Abstract: It is disclosed chitosan-reinforced urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesives for bonding wood-based composites, such as plywood and particleboard, or other fibrous materials and the method of producing the adhesives. The adhesives are produced by mixing unmodified chitosan containing raw material and a urea-formaldehyde resin to produce wood composite adhesive resins.

Abstract: A method of producing ultra-low density fiber composite (ULDC) foam materials using natural fibers with gas injection through liquid foaming is disclosed, wherein in a particular embodiment includes also cellulose filaments. The method includes a continuous overflow foaming process and a novel apparatus to produce the ULDC materials. The disclosed ULDC composite foam produced includes moisture, mold, decay and fire resistant properties which can be used for building thermal and acoustic insulations, protection packaging, air filter products, hygiene products. The apparatus comprise a vessel, counter rotating dual impellor, a plurality of baffles and gas injection that produce.

Abstract: A method of producing ultra-low density fiber composite (ULDC) foam materials using natural fibers with gas injection through liquid foaming is disclosed, wherein in a particular embodiment includes also cellulose filaments. The method includes a continuous overflow foaming process and a novel apparatus to produce the ULDC materials. The disclosed ULDC composite foam produced includes moisture, mold, decay and fire resistant properties which can be used for building thermal and acoustic insulations, protection packaging, air filter products, hygiene products. The apparatus comprise a vessel, counter rotating dual impellor, a plurality of baffles and gas injection that produce.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are method to modify the lignin with particular fungal species, and procedure to synthesize phenolic adhesives with the modified lignin as raw materials, and the adhesives compositions and methods for making adhesive compositions, and methods for making lingo-cellulosic composites from renewable materials. Four fungi in examples are Lenzites elegans (Spreng.) Pat. (FTK 329A), Phanerochaete cremea (Bres.) Parmasto (FTK 332A), Pycnoporellus alboluteus (Ellis & Everh.) Kotl. & Pouz. (FTK 76A) and Meruliopsis taxicola (Pers.) Bondartsev (FTK 122B). Lignin used in examples are organosolv lignin, Kraft lignin, and ammonium lignosulfonate. The present invention includes methods to (1) modify of lignin with fungi; (2) in-situ polymerize modified lignin-phenol-formaldehyde to generate bio-modified lignin-phenol-formaldehyde adhesive in liquid form, and (3) manufacture composite panels with bio-modified lignin-phenol-formaldehyde resins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing wetwood content in green lumber by a treatment with a selected fungal species, such as Phlebiopsis gigantea or Gliocladium roseum, prior to kiln drying. In the laboratory conditions, the biological treated boards reduced wood moisture content (MC) by 22-37% more than untreated boards. The time required for drying biological treated boards was approximately reduced by 10% compared with untreated controls, and by 33% compared with freshly-saw lumber. After drying, the biological treated boards reduced the total deformation with stain, warping and checking by 14-25%.

Abstract: Wood color has an important economical impact on wood products. The hardwood lumber industry has shown a particular increase in demand by their customers for wood with an attractive, consistent and specified color. Fungi are a specific group of micro-organisms that can affect wood color. Some fungi produce various colourful pigments during their growth and can produce a preferable uniform color on wood products. The present invention includes methods to use selected fungi for producing various commercially desirable colors on wood and wood products. The methods include manners of fungal selection, culturing conditions, wood treating procedure, incubation timeframe, and drying process. The present invention also describes the wood produced by the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reducing wetwood content in green lumber by a treatment with a selected fungal species, such as Phlebiopsis gigantea or Gliocladium roseum, prior to kiln drying. In the laboratory conditions, the biological treated boards reduced wood moisture content (MC) by 22-37% more than untreated boards. The time required for drying biological treated boards was approximately reduced by 10% compared with untreated controls, and by 33% compared with freshly-saw lumber. After drying, the biological treated boards reduced the total deformation with stain, warping and checking by 14-25%.

Abstract: The present invention describes a fungal modified chitosan adhesive for binding a fibrous material and the method of producing the adhesive. The adhesive is produced by providing a chitosan containing raw material; a fungal growing medium; a fungal culture; mixing the raw material, the growing medium and the fungal culture together to produce a suspension; incubating the suspension to produce a broth comprising a modified chitosan solid, an at least partially-consumed medium liquid and a fungal residue; separating the modified chitosan solid from the liquid and the fungal residue, and dissolving the modified chitosan solid to produce the adhesive resin.

Abstract: The present invention describes a fungal modified chitosan adhesive for binding a fibrous material and the method of producing the adhesive. The adhesive is produced by providing a chitosan containing raw material; a fungal growing medium; a fungal culture; mixing the raw material, the growing medium and the fungal culture together to produce a suspension; incubating the suspension to produce a broth comprising a modified chitosan solid, an at least partially-consumed medium liquid and a fungal residue; separating the modified chitosan solid from the liquid and the fungal residue, and dissolving the modified chitosan solid to produce the adhesive resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling sapstain and mold in wood using a biocontrol agent having a high pH tolerance and an alkaline solution. Biocontrol agents that do not discolor wood may be introduced onto wood or wood products to prevent sapstain and mold. The biocontrol agent grows on the wood surface and protects the wood against attack by stain or decay fungi. The application of an alkaline solution containing a biocontrol agent having a high pH tolerance to the wood product is very effective in controlling stain or decay fungi. The alkaline solution raises the pH of the wood to a level which impedes growth of other wood-inhabiting fungi but does not inhibit colonisation of the wood by the biocontrol agent.