Treesearch

To demonstrate the effective use of a heterogeneous catalyst for the treatment of wastewater in a flowing state, we synthesized a metal–organic framework, MIL-88A, in situ on a filter paper. A cobalt doping modification yielded a composite catalyst, Co-doped MIL-88A, on a filter paper (Co-M88A-FP), which was then used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS). Characterizations of Co-M88A-FP catalyst revealed that the morphology and structure of MIL-88A did not change when synthesized on the filter paper; however, the surface of MIL-88A became rough and amorphous after Co doping. The Co-M88A-FP/P...

Wind energy’s rapid expansion has led to unintended consequences for wildlife, with migratory bats among the species most at risk. The behavioural mechanisms underlying collisions remain poorly understood, but one hypothesis is that bats are attracted to wind turbine structures. Vision is important to bat orientation and obstacle avoidance, yet it has been relatively understudied in the context of bat–turbine interactions. We hypothesize that light reflected off turbine surfaces could attract bats, acting as a sensory pollutant that may increase collision risk. To test whether reflective...

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is increasingly used in multi-story construction due to its structural efficiency and sustainability. However, the fire performance of CLT floor-to-wall connections remains a critical concern, particularly in balloon-frame construction, where there are complex interactions between the steel and timber components and fire-induced degradation of both materials can compromise structural integrity. This study, part of the WOODWISE project, examines the fire behaviour of CLT floor-to-wall connections through large-scale compartment fire tests. The research evaluates...

Over the past decade, several large-scale fire tests have been conducted by research teams across the world to evaluate the fire performance of mass timber structures to support the adoption of larger and taller mass timber structures. However, the tests conducted to date have a mobile fuel load of 680 MJ/m² or less. Additionally, the mobile fuel load used was often cellulose-based and made of either wood furniture or wood cribs. The WOODWISE project aims to enhance the understanding of fire dynamics in mass timber structures with the inclusion of modern mobile fuels and higher fuel loads....

The influence on fire growth from varying the amount of exposed timber at both the wall and ceiling has been studied through completion of room-scale fire tests, utilizing test standard NFPA 286, Fire Tests for Evaluating Contribution of Wall and Ceiling lnterior Finish to Room Fire Growth. Three tests were completed that had exposed timber consistent with the 2021 International Building Code (IBC). To understand the impacts on early fire growth conditions, four additional tests with exposed timber at the ceiling consisting of 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% of the floor area, were conducted....

In the United States, timber is a common building material in low and medium-rise construction, up to 25.9m (85ft). Through research and innovation, code changes were enacted in 2021 that eliminated barriers to high-rise mass timber buildings. However, some stakeholders have observed that major technical barriers remain. Specifically, the structural performance of timber during all phases of a fire and resulting emissions from buildings using combustible construction. This paper summarizes a multi-disciplinary research program designed to address the challenges in a holistic and systematic...

Peatland conservation and restoration are globally important goals because of peatlands’ potential to sequester and store carbon for millennia, regulate hydrology, and emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) when degraded. To provide information that can be used to identify possible targets for restoration, we have developed a peatland condition map for the conterminous US and Hawaii using existing GIS-based information. We intersected gSSURGO histosols and histic epipedons (HE) with layers for land use, crops, ditches, roads, and railroads (within 150 m buffers for the last three), land protection...

Carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles are closely coupled in forested ecosystems. Studies of interactions between nitrogen cycling and forest succession have been challenging due to the broad spatial and temporal scales involved in feedbacks between successional dynamics and N cycling mechanisms. In this study, algorithms were added to a forest landscape model (LANDIS-II/PnET-Succession extension) to account for nitrogen cycling and its effects on growth and competition. In the revised model, PnET-CN-Succession, with coupled C and N cycling, forest species compete for not only light and water...

Moisture- and orientation-dependent mechanical properties of the S2 secondary cell wall layer are needed to better understand wood mechanical properties and advance wood utilization. In this work, nanoindentation was used to assess the orientation-dependent elastic moduli and Meyer hardness of the loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) S2 layer under environmental conditions ranging from 0% to 94% relative humidity (RH). The elastic moduli were fit to a theoretical transverse isotropic elasticity model to calculate the longitudinal elastic modulus, transverse elastic modulus, axial shear modulus, and...

In the United States, charcoal is widely used for recreational purposes, particularly as fuel for outdoor grilling. Unknown to many consumers, charcoal production has profound environmental impacts worldwide and is too often linked to deforestation and illegal activities involving fraud and misrepresentation in the forest products supply chain. At present, the reliability of the US charcoal market is largely unknown. For 15 lump charcoal brands in the US commercial market, we evaluated the taxonomic composition, claims of origin, bag weight, and lump size. All 15 brands analyzed exhibited...