Areas of specialisation in Wood Science include:
Wood Quality
Fibre properties, chemical composition of the wood cell wall and variation in morphological attributes within and between trees and species and their influence on wood properties and utilisation for pulp and paper, solid wood and composite wood products.
Biodegradation
The development of sapstain and decay in wood and wood products; mechanism of action and failure of wood preservatives; biology of termites.
Wood Treatment
Factors affecting the permeability of wood; techniques for improving the permeability of refractory wood species; vapour phase, liquid phase and solid phase application of preservative compounds.
Wood Drying
Modelling the stress development drying and conditioning process associated with wood drying. Modelling the application of microwave technology.
Environmental, Energy and Chemical Processing of Waste Wood
Characterisation and control of toxic emissions; chemical processing of wood waste; pyrolipis.
Panel Products
Processing and performance of wood-based panel products for structural and exterior applications.
Solid Wood Processing
Influence of wood quality attributes on solid wood processing; stress characterisation and cutting technology; farm forestry utilisation.
Non-Wood Forest Products
Chemical characterisation, storage and processing of non-wood forest products.
Timber Engineering
Structural utilisation of wood and wood based products; characterisation of performance attributes; design durability