Nicole M. Stark, PhD

Treesearch Publications

• Junyong Zhu, Nicole M. Stark, Peter Kitin, Nayomi Z. Plaza, Jenna Zukswert. 2026. Cellulose-Based Barrier Coatings for Fruit: Using Hardwood Pulp to Reduce Food Waste
• Jing Geng, Nicole M. Stark, Peter Kitin, Xiao Zhang, Nayomi Z. Plaza, Junyong Zhu. 2025. Incorporating carboxymethyl cellulose into microfibrillated cellulose for barrier coating to delay banana browning and extend shelf life
• Amirmohammad Raeisi, Ismat Ara, Greg Holt, Nicole M. Stark, Dilpreet S. Bajwa. 2025. Elucidating the role of nano boron and zinc oxide-coated silane-treated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) on the mechanical, thermal, and flammability characteristics of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
• Jingxuan Zhang, Yirou Wang, Darien Anders Dewar, Akshat Verma, Nazmul Haque, Ronaldo Franjul, Nicole M. Stark, Chelsea S. Davis, Jeffrey P. Youngblood. 2025. Biobased Multilayer Flexible Packaging with Enhanced Gas Barrier Properties due to Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs)
• James D. Ede, Amanda K. Charlton-Sevcik, Julia Griffin, Padmapriya Srinivasan, Yueyang Zhang, Christie M. Sayes, You-Lo Hsieh, Nicole M. Stark, Jo Anne. Shatkin. 2025. Life-Cycle Risk Assessment of Second-Generation Cellulose Nanomaterials
• Jing Geng, Jane O'Dell, Nicole M. Stark, Peter Kitin, Xiao Zhang, Junyong Zhu. 2024. Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) barrier coating for extending banana shelf life
• Amanda K. Charlton-Sevcik, Clancy Collom, James Y. Liu, You-Lo Hsieh, Nicole M. Stark, James D. Ede, Jo Anne Shatkin, Christie M. Sayes. 2024. The impact of surface functionalization of cellulose following simulated digestion and gastrointestinal cell-based model exposure
• Dilpreet S. Bajwa, Saptaparni Chanda, Cecily Ryan, Sreekala G. Bajwa, Nicole M. Stark, Kirsten Matteson. 2024. Graphene quantum dots/cellulose nanocrystal inclusion complex for enhancing the physical and thermal properties of HDPE polymer matrix
• Benjamin Pingrey, James D. Ede, Christie M. Sayes, Jo Anne Shatkin, Nicole M. Stark, You-Lo Hsieh. 2024. Aqueous exfoliation and dispersion of monolayer and bilayer graphene from graphite using sulfated cellulose nanofibrils
• Mark A. Dietenberger, Nicole M. Stark, Charles R. Boardman. 2024. Durability and performance of wood flour/polyethylene composites containing fire retardants after weathering via ASTM D2565
• Mark A. Dietenberger, Charles R. Boardman, Nicole M. Stark. 2024. Improvement of heat release methodologies using mass loss calorimeter and oxygen consumption hood to assess flammability of wood plastic composites
• Mengzhe Guo, James D. Ede, Christie M. Sayes, Jo Anne Shatkin, Nicole M. Stark, You-Lo Hsieh. 2024. Regioselectively Carboxylated Cellulose Nanofibril Models from Dissolving Pulp: C6 via TEMPO Oxidation and C2,C3 via Periodate–Chlorite Oxidation
• Dilpreet S. Bajwa, Greg Holt, Nicole M. Stark, Sreekala G. Bajwa, Saptaparni Chanda, Mohiuddin Quadir. 2024. Nano Boron Oxide and Zinc Oxide Doped Lignin Containing Cellulose Nanocrystals Improve the Thermal, Mechanical and Flammability Properties of High-Density Poly(ethylene)
• Yucheng Peng, Dikshya Pokhrel, Xueqi Wang, Thomas Elder, Nicole M. Stark, Brian Via, Tom Gallagher, Mathew F. Smidt, Dana Mitchell. 2023. Wood fiber production from downed timber for manufacturing wood polymer composite: fiber property characterization
• Liqing Wei, Huiyang Bian, Umesh P. Agarwal, Ronald C. Sabo, Laurent M. Matuana, Nicole M. Stark. 2023. Correlation between morphology and performance of cellulose nanofibril-based films
• Dangkamol Wongthanaroj, Lindsay A. Jessmore, Yawei Lin, Teresa M. Bergholz, Nicole M. Stark, Ronald C. Sabo, Laurent M. Matuana. 2022. Sustainable and eco-friendly poly (Lactic acid)/cellulose nanocrystal nanocomposite films for the preservation of oxygen-sensitive food
• Ghazal Vahidi, Dilpreet S. Bajwa, Jamileh Shojaeiarani, Nicole M. Stark. 2022. Experimental investigation into the direct feeding of coupling agent, cellulose nanocrystals, and nano zinc oxide in high-density polyethylene
• Madhumitha Natarajan, Ronald C. Sabo, Nicole M. Stark, Laurent M. Matuana. 2022. Improving gas barrier properties of sugarcane‐based LLDPE with cellulose nanocrystals
• Ruth Anayimi Lafia-Araga, Ronald C. Sabo, Omid Nabinejad, Laurent Matuana, Nicole M. Stark. 2021. Influence of Lactic Acid Surface Modification of Cellulose Nanofibrils on the Properties of Cellulose Nanofibril Films and Cellulose Nanofibril–Poly(lactic acid) Composites
• Nicole M. Stark, L.M. Matuana. 2021. Trends in sustainable biobased packaging materials: a mini review
• Saptaparni Chanda, Dilpreet S. Bajwa, Greg A. Holt, Nicole M. Stark, Sreekala G. Bajwa, Mohiuddin Quadir. 2021. Silane compatibilzation to improve the dispersion, thermal and mechancial properties of cellulose nanocrystals in poly (ethylene oxide)
• Huihui Wang, Xiaoyan Tang, Matthew A. Arvanitis, Vina Yang, Nicole M. Stark, Chuanfu Liu, John M. Considine, Junyong Zhu. 2021. Colloidal lignin nanoparticles from acid hydrotropic fractionation for producing tough, biodegradable, and UV blocking PVA nanocomposite
• Sonal S. Karkhanis, Nicole M. Stark, Ronald C. Sabo, Laurent M. Matuana. 2021. Potential of extrusion-blown poly(lactic acid)/cellulose nanocrystals nanocomposite films for improving the shelf-life of a dry food product
• Nicole M. Stark, Zhiyong Cai. 2021. Chapter 11: Wood-based composite materials: panel products, glued laminated timber, structural composite lumber, and wood–nonwood composites
• Ghazal Vahidi, Dilpreet S. Bajwa, Jamileh Shojaeiarani, Nicole M. Stark, Amir Darabi. 2021. Advancements in traditional and nanosized flame retardants for polymers—A review
• Jamileh Shojaeiarani, Dilpreet S. Bajwa, Nicole M. Stark, Teresa M. Bergholz, Autumn L. Kraft. 2020. Spin coating method improved the performance characteristics of films obtained from poly(lactic acid) and cellulose nanocrystals
• Rebecca E. Ibach, Craig M. Clemons, Nicole M. Stark. 2020. Long-term field exposure of wood-plastic composites processed on a commercial-size extruder
• Ronald C. Sabo, Nicole M. Stark, Patricia K. Lebow, Omid Nabinejad, Sonal S. Karkhanis, Laurent M. Matuana. 2020. Novel method of compounding cellulose nanocrystal suspensions into poly(lactic acid) and poly(vinyl acetate) blends
• Michelle Zheng, Mehdi Tajvidi, Ali H. Tayeb, Nicole M. Stark. 2019. Effects of bentonite on physical, mechanical and barrier properties of cellulose nanofibril hybrid films for packaging applications
• Jamileh Shojaeiarani, Dilpreet S. Bajwa, Nicole M. Stark, Sreekala G. Bajwa. 2019. Rheological properties of cellulose nanocrystals engineered polylactic acid nanocomposites
• Dilpreet Bajwa, Chad Rehovsky, Jamileh Shojaeiarani, Nicole M. Stark, Sreekala Bajwa, Mark A. Dietenberger. 2019. Functionalized Cellulose Nanocrystals: A Potential Fire Retardant for Polymer Composites
• Ronald C. Sabo, Nicole M. Stark, Liqing Wei, Laurent M. Matuana. 2019. Wet compounding of cellulose nanocrystals into polylactic acid for packaging applications
• Jamileh Shojaeiarani, Dilpreet S. Bajwa, Nicole M. Stark. 2018. Green esterification: a new approach to improve thermal and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) composites reinforced by cellulose nanocrystals
• Sonal S. Karkhanis, Nicole M. Stark, Ronald C. Sabo, Laurent M. Matuana. 2018. Water vapor and oxygen barrier properties of extrusion-blown poly(lactic acid)/cellulose nanocrystals nanocomposite films
• Jamileh Shojaeiarani, Dilpreet S. Bajwa, Nicole M. Stark. 2018. Spin-coating: a new approach for improving dispersion of cellulose nanocrystals and mechanical properties of poly (lactic acid) composites
• Jinwu Wang, Douglas J. Gardner, Nicole M. Stark, Douglas W. Bousfield, Mehdi Tajvidi, Zhiyong Cai. 2018. Moisture and oxygen barrier properties of cellulose nanomaterial-based films
• Nicole M. Stark, Liquing Wei, Ronald C. Sabo, Richard Reiner, Laurent M. Matuana. 2018. Effect of freeze-drying on the morphology of dried cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and tensile properties of poly(lactic) acid-CNC composites
• Liqing Wei, Umesh P. Agarwal, Laurent Matuana, Ronald C. Sabo, Nicole M. Stark. 2018. Performance of high lignin content cellulose nanocrystals in poly(lactic acid)
• Evren Terzi, Saip Nami Kartal, Sabriye Piskin, Nicole M. Stark, Aysel Kanturk Figen, Robert H. White. 2018. Colemanite: a fire retardant candidate for wood plastic composites
• Sonal S. Karkhanis, Nicole M. Stark, Ronald C. Sabo, Laurent M. Matuana. 2017. Performance of poly(lactic acid)/ cellulose nanocrystal composite blown films processed by two different compounding approaches
• Liqing Wei, Shupin Luo, Armando G. McDonald, Umesh P. Agarwal, Kolby Hirth, Laurent M. Matuana, Ronald C. Sabo, Nicole M. Stark. 2017. Preparation and characterization of the nanocomposites from chemically modified nanocellulose and poly(lactic acid)
• Sonal S. Karkhanis, Nicole M. Stark, Ronald C. Sabo, Laurent M. Matuana. 2017. Blown film extrusion of poly(lactic acid) without melt strength enhancers
• Mark A. Dietenberger, Charles R. Boardman, Nicole M. Stark. 2017. Flammability properties and radiant fraction of FRT wood plastic composites using mass loss calorimeter under HRR hood
• Sonal S. Karkhanis, Laurent M. Matuana, Nicole M. Stark, Ronald C. Sabo. 2017. Effect of compounding approaches on fiber dispersion and performance of poly(lactic acid)/cellulose nanocrystal composite blown films
• Liqing Wei, Umesh P. Agarwal, Nicole M. Stark, Ronald C. Sabo. 2017. Nanocomposites from lignin-containing cellulose nanocrystals and poly(lactic acid)
• Liqing Wei, Umesh P. Agarwal, Kolby Hirth, Laurent M. Matuana, Ronald C. Sabo, Nicole M. Stark. 2017. Chemical modification of nanocellulose with canola oil fatty acid methyl ester
• Nicole M. Stark. 2016. Opportunities for cellulose nanomaterials in packaging films: a review and future trends
• Liqing Wei, Nicole M. Stark, Ronald C. Sabo, Laurent Matuana. 2016. Modification of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) for use in poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-CNC composite packaging products
• Nicole M. Stark, Daniel J. Yelle, Umesh P. Agarwal. 2016. Techniques for characterizing lignin
• Yao Chen, Nicole M. Stark, Mandla A. Tshabalala, Jianmin Gao, Yongming Fan. 2016. Weathering characteristics of wood plastic composites reinforced with extracted or delignified wood flour
• Liqing Wei, Nicole M. Stark, Armando G. McDonald. 2015. Interfacial improvements in biocomposites based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) bioplastics reinforced and grafted with α-cellulose fibers
• Umesh P. Agarwal, Sally Ralph, Richard Reiner, Nicole M. Stark. 2015. Formation of Irreversible H-bonds in Cellulose Materials
• Liqing Wei, Armando G. McDonald, Nicole M. Stark. 2015. Grafting of Bacterial Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) onto Cellulose via In Situ Reactive Extrusion with Dicumyl Peroxide
• Yao Chen, Nicole M. Stark, Mandla A. Tshabalala, Jianmin Gao, Yongming Fan. 2014. Moisture Performance of wood-plastic composites reinforced with extracted and delignified wood flour
• Yao Chen, Nicole M. Stark, Zhiyong Cai, Charles R. Frihart, Linda F. Lorenz, Rebecca E. Ibach. 2014. Chemical Modification of Kraft Lignin: Effect on Chemical and Thermal Properties
• Cheng Piao, Zhiyong Cai, Nicole M. Stark, Charles J. Montezun. 2014. Dimensional stability of wood-plastic composites reinforced with potassium methyl siliconate modified fiber and sawdust made from beetle-killed trees
• Yao Chen, Mandla A. Tshabalala, Jianmin Gao, Nicole M. Stark, Yongming Fan. 2014. Color and Surface Chemistry Changes of Pine Wood Flour after Extraction and Delignification
• Yao Chen, Nicole M. Stark, Mandla A. Tshabalala, Jianmin Gao, Yongming Fan. 2014. Properties of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) reinforced with extracted and delignified wood flour
• Yao Chen, Mandla A. Tshabalala, Jianmin Gao, Nicole M. Stark, Yongming Fan, Rebecca E. Ibach. 2014. Thermal behavior of extracted and delignified pine wood flour
• Rebecca E. Ibach, Yao Chen, Nicole M. Stark, Mandla A. Tshabalala, Yongming Fan, Jianmin Gao. 2014. Decay resistance of wood-plastic composites reinforced with extracted or delignified wood flour
• Carol A. Clausen, Robert H. White, James Wacker, Stan Lebow, Nicole M. Stark, Mark A. Dietenberger, Samuel L. Zelinka. 2014. Laboratory investigation of fire protection coatings for creosote-treated timber railroad bridges
• Yao Chen, Charles R. Frihart, Zhiyong Cai, Linda F. Lorenz, Nicole M. Stark. 2013. Lignin-based Phenol-Formaldehyde Resins from Purified CO₂ Precipitated Kraft lignin (PCO₂KL)
• Yao Chen, Charles R. Frihart, Zhiyong Cai, Linda F. Lorenz, Nicole M. Stark. 2013. Lignin-based Phenol-Formalehyde Resins from Purified CO₂ Precipitated Kraft Lignin (PCO₂KL)
• Shan Jin, Nicole M. Stark, Laurent M. Matuana. 2013. Influence of a stabilized cap layer on the photodegradation of coextruded high density polyethylene/wood-flour composites
• Yao Chen, Mandla A. Tshabalala, Jianmin Gao, Nicole M. Stark. 2013. Color and surface chemistry changes of extracted wood flour after heating at 120 °C
• Zhiyong Cai, Alan W. Rudie, Nicole M. Stark, Ronald C. Sabo, Sally Ralph. 2013. Chapter 6: New Products and Product Categories in the Global Forest Sector
• Cheng Piao, Zhiyong Cai, Nicole M. Stark, Charles J. Monlezun. 2013. Potassium methyl siliconate-treated pulp fibers and their effects on wood plastic composites: Water sorption and dimensional stability
• Ronald C. Sabo, Liwei Jin, Nicole M. Stark, Rebecca E. Ibach. 2013. Effect of environmental conditions on the mechanical properties and fungal degradation of polycaprolactone/microcrystalline cellulose/wood flour composites
• Yao Chen, Yongming Fan, Jianmin Gao, Mandla A. Tshabalala, Nicole M. Stark. 2012. Spectroscopic analysis of the role of extractives on heat-induced discoloration of black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
• Jianmin Gao, Yao Chen, Yongming Fan, Mandla A. Tshabalala, Nicole M. Stark. 2012. Heat-induced chemical and color changes of extractive-free Black Locust (Rosinia Pseudoacacia) wood
• Chunpeng Wang, Fuxiang Chu, Charles R. Frihart, Linda F. Lorenz, Yuzhi Xu, Nicole M. Stark. 2012. Chemical Modification of Soy Flour Protein and its Properties
• Yao Chen, Yongming Fan, Jianmin Gao, Nicole M. Stark. 2012. The Effect of Heat Treatment on the chemical and color change of Black Locust (Robinia Pseudoacacia) wood flour
• Yao Chen, Yongming Fan, Mandla A. Tshabalala, Nicole M. Stark, Jianmin Gao. 2012. Optical property analysis of thermally and photolytically aged Eucalyptus Camaldulensis chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP)
• Yuzhi Xu, Chunpeng Wang, Nicole M. Stark, Zhiyong Cai, Fuxiang Chu. 2012. Miscibility and thermal behavior of poly (ε-caprolactone)/long-chain ester of cellulose blends
• Laurent M. Matuana, Shan Jin, Nicole M. Stark. 2011. Ultraviolet weathering of HDPE/wood-flour composites coextruded with a clear HDPE cap layer
• Robert H. White, Nicole M. Stark, Nadir Ayrilmis. 2011. Recent activities in flame retardancy of wood-plastic composites at the Forest Products Laboratory
• Nicole M. Stark, Zhiyong Cai, Charles G. Carll. 2010. Wood-based composite materials : panel products, glued-laminated timber, structural composite lumber, and wood-nonwood composite materials
• Nicole M. Stark, Robert H. White, Scott A. Mueller, Tim A. Osswald. 2010. Evaluation of various fire retardants for use in wood flour--polyethylene composites
• Craig M. Clemons, Nicole M. Stark. 2009. Feasibility of using saltcedar as a filler in injection-molded polyethylene composites
• Nicole M. Stark, Laurent M. Matuana. 2009. Co-extrusion of WPCs with a clear cap layer to improve color stability
• Nicole M. Stark, Scott A. Mueller. 2008. Improving the color stability of wood-plastic composites through fiber pre-treatment
• Nicole M. Stark, Laurent M. Matuana. 2007. Coating WPC's using co-extrusion to improve durability
• Nicole M. Stark. 2007. Considerations in the weathering of wood-plastic composites
• Nicole M. Stark, Laurent M. Matuana. 2007. Characterization of weathered wood-plastic composite surfaces using FTIR spectroscopy, contact angle, and XPS
• Magnus Bengtsson, Nicole M. Stark, Kristiina Oksman. 2007. Durability and mechanical properties of silane cross-linked wood thermoplastic composites
• Craig M. Clemons, Nicole M. Stark. 2007. Use of saltcedar and Utah juniper as fillers in wood–plastic composites
• James S. Fabiyi, Armando G. McDonald, Nicole M. Stark. 2007. Surface characterization of weathered wood-plastic composites produced from modified wood flour
• Robert H. White, Mark A. Dietenberger, Nicole M. Stark. 2007. Cone calorimeter tests of wood-based decking materials
• Nicole M. Stark, Laurent M. Matuana. 2006. Influence of photostabilizers on wood flour-HDPE composites exposed to xenon-arc radiation with and without water spray
• J.J. Morrell, Nicole M. Stark, David E. Pendleton, Armando G. McDonald. 2006. Durability of wood-plastic composites
• Nicole M. Stark. 2006. Effect of weathering cycle and manufacturing method on performance of wood flour and high-density polyethylene composites
• Nicole M. Stark. 2005. Effect of weathering variables on the lightness of high-density polyethylene woodflour composites
• Jerrold Winandy, Craig M. Clemons, Nicole M. Stark, James H. Muehl, R. Sam Williams. 2005. Evaluation and process development of salt cedar and juniper biocomposites as tools to utilize exotic and invasive species and restore native ecosystems
• Nicole M. Stark. 2005. Changes in wood flour/HDPE composites after accelerated weathering with and without water spray
• Nicole M. Stark, Laurent M. Matuana, Craig M. Clemons. 2004. Effect of processing method on surface and weathering characteristics of wood-flour/HDPE composites
• Nicole M. Stark, Laurent M. Matuana. 2004. Surface chemistry and mechanical property changes of wood-flour/high-density-polyethylene composites after accelerated weathering
• Nicole M. Stark, Laurent M. Matuana. 2004. Surface chemistry changes of weathered HDPE/wood-flour composites studied by XPS and FTIR spectroscopy
• Nicole M. Stark, Robert E. Rowlands. 2003. Effects of wood fiber characteristics on mechanical properties of wood/polypropylene composites
• Nicole M. Stark, Laurent M. Matuana. 2003. Ultraviolet weathering of photostabilized wood-flour-filled high-density polyethylene composites
• Nicole M. Stark, Laurent M. Matuana, Craig M. Clemons. 2003. Effect of processing method on accelerated weathering of wood-flour/HDPE composites
• Rebecca E. Ibach, Craig M. Clemons, Nicole M. Stark. 2003. Combined ultraviolet and water exposure as a preconditioning method in laboratory fungal durability testing
• Nicole M. Stark, Laurent M. Matuana. 2002. Photostabilization of wood flour filled HDPE composites
• Nicole M. Stark. 2001. Influence of moisture absorption on mechanical properties of wood flour- polypropylene composites
• Poo Chow, Dilpreet S. Bajwa, Wen-da Lu, John A. Youngquist, Nicole M. Stark, Qiang Li, Brent English. 1998. Injection molded composites from kenaf and recycled plastic
• Brent English, Craig M. Clemons, Nicole M. Stark, James P. Schneider. 1996. Waste-wood-derived fillers for plastics

• Project
  

  P3Nano Program: Public-Private Partnership

  https://research.fs.usda.gov/fpl/projects/p3nano
  Station

  Forest Products Laboratory

Articles

• Article
  

  Cellulose-Based Barrier Coatings for Fruit: Using Hardwood Pulp to Reduce Food Waste

  https://research.fs.usda.gov/fpl/articles/cellulose-based-barrier-coatings-fruit-using-hardwood-pulp-reduce-food-waste-0

Multimedia

• Webinars

  SCIENCEx Forest Products Week: Smaller than a Woodchip

  https://research.fs.usda.gov/products/multimedia/webinars/sciencex-forest-products-week-smaller-woodchip

• Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, Ph.D., Forest Science
• University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, M.S., Mechanical Engineering
• University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, B.S., Chemical Engineering