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Promote Forest Health for a Stable Bio-Economy Understand and Separate Wood Components Create and Commercialize New Bioproducts

Research Projects

Near InfraRed Woody Biomass

What's New on this Project

We have been successful in capturing near-IR spectra for solid wood chips as well as model liquid extracts in low percentage concentrations. We have done some preliminary modeling and classification of the spectra.

 

Research Introduction

Dr. Donahue and Amy St Peter

Dr. Donahue and an undergraduate student, Amy St Peter, evaluate near-InfraRed scans, which helps to analyze process stream extracts from wood processing as part of the bio-refinery process.

 

Lab photo

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We use light to see into the wood product and determine the chemistry of the wood. With near-IR spectroscopy, we may be able to quickly assess various kinds of chemical properties in wood extracts and decide what outcomes and products would be most efficient and economical to produce.


Research Details

With the use of near-IR spectroscopy, we are able to analyze process stream extracts from wood processing as part of the forestry bio-refinery process. When developed, these spectroscopy methods will enable near real-time determination of process chemistries so that these processes can be economically optimized.

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Faculty

 

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Other Research Partners

 

NSF EPSCoR The University of Maine EPSCoR Department of Energy
This project is supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. EPS-0554545 This project is supported by the Department of Energy EPSCoR program under award number DE-FG02-07ER46373