Abstract: Methods of forming crosslinked cellulose include mixing a crosslinking agent with an aqueous mixture of cellulose fibers containing little to no excess water (e.g., solids content of 25-55%), drying the resulting mixture to 85-100% solids, then curing the dried mixture to crosslink the cellulose fibers. Systems include a mixing unit to form, from an aqueous mixture of unbonded cellulose fibers having a solids content of about 25-55% and a crosslinking agent, a substantially homogenous mixture of non-crosslinked, unbonded cellulose fibers and crosslinking agent; a drying unit to dry the substantially homogenous mixture to a consistency of 85-100%; and a curing unit and to cure the crosslinking agent to form dried and cured crosslinked cellulose fibers. Intrafiber crosslinked cellulose pulp fibers produced by such methods and/or systems have a chemical on pulp level of about 2-14% and an AFAQ capacity of at least 12.0 g/g.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are adhesives, wood-based composites incorporating the adhesives, and methods of forming wood-based composites using the adhesives. In some embodiments, an adhesive emulsion includes a continuous phase having an aqueous, alkaline solution that includes a melamine/urea/formaldehyde (“MUF”) resin, and a dispersed phase that includes a multifunctional aromatic isocyanate component. The solution including the MUF resin has a percent solids content of about 1.0% to about 90.0%, and the MUF resin and the multifunctional aromatic isocyanate component are present in a ratio of about 92:8 to about 40:60 on a solids mass basis. Wood-based composites formed using the adhesives demonstrate an optimal combination of characteristics desirable to the wood products industry.

Abstract: An audit system and method audits operation of an optimizer system in a mill, for example auditing operation of a cant optimizer which optimizes sawing patterns. The audit system may be completely independent of the optimizer. For example, the audit system may acquire information (e.g., optically) indicative of a geometry of boards downstream from a piece of equipment such as a gangsaw. The audit system may computationally reconstruct a cant from which the boards were sawn, determine an outside dimension indicative of wane, and simulate alternative sawing patterns, determining a theoretical amount of recovery that would have resulted from each and comparing such to actual recovery from the log or cant. Alternative sawing patterns may take into account various wane rules and comparison may take into account current demand and/or prices for dimensional lumber.

Abstract: A computer system is programmed to analyze data from aerial images and LiDAR data obtained from a region of interest in order to determine whether a group of LiDAR data points representing an individual item of vegetation (i.e. a blob) is a particular type of vegetation. Infrared data from aerial images of the region of interest is stretched and divided by red spectral data to compute an objective-stretched vegetation index value (OVI) for a pixel. The mean LiDAR intensity and the mean OVI for the LiDAR data points and the pixels in the area of a blob are used to predict what type of vegetation is represented in the area of the blob.

Abstract: A method of sorting green lumber is based on a ratio of moisture content to either weight or density. The moisture content of each piece of green lumber is measured, and the weight or density of the green lumber is measure. One more thresholds of moisture content to weight or density ratios are used to divide the green lumber into groups. Such a sort tends to produce groups of green lumber that require similar kiln drying schedules.

Abstract: Methods of forming crosslinked cellulose include mixing a crosslinking agent with an aqueous mixture of cellulose fibers containing little to no excess water (e.g., solids content of 25-55%), drying the resulting mixture to 85-100% solids, then curing the dried mixture to crosslink the cellulose fibers. Systems include a mixing unit to form, from an aqueous mixture of unbonded cellulose fibers having a solids content of about 25-55% and a crosslinking agent, a substantially homogenous mixture of non-crosslinked, unbonded cellulose fibers and crosslinking agent; a drying unit to dry the substantially homogenous mixture to a consistency of 85-100%; and a curing unit and to cure the crosslinking agent to form dried and cured crosslinked cellulose fibers. Intrafiber crosslinked cellulose pulp fibers produced by such methods and/or systems have a chemical on pulp level of about 2-14% and an AFAQ capacity of at least 12.0 g/g.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed generally towards to embryo insertion systems and methods for use with manufactured seeds. In some embodiments, embryo insertion systems according to the disclosure include an embryo delivery assembly and a fill material deposit assembly. The embryo delivery assembly may include an insertion member, a release assistance member, and a fill material deposit assembly. The fill material deposit assembly may include a fill material containment device, a fill material conveyance device, and optionally, a fill material separation device. Further aspects of the disclosure relate to methods for operating embryo insertion systems according to embodiments of the disclosure to enable simultaneous embryo insertion and fill material delivery.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods of separating plant germinants from gelled germination medium.

Abstract: Wood-based composites, and methods for their manufacture, are provided. The composites include oriented wooden strands and cured bonding resin connecting adjacent strands. The composites are relatively low-density, having an average dry density of the wooden composites of about 15-28 pounds per cubic foot (pcf). The unique composition of the composites provide improved structural and insulating (thermal and acoustic) properties when compared to traditional engineered wood products (e.g., oriented strandboard).

Abstract: Pulp sheets produced from Southern pine fibers are disclosed. Embodiments in which the fibers have a fiber length to coarseness ratio equal to or greater than 0.11, with fiber length (LWAFL) in mm and coarseness in mg/100 m, are found to impart stiffness properties to tissue grade handsheets made therefrom comparable to those achieved using of standard NBSK. Embodiments in which the fibers have a low coarseness (of from about 16 to about 20 mg/100 m, at a fiber length (LWAFL) of from about 1.6 to about 3.0 mm) are found to impart wicking properties to absorbent structures made therefrom that are improved relative to those achieved using standard high coarseness SBSK.

Abstract: A composition comprising 10 to 50 weight % wood pulp fiber, 45 to 85 weight % thermoplastic polymer and 0.1 to 5 weight % clear mineral oil having a specific gravity less than water. A composition comprising 65 to 85 wt % wood pulp fiber, 15 to 35 wt % thermoplastic polymer and 0.1 to 5 weight % mineral oil having a specific gravity less than water. The wood pulp fiber can be bleached chemical wood pulp fiber.

Abstract: A method for developing conifer cotyledonary somatic embryos is described. The method includes culturing conifer pre-cotyledonary somatic embryos in, or on, a development medium at a temperature from about 20° C. to about 22° C. for a first incubation period sufficient in length for at least a portion of the pre-cotyledonary somatic embryos to develop into cotyledonary somatic embryos, and culturing the cotyledonary somatic embryos in, or on, the development medium at a temperature from about 10° C. to about 15° C. for a second incubation period sufficient in length for at least a portion of the cotyledonary somatic embryos to reach anatomical maturity.

Abstract: Methods of initiating plant somatic embryos from megagametophytes are provided.

Abstract: A method of sinuglating embryos is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of embryos (40) within a system (20) and sensing (34) at least one of the plurality of embryos in a fluid. The method also includes dispensing (26) at least one of the plurality of embryos on a surface (28).

Abstract: Methods for interplanting a primary crop and an energy crop include preparing a plantation site for planting the energy crop. Plantation sites may include a primary crop planted in a first row and in a second row, the first row being separated by an intermediate area. The intermediate area is divided into a center portion and two side portions (a first side portion and a second side portion). Methods include lifting a soil and plantation debris mixture from the intermediate area, and redepositing a soil component of the soil and plantation debris mixture primarily in the intermediate area.

Abstract: Carboxylated, mercerized cellulose fiber having at least 12 meq/100 g of carboxyl substitution at the C-6 position of the anhydroglucose units, which includes at least 20% cellulose II, may be produced by catalytically carboxylating mercerized cellulose fiber in at least two catalytic carboxylation stages in a continuous series in which the pH is adjusted, and a primary oxoammonium salt catalyst (or precursor thereof) and secondary oxidant is added, at the beginning of each stage. Optionally, the carboxylated, mercerized cellulose may be made substantially free of aldehyde groups by means of a stabilizing step following the final carboxylation stage, in which aldehyde groups present in the fibers are converted to carboxyl groups.

Abstract: A composition comprising 10 to 50 wt % wood pulp fiber and 45 to 85 wt % thermoplastic polymer wherein the average dispersion of the fibers within the thermoplastic polymer composition is equal to or greater than 90% as determined by the Dispersion Test. The pulp can be bleached chemical wood pulp fiber.

Abstract: Methods of sorting plant somatic embryos according to germination potential are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are fluff pulp compositions, absorbent articles comprising the fluff pulp compositions, and related methods. The fluff pulp compositions comprise a chemiluminescent system configured to produce visible light upon contact with an aqueous system. Representative absorbent articles include disposable diapers and adult incontinence products. Representative chemiluminescent systems include bioluminescent systems.

Abstract: What is described is a nutritive media for a manufactured seed comprising a plant non-metabolizable sugar and a manufactured seed comprising plant non-metabolizable sugar in its nutritive medium