Treesearch

Cellulose nanofibril suspensions present a broad range of particle morphology and dimensions spanning from millimeters to nanometers. As a result, direct imaging and indirect scattering approaches are used to quantify the morphology and dimensions across different length scales. There is a notable gap in detailed size measurement of cellulose nanofibrils produced from the mechanical refining of woody plants, which makes the required characterization for production control, grade specification, product specifications, and compliance with safety/regulatory requirements difficult. The...

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) has emerged as a promising technology for converting biomass into high-performance carbon materials, offering potential sustainable solutions for CO2 capture. HTC operates under moderate conditions to produce hydrochar with enhanced porosity and surface functionality ideally suited for CO2 sequestration. Recently developed nitrogen-doped and alkali metal-activated hydrochars have improved adsorption capacities, and CO2 capture capacities up to 320 mg/g, surpassing some traditional materials like zeolites. However, despite its potential to contribute...

Lignin, which is typically available as a by-product of the pulping process and biomass biorefinery, is a sustainable feedstock for production of carbon fuels and materials. Here, we report a novel coupled electrochemical system to achieve efficient production of H2O2 with air as the oxygen source and lignin as a carbon-based catalyst precursor and electron donor (fuel). By using a direct lignin fuel cell to power a paired electrolytic cell, the endogenous electrons of lignin can be transferred to air, resulting in the formation of H2O2 via a two-electron oxygen reduction reaction. A...

Temporal patterns in chemistry of headwater streams reflect responses of water and elemental cycles to perturbations occurring at local to global scales. We evaluated multi-scale temporal patterns in up to 32 y of monthly observations of stream chemistry (ammonium, calcium, dissolved organic carbon, nitrate, total dissolved phosphorus, and sulfate) in 22 reference catchments within the northern temperate zone of North America. Multivariate autoregressive state-space (MARSS) models were applied to quantify patterns at multi-decadal, seasonal, and shorter intervals during a period that...

Earth’s biodiversity is in decline, and invasive species are among the greatest threats to local ecosystems. While the impacts of invasive plants, animals, and pathogens are increasingly well documented, the impacts of invasive nonpathogenic microbes are not. The golden oyster mushroom (GOM; Pleurotus citrinopileatus) is a white-rot wood decay fungus and grows primarily on hardwoods. GOM is a widely cultivated and prized edible fungus native to eastern Asia. GOM was imported into North America in the early 2000s and is now sold in popular mushroom-growing kits. GOM escaped into North...

Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are widely used polymers but significantly contribute to plastic waste. Effective recycling of PP and PE is essential for reducing plastic pollution and enhancing sustainability. Collection of post-consumer PP and PE wastes forming comingled mixtures is routinely done due to the difficulty of sorting. While polymer blending offers a cost-effective way to recycle these mixtures, their inherent immiscibility limits the development of high-performance blends. This review provides an overview of recent advances in compatibilization strategies aimed at...

Introduction: Outcomes of ecological restoration treatments can be highly variable and challenging to generalize, even for the same treatment type applied in similar ecological communities at different times and places. Notable examples are the herbicide and seeding treatments that have been extensively applied across the perennial sagebrush steppe of the United States to reduce impacts of fire-promoting exotic annual grasses (EAGs) such as Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum). Objectives: We asked if statistically based generalizations about the effects of pre-emergent herbicide and drill seeding...

This resource update contains the findings of a survey conducted on a sample of all primary wood-using mills in Wisconsin. It complements the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) annual inventory of volume and removals. The survey was conducted to determine the amount and source of wood receipts and annual timber product imports/exports. Only primary wood-using mills were surveyed. Primary mills are those that process roundwood in log or bolt form or as chipped roundwood. Examples of industrial roundwood products are saw logs, pulpwood, veneer logs, poles, and logs used for composite board...

This resource update contains the findings of a survey conducted on a sample of all primary wood-using mills in West Virginia. It complements the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) annual inventory of volume and removals. The survey was conducted to determine the amount and source of wood receipts and annual timber product imports/exports. Only primary wood-using mills were surveyed. Primary mills are those that process roundwood in log or bolt form or as chipped roundwood. Examples of industrial roundwood products are saw logs, pulpwood, veneer logs, poles, and logs used for composite...

Forest products transportation in the US South is an essential component of the wood supply chain connecting raw materials with manufacturing facilities. Owners and operators of log trucks face many challenges to business success. This review analyzed variables associated with owning and operating commercial trucks in the United States to compare raw forest products transportation and general trucking applications. The variables for both log trucks and general trucking included fuel costs, fuel economy, insurance, driver characteristics and availability, driver wages, truck and trailer...