convert low-grade lignocellulosic materials into fuels and chemicals;
Activities: Examine the effects of microbial cellulases and
hemicellulases on pretreated wood and lignocellulosic residues with the
objective of maximizing sugar yields and concentrations;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Institute
for Microbial and Biochemical Technology, 2002-07: Research problem and
activities:
Problem: Need for technologies for efficient and economical
bioconversion of forest thinnings, unmerchantable timber and mixed
species to produce a full array of wood-based materials ranging from
fiber to constitutive polymers and chemicals;
Activities: Increase the efficiency of bioconversion to ethanol by
engineering the metabolic pathways for sugar utilization and
fermentation.
Problem: Need to identify and understand the oxidative systems of wood
decay fungi to increase the efficacy of these naturally occurring
organisms in bioconversion technologies, devising new environmentally
sound ways to protect wood in use, and accelerating decomposition of
forest litter;
Activities: Basic investigations into the mechanisms of lignin and
cellulose degradation by selected white rot and brown rot fungi;
Problem: Need to develop basic information and operating conditions for
efficient and effective enzymatic and microbial processing of wood and
wood fiber;
Activities: Basic and applied studies on the discovery and use of
microorganisms and enzymes to treat virgin fibers, recycled fibers, and
wood residues;
Problem: Need to understand the functional genomics of lignocellulose-
degrading fungi to optimize these organisms for bioprocessing and
bioconversion of wood;
Activities: Identify and characterize key genes involved in the
degradation of lignin and related aromatic hydrocarbons, cellulose, and
hemicellulose.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4714;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Engineering Properties of Wood, 1991-98: Area of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Engineering Properties of Wood, 1998-2004: Area of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Engineering Properties and Structures, 2004- 09: Area of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Engineering Properties of Wood, 1991-98: Mission: To establish methods
and data for the improved characterization of the physical and
mechanical properties of wood that are important in engineering design;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Engineering Properties of Wood, 1998-2004: Mission: As part of the
Forest Products Laboratory's mission to conserve wood and forest
resources, the mission of the research work unit is to establish
methods and gather data for the improved characterization of the
mechanical and physical properties of solid sawn and composite
structural products that are important in engineering design;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Engineering Properties and Structures, 2004- 09: Mission: To contribute
to the conservation and productivity of the nation's forest resources
by establishing methods and gathering data for the improved
characterization of the mechanical and physical properties of solid
sawn and composite structural products that are important in
engineering design and to foster their efficient utilization in wood
building systems;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Engineering Properties of Wood, 1991-98: Research problem and
activities:
Problem: Physical and mechanical properties of clear wood;
Activities: Investigate wood quality effects on properties and
broadening of fundamental property data required as input for
analytical modeling of material or structural performance;
Problem: Properties of commercial lumber;
Activities: Focus over the next 2 years on getting the last of the
descriptive information published;
Problem: Principles of grading and property assignment for solid sawn
and composite lumber;
Activities: Develop optimum techniques for sorting lumber, predicting
its mechanical properties, and assuring the reliability of these
products in practice;
Problem: Processing, treating, and environmental influences on design
properties of lumber;
Activities: Develop scientific and technical understanding of the
effects of processing, treating, and environmental factors of the
mechanical properties of lumber;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Engineering Properties of Wood, 1998-2004: Research problem and
activities:
Problem: Properties and grading of solid-sawn lumber;
Activities: Extend the nation's forest resource by developing and
applying better grading procedures to structural lumber;
Problem: Properties of structural composite products;
Activities: Extend the nation's forest resources by developing
analytical models and gathering data for predicting the end-use
performance of composite structural products;
Problem: Serviceability of solid and composite products;
Activities: Extend the nation's forest resource by developing better
methods for characterizing the end-use performance of structural lumber
products as a function of environmental and industrial treatment
processes;
Problem: Fundamental research;
Activities: Develop data and procedures for characterizing the
fundamental physical and mechanical properties of wood as a basis for
use in other problems, and for use by researchers outside the work
unit;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Engineering Properties and Structures, 2004- 09: Research problem and
activities:
Problem: Properties and grading of solid-sawn products;
Activities: Promote public safety and support management of the
nation's forest resources by developing and applying better grading and
property assignment procedures for solid- sawn structural wood
products;
Problem: Properties of structural composite products;
Activities: Promote public safety and support management of the
nation's forest resources by developing better methods for predicting
the field performance of engineered wood composites as a function of
their constitutive components;
Problem: Serviceability of solid sawn and composite wood products;
Activities: Improve public safety and support management of the
nation's forest resources by developing better methods for
characterizing the end-use performance of structural products as a
function of environmental change, time-dependent behavior, and
industrial treating processes;
Problem: Wood drying and heat sterilization;
Activities: Develop economical wood drying strategies aimed at
promoting value-added uses for small-diameter softwood and low-value,
underutilized hardwood timber, with both the established lumber
industry and small, rural, community-based businesses as the targeted
users of the technology.
Problem: Properties of nontraditional wood products used in structural
applications;
Activities: Characterize the properties of wood products for safe and
efficient design of structures and efficient use of the wood resource;
Problem: Structural performance of wood-building systems;
Activities: Better understand the structural performance of wood-
building systems to better understand the use of traditional materials
in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings and provide a
better basis for using wood composites, reused, and recycled materials;
Problem: Performance of wood transportation systems;
Activities: Improve existing wood transportation structures, develop
new systems that conserve and improve wood use and improve the adequacy
and condition of the U.S. transportation infrastructure;
Problem: Fundamental research;
Activities: Develop data and procedures for characterizing the
fundamental physical and mechanical properties of wood as required for
use in the other problem areas, and for use by researchers outside of
the work unit.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4716;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Engineered
Wood Products and Structures, 1992- 99: Area of research applicability:
National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Engineered
Wood Products and Structures, 1999- 2005: Area of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Building
Moisture and Durability, 2005-10: Area of research applicability:
National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Engineered
Wood Products and Structures, 1992- 99: Mission: To extend the wood
resource through engineering technology for effective design and use of
wood and wood-based materials in structures;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Engineered
Wood Products and Structures, 1999- 2005: Mission: To conserve the wood
resource through engineering technology and contribute to effective
design and use of wood and wood-based materials in structures;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Building
Moisture and Durability, 2005-10: Mission: To extend the service life
of wood products in buildings through improved building design and
operation;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Engineered
Wood Products and Structures, 1992- 99: Research problem and activities;
Problem: Engineered wood products;
Activities: Gain the knowledge necessary to use reliability-based
design, which primarily involves structural properties; however, the
effect of moisture content changes on dimensional stability is also a
concern with some types of engineered wood products;
Problem: Engineered wood subsystems;
Activities: Formulate technology for characterizing the structural
performance of light-frame subsystems in terms of the properties of the
lumber, panel products, and connections used in their construction;
Problem: Engineered building systems;
Activities: Relate the performance of major components--floors, walls,
and roof--to the performance of the entire structure. Develop computer
programs that can be used by engineers;
Problem: Engineered timber bridge systems;
Activities: Develop new technology for engineered timber bridge systems
to provide economical alternatives to bridges of other materials and
assist in implementing the technology in national design standards;
Problem: In-place evaluation of structures;
Activities: Improved methods are needed to determine the in-place
capacity of existing structures in order to extend their life;
Problem: Moisture management in buildings;
Activities: Develop better criteria for the design and operation of
energy-efficient wood buildings for satisfactory performance with
regard to moisture;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Engineered
Wood Products and Structures, 1999- 2005: Research problem and
activities;
Problem: Properties of engineered wood products;
Activities: Characterize the properties of engineered wood products for
safe, efficient design of structures, and efficient use of the forest
resource by determining the suitability of various materials and
designs and their performance characteristics in engineered wood
products;
Problem: Structural performance of wood-building systems;
Activities: Create new technologies, guidelines, and knowledge that
improve the quality, safety, durability and reliability of buildings,
particularly housing;
Problem: Moisture control in buildings;
Activities: Create new technologies and guidelines that minimize the
potential for moisture damage to the structure while maintaining the
energy efficiency of the building and indoor air quality for the
occupants;
Problem: Performance of wood transportation structures;
Activities: Improve existing wood transportation structures and develop
new systems that conserve and improve wood use, and improve the
adequacy and condition of the U.S. transportation infrastructure;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Building
Moisture and Durability, 2005-10: Research problem and activities;
Problem: Building moisture design methodology;
Activities: Develop a performance-based moisture design approach for
wood frame buildings that is firmly based on technical information and
engineering principles;
Problem: Wetting and drying of wood-frame buildings and building
components;
Activities: Provide information to better predict the potential for
mold and decay in wood building components;
Problem: Moisture and thermal properties of wood products;
Activities: Build a database for wood products, with a special emphasis
on wood composites. Make the Forest Products Laboratory a center for
collecting and documenting reliable, unbiased property data for use in
hygrothermal models and building design;
Problem: Durability of composite wood products;
Activities: Industry needs assistance in the development of better
industrywide standards and testing methods (for hardboard and oriented
strandboard (OSB) siding, and more recently, with OSB sheathing) that
would provide a more consistent product with greater durability.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4719;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Processing and Drying Systems, 1993-98: Area of research applicability:
National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Engineering and Drying Systems Design Criteria, 1998-2004: Area of
research applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Condition
Assessment and Rehabilitation of Structures, 2004-05: Area of research
applicability: National
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Processing and Drying Systems, 1993-98: Mission: Develop primary wood
processing systems that have minimum impact on our environment and
enhance the value and yield of products obtained from forest resources;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Engineering and Drying Systems Design Criteria, 1998-2004: Mission:
Develop nondestructive evaluation technologies, engineering design
criteria, and drying systems that facilitate use of underutilized
materials and help conserve the forest resource;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Condition
Assessment and Rehabilitation of Structures, 2004-05: Mission: Develop
nondestructive evaluation technologies, structural analysis procedures,
inspection methods, and rehabilitation procedures for wood structures;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Engineering and Drying Systems Design Criteria, 1998-2004: Research
Problem and activities:
Problem: Need to develop analytical tools to define product recovery;
Activities: Development of a series of computer models of key
processing subsystems. These models will be developed by using existing
processes and quality control information supplemented with mill
product yield information;
Problem: A lack of understanding of the dynamic variables of sawing
hinders improvements in sawing technology;
Activities: Basic research aimed at developing an understanding of the
primary dynamic variables in sawing, and the means to control them;
Problem: There is a need for improved technology and techniques for
manufacturing and drying quality veneer;
Activities: The Modular Veneer Press dryer has demonstrated the
capability of reducing buckling when drying fine hardwood veneers.
Final engineering design efforts will lead into commercial development;
Problem: There is a need for better drying techniques, appropriate pre-
sorting technology, and tools to better predict and control the
response of lumber to kiln drying;
Activities: Develop physical property data and analytical methods to
predict the response of wood to drying in terms of drying time,
moisture content gradients, and stress; and establish relationships
between these responses and relevant material and process variables;
Problem: There is a need for better information on environmental
aspects of wood drying and environmentally appropriate drying
technology;
Activities: Develop and transfer information and readily applied
technology to promote environmentally responsible lumber- drying
technologies;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Engineering and Drying Systems Design Criteria, 1998-2004: Research
Problem and activities:
Problem: Need to develop drying technologies for economical use of the
changing resource base while reducing energy costs and environmental
concerns;
Activities: Work toward developing new strategies by, among other
things, estimating changed or previously unknown drying characteristics
and developing fundamental heat and mass transfer information with an
eye toward computer simulations of kiln drying;
Problem: Need to develop engineering design analysis methods and
information for designing efficient wood structures;
Activities: Establish methods and data for designing efficient and
reliable wood structures. Applicable to building codes to (1) ensure
adequate design for high winds and earthquakes, and (2) allow for new
wood-based materials and design efficiencies;
Problem: Need to develop and evaluate new nondestructive technologies
for assigning engineering properties;
Activities: Develop nondestructive techniques that provide information
regarding the properties of wood products used in a wide variety of
applications and under a wide range of environmental conditions;
Problem: Need to develop new design procedures for repairing
components, assemblies, and systems;
Activities: Provide fundamental knowledge of how to assess the
condition of a structure, how the decay and defects affect the strength
and reliability of the structure, and how to repair the structure;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: condition
Assessment and Rehabilitation of Structures, 2004-05: Research Problem
and activities:
Problem: Need to develop baseline analysis methods and information for
designing and inspecting wood structures;
Activities: Establish baseline analysis methods for design and
inspection of wood structures. Research will be applicable to building
codes to allow for new wood-based materials, advanced connections, and
inspection efficiencies;
Problem: Need to develop and evaluate new nondestructive technologies
for assigning engineering properties to wood products and structural
systems;
Activities: Develop nondestructive evaluation and assessment
technologies and to understand the influence of environmental variables
on their reliability;
Problem: Need to develop new procedures for in-place assessment and new
methods of field repair to extend service life of timber bridges;
Activities: Despite technological gains for the inspection of other
materials, inspection methods and equipment for timber transportation
structures have remained virtually unchanged for the past 50 years;
Problem: Need to develop new design procedures for repairing
components, assemblies, and systems;
Activities: Provide fundamental knowledge of how to assess the
condition of a structure, how the decay and defects affect the strength
and reliability of the structure, and how to repair the structure.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4722;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Modification of Lignocellulosics for Advanced Materials and New Uses,
1993-97: Area of research applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Modified
Lignocellulosic Materials, 1997-2002: Area of research applicability:
National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Modified
Lignocellulosic Materials, 2002-07: Area of research applicability:
National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Modification of Lignocellulosics for Advanced Materials and New Uses,
1993-97: Mission: To develop advanced paper-based products and
composite materials based on sustainable property enhanced bio-fibers
alone or in combination with other resources;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Modified
Lignocellulosic Materials, 1997-2002: Mission: To develop advanced
environmentally friendly composite materials from chemically and
physically modified wood-based resources alone or in combination with
other resources to extend the use of our forest resources;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Modified
Lignocellulosic Materials, 2002-07: Mission: To develop advanced
environmentally friendly composite materials from chemically and
physically modified wood-based resources alone or in combination with
other materials to extend the use of our forest resources;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Modification of Lignocellulosics for Advanced Materials and New Uses,
1993-97: Research problem and activities:
Problem: Need to understand chemical and physical properties of
lignocellulosics to identify new sources of polymeric feedstocks and
advanced composite materials;
Activities: Determining chemical and physical properties of the wide
varieties of biobased fibers that can be used in combination with wood-
based fiber for composite materials;
Problem: Need to understand chemical and morphological modifications of
lignocellulosics to improve properties and to maximize end-use
performance of paper-based products and biobased materials;
Activities: Chemically modify biobased resources to enhance properties
such as dimensional stability and to characterize the resistance of
wood composites after modification when they are exposed to adverse
environments;
Problem: Improved methodologies are needed for the development of
ligocellulosic and nonlignocellulosic composites by understanding the
materials science and the matrix/ interface morphology of these
resources;
Activities: Provide data for industry to produce a whole new line of
value-added products taking advantage of the properties of many
different types of resources; Research work unit title, and period and
activities covered:
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Modified
Lignocellulosic Materials, 1997-2002: Research problem and activities:
Problem: Need to understand the relationship between the chemical and
physical properties of wood-based materials and final composite
properties to identify new sources of polymeric feedstocks and advanced
composite materials;
Activities: Determining chemical and physical properties of the wide
varieties of lignocellulosic-based fibers that can be used in
combination with wood fiber for composite materials;
Problem: Need chemical and structural modifications of wood-based
materials to improve properties and to maximize end-use performance of
biobased composite materials;
Activities: Chemically modify lignocellulosic resources to enhance
properties such as dimensional stability and to characterize the
resistance of wood composites after modification when they are exposed
to adverse environments;
Problem: Improved techniques are needed for better understanding of the
interface and interphase chemistry between wood-based resources and
other resources to improve surface interactions;
Activities: Provide data for industry to produce a whole new line of
value-added products taking advantages of the properties of many
different types of resources;
Problem: Environmentally friendly technologies are lacking for the
development of new wood-based composite materials that will lead to
more efficient use of our forest resources;
Activities: Develop technology that results in environmentally friendly
lignocellulosic composite materials; Research work unit title, and
period and activities covered:
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Modified
Lignocellulosic Materials, 2002-07: Research problem and activities:
Problem: Need to understand the relationship between the chemical and
physical properties of wood-based materials and final composite
properties to identify new sources of polymeric feedstocks and advanced
composite materials;
Activities: Determine chemical and physical properties of the wide
varieties of lignocellulosic-based fibers that can be used in
combination with other materials to produce new generations of
composite materials;
Problem: Need for chemical and structural modifications of wood-based
materials to improve properties and to maximize end-use performance of
biobased composite materials;
Activities: Chemically modify lignocellulosic resources to enhance
properties such as water repellency, and to characterize the resistance
of wood composites after modification when they are exposed to adverse
environments;
Problem: Improved techniques are needed to convert forest biomass into
geotextiles and filters and to maximize effectiveness in soil
stabilization and removal of contaminates from water;
Activities: Use small-diameter trees, waste biomass from our forests
and agricultural land, break them down into usable particles and
fibers, and form geotextiles and filters;
Problem: Improved technologies are needed to understand nature's
chemical and biological degradation mechanisms and to interfere with
these degradation processes to extend the useful life of a biobased
composite.
Activities: Develop an understanding of the chemistries involved in the
degradation of wood and use that information to develop new durable
products that are environmentally friendly.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4723;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Preservation, 1994-97: Area of research applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Preservation and Fire Research, 1997-2002; Area of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Preservation and Fire Safety Engineering, 2002-05: Area of research
applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Preservation, 1994-97: Mission: To enhance the durability of wood
through the development of environmentally innocuous products and
technologies;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Preservation and Fire Safety Engineering, 1997-2002: Mission: To
develop fire safety and wood preservation data, methodologies, and
technologies that improve or facilitate value-added utilization and
recycling of wood products;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Preservation and Fire Safety Engineering, 2002-05: Mission: To improve
the durability and fire safety of forest products in the context of
changing environmental and societal needs, thereby sustaining forests,
the economy, and the quality of life;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Preservation, 1994-97: Research problem and activities;
Problem: Need to develop innovative, environmentally preferable
preservative systems for the production of durable wood products;
Activities: Identify and develop preservative treatments to provide
wood products that meet multiple performance requirements (such as
durability) while also satisfying such requirements as environmental
safety, ease of disposal, and recycling;
Problem: Need to develop new methodologies for abbreviating the time
necessary to perform evaluations of the long-term performance of wood
preservatives;
Activities: Develop methodologies that will permit the rapid and
quantitative evaluation of long-term preservation performance;
Problem: Lack of adequate knowledge of preservative processing
technologies for producing durable products from our changing forest
resources;
Activities: Research will address solid and composite wood products and
will include investigations of treatments for softwood and hardwood
species that are currently underutilized;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Research
work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood Preservation
and Fire Safety Engineering, 1997-2002: Research problem and
activities;
Problem: Need to develop new environmentally preferable preservative
systems for durable wood products;
Activities: Identify and develop treatments to provide wood products
that meet multiple performance requirements such as durability, while
also satisfying such requirements as environmental safety, ease of
disposal, and recycling;
Problem: Need to develop methodologies for the accurate prediction of
long-term performance of durable wood species and treatments;
Activities: Develop methodologies that permit rapid and quantitative
evaluation of long-term preservative performance;
Problem: Need to improve the treatability and durability of
underutilized species and new wood composites and the recycling of
existing treated materials;
Activities: Research will address solid and composite wood products and
will include investigations of treatments for softwood and hardwood
species that are currently underutilized;
Problem: Need to develop information and methodologies that will
improve the service life of wood structures in the wildland- urban
interface;
Activities: Research efforts will emphasize the responsibility of
homeowners and supply guidelines concerning the structure and immediate
surrounding areas;
Problem: Need to develop fire safety data and methodologies to preserve
or expand the use of wood products that conserve our wood resources and
use new timber resources;
Activities: Research emphasis will be on the ability of wood products
to contribute to fire growth;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Wood
Preservation and Fire Safety Engineering, 1997-2002: Research problem
and activities;
Problem: Need to develop the data and models for fire safety
engineering of forest products in a performance-based building code
environment;
Activities: Obtain property and validation data and simulate full-scale
fire scenarios with computer fire models. Primary emphasis will be the
growth of a fire from ignition to "flashover.";
Problem: Need to document and optimize fire safety of engineered wood
products in structural applications;
Activities: Obtain data on the components of the engineered wood
products, develop models to better understand their fire performance,
and develop recommendations on how to optimize their fire performance;
Problem: Need to improve the survivability of wood structures in the
wildland-urban interface;
Activities: Reduce the fire hazards in the wildland-urban interface by
improving the quality and flexibility of fire safety recommendations
for wood structures. Such recommendations are part of the National Fire
Plan community assistance programs;
Problem: Improved methods of evaluation and analysis of test samples
and data are needed for timely and accurate prediction of long-term
performance of durable forest products;
Activities: Methodologies for evaluating the durability of forest
products include the soil bottle test, the larger-scale fungal cellar,
and the field plots. We anticipate assessing potential improvements to
all these levels of evaluations.
Problem: Need to reduce environmental impact of treated forest
products. This problem area will have two main elements: new, more
environmentally compatible treatments for wood protection and
assessment, and reduction of preservative chemicals released into the
environment;
Activities: Investigate various methods for reducing the levels of
preservative chemicals in the wood;
Problem: Need to improve ability to treat a diverse range of species
and underutilized small- diameter materials for treated wood
applications;
Activities: Efforts to evaluate both conventional and alterative
preservatives in a wide range of hardwood and softwood species will
continue.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4724;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Statistical Methods in Wood and Fiber Research, 1998-2004: Area of
research applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Statistical Methods in Wood and Fiber Research, 2004-05: Area of
research applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Statistical Methods in Wood and Fiber Research, 1998-2004: Mission: To
enhance the integrity and efficiency of the Forest Products
Laboratory's research efforts through the development, evaluation, and
promotion of modern statistical methods;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Statistical Methods in Wood and Fiber Research, 2004-05: Mission: To
enhance the integrity and efficiency of the Forest Products
Laboratory's research efforts through the development, evaluation, and
promotion of modern statistical methods;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Statistical Methods in Wood and Fiber Research, 1998-2004: Research
problem and activities;
Problem: Need to enhance the quality of wood utilization research and
economic assessments;
Activities: Enhancing the Forest Products Laboratory's research through
collaborative research with other laboratory scientists, professional
support to the scientists, and the transfer of research-derived
technology in the form of user-friendly computer programs that provide
new capabilities to the scientists;
Problem: Need to improve the statistical modeling of properties,
processing, and the performance of wood, fiber, and composites;
Activities: Develop improved statistical modeling methodology needed by
the Forest Products Laboratory's research programs;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered:
Statistical Methods in Wood and Fiber Research, 2004-05: Research
problem and activities;
Problem: Need to enhance the quality of wood utilization research and
economic assessments;
Activities: Enhancing the Forest Products Laboratory's research through
collaborative research with other laboratory scientists, professional
support to the scientists, and the transfer of research-derived
technology in the form of user-friendly computer programs that provide
new capabilities to the scientists;
Problem: Need to improve statistical modeling of properties, processing
and performance of wood, fiber, and composites;
Activities: Research efforts focus on developing the improved
statistical modeling methodology needed by the Forest Products
Laboratory's research programs and the evaluation of existing
statistical methods.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4725 (new research work unit Dec. 2003);
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Fire
Safety, 2003-04: Area of research applicability: National;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Fire
Safety, 2003-04: Mission: To develop data, methodologies, and
technologies needed to ensure that wood products and wood-based
structures do not adversely contribute to the loss of life and property
in fires.
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Fire
Safety, 2003-04: Research problem and activities:
Problem: Data and models are required for fire safety engineering of
forest products in a performance-based building code environment;
Activities: Obtain property and validation and simulate full-scale fire
scenarios with computer models. Primary emphasis will be the growth of
a fire from ignition to a flashover;
Problem: Need to document and optimize fire safety of engineered wood
products in structural applications;
Activities: Obtain data on the components of the engineered wood
products, develop models to better understand their fire performance,
and develop recommendations on how to optimize their fire performance;
Problem: Need to improve survivability of wood structures in the
wildland-urban interface;
Activities: Developing improved safety recommendations will include
databases of material properties, investigations of potential fire
scenarios, and identification of design changes to reduce hazards.
Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit and plan components:
4851;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Timber
Demand and Technology Assessment Research, 1994-97: Area of research
applicability; Nationality;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Timber
Demand and Technology Assessment Research, 1997-2002: Area of research
applicability; Nationality;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Timber
Demand and Technology Assessment Research, 2002-04: Area of research
applicability; Nationality;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Timber
Demand and Technology Assessment Research, 1994-97: Mission: To develop
long-term projections of consumption, production, price, manufacturing
costs, and conversion yields for pulp and paper, fuel wood, hardwood
lumber, and nonstructural panel markets; and manufacturing cost and
conversion yields for softwood lumber and structural panel markets; to
assess new technologies for converting timber into new or improved
paper and wood products;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Timber
Demand and Technology Assessment Research, 1997-2002: Mission: To
provide economic information, analysis, and projections indicating (1)
how wood is used in the economy, (2) how and why wood use changes over
time, (3) changes in the kinds and amounts of wood and fiber needs, (4)
natural resources management needs, (5) market equilibrium quantities
and prices, and (6) selected environmental impacts;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Timber
Demand and Technology Assessment Research, 2002-04: Mission: To provide
economic information, analysis, and projections indicating how and why
the markets and technologies for wood products change over time,
implications for natural resources management, and selected broad
environmental and social impacts;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Timber
Demand and Technology Assessment Research, 1994-97: Research problem
and activities:
Problem: Improvements in the Forest Products Laboratory's Pulpwood
Model are needed to provide long-term projections of production,
consumption, price, costs, and conversion yields for the pulp and paper
market;
Activities: Research will provide long-term projections of regional
consumption, production, and price in North America for pulpwood and
recycled fiber, wood, pulp, and paper and board;
Problem: New economic models are needed to provide long-term
projections of production, consumption, price, installation costs, and
conversion yields for residential and industrial wood energy markets;
Activities: Economic models will be developed to produce long-term
projections of installation costs and factors for converting fuel wood
to energy;
Problem: Economic models are needed to provide long-term projections of
production, consumption, price, costs, and coercion yields/for lumber
and panel markets;
Activities: Provide long-term projections on regional consumption in
North America for timber consumed in the manufacture of hardwood lumber
and nonstructural panels;
Problem: Economic analysis is needed to assess new technologies for
converting timber into new or improved paper and wood products;
Activities: Assess new technologies for producing new or improved paper
and wood products. The technologies evaluated will be those developed
at the Forest Products Laboratory;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Timber
Demand and Technology Assessment Research, 1997-2002: Research problem
and activities:
Problem: There is a lack of understanding of the effects of long-range
market equilibria, production, and technological changes on the pulp
and paper industry;
Activities: Improving modeling and analysis with the North American
Pulp and Paper model for the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources
Planning Act of 1974 (RPA) assessments requires a range of research
studies and collaboration with research partners;
Problem: There is a lack of understanding of long-range production and
technological changes in the solid wood industries and solid wood end-
use industries;
Activities: Provide a model of the solid wood sector to project
interaction of end-use demand, technology change, and supply sources to
determine wood and fiber requirements;
Problem: There is a lack of readily available, consistent information
on timber, wood products, and paper products industries for forestry
and forest industry strategic planning;
Activities: Maintain national data series using most appropriate
sources, and develop new data series, in cooperation with users, to
show new industry developments and adjust series as needed;
Problem: There is a lack of understanding of the effects of sustainable
forestry efforts and certification of forests and forest products on
demand for and supply of wood in the United States;
Activities: Provide information to aid in projecting market trends and
technology change in the pulp and paper industry and the solid wood
industry;
Research work unit title, and period and activities covered: Timber
Demand and Technology Assessment Research, 2002-04: Research problem
and activites:
Problem: There is a need to monitor market trends and improve the
understanding and modeling of market equilibria, production trends, and
technology changes of the U.S. pulp and paper industry;
Activities: Economic modeling and analysis of market trends in the U.S.
pulp and paper sector for RPA assessments and other purposes requires a
range of research studies and collaboration with research partners;
Problem: Improved understanding is required about the effect of
production trends and technology changes in solid wood industries and
end-use industries on product and wood needs;
Activities: Develop estimates of the amounts of solid wood waste
available in the United States, and assess opportunities to increase
its utilization in recycled products;
Problem: Readily available, consistent information is needed on timber,
wood products, and paper products industries for forestry and forest
industry strategic planning;
Activities: Maintain national data series using most appropriate
sources and develop new data series, in cooperation with users, to show
new industry developments and adjust series as needed;
Problem: Knowledge is needed on the economic viability of new
technologies for converting wood and fiber into new or improved paper
and wood products;
Activities: Evaluate market prospects and material needs for
alternative products that would use small-diameter timber in the West.
Source: Forest Service documents.
Note: The Forest Products Laboratory's research work unit activities
for 4708, 4715, and 4718 are not listed in the table because they were
combined with other units during the 1990s.
[End of table]
Table 15: Conducted And Planned Activities For The Forest Service's
Research Work Units Associated With Research Stations
[See PDF for Image]
Source: Forest Service documents.
[End of table]
[End of section]
Appendix III: CSREES Wood Utilization Research Centers, Fiscal Years
1995-2005:
This appendix presents information on CSREES' wood utilization research
centers, including some of their objectives, specialty areas, and
research activities over 11 years--fiscal years 1995 through 2005.
University of Alaska Wood Utilization Research Center:
This center specializes in assisting the Alaska Forest Products
industry through research, extension, and education activities.
Table 16: University Of Alaska Wood Utilization Research Center--
Activities Conducted Under Grants For Wood Utilization Research And
Product Development, Fiscal Years 2000-2005
Fiscal year: 2000;
Objectives: Implement a broad-based program that will help Alaska
become competitive in the value-added wood products industry by
providing specific technical, business, and marketing assistance;
develop a facility where promising new projects can be developed and
tested; study the educational and training needs of sawmill operators
(and others) involved in present and evolving wood products industries
and then to respond with a client-centered approach to technical
transfer and product development; make assistance available in
processing and performance, marketing research, and development of wood
and forest-based products;
Approach/research activities:
* Conduct an overall needs assessment of educational and industrial
clientele in Alaska's forest products industry;
* Use study results to identify and develop a variety of techniques
that will be the basis for another research project to ascertain the
most effective means of transferring technology to help entrepreneurs
and their employees develop and apply technology for peak efficiency;
* Support ongoing efforts to develop in-grade testing specific to
Alaska species.
Fiscal year: 2001;
Objectives: Help Alaska's forest products industry develop new, cost-
effective methods for converting wood and other tree and plant
components to consumer products; define new markets; and, assist
individuals and organizations by providing required training and
research;
Approach/research activities:
* Provide course offerings and technical training that are required by
a dynamic industry;
* Support applied research projects that focus on the basic physical
and mechanical properties of wood and other tree and plant material;
* Conduct research that identifies new products, technology, production
processes, and markets; and, extension services to assist entrepreneurs
and firms in the industry.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Objectives: Help Alaska's forest products industry develop new, cost-
effective methods for conversion of wood and other forest material to
marketable products; emphasize forest products education identification
of markets, and new and improved production system to create high-value
products from low-value material; help Alaska become competitive in the
value-added forest products industry by providing specific technical,
business, and marketing assistance and a facility for developing and
testing promising new projects;
Approach/research activities: Continues 2001 approach.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Objectives: Help overcome lack of representation on boards, committees,
and organizations that create grading rules or standards and collect
marketing information, which often results in barriers to the economic
development and maximum use (technically and economically) of the
products from the region. Conduct projects that assist with the
restructuring of the forest products industry in Alaska; emphasize
projects that have the potential to help rebuild the forest products
industry in southeast Alaska;
Approach/research activities:
* Continue support for an in-grade testing program at the Ketchikan
Wood Technology Centers;
* Use samples in accordance with ASTM D-143 to evaluate the properties
of small clear samples of western hemlock lumber, focusing on the
relationship between specific gravity and the evaluated properties;
* Use results as the basis for recommendations for proceeding with an
Alaska Wood Density Survey to allow development of new small clear
strength values for western hemlock harvested in Alaska.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Objectives: Conduct research programs to help restructure the forest
products industry in Alaska; design research projects to respond to the
needs of the industry and people in Alaska; develop projects based on
needs identified by ongoing research and studies, direct request from
industry organizations, educational institutions, and government
agencies;
Approach/research activities:
* Continue an ongoing University of Alaska project at the Ketchikan
Wood Technology Center to review the basic properties of Alaska
species;
* Develop updated strength values for Alaska species, based on testing
of small clear samples.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Objectives: Continue testing Alaska wood species for unique properties
for value-added products; report the chemical determination of Alaska
birch bark by species and region using the bark from harvested trees;
conduct an integrated study that inventories and maps harvestable
nontimber forest products, plant species, and potential harvest areas;
document traditional and current uses of special forest products in
four additional southeast Alaska native communities; make
recommendations for marketing efforts for value-added Alaskan wood and
special forest products;
Approach/research activities:
* Use standard tests to determine the potential for using Alaskan birch
in value-added industries;
* Study plant species and potential harvest areas to inventory
nontimber forest products;
* Continue to define consumer reaction to terms used to describe lumber
produced from Alaska species and to promote value-added wood products
made from Alaskan wood and special forest products.
Source: GAO's analysis of CSREES data.
[End of table]
Inland Northwest Forest Products Research Consortium:
The consortium uses a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional approach
to solving forest operations and wood utilization problems unique to
the Inland Northwest region. The consortium consists of the
universities of Idaho and of Montana, and Washington State University.
Table 17: Inland Northwest Forest Products Research Consortium--
Activities Conducted Under Grants For Wood Utilization Research And
Product Development, Fiscal Years 1999-2005
Fiscal year: 1999;
Objectives: Conduct forest products research in the inland northwest
region of Idaho, Montana, and Washington on the species quantity, and
quality of raw material; the capabilities and processes needed by the
forest products industry to convert this resource to wood products; and
the potential for wood products from alternate species designed for
specific applications;
Approach/ research activities:
* Investigate regional problems in harvesting, processing and potential
products from the wood resource expected in the future by joint
research teams at the Forest Products Department, University of Idaho;
Bureau of Business and Economic Research, University of Montana; and
Wood Materials and Engineering Laboratory, Washington State University;
* Conduct research projects in resource assessment, manufacturing, and
harvesting processes; raw material properties; and new and value-added
wood products.
Fiscal year: 2000;
Objectives: Continues 1999 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 1999 activities.
Fiscal year: 2001;
Objectives: Continues 1999 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 1999 activities.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Objectives: Continues 1999 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 1999 activities.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Objectives: Continues 1999 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 1999 activities.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Objectives: Conduct research to help make regional sawmills more
efficient, assess the color modification of wood via ohmic heating,
evaluate wood thermoplastic composites for bridge decking, develop
flexible wood composite sheets for sound or thermo insulation, analyze
the region's wood products industry, develop seismic design parameters
for log shear wall, and evaluate thermoplastic binders derived from
lignin;
Approach/research activities: The Inland Northwest Forest Products
Research Consortium represents a cooperative effort between the Forest
Products Department of the University of Idaho, the Bureau of Business
and Economic Research at the University of Montana, and the Wood
Materials and Engineering Laboratory at Washington State University.
The Consortium takes an interdisciplinary, multi institutional approach
to solving forest operations and utilization problems unique to the
Inland Northwest, with an emphasis on those associated with new forest
management regimes.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Objectives: Conduct research to (1) improve the physical and visual
properties of ponderosa pine lumber sawn from small-diameter trees; (2)
optimize the color of wood via ohmic heating; (3) harden and
dimensionally stabilize wood; (4) characterize the Inland-Northwest
wood products industry; (5) enhance the utilization of small-diameter
timber; (6) develop a fully wood-based wood composite; (7) develop
seismic design parameters for log shear walls; and (8) develop
alternative treating methods for oriented stand composites;
Approach/research activities: Continues 2004 activities.
Source: GAO's analysis of CSREES data.
[End of table]
University of Maine Wood Utilization Research Center:
This center specializes in all aspects of utilization concerning
species indigenous to the New England area.
Table 18: University Of Maine Wood Utilization Research Center--
Activities Conducted Under Grants For Wood Utilization Research And
Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Fiscal year: 1995;
Objectives: Increase knowledge of the properties of timber species in
New England to improve the efficiencies and environmental compatibility
of existing industries, and to develop new products that could help
expand the forest products industrial base;
Approach/research activities:
* Biodegradation and preservation of wood;
* Computer-aided processing of northeastern species;
* Fundamental properties of northeastern species;
* Structural engineering;
* Wood-based composites for structural applications;
* Wood chemistry.
Fiscal year: 1996;
Objectives: Continues 1995 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues many 1995 activities, and adds
the following:
* Improved environmental compatibility of pulping technologies.
Fiscal year: 1997;
Objectives: Continues 1995 objectives;
Approach/ research activities:
* Chlorine-free sulfur-free high-yield pulps from northeastern hardwood
species;
* Wood fiber composites utilizing paper deinking sludge;
* Feasibility of glulam beams reinforced with fiber- reinforced plastic
sheets;
* Oxidation degradation of lignocellulose by low molecular weight
chelators isolated from brown-rot fungi;
* Novel technology for the detection of wood-degrading fungi.
Fiscal year: 1998;
Objectives: Continues 1995 objectives;
Approach/ research activities:
* Improve design to increase efficiency of alkaline oxygen pulping;
* Technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness of combining fiber-
reinforced polymers;
* Identify the role of redox chemical reactions in the breakdown of
lignocellulosic materials through X-ray absorption and fine structure
spectroscopy;
* Experimental techniques of fluorescence, genetic, and biochemical
analysis to understand the physiology of wood decay fungi;
* Effect of steaming and dry heat on the resonant frequency and
frequency response of wood;
* Forecast the service life of laminated composites comprised of glass
fibers bonded with catalyzed PVAc to red pine or red maple species.
Fiscal year: 1999;
Objectives: Continues 1995 objectives;
Approach/ research activities:
* Determine major factors affecting the price of wood for use in pulp
manufacture and softwood dimension manufacture;
* Evaluate the effects of precommercial thinning on wood properties of
spruce-fir forests;
* Predict warp potential in spruce-fir studs using ultrasonic waves.
Fiscal year: 2000;
Objectives: Continues 1995 objectives;
Approach/ research activities:
* Develop a wood-concrete connection and evaluate its behavior under
static and fatigue load;
* Identify the causes and costs of idle logging product capacity, wood
supply, labor, and other issues related to Maine logging;
* Evaluate dry matching of 2x4 SPF studs from green condition using
three drying schedules and variation in moisture content loss along the
length of the dimension samples, measure the warp, and compare
restricted loss and unrestricted loss samples.
Fiscal year: 2001;
Objectives: Evaluate the basic processing and feasibility of
manufacturing structural composite lumber from northeastern wood
species using a long-strand, high yield, log breakdown procedure;
assess the commercial feasibility of stock glulam beams produced from
Maine hardwood resources; assess the relation of local differences in
shrinkage for the level of warp in red and white pine lumber;
Approach/research activities:
* Restore a log reducer to operating condition and use it to crush
small-diameter logs; after resin addition, use an RF press to produce
structural scale material to determine mechanical properties;
* Merchandize 3,000 board feet of #3 common 4/4 hardwood by length and
width to established yields for e-rated lamination stock;
* Harvest red and white pine trees and saw lumber from two stands.
Obtain shrinkage rate samples from the logs. Measure and correlate full
sized lumber shrinkage with sample rates.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Objectives: Develop an optimized preassembled narrow shear wall system
using advanced OSB; improve the strength and stiffness properties of
polyolefin wood composites by modifying the post-die process
conditions; investigate the material requirements planning, logistics,
and conversion efficiency of northeastern pulp mills;
Approach/research activities:
* Conduct static and cyclic connector tests using screws and ring shank
nails and develop allowable design values for walls using ICBO AC 130
criteria;
* Monitor cooling rates via thermocouple and physical and mechanical
properties;
* Obtain information from publicly available data sources supplemented
by on- site interviews with key personnel involved in inventory
planning and control at both groundwood and kraft pulp mills.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Objectives: Study impact of processing additives on extruder operating
parameters and properties of polypropylene wood- plastic composites;
quantify several factors that may affect the levels of VOC release from
hardwoods and softwoods; evaluate the competitive position of the Maine
paper industry;
Approach/research activities:
* Identify the influences of maleation, zinc stearate, EBS wax, fire
retardant, neustrene, and HALS on the mechanical performance of
extruded wood polypropylene composites through ASTM mechanical and
weathering tests;
* Measure VOCs using established procedures on fresh logs of red oak,
white oak, hard maple, and cherry; perform other tests with white pine
that is untreated or dipped in various fungicides;
* Monitor both primary and secondary resources to meet the objectives;
use interviews and databases for each resource.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Objectives: Improve the technical performance and efficiency of
products that use wood as the main constituent;
Approach/research activities:
* Conduct design parameters, panel, and connection design through
finite element modeling and experimental testing of full-scale panel
systems;
* Use a variety of commercial additives to prepare extruded wood-
plastic materials using commercial scale equipment available in the
laboratory;
* Obtain specimens of several Maine wood species from sawmills; obtain
composite panels from regional manufacturers and measure specific heat
capacity using a differential calorimeter.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Objectives: Discover underlying science and develop technology that
will both improve the ability to provide sustainable forest-based
products for societal needs and help increase the global
competitiveness of the U.S. forest products industry;
Approach/ research activities:
* Use enzymatic pretreatment of pulps to evaluate commercial laccases
and catechol dioxgenases prior to oxygen delignification to reduce the
environmental footprint;
* Elucidate fundamental physiological and biochemical pathways of fungi
to develop strategies of biological techniques to control microbial
biodegradation and preserve wood and wood products;
* Evaluate the use of chemical and physical foaming agents in extrusion
systems to reduce the density of wood plastic composites and the
application of near InfraRed (near-IR) technologies to wood plastics
composites production to provide on-line product quality information.
Source: GAO analysis of CSREES data.
[End of table]
Michigan State University Wood Utilization Research Center:
The center specializes in sustainable hardwood utilization, with a
focus on wood preservation, wood composite materials, and genetic
engineering of necessary wood properties for specific product
development.
Table 19: Michigan State University Wood Utilization Research Center-
-Activities Conducted Under Grants For Wood Utilization Research And
Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Fiscal year: 1995;
Objective: Improve hardwood lumber yield by examining alternatives to
current rough-mill practices for saw log conversion and evaluate short
log and underutilized species for veneer production for concealed
furniture parts; establish standards for evaluating composite surface
quality with comparison of contact and noncontact methods; continue
hardwood preservation research;
Approach/research activities:
* Improvement of the hardwood saw log conversion process;
* The surface quality and stability of wood and wood products;
* Preservative treatment of hardwood;
* Recycling of treated lumber, untreated recycled wood fiber, and wood
ash;
* Laser- cutting of wood and wood composites.
Fiscal year: 1996;
Objective: Improve hardwood lumber yield and utilization; explore
recycling opportunities to reduce wood consumption; improve quality of
wood composites; compare log yields by grade sawn and live sawn;
evaluate economics of short log and underused species for veneer
production; set standards for evaluating composite surface quality;
complete comparison of stability model with lab- produced OSB;
Approach/research activities:
* Hardwood preservation project;
* Complete evaluation of particleboard and fiberboard made with
recycled newsprint;
* Make and evaluate composites made from recycled treated and
demolition wood;
* Explore new pulsed laser cutting approach;
* Economic analysis of log improvement study and recycling projects.
Fiscal year: 1997;
Objective: Improve yield and value from hardwood logs through
conversion process improvements; extend forest resources by preserving
wood and composites and by recycling treated wood; use mixed eastern
hardwoods to manufacture particleboard; rationalize internal bond and
thickness OSB swell test specimen; promote forest sustainability and
certification of eastern hardwood forests;
Approach/research activities:
* Create real log database for computer-simulated sawing comparisons;
* Determine mechanism of CCA treatment in soft maple using logs
harvested at different seasons;
* Determine properties of composites made of recycled treated wood and
conduct durability tests;
* Compare properties of single-species and mixed species furnish
particleboards;
* Expose hardboard siding and other hardboard materials to cyclic
swelling and shrinking to establish secondary stability.
Fiscal year: 1998;
Objective: Extend hardwood forest resources by preserving wood and wood
composites and by recycling treated wood; improve stability of wood
composites; rationalize internal bond and thickness of OSB swell test
specimen; recycle wood ash from power plants; promote forest
sustainability and certification of eastern hardwoods;
Approach/research activities:
* Determine species of copper in wood after various treatments and
relationship to effectiveness of preservative;
* Develop a method of removing CCA from treated wood for recycling of
fibers;
* Make and test particleboards of single and known blend of hardwood
species;
* Monitor surface energy changes of treated and untreated wood, glued
and not glued and relate changes to properties of wood composites.
Fiscal year: 1999;
Objective: Extend forest resource by preserving wood and composites and
by recycling treated wood; evaluate the low performance of CCA-treated
hardwood; evaluate mixed hardwood species growing in Michigan as raw
material for particleboard and OSB manufacture;
Approach/research activities:
* Compare properties of single species and mixed species furnished;
* Evaluate horizontal density distribution, among other things, of
representative commercial OSB samples and determine the influence of
specimen size on measurements.
Fiscal year: 2000;
Objective: Extend the service life of forest products, particularly
hardwood species, by using preservatives, reusing treated wood,
recycling wood removed from service, and applying biotechnological
means for producing high decay resistant wood; evaluate the recovery of
CCA from treated wood removed from service; evaluate mixed hardwood
species growing in Michigan as raw materials for particleboard and OSB
manufacture;
Approach/research activities:
* Conduct field and laboratory tests to determine the toxic threshold
and the residual chemicals of several commercial wood preservative
formulations used to treat silver maple, beech, red oak, elm, willow,
and hard maple after 5 years' exposure;
* Manufacture particleboard and OSB single species and mixed species
furnished of hardwoods growing in Michigan and evaluate their
properties evaluated to determine the effect of species furnish.
Fiscal year: 2001;
Objective: Extend the service life of forest resources, particularly
hardwood species, by using preservatives, reusing treated wood,
recycling wood removed from service, applying biotechnological means to
produce high-decay resistant wood; investigate environmental benign
chemicals used in crop protection as wood preservatives; evaluate mixed
hardwood growing in Michigan as a source of raw materials for flake
board and OSB;
Approach/research activities:
* Use laboratory soil-block tests and field tests to evaluate the
biological performance of some environmentally benign wood
preservatives;
* Test wood cement-bonded particleboard and wood fiber thermoplastic
made using recycled materials to determine their physical, mechanical,
and biological performance according to well- established standards;
* Measure and use surface energy of raw materials to explain the
adhesion phenomenon between wood fibers and the matrix;
* Compare the properties of OSB made with single and mixed species
furnished;
* Use genetic manipulation technology to increase the levels of wood
extractives that render them decay resistant.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Objective: Increase use of hardwood species for exterior applications:
use environmentally benign chemicals; reuse and recycle wood products
from demolition as raw materials for wood composites; develop processes
to use sawdust from the furniture industry as raw materials to
manufacture commercially viable and value- added products; investigate
effects of major economic and social forces on timber supply and demand
in subregions of the Lake States; and develop biotechnology to produce
value-added wood products;
Approach/ research activities:
* Screen chemicals with low-to-negligible impact on the environment as
potential preservatives;
* Use a continuous extrusion process to manufacture wood plastic
composites;
* Analyze the relationship between sawlog price, labor demand, and
capital investment in the Lake States' hardwood sawmill industry;
* Use a metabolic engineering approach to produce value-added hardwood
products.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Objective: Continues 2002 objectives;
Approach/research activities: Continues 2002 activities.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Objective: Continues 2002 objectives;
Approach/research activities: Continues some 2002 activities and adds
genomics of decay resistance and wood growth will be studied using
micro array analysis to determine the genes that are involved in the
commercially important biological processes.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Objective: Increase the use of hardwood species for exterior
applications: use environmentally benign chemicals as wood
preservatives and reuse and recycle wood products as raw materials for
wood composites; develop processes to use sawdust and wood fiber to
produce commercially viable extruded wood-plastic composites; use
biotechnology to evaluate the control of genes that express important
wood characteristics and to develop new value-added products;
Approach/research activities:
* Screen chemicals with low impact on the environment as wood
preservative;
* Use laboratory soil block tests and field exposure tests to determine
the biological effectiveness and study samples to determine the degree
of fixation in the wood;
* Use continuous extrusion and co-extrusion processes to manufacture
wood-plastic composites as well as particleboards without using
formaldehyde-based adhesive.
Source: GAO's analysis of CSREES data.
[End of table]
University of Minnesota, Duluth, Wood Utilization Research Center:
This center specializes in helping existing small and mid-size wood
products companies remain or become competitive by conducting research
and development and forest productivity work in hybrid poplar, red
pine, and other Minnesota species; and by forming new regional
industries based on forest products materials and technologies. This is
done to ensure the sustainability of the forest products industry:
Table 20: University Of Minnesota, Duluth, Wood Utilization Research
Center--Activities Conducted Under Grants For Wood Utilization Research
And Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Fiscal year: 1995;
Objective: Develop private sector forest products opportunities in the
Upper Midwest, particularly Minnesota; help existing small and mid-size
forest products companies implement technologies that can help economic
growth;
Approach/research activities:
* Supply technical assistance;
* Help with business plans and marketing;
* Assist with cost accounting and inventory systems;
* Perform prototype manufacturing, and conduct product or process
research and development; Much of the work will involve the transfer of
technologies previously developed at the center or developed at other
research institutions.
Fiscal year: 1996;
Objective: Continues 1995 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 1995 activities.
Fiscal year: 1997;
Objective: Continues 1995 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 1995 activities.
Fiscal year: 1998;
Objective: Continues 1995 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 1995 activities.
Fiscal year: 1999;
Objective: Continues 1995 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 1995 activities.
Fiscal year: 2000;
Objective: Continues 1995 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 1995 activities.
Fiscal year: 2001;
Objective: Help the sustainable development of private sector forest
products opportunities in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest; emphasize
helping existing small and mid-size wood products companies remain or
become competitive through research and development or specific
technical or business expertise; direct work in biotechnology and
chemical extractives to form new industries in the region, benefiting
farmers, small landowners, and large regional forest products
companies; undertake promising independent projects that may lead to
new job creation without an identified industry partner;
Approach/research activities: Generally continues 1995 activities and
adds the following:
* Undertakes product or process research and development within program
areas--biotechnology, chemical derivatives, biobased composites and
manufacturing efficiency, wood materials and engineering, and secondary
wood products.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Objective: Continues most of 2001 objectives and adds specific
subprojects in the areas of wood engineering, secondary wood products
manufacturing, and biobased composites;
Approach/ research activities:
* Serve more than 50 companies as clients and strategic partners;
* Use funding from previous special grants to work with more than 100
different companies, resulting in the formation of new companies, and
facilitating the rapid growth of others.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Objective: Help the sustainable development of private sector forest
products opportunities in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest;
Approach/research activities:
* Chemical extractives;
* Wood materials and engineering;
* Secondary wood products;
* Biobased composites;
* Manufacturing efficiency.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Objective: Assist with the sustainable development of private sector
forest products opportunities in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest; help
small and mid-size wood products companies remain or become competitive
through research and development; form new regional industries;
Approach/research activities:
* Lean manufacturing;
* Nondestructive evaluation;
* Portable wood finishing systems;
* Membrane press technology;
* Ready-to-assemble wood frame housing internal connectors;
* Lightweight sandwich panel;
* Phosphate bonded composites;
* ThermoWood;
* Larch tree extractives.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Objective: Assist with the sustainable development of private sector
forest products opportunities in Minnesota and the Upper Midwest; help
small and mid-size wood products companies remain or become competitive
through research and development; form new regional industries based on
forest products materials and technologies;
Approach/research activities:
* Lean manufacturing concepts;
* Nondestructive evaluation technologies;
* Membrane press technology;
* Breathable and waterproof mineral-bonded strandboard;
* Iron phosphate impregnated wood products;
* Radio frequency identification;
* Process technology for aspen, poplar, and sycamore tree extractives;
* Utilization of forest harvest residues for renewable energy.
Source: GAO's analysis of CSREES data.
[End of table]
Mississippi State University Wood Utilization Research Center:
This center specializes in timber harvesting, transportation, and
economics; lumber manufacturing and processing; wood-based composite
materials; protection and preservation of wood; wood chemistry;
economic evaluation; and technology transfer.
Table 21: Mississippi State University Wood Utilization Research
Center--Activities Conducted Under Grants For Wood Utilization Research
And Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Fiscal year: 1995;
Objectives: Administer a continuing research program on using southern
pines; strengthen existing efforts in wood utilization; provide support
for research initiatives in these areas;
Approach/research activities:
* Harvesting, transportation, and primary processing;
* Economic evaluation and technology transfer;
* Structural engineering;
* Wood chemistry;
* Protection and preservation of wood;
* Timber manufacturing and processing;
* Wood-based composite materials.
Fiscal year: 1996;
Objectives: Continues 1995 objectives and adds timber harvesting;
Approach/research activities: Continues 1995 activities.
Fiscal year: 1997;
Objectives: Continues 1996 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 1995 activities.
Fiscal year: 1998;
Objectives: Continues 1996 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Activities in five of seven broad
program areas:
* Harvesting, transportation, and primary processing;
* Economic evaluation and technology transfer;
* Wood chemistry;
* Protection and preservation of wood;
* Timber manufacturing and processing.
Fiscal year: 1999;
Objectives: Administer a continuing program of research and technical
assistance on utilization of southern pines, to strengthen existing
efforts in wood utilization, and to provide support for new research
initiatives in these areas;
Approach/research activities: Research to be conducted within five of
the seven broad areas:
* Harvesting, transportation and timber processing;
* Economic evaluation and technology transfer;
* Structural engineering;
* Protection and preservation of wood;
* Timber manufacturing and processing.
Fiscal year: 2000;
Objectives: Administer a continuing program of research and technical
assistance to improve the use and value of southern timber resources;
strengthen existing efforts in timber harvesting and wood utilization;
and support new research initiatives in these areas;
Approach/research activities:
* Continues 1999 activities.
Fiscal year: 2001;
Objectives: Continues 2000 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Research to be conducted within five of
the seven broad areas:
* Harvesting and transportation;
* Economic and market evaluation and technology transfer;
* Wood engineering and wood-based composites;
* Wood protection and biodeterioration;
* Timber manufacturing and processing.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Objectives: Continues 2000 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 2001 activities, except for
harvesting and transportation.
Fiscal year: 2003[A];
Objectives: Continues 2000 objectives;
Approach/ research activities:
* Forest resources;
* Economic and market evaluation and technology transfer;
* Engineered wood products;
* Wood protection and biodeterioration;
* Timber manufacturing and processing.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Objectives: Continues 2000 objectives;
Approach/ research activities:
* Utilization of wood-based materials in housing;
* New manufacturing systems for wood-based industry;
* Fiber and chemicals from wood;
* Timber harvesting and wood utilization in Mississippi.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Objectives: Continue 2000 objectives;
Approach/ research activities:
* Biotechnology and fundamental research;
* Chemicals and energy from wood;
* New manufacturing systems for wood- based industries;
* Performance of wood structures and housing.
Source: GAO's analysis of CSREES data.
[A] In fiscal year 2003, the Mississippi center began receiving a
committee-directed grant to conduct a statewide forest resources
inventory. This grant was included in the center's fiscal year 2003
proposal; thereafter, the center has submitted separate proposals for
the inventory.
[End of table]
North Carolina State University Wood Utilization Research Center:
This center specializes in wood machining and tooling technology.
Table 22: North Carolina State University Wood Utilization Research
Center--Activities Conducted Under Grants For Wood Utilization Research
And Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Fiscal year: 1995;
Objective: Improve understanding of the interface between the
woodworking machine and the wood product, including the machine power
source, spindle assembly, cutting tool, method of attachment of the
tool to the spindle, cutting tool geometry and cutting edge materials
and treatment, and resulting work piece accuracy and surface finish
quality;
Approach/research activities:
* Machine and tool vibration and stability;
* Tool materials and tool wear mechanisms;
* Process monitoring and control;
* Surface measurement technology.
Fiscal year: 1996;
Objective: Continues 1995 objective;
Approach/ research activities:
* Continues 1995 activities.
Fiscal year: 1997;
Objective: Establish a national educational and research resource to
foster improvements in woodworking machine and tool performance; focus
on the machine-tool-work piece interface to develop a better
understanding of spindle and tool dynamics, tool materials and tool
wear, and machining conditions;
Approach/research activities: Adapt and develop technology to further
understanding of the wood-machining process, including cross-transfer
of computer models from metal working to woodworking to help relate
tool forces to the machining conditions (process monitoring) and work
piece surface quality.
Fiscal year: 1998;
Objective: Establish education and research programs to help the wood
machining and tooling industries conserve natural resources, compete
with foreign markets, and compete with other building material
industries; provide industry with graduates knowledgeable in wood
machining practices and the means to educate employees in the latest
technology through technology transfer. Conduct applied research
focusing on the machine-tool-work piece interface;
Approach/research activities: Activities conform with objectives.
Fiscal year: 1999;
Objective: Continues 1998 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Objectives and descriptions of research
activities are similar to objectives.
Fiscal year: 2000;
Objective: Continues 1998 objectives;
Approach/ research activities:
* Adapt existing technologies from other disciplines, such as the metal-
cutting and aerospace industries;
* Use high speed machining techniques to achieve higher throughputs;
* Adapt process monitoring techniques developed for metal cutting to
wood machining;
* Use surface quality evaluation techniques to monitor the machining
process as well as the condition of the work piece.
Fiscal year: 2001;
Objective: Foster research and education to achieve an improved
understanding of tool/work piece interaction phenomena, including
enhancing wood utilization and wood products manufacturing efficiency
through increased tool life, improving surface quality, reducing
machine and tool maintenance problems, improving cutting accuracy, and
increasing machine productivity;
Approach/research activities: Continues 2000 activities, and adds;
* Conduct abrasive machining research, resulting in significant energy
savings.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Objective: Continues 2001 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 2001 activities.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Objective: Continues 1998 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 2001 activities.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Objective: Help the wood machining and tooling industries conserve
natural resources, compete with foreign markets, and compete with other
building material industries; provide industry with graduates
knowledgeable in wood machining practices and with the means to educate
employees in the latest technology through technology transfer efforts;
conduct applied research focusing on the machine- tool-work piece
interface;
Approach/research activities: Continues 2001 activities.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Objective: Help the wood machining and tooling industries conserve
natural resources, compete with foreign markets, compete with other
building material industries, as well as provide these industries with
graduates knowledgeable in wood machining practices. Focus on the
machine-tool-work piece interface to better understand and improve tool
materials, machine and tool designs, and process monitoring and control
techniques;
Approach/research activities: Continues some 2001 activities.
Source: GAO's analysis of CSREES data.
[End of table]
Oregon State University Wood Utilization Research Center:
This center specializes in science, technology, and business practices
that will enhance the domestic and global competitiveness of the U.S.
wood products industry, especially in the western United States; this
will ensure more efficient use of available wood resources. A special
emphasis is placed on training future scientists, researchers, and
practitioners.
Table 23: Oregon State University Wood Utilization Research Center--
Activities Conducted Under Grants For Wood Utilization Research And
Product Development, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Fiscal year: 1995;
Objective: Meet environmental goals during timber harvest and forest
product manufacture, leading to sustained timber production; extend the
forest resource base through improved manufacturing and processing,
developing new wood composites, and extending the service life of wood;
develop new structural applications for wood; exploit wood extractives
as alternatives to current preservatives, pesticides and adhesives, and
as a potential source of pharmaceuticals;
Approach/research activities:
* Applied and basic studies on forest harvesting and other operations
such as road- building;
* Basic studies on wood and other materials properties to use in
applied research on composites manufacture and testing;
* Basic and applied studies in wood engineering, wood preservation, and
wood chemistry.
Fiscal year: 1996;
Objective: Continues 1995 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 1995 activities.
Fiscal year: 1997;
Objective: Continues 1995 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 1995 activities.
Fiscal year: 1998;
Objective: Continues 1995 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 1995 activities.
Fiscal year: 1999;
Objective: Continues 1995 objectives;
Approach/ research activities: Continues 1995 activities.
Fiscal year: 2000;
Objective: Meet environmental goals, particularly water quality, during
timber harvest and forest products manufacture, leading to sustained
timber production; improve understanding of slope stability in forested
environments; extend the forest resource base through improved timber
harvest and road-related practices, manufacturing and processing,
developing new wood products, and extending the life of wood; develop
new structural applications for wood; explore new ways to detect wood
defects; and understand the effects of different silvicultural
practices on wood quality;
Approach/research activities:
* Applied and basic research studies, including modeling, on forest
harvesting and other operations, such as road-building and maintenance;
* Basic research on slope stability in forest environments;
* Basic studies on properties of wood and other materials to use in
applied research on composites manufacturing and testing; basic and
applied studies in wood engineering, wood preservation, and wood
chemistry.
Fiscal year: 2001;
Objective: Develop the relationships between temperature, humidity,
airflow, and the levels of VOC emissions from wood during the kiln
drying process; create a decision support system that helps forest
planners select efficient transportation routes for montane forest
operations; develop a model to determine the life-cycle assessment of
structural wood products, considering the steps in manufacturing;
Approach/research activities:
* Dry wood under a variety of conditions, and panel products
manufactured to compare emissions at both dryer and press--especially
to look for any effects of drying conditions on subsequent press
emissions;
* Use global information systems and economic analysis techniques to
analyze terrain and road construction and maintenance costs and to
generate optimization techniques;
* Use an existing computer model to develop life-cycle data for a
selected number of wood-based composite products.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Objective: Develop the knowledge and technology necessary to balance
the sustainable use of the nation's forest resources with the need to
maintain a vigorous, competitive, domestic forest products industry;
Approach/research activities:
* Aggregate existing optimization and simulation software modules into
a unified system with a user-friendly interface and demonstrate
effectiveness in solving typical manufacturing problems;
* Experimentally determine if slash bundling technology can be
effectively used in harvesting of 1-to 4-inch-diameter trees in high-
fire risk stands;
* Select three promising "smart sensor" technologies and experimentally
evaluate for field efficacy, accuracy, repeatability, and cost in a
forestry application.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Objective: Continues 2002 objectives;
Approach/ research activities:
* Collect data from selected ongoing commercial logging operations and
use regression analysis to develop forecasting tools;
* Use traditional market research and telephone surveys after in-depth
interviews of 16 "bellwether firms";
* Modify a base stochastic drying model for recent research on
presorting and other features.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Objective: Develop the science, technology, management approaches, and
business practices that will enhance the domestic and global
competitiveness of the U.S. wood products industry, especially in the
Pacific Northwest;
Approach/research activities:
* Use a mix of log production control gaming in field evaluations and
design harvest experiments;
* Evaluate bioactivity of species-specific mill residues and analyze
chemical constituents of those that test positive;
* Experimentally assess the effect of range of decay fungi on selected
composite material properties.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Objective: Continues 2004 objectives;
Approach/ research activities:
* Employ new life-cycle inventory and assessment models to benchmark
current manufacturing practices and analyze process alternatives;
* Physically measure hygro-mechanical and other properties using
compression tests and controlled changes in climate conditions;
* Apply field, laboratory, and computer-simulation techniques to a
series of 5-10 ha model stands.
Source: GAO's analysis CSREES data.
[End of table]
University of Tennessee Wood Utilization Research Center:
This center specializes in southern Appalachian hardwood utilization
and manufacturing of composite materials.
Table 24: University Of Tennessee Wood Utilization Research Center--
Activities Conducted Under Grants For Wood Utilization Research And
Product Development, Fiscal Years 1999-2005]
Fiscal year: 1999;
Objective: Apply statistical process control methodologies to
manufacturing hardwood lumber for improved lumber thickness control;
develop dimensionally stable wood-based composites panel products for
improved performance and durability; characterize the hardwood sawmill
in Tennessee to ensure future productivity and competitiveness;
Approach/research activities:
* Have researchers from the Tennessee Forest Products Center work
together to attain the program objectives;
* Conduct research in cooperating sawmills, in the laboratory, and by
mail survey, of sawmill owners;
* Analyze data and prepare reports and publications;
* Make presentations to industry groups, professional societies, and
research cooperators.
Fiscal year: 2000;
Objective: The Tennessee Quality Wood Products Initiative will address
understanding sources of variation in manufacture of hardwood flooring
and cabinets; the Tennessee Hardwood Lumber Processing Initiative will
address efficiency in manufacture of hardwood lumber; an international
technology transfer conference on dimensional stability of wood-based
composites will bring together researchers from around the world to
address this subject through oral presentations and poster papers;
Approach/research activities: Continues 1999 approach and adds;
* Research in flooring and cabinet plants and secondary wood products
manufacturers in Tennessee;
* International technology transfer conference on wood-based
composites.
Fiscal year: 2001;
Objective: Apply statistical process control to improve hardwood lumber
processing; evaluate microwave technology for wood drying; and develop
technology to improve OSB panel with emphasis on thickness swell
optimization;
Approach/research activities:
* Center researchers work with other university and industry partners
to attain program objectives;
* Conduct research in cooperating industries and the laboratory, and by
conference training;
* Analyze data and prepare reports and publications;
* Make presentations to industry groups, professional societies, and
research cooperators.
Fiscal year: 2002;
Objective: Improve the efficient and effective use of the nation's
hardwood resources by expanding their use in composite wood products
like medium-density fiberboard and OSB. Two research projects focus on
minimizing raw material loss by improving process monitoring and
control methods. The work will explore the information available from
new spectroscopic sensors while developing new statistical tools for
data mining and information presentation;
Approach/research activities:
* Center researchers work with other university, government, and
industry partners to accomplish the program objectives;
* Conduct research primarily in the Center's laboratories;
* Compile and analyze experimental data for presentation in reports and
scientific publications, and make presentations to industry groups,
professional societies, and cooperating researchers.
Fiscal year: 2003;
Objective: Define the effect of molecular level orientation in
regenerated cellulose fibers on the properties of carbon fibers made
from this starting material; develop dynamic mechanical analysis to
assess mechanical properties of red oak at elevated temperature and
moisture contents; determine the effect of adhesive resin content and
cure level on strength characteristics of wood fibers;
Approach/research activities:
* Build on recent reprogramming of Center's research to include a focus
on renewable composites and develop low-modulus, carbon fibers from
cellulose fibers regenerated from NMMO solution;
* Apply nanoindentation to study fundamental questions of interphase
structure and properties to composite performance and use this tool to
generate new information on the material properties of the wood cell
wall.
Fiscal year: 2004;
Objective: Focus on delivering new insight into the performance of wood
in heterogeneous materials to better define the fundamental parameters
that dictate product performance; better understand the role of the
wood/polymer interface in composites, and develop improved systems for
monitoring and control of the manufacturing process;
Approach/research activities:
* Develop new algorithms to model product properties based on input
from multiple sensors, including novel near infrared fingerprints;
* Use microscopy and thermal analysis to study species effects on wood-
plastic composite structure and properties;
* Develop spectroscopic imaging to characterize resin penetration and
chemistry in veneer-composite bondlines.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Objective: Focus on developing new information on processing and
performance of extruded wood-polymer composite materials; better
understand the role of the wood and polymer interface in composites,
better define interfacial structure-property relationships, and develop
improved systems for monitoring and control of the extrusion process;
develop novel wireless sensors for moisture content monitoring during
the drying process;
Approach/research activities:
* Develop new approaches to monitor and model extruded composite
properties based on input from multiple sensors, including novel near
infrared fingerprints;
* Conduct research on wood-polymer composites to explore the effect of
copolymer architecture on interfacial structure and adhesion with
amorphous polymers;
* Use dynamic mechanical analysis and spectroscopic methods to assess
characteristics of the wood-polymer interphase.
Source: GAO analysis of CSREES data.
[End of table]
University of West Virginia Wood Utilization Research Center:
This center specializes in improving the utilization of upland
hardwoods in Appalachian forests.
Table 25: University Of West Virginia Wood Utilization Research Center--
Activities Conducted Under Grants For Wood Utilization Research And
Product Development, Fiscal Years 2004-2005
Fiscal year: 2004;
Objective: Provide research leadership to the forest products sector in
the Appalachian region and increase the success of the wood products
industry: assess the fundamental properties of Appalachian hardwoods
relative to improved use and manufacturing; improve opportunities for
value-added products developed from residues, poor quality resources,
and underutilized upland hardwood species; and enhance the global
competitiveness of Appalachian hardwood industries by promoting their
quality and efficient use;
Approach/research activities:
* Condition assessment of logs using ground-penetrating radar (GPR):
use GPR to develop nondestructive scanning technology for identifying
subsurface defects in hardwood logs;
* Oak logging residues: determine lumber and component yields of low-
quality logs and bolts remaining after timber harvesting in West
Virginia;
* Determine economic feasibility of converting logging residues into
value-added products for the lumber, tie, pallet, and component
industries;
* Increase use of low-quality wood: increase use of oak by
investigating knife angles and projections during stranding for OSB
panel production.
Fiscal year: 2005;
Objective: Provide research leadership to the forest products sector in
the Appalachian region and increase the success of the wood products
industry;
Approach/research activities: Continues 2004 activities and adds;
* Value recovery through merchandizing hardwood log products;
* Enhancement of commercial competitiveness through application of
advanced technologies.
Source: GAO analysis of CSREES data.
[End of table]
[End of section]
Appendix IV: Budget Authority for the Forest Service's Research Work
Units and for the CSREES Wood Utilization Research Centers:
This appendix presents budget authority information for the Forest
Service, information on FTE scientists and support staff for the Forest
Service, and budget authority information for CSREES wood utilization
research centers, from fiscal years 1995 through 2005.
Table 26: The Forest Service's Wood Utilization Research Work Units'
Budget Authority, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Nominal dollars in thousands.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4502;
1995: $549;
1996: $351;
1997: $317;
1998: $655;
1999: $660;
2000: $660;
2001: $643;
2002: $680;
2003: $722;
2004: $806;
2005: $673.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4701;
1995: 333;
1996: 333;
1997: 333;
1998: 474;
1999: 478;
2000: 478;
2001: 468;
2002: 469;
2003: 553;
2004: 532;
2005: 425.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4703;
1995: 1,338;
1996: 1,125;
1997: 1,150;
1998: 976;
1999: 983;
2000: 983;
2001: 960;
2002: 962;
2003: 987;
2004: 1,107;
2005: 1,107.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4706;
1995: 874;
1996: 894;
1997: 894;
1998: 1,104;
1999: 1,113;
2000: 1,113;
2001: 1,086;
2002: 1,163;
2003: 1,188;
2004: 1,265;
2005: 1,265.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4707;
1995: 610;
1996: 271;
1997: 280;
1998: 523;
1999: 527;
2000: 527;
2001: 515;
2002: 591;
2003: 616;
2004: 697;
2005: 697.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4708;
1995: 1,031;
1996: 1,031;
1997: 1,031;
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: [A];
2002: [A];
2003: [A];
2004: [A];
2005: [A].
Forest Products Laboratory: 4709;
1995: 1,395;
1996: 1,195;
1997: 1,395; 1998: 1,340; 1999: 1,350; 2000: 1,350; 2001: 1,316; 2002:
1,319; 2003: 1,389; 2004: 1,877; 2005: 1,877.
4710;
1995: 1,147;
1996: 1,267;
1997: 1,267;
1998: 2,042;
1999: 2,058;
2000: 2,058;
2001: 2,206;
2002: 2,211;
2003: 2,236;
2004: 2,231;
2005: 2,231.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4712;
1995: 1,333;
1996: 1,228;
1997: 1,363;
1998: 1,349;
1999: 1,359;
2000: 1,359;
2001: 1,427;
2002: 1,430;
2003: 1,476;
2004: 1,474;
2005: 1,474.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4714;
1995: 893;
1996: 953;
1997: 953;
1998: 965;
1999: 973;
2000: 973;
2001: 1,091;
2002: 1,093;
2003: 1,118;
2004: 1,193;
2005: 2,445.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4715;
1995: 870;
1996: 910;
1997: 910;
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: [A];
2002: [A];
2003: [A];
2004: [A];
2005: [A].
Forest Products Laboratory: 4716;
1995: 1,917;
1996: 1,502;
1997: 1,502;
1998: 1,419;
1999: 1,430;
2000: 1,430;
2001: 2,182;
2002: 2,514;
2003: 2,461;
2004: 2,555;
2005: 875.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4718;
1995: 739;
1996: 335;
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: [A];
2002: [A];
2003: [A];
2004: [A];
2005: [A].
Forest Products Laboratory: 4719;
1995: 1,495;
1996: 1,300;
1997: 1,300;
1998: 1,335;
1999: 1,345;
2000: 1,345;
2001: 1,228;
2002: 1,231;
2003: 1,327;
2004: 1,308;
2005: 1,308.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4722;
1995: 918;
1996: 933;
1997: 933;
1998: 972;
1999: 980;
2000: 980;
2001: 956;
2002: 958;
2003: 1,028;
2004: 1,013;
2005: 1,013.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4723;
1995: 1,249;
1996: 1,249;
1997: 1,249;
1998: 1,354;
1999: 1,365;
2000: 1,365;
2001: 1,294;
2002: 1,372;
2003: 1,397;
2004: 1,394;
2005: 925.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4724;
1995: [A];
1996: [A];
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: 629;
2002: 630;
2003: 655;
2004: 638;
2005: 638.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4725;
1995: [A];
1996: [A];
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: [A];
2002: [A];
2003: [A];
2004: [A];
2005: 775.
Forest Products Laboratory: 4851;
1995: 905;
1996: 923;
1997: 923;
1998: 1,218;
1999: 1,229;
2000: 1,229;
2001: 1,923;
2002: 1,928;
2003: 1,935;
2004: 1,935;
2005: 1,485.
Subtotal--Forest Products Laboratory;
1995: $17,596;
1996: $15,800;
1997: $15,800;
1998: $15,726;
1999: $15,850;
2000: $15,850;
2001: $17,924;
2002: $18,551;
2003: $19,088;
2004: $20,025;
2005: $19, 213.
Northeastern Research Station: 4701;
1995: 1,114;
1996: 1,059;
1997: 1,459;
1998: 1,459;
1999: 1,059;
2000: 1,059;
2001: 1,139;
2002: 1,137;
2003: 1,131;
2004: 1,117;
2005: 1,084.
Northeastern Research Station: 4751;
1995: 300;
1996: 200;
1997: 200;
1998: 200;
1999: 200;
2000: 261;
2001: 233;
2002: 235;
2003: 246;
2004: 250;
2005: 248.
Northeastern Research Station: 4803;
1995: 857;
1996: 400;
1997: 478;
1998: 650;
1999: 1,050;
2000: 1,030;
2001: 1,159;
2002: 1,157;
2003: 1,150;
2004: 1,136;
2005: 1,103.
Northeastern Research Station: 4805;
1995: 112;
1996: 108;
1997: 129;
1998: 126;
1999: 126;
2000: 145;
2001: 155;
2002: 155;
2003: 167;
2004: 168;
2005: 161.
Pacific Northwest Research Station: 4865;
1995: 1,442;
1996: 1,131;
1997: 1,277;
1998: 1,227;
1999: 1,569;
2000: 2,423;
2001: 2,637;
2002: 2,671;
2003: 2,638;
2004: 2,717;
2005: 2,644.
Pacific Southwest Research Station: 4202;
1995: [A];
1996: [A];
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: 225;
2002: 225;
2003: 225;
2004: 206;
2005: 164.
Rocky Mountain Research Station: 4156;
1995: [A];
1996: [A];
1997: [A];
1998: 200;
1999: 300;
2000: 300;
2001: 300;
2002: 300;
2003: 300;
2004: 300;
2005: 300.
Southern Research Station: 4104;
1995: 569;
1996: 475;
1997: 375;
1998: 330;
1999: 330;
2000: 336;
2001: 368;
2002: 374;
2003: 381;
2004: 391;
2005: 401.
Southern Research Station: 4701;
1995: 1,089;
1996: 1,100;
1997: 1,100;
1998: 1,100;
1999: 1,110;
2000: 1,171;
2001: 1,226;
2002: 1,226;
2003: 1,226;
2004: 1,250;
2005: 1,183.
Southern Research Station: 4702;
1995: 448;
1996: 400;
1997: 398;
1998: 398;
1999: 402;
2000: 420;
2001: 475;
2002: 495;
2003: 495;
2004: 491;
2005: 479.
Southern Research Station: 4703;
1995: 200;
1996: 200;
1997: 200;
1998: 200;
1999: 200;
2000: 200;
2001: 200;
2002: 200;
2003: 200;
2004: 200;
2005: 200.
Total;
1995: $23,727;
1996: $20,873;
1997: $21,416;
1998: $21,616;
1999: $22,196;
2000: $23,195;
2001: $26,041;
2002: $26,726;
2003: $27,246;
2004: $28,251;
2005: $27,179.
Source: Forest Service data.
[A] Indicates the research work unit was not established, was
discontinued, or was not doing any wood utilization research in the
given year.
[End of table]
Table 27: FTE Scientists And Support Staff In The Forest Service's Wood
Utilization Research Work Units, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Staff: Total scientists;
1995: 67.2;
1996: 69.0;
1997: 64.3;
1998: 60.6;
1999: 56.4;
2000: 55.8;
2001: 59.0;
2002: 58.5;
2003: 57.2;
2004: 62.8;
2005: 59.6.
Staff: Total support;
1995: 78.0;
1996: 73.5;
1997: 61.5;
1998: 60.4;
1999: 61.9;
2000: 60.3;
2001: 62.3;
2002: 61.5;
2003: 62.0;
2004: 58.3;
2005: 57.3.
Staff: Total FTE;
1995: 145.2;
1996: 142.5;
1997: 125.8;
1998: 121.0;
1999: 118.3;
2000: 116.1;
2001: 121.3;
2002: 120.0;
2003: 119.2;
2004: 121.1;
2005: 116.9.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4502;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 4.2;
1996: 4.2;
1997: 2.8;
1998: 2.3;
1999: 2.1;
2000: 2.2;
2001: 2.2;
2002: 2.2;
2003: 2.2;
2004: 2.2;
2005: 2.1.
Work Unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4502;
Staff: Support;
1995: 1.1;
1996: 1;
1997: 2;
1999: 2;
2000: 2;
2001: 2;
2002: 2;
2003: 2.2;
2004: 2;
2005: 1.1;
Work Unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4701;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 2;
1996: 2;
1997: 3;
1998: 2;
1999: 2;
2000: 1;
2001: 1;
2002: 2;
2003: 2;
2004: 2;
2005: 1.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4701;
Staff: Support;
1995: 0;
1996: .02;
1997: 1.9;
1998: 1.9;
1999: 1.9;
2000: 1.9;
2001: 1.9;
2002: 1.9;
2003: 1.9;
2004: 1.9;
2005: 1.9.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4703;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 4;
1996: 4;
1997: 4;
1998: 4;
1999: 4;
2000: 2.6;
2001: 3.3;
2002: 3;
2003: 3;
2004: 3;
2005: 3.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4703;
Staff: Support;
1995: 3.4;
1996: 3.3;
1997: 3.5;
1998: 3.5;
1999: 3.5;
2000: 3.5;
2001: 3.5;
2002: 3.5;
2003: 3.5;
2004: 4.4;
2005: 4.5.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4706;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 2;
1996: 2;
1997: 4.5;
1998: 5;
1999: 4;
2000: 4;
2001: 3;
2002: 3;
2003: 3;
2004: 5;
2005: 6.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4706;
Staff: Support;
1995: 4.7;
1996: 6;
1997: 6;
1998: 6;
1999: 6;
2000: 6;
2001: 6;
2002: 6;
2003: 6;
2004: 9.4;
2005: 9.5.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4707;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 1.2;
1996: 1;
1997: 2.1;
1998: 2;
1999: 2;
2000: 2;
2001: 2;
2002: 2;
2003: 2;
2004: 2;
2005: 2.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4707;
Staff: Support;
1995: 2.5;
1996: 2.5;
1997: 2.5;
1998: 2.5;
1999: 2.5;
2000: 1.5;
2001: 1.5;
2002: 1.5;
2003: 1.5;
2004: 2.5;
2005: 2.5.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4708;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 3.2;
1996: 5.1;
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: [A];
2002: [A];
2003: [A];
2004: [A];
2005: [A].
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4708;
Staff: Support;
1995: 7;
1996: 4.5;
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: [A];
2002: [A];
2003: [A];
2004: [A];
2005: [A].
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4709;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 6;
1996: 6;
1997: 6.1;
1998: 6;
1999: 5;
2000: 5.8;
2001: 6;
2002: 6;
2003: 4.4;
2004: 4;
2005: 5.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4709;
Staff: Support;
1995: 3.5;
1996: 8;
1997: 3.5;
1998: 3.5;
1999: 3.5;
2000: 3.5;
2001: 3.5;
2002: 3.5;
2003: 3.5;
2004: 3.5;
2005: 3.5.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4710;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 4;
1996: 4;
1997: 6;
1998: 6;
1999: 6;
2000: 6;
2001: 6.5;
2002: 5;
2003: 4.6;
2004: 4.5;
2005: 6.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4710;
Staff: Support;
1995: 11;
1996: 8.5;
1997: 8.5;
1998: 8.5;
1999: 12;
2000: 12;
2001: 13.5;
2002: 13.5;
2003: 14.7;
2004: 9.3;
2005: 6.5.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4712;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 5;
1996: 5;
1997: 3.5;
1998: 3;
1999: 3;
2000: 4;
2001: 4;
2002: 4;
2003: 4;
2004: 4;
2005: 4.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4712;
Staff: Support;
1995: 10;
1996: 8.1;
1997: 8.1;
1998: 7;
1999: 7;
2000: 7;
2001: 7;
2002: 7;
2003: 7;
2004: 6.5;
2005: 6.5.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4714;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 4;
1996: 4;
1997: 4;
1998: 3;
1999: 3;
2000: 2.8;
2001: 3.5;
2002: 3;
2003: 3;
2004: 7.8;
2005: 7.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4714;
Staff: Support;
1995: 2.3;
1996: 2;
1997: 2;
1998: 2;
1999: 2;
2000: 2;
2001: 2;
2002: 2;
2003: 2.5;
2004: 2.2;
2005: 2.2.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4715;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 4;
1996: 4;
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: [A];
2002: [A];
2003: [A];
2004: [A];
2005: [A].
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4715;
Staff: Support;
1995: 0.5;
1996: 0.5;
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: [A];
2002: [A];
2003: [A];
2004: [A];
2005: [A].
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4716;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 8.3;
1996: 8.7;
1997: 7;
1998: 7;
1999: 7;
2000: 7;
2001: 5.2;
2002: 6;
2003: 6.7;
2004: 7;
2005: 2.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4716;
Staff: Support;
1995: 6.5;
1996: 5.5;
1997: 4;
1998: 4;
1999: 3;
2000: 3;
2001: 2.5;
2002: 2.5;
2003: 1.1;
2004: .05;
2005: 1.7.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4718;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 2;
1996: 2;
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: [A];
2002: [A];
2003: [A];
2004: [A];
2005: [A].
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4718;
Staff: Support;
1995: 3.5;
1996: 3.5;
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: [A];
2002: [A];
2003: [A];
2004: [A];
2005: [A].
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4719;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 4;
1996: 4;
1997: 5;
1998: 5;
1999: 4;
2000: 4;
2001: 4;
2002: 4;
2003: 3.5;
2004: 3.5;
2005: 3.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4719:
Staff: Support;
1995: 5.5;
1996: 3.5;
1997: 2.5;
1998: 2.5;
1999: 2.5;
2000: 1.9;
2001: 1.9;
2002: 1.9;
2003: 1.9;
2004: 1.9;
2005: 1.9.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4722;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 5;
1996: 5;
1997: 5;
1998: 5;
1999: 5;
2000: 5;
2001: 5;
2002: 5;
2003: 5;
2004: 4.4;
2005: 5.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4722;
Staff: Support;
1995: 2.5;
1996: 2;
1997: 5;
1998: 5;
1999: 5;
2000: 5;
2001: 5;
2002: 5;
2003: 5;
2004: 5;
2005: 5.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4723;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 2;
1996: 2;
1997: 5;
1998: 4;
1999: 3;
2000: 4;
2001: 4;
2002: 4;
2003: 4;
2004: 2;
2005: 3.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4723;
Staff: Support;
1995: 7.3;
1996: 7.3;
1997: 6;
1998: 6;
1999: 6;
2000: 6;
2001: 6;
2002: 6;
2003: 6;
2004: 3.8;
2005: 4.3.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4724;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: [A];
1996: [A];
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: 3;
2002: 3;
2003: 3;
2004: 3;
2005: 3.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4724;
Staff: Support;
1995: [A];
1996: [A];
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: 2;
2002: 2;
2003: 2;
2004: 2;
2005: 2.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4725;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: [A];
1996: [A];
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: [A];
2002: [A];
2003: [A];
2004: 2;
2005: 2.1.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4725;
Staff: Support;
1995: [A];
1996: [A];
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: [A];
2002: [A];
2003: [A];
2004: 2.6;
2005: 2.5.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4851;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 6.3;
1996: 6;
1997: 6.3;
1998: 6.3;
1999: 6.3;
2000: 5.4;
2001: 6.3;
2002: 6.3;
2003: 6.8;
2004: 6.4;
2005: 5.4.
Work unit: Forest Products Laboratory: 4851;
Staff: Support;
1995: 6.7;
1996: 7.1;
1997: 6;
1998: 6;
1999: 5;
2000: 5;
2001: 4;
2002: 3.2;
2003: 3.2;
2004: 0.8;
2005: 1.7.
Work unit: Northeastern Research Station;
Staff: Total scientists;
1995: 13;
1996: 14;
1997: 12;
1998: 10;
1999: 12;
2000: 12;
2001: 11;
2002: 10;
2003: 9;
2004: 9;
2005: 9.
Work unit: Northeastern Research Station;
Staff: Total Support;
1995: 10;
1996: 9;
1997: 9;
1998: 10;
1999: 8;
2000: 10;
2001: 10;
2002: 11;
2003: 11;
2004: 11;
2005: 10.
Work unit: Northeastern Research Station: 4701;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 7;
1996: 8;
1997: 7;
1998: 6;
1999: 5;
2000: 5;
2001: 5;
2002: 4;
2003: 3;
2004: 3;
2005: 3.
Work unit: Northeastern Research Station: 4701;
Staff: Support;
1995: 4;
1996: 4;
1997: 4;
1998: 4;
1999: 3;
2000: 5;
2001: 5;
2002: 6;
2003: 6;
2004: 6;
2005: 6.
Work unit: Northeastern Research Station: 4751;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 1;
1996: 1;
1997: 1;
1998: 1;
1999: 1;
2000: 2;
2001: 1;
2002: 1;
2003: 1;
2004: 1;
2005: 1.
Work unit: Northeastern Research Station: 4751;
Staff: Support;
1995: 1;
1996: 1;
1997: 1;
1998: 1;
1999: 1;
2000: 1;
2001: 1;
2002: 1;
2003: 1;
2004: 1;
2005: 1.
Work unit: Northeastern Research Station: 4803;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 4;
1996: 4;
1997: 3;
1998: 2;
1999: 5;
2000: 4;
2001: 4;
2002: 4;
2003: 4;
2004: 4;
2005: 4.
Work unit: Northeastern Research Station: 4803;
Staff: Support;
1995: 5;
1996: 4;
1997: 4;
1998: 5;
1999: 4;
2000: 4;
2001: 4;
2002: 4;
2003: 4;
2004: 4;
2005: 3.
Work unit: Northeastern Research Station: 4805;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 1;
1996: 1;
1997: 1;
1998: 1;
1999: 1;
2000: 1;
2001: 1;
2002: 1;
2003: 1;
2004: 1;
2005: 1.
Work unit: Northeastern Research Station: 4805;
Staff: Support;
1995: 0;
1996: 0;
1997: 0;
1998: 0;
1999: 0;
2000: 0;
2001: 0;
2002: 0;
2003: 0;
2004: 0;
2005: 0.
Work unit: Pacific Northwest Research Station--4865;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 7.5;
1996: 5.8;
1997: 5.8;
1998: 5.8;
1999: 5.8;
2000: 8.8;
2001: 8.8;
2002: 7.8;
2003: 10.1;
2004: 9;
2005: 9.3.
Work unit: Pacific Northwest Research Station--4865;
Staff: Support;
1995: 8;
1996: 6;
1997: 5;
1998: 5;
1999: 5.5;
2000: 7.5;
2001: 7.5;
2002: 7.5;
2003: 6;
2004: 4.5;
2005: 7.
Work unit: Pacific Southwest Research Station--4202;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: [A];
1996: [A];
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A];
2001: 1;
2002: 1;
2003: 1;
2004: 1;
2005: 1.
Work unit: Pacific Southwest Research Station--4202;
Staff: Support;
1995: [A];
1996: [A];
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: [A]; ;
2001: 0;
2002: 0;
2003: 0;
2004: 0;
2005: 2.
Work unit: Rocky Mountain Research Station--4156;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: [A];
1996: [A];
1997: [A];
1998: 0.1;
1999: 0.1;
2000: 0.1;
2001: 0.1;
2002: 0.1;
2003: 0.1;
2004: 0.1;
2005: 0.1.
Work unit: Rocky Mountain Research Station--4156;
Staff: Support;
1995: [A];
1996: [A];
1997: [A];
1998: 0.0;
1999: 0.0;
2000: 0.0;
2001: 0.0;
2002: 0.0;
2003: 0.0;
2004: 0.0;
2005: 0.0.
Work unit: Southern Research Station;
Staff: Total scientists;
1995: 10.5;
1996: 9.5;
1997: 8.5;
1998: 8.5;
1999: 8.5;
2000: 7.5;
2001: 6.7;
2002: 6.7;
2003: 8.7;
2004: 8.7;
2005: 8.7.
Work unit: Southern Research Station:
Staff: Total Support;
1995: 13.0;
1996: 13.0;
1997: 13.0;
1998: 12.0;
1999: 11.0;
2000: 10.0;
2001: 10.0;
2002: 9.3;
2003: 9.3;
2004: 9.3;
2005: 9.8.
Work unit: Southern Research Station: 4104;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 4;
1996: 3;
1997: 2;
1998: 2;
1999: 2;
2000: 1;
2001: 1.2;
2002: 1.2;
2003: 1.2;
2004: 1.2;
2005: 1.2.
Work unit: Southern Research Station: 4104;
Staff: Support;
1995: 4;
1996: 4;
1997: 4;
1998: 3;
1999: 3;
2000: 3;
2001: 3;
2002: 3;
2003: 3;
2004: 3;
2005: 3.
Work unit: Southern Research Station: 4701;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 4;
1996: 4;
1997: 4;
1998: 4;
1999: 4;
2000: 3;
2001: 2;
2002: 2;
2003: 4;
2004: 4;
2005: 4.
Work unit: Southern Research Station: 4701;
Staff: Support;
1995: 7;
1996: 7;
1997: 7;
1998: 7;
1999: 6;
2000: 5;
2001: 5;
2002: 4.3;
2003: 4.3;
2004: 4.3;
2005: 4.8.
Work unit: Southern Research Station: 4702;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 2;
1996: 2;
1997: 2;
1998: 2;
1999: 2;
2000: 3;
2001: 3;
2002: 3;
2003: 3;
2004: 3;
2005: 3.
Work unit: Southern Research Station: 4702;
Staff: Support;
1995: 1.5;
1996: 1.5;
1997: 1.5;
1998: 1.5;
1999: 1.5;
2000: 1.5;
2001: 1.5;
2002: 1.5;
2003: 1.5;
2004: 1.5;
2005: 1.5.
Work unit: Southern Research Station: 4703;
Staff: Scientists;
1995: 0.5;
1996: 0.5;
1997: 0.5;
1998: 0.5;
1999: 0.5;
2000: 0.5;
2001: 0.5;
2002: 0.5;
2003: 0.5;
2004: 0.5;
2005: 0.5.
Work unit: Southern Research Station: 4703;
Staff: Support;
1995: 0.5;
1996: 0.5;
1997: 0.5;
1998: 0.5;
1999: 0.5;
2000: 0.5;
2001: 0.5;
2002: 0.5;
2003: 0.5;
2004: 0.5;
2005: 0.5.
Work unit: Forest Service;
Staff: Total scientists;
1995: 98.2;
1996: 98.3;
1997: 90.6;
1998: 85.0;
1999: 82.8;
2000: 84.2;
2001: 86.6;
2002: 84.1;
2003: 86.1;
2004: 90.6;
2005: 87.7.
Work unit: Forest Service:
Staff: Total support;
1995: 109;
1996: 101.5;
1997: 88.5;
1998: 87.4;
1999: 86.4;
2000: 87.8;
2001: 89.8;
2002: 89.3;
2003: 88.3;
2004: 83.1;
2005: 86.1.
Work unit: Forest Service:
Staff: Total FTEs;
1995: 207.2;
1996: 199.8;
1997: 179.1;
1998: 172.4;
1999: 169.2;
2000: 172;
2001: 176.4;
2002: 173.4;
2003: 174.4;
2004: 173.7;
2005: 173.8.
Source: GAO's analysis of Forest Service data.
[A] Indicates the research work unit was not yet established, was
discontinued, or was not doing any wood utilization research in the
given year.
[End of table]
Table 28: Budget Authority For The CSREES Wood Utilization Research
Centers, Fiscal Years 1995-2005
Nominal dollars in thousands:
Wood utilization research centers: Alaska;
1995: [A];
1996: [A];
1997: [A];
1998: [A];
1999: [A];
2000: $540;
2001: $596;
2002: $596;
2003: $585;
2004: $543;
2005: $602.
Wood utilization research centers: Consortium;
1995: [B];
1996: [B];
1997: [B];
1998: [B];
1999: $514;
2000: 457;
2001: 514;
2002: 504;
2003: 511;
2004: 460;
2005: 509.
Wood utilization research centers: Maine;
1995: $752;
1996: $752;
1997: $704;
1998: $704;
1999: 824;
2000: 732;
2001: 824;
2002: 807;
2003: 807;
2004: 736;
2005: 717.
Wood utilization research centers: Michigan;
1995: 752;
1996: 752;
1997: 704;
1998: 704;
1999: 824;
2000: 732;
2001: 824;
2002: 807;
2003: 807;
2004: 736;
2005: 717.
Wood utilization research centers: Minnesota;
1995: 233;
1996: 233;
1997: 218;
1998: 218;
1999: 255;
2000: 227;
2001: 255;
2002: 250;
2003: 246;
2004: 228;
2005: 222.
Wood utilization research centers: Mississippi[C];
1995: 752;
1996: 752;
1997: 704;
1998: 704;
1999: 824;
2000: 732;
2001: 824;
2002: 807;
2003: 1,260;
2004: 1,154;
2005: 1,180.
Wood utilization research centers: North Carolina;
1995: 289;
1996: 290;
1997: 271;
1998: 271;
1999: 317;
2000: 282;
2001: 317;
2002: 311;
2003: 306;
2004: 283;
2005: 276.
Wood utilization research centers: Oregon;
1995: 752;
1996: 752;
1997: 704;
1998: 704;
1999: 824;
2000: 732;
2001: 824;
2002: 807;
2003: 795;
2004: 736;
2005: 717.
Wood utilization research centers: Tennessee;
1995: [B];
1996: [B];
1997: [B];
1998: [B];
1999: 421;
2000: 374;
2001: 421;
2002: 412;
2003: 412;
2004: 376;
2005: 417.
Wood utilization research centers: West Virginia;
1995: [D];
1996: [D];
1997: [D];
1998: [D];
1999: [D];
2000: [D];
2001: [D];
2002: [D];
2003: [D];
2004: 418;
2005: 463.
Wood utilization research centers: Total;
1995: $3,530;
1996: $3,532;
1997: $3,305;
1998: $3,305;
1999: $4,805;
2000: $4,805;
2001: $5,400;
2002: $5,304;
2003: $5,730;
2004: $5,670;
2005: $5,820.
Sources: Wood utilization research centers' annual special grant
proposals.
Note: Totals may not add due to rounding.
[A] This center was added in fiscal year 2000.
[B] This center was added in fiscal year 1999.
[C] In fiscal year 2003, the Mississippi center began receiving a
committee-directed special grant to inventory forest resources
statewide. This grant was included in the center's fiscal year 2003
proposal, and thereafter the center has submitted separate proposals
for the inventory, which were included in the center's total budget for
fiscal years 2004 and 2005.
[D] This center was added in fiscal year 2004.
[End of table]
[End of section]
Appendix V: GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments:
GAO Contact:
Robin M. Nazzaro (202) 512-3841:
Staff Acknowledgments:
In addition to the contact named above, Andrea Wamstad Brown,
Jacqueline Adams Cook, Richard Johnson, Rebecca Shea, Jay Cherlow,
Carol Herrnstadt Shulman, Jeremy Ames, and Jaelith Hall-Rivera, made
key contributions to this report.
Footnotes:
[1] Environmental Protection Agency, Profile of the Pulp and Paper
Industry, 2nd edition, EPA/310-R-02-002 (Washington, D.C.: Nov. 2002),
and Environmental Protection Agency, Profile of the Lumber and Wood
Products Industry, EPA/ 310-R-95-006 (Washington, D.C.: Sept. 1995).
[2] National Research Council, National Capacity in Forestry Research
(Washington, D.C.: National Academy of Sciences, 2002).
[3] Dollars are reported in either budget authority or expenditure
data, depending on the availability of agency data. Most agencies and
programs allocate a portion of their budget authority for Wood
utilization, in part in response to direction contained in
appropriations committee reports. Those budget authority amounts are
reported when available. However, the only data available for some
CSREES programs and for the National Science Foundation were
expenditure data.
[4] We adjusted nominal dollars using the Department of Commerce's
Fiscal Year Chain-Weighted Price Index for the Gross Domestic Product
with 2004 as the base year.
[5] A business classification system, adopted in 1997, developed by the
U.S., Mexican, and Canadian governments to provide comparable
statistics across the three countries. It classifies business into
sectors, subsectors, and industry groups.
[6] U.S. Census Bureau, Statistics for Industry Groups and Industries,
Annual Survey; MO4(AS)-1 (Washington, D.C.: Dec. 2005).
[7] U.S. Department of Energy, Forest Products Industry of the Future,
Fiscal Year 2004 Annual Report (Washington, D.C.: Feb. 2005).
[8] Ince, Peter J; Akim, Edward; Lombard, Bernard; and Parik, Tomas;
Chapter 8, "Higher demand and production in 2004, but growth wavers in
2005: Markets for paper, paperboard and Woodpulp, 2004-2005. United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe, Forest Products Annual Market
Review, 2004-2005. Timber Bulletin Vol. LVIII (2005).
[9] Schuler, Albert; and Buehlmann, Urs; Identifying Future Competitive
Business Strategies for the U.S. Residential Wood Furniture Industry:
Benchmarking and Paradigm Shifts, U.S. Forest Service, Northeastern
Research Station, report NE-304.
[10] Pub. L. No. 95-307 (1978) (as amended).
[11] Pub. L. No. 106-224, tit.III (2000).
[12] Pub. L. No. 109-58, § 941 (e)(2), 119 Stat. 875-76 (2005).
[13] Pub. L. No. 108-148, § 203, 117 Stat. 1901 (2003).
[14] These include the headquarters office's topic area staff director,
and research stations' directors and assistant directors.
[15] The Northeastern Research Station is located in Newtown Square,
Pennsylvania; Pacific Northwest, in Portland, Oregon; Pacific
Southwest, in Albany, California; Rocky Mountain, in Fort Collins,
Colorado; and Southern, in Asheville, North Carolina.
[16] Formula grants are grants distributed to state and local
governments using formulas that are based on data such as state
population and personal income. Under the McIntyre-Stennis Act, CSREES
apportions funds among participating states, considering factors such
as nonfederal expenditures for forestry research by state-certified
eligible institutions, areas of nonfederal commercial forest land, and
the volume of timber cut annually. States, in turn, determine the
proportionate amounts of assistance to be extended to these qualified
state-supported institutions.
[17] Act of March 2, 1887, ch. 314, 24 Stat. 440 (as amended).
[18] E.g., Pub. L. No. 89-106, § 2, Aug. 4, 1965, 79 Stat. 431 (1965)
(as amended).
[19] The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer is a
nationwide network of federal laboratories that provide the forum for
developing strategies and opportunities that link technology with
laboratory missions and the marketplace. It was organized in 1974 and
formally chartered by the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 to
promote and to strengthen technology transfer nationwide.
[20] Act of May 8, 1914.
[21] Pub. L. No. 95-306 (1978).
[22] The six agencies are the Department of Energy, the Environmental
Protection Agency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the
Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and
Technology, the National Science Foundation, and USDA. In fiscal years
2004 and 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal
Emergency Management Agency, and the National Institute of Standards
and Technology did not support Wood utilization research and product
development.
[23] See footnote 3.
[24] See footnote 3.
[25] USDA, Strategic Framework of Forest Products and Utilization
Research and Development (FPURD), (Washington, D.C.: Feb. 2006)
[26] For the purposes of this report, the term "technology transfer
specialist" includes marketing and utilization specialists and
university extension specialists.
[27] Forest Service Performance and Accountability Report, Fiscal Year
2004, p. 208
[28] Since 1980, the Bayh-Dole Act and subsequent executive actions
have generally given federal contractors, grantees, and cooperative
agreement funding recipients the option to retain ownership rights to,
and profit from, commercializing the inventions they create as part of
federally sponsored research projects. In return for these rights,
these recipients are required to file for patent protection, pursue
commercialization of the inventions, give preferences to small
businesses in licensing, ensure that any products resulting from the
inventions are substantially manufactured in the United States, and
comply with certain reporting requirements.
[29] The higher number in 2004 is due to distribution of 30,000 copies
of a special publication, "Better Rural Places."
[30] http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/tmu/
[31] Paun, Dorothy; Randall Cantrell, and Susan LeVan-Green. Forest
Products Lab, FPL-GTR-144.
[32] The official title of this meeting is "Forest Industry and Forest
Service Research Liaison Meeting." The meeting was held at the Forest
Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin, May 10-11, 2005.
[33] We adjusted nominal dollars using the Department of Commerce's
Fiscal Year Chain-Weighted Price Index for the Gross Domestic Product
with 2004 as the base year.
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