Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed at using LiDAR data to identify attributes of vegetation. In this regard, a method is provided that identifies the location of individual items of vegetation from raw LiDAR data. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a coordinate position represented in the LiDAR data that generated a return signal. Then, a determination is made regarding whether the selected coordinate position is inside a geographic area allocated to a previously identified item of vegetation. If the selected coordinate position is not within a geographic area allocated to a previously identified item of vegetation, the method determines that the selected coordinate position is associated with a new item of vegetation. In this instance, a digital representation of the new item of vegetation is generated.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for stacking wood products. In some embodiments, the disclosure the steps of designing at least two types of engineered wood products via a software application; producing the at least two types of engineered wood products based on the designs utilizing a saw in conjunction with the software application; designating, via the software application, at least two bins to hold the at least two different types of engineered wood products; selecting a first bin for depositing a first type of engineered wood product; selecting a second bin for depositing a second type of engineered wood product; automatically placing the first type of engineered wood product into the first bin; and automatically placing the second type of engineered wood product into the second bin. The at least two types of engineered wood products are at least two of: panels, I-joists, headers and dimensional lumber.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for increasing germination vigor of conifer somatic embryos produced in vitro. The method comprises (a) singulating a plurality of individual immature conifer somatic embryos from a first culture of embryos after a first incubation period in a first development media; and (b) contacting the plurality of singulated immature conifer somatic embryos with a second development media for a second incubation period.

Abstract: A method for making mixed polymer composite fibers in which a carboxyalkyl cellulose and a starch are blended in water to provide an aqueous gel; the aqueous gel treated with a first crosslinking agent to provide a crosslinked gel; the crosslinked gel mixed with a water-miscible solvent to provide fibers; and the fibers treated with a second crosslinking agent to provide crosslinked mixed polymer composite fibers.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of producing a synchronized population of conifer somatic embryo germinants in preparation for transplantation. The methods of the invention comprise the steps of: (a) culturing conifer somatic embryos on sterile germination medium for a sufficient period of time to produce germinants comprising a visible, well-defined epicotyl stem of a desired length; (b) selecting a plurality of germinants having an epicotyl stem of the desired length; (c) storing the selected germinants having an epicotyl stem of the desired length produced in step (a) while still on the sterile germination medium from step (a) in a cold environment in which the temperature is in the range of 0.5° C. to 10° C. for a time period up to six months; and (d) transferring the germinants stored according to step (c) from the germination medium into water for a time of up to about four weeks at a temperature of about 0.5° C. to about 5° C.

Abstract: Methods for optimizing lumber are provided. In an embodiment, boards cut from a log are examined for warp stability and/or knots. This occurs prior to and/or after the planing process. Based on the examination for warp stability and/or knots, the boards can be sent to a lumber upgrade process, such as for example, re-drying, edging, splitting, trimming, chopping, chipping, or the like. Accordingly, the method of the present invention enables more efficient allocation of lumber towards manufacturing needs.

Abstract: A paperboard structure having a three layer product side construction of a gas barrier layer comprising a blend of a semi-aromatic semi-crystalline nylon and amorphous nylon, a tie layer and a low density polyethylene layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a portable device for assessing warp stability of a wood element having two or more planar surfaces. In some embodiments, the portable device includes a sensor housing positioned adjacent to the wood element, a first sensor group configured to sense one or more first measurements on a first planar surface, and a second sensor group configured to sense one or more second measurements on a second planar surface. The first measurements and the second measurements are inputted into an algorithm for assessing warp stability of the wood element. In some embodiments the model is based at least partially on measurement of compression wave velocity. In some embodiments, the model is based on the tracheid effect.

Abstract: A crosslinked cellulose fiber that has been crosslinked with a low molecular weight polyacrylic acid crosslinking agent, having phosphorous incorporated into the polymer chain and a method of crosslinking the fiber.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a prefabricated framing member support system and methods for installing such a system with a horizontal framing member, the horizontal framing member having a top chord, a bottom chord, a web connecting the top chord to the bottom chord and a framing member cross sectional end profile. The prefabricated support system includes an integrated rim board component having a substantially L-shaped cross sectional end profile. The integrated rim board component includes a substantially vertical portion and a substantially horizontal portion.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining a location of a pith along a length of a wood sample. The methods may comprise the steps of: determining pith direction; selecting two areas of the wood sample at which two or more chords of a ring can be defined; bisecting the chords to define a line perpendicular to the chords; and locating at least one intersection point for two or more of the bisecting perpendicular lines.

Abstract: A thermoplastic material made from lignin, polyol and a melting point reducer where the melting point reducer is miscible in the specific polyol employed and where the lignin, polyol and melting point reducer are all miscible when in their melted state.

Abstract: Artificial fire logs made from non-petrochemical based, renewable materials are described. These artificial fire logs perform substantially equivalent to existing commercial fire logs. The artificial fire logs are made from cellulosic materials, a lignin containing composition and a non-petroleum based wax where the lignin containing composition comprises lignin and 1,3-propanediol derived from a renewable resource.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for producing conifer somatic embryos. The methods of this aspect of the invention each include the steps of cultivating conifer embryogenic cells in, or on, a synchronization medium that comprises an absorbent composition and at least one synchronization agent selected from the group consisting of abscisic acid and a gibberellin. Some embodiments of the methods provide a synchronized population of conifer somatic embryos wherein at least about 50% of the embryos are at about the same developmental stage. Some embodiments of the methods of the invention yield at least 100% more cotyledonary somatic embryos than an identical method for producing conifer somatic embryos that does not utilize a synchronization medium comprising an absorbent composition and at least one synchronization agent selected from the group consisting of abscisic acid and a gibberellin.

Abstract: An artificial seed is provided. The artificial seed includes a seed shell having a live end, a dead end and a perimeter. A nutritive media disposed within the seed shell. The artificial seed also includes a restraint disposed within the seed shell and having a cavity housing an embryo. A primary end seal is attached to the live end of the seed shell. The artificial seed further includes an end seal disposed on the dead end of the seed shell and the end seal has at least three closure axes forming a seal in a direction extending along each one of the closure axes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for three-dimensionally imaging an apical dome located at the cotyledon end of a plant embryo are provided. Three-dimensional information of an apical dome can be obtained by scanning the apical dome at varying focal planes along an axis of the embryo, or by using multiple cameras arranged in a confocal manner to image the apical dome. It can also be obtained by irradiating the apical dome with polychromatic light, wherein light beams of multiple wavelengths are focused at multiple focal planes along the axis of the embryo so that the dome's height information can be obtained based on the wavelength of the light precisely focused and reflected at each surface point of the dome. The three-dimensional information is used to ascertain various morphological features (e.g., size, shape, texture, etc.) of the apical dome, which are in turn used to assess the embryo's germinant vigor.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a truss and a method for selecting components to construct a truss. The truss includes three or more chord elements (two or more upper chord elements and one or more lower chord elements) and one or more web elements. Embodiments of methods according to the disclosure include estimating a first change in length for each of the two or more upper chord elements and estimating a second change in length of each of the one or more lower chord elements, the first change in length and the second change in conditions to which the truss is exposed. The method may also include selecting the one or more web elements from the plurality of wood members such that it compensates for deformation caused by the first change in length and the second change in length.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for predicting warp of a wood product produced from a log. Some embodiments include performing a three dimensional scan of the log to obtain geometric data, using the geometric data to construct a log profile, partitioning the geometric data into geometric components, removing one or more selected geometric components to create one or more residual grid profiles, deriving geometric statistics from the one or more residual grid profiles or from the log profile, and entering the geometric statistics into a model for predicting warp of the wood product. The geometric statistics may include orientation dependent and orientation independent statistics.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system for inspecting a manufactured composite component. In some embodiments, the system includes an inspection assembly having master camera assembly and a slave camera assembly. The master camera assembly and the slave camera assembly each include a machine vision camera and a lighting system. The lighting assembly may include back lights and spot lights. In some embodiments, the master camera and the slave camera are each connected to a telecentric lens. The composite component is inspected by moving it through the inspection assembly, taking images, and processing the images to measure features on the component.

Abstract: A method of separating an embryo suspension mass is provided. The method includes supplying an embryo suspension mass culture having a plurality of first particles of a first size and a plurality of second particles of a second size different at least in part from the first size of the first particles. The method also includes suspending the embryo suspension mass culture in a fluid to create a mixture and forcing the mixture through a filter while maintaining the mixture in the fluid to separate the first particles from the second particles.