Laboratory Information:
FS - Forest Products Laboratory
One Gifford Pinchot Drive
Madison, WI 53726
Website: http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/
Agency/Department: Dept. of Agriculture
Region: Midwest
FLC Laboratory Representative:
John Dramm
Phone: (608) 231-9326
Fax: (608) 231-9310
Email: jdramm@fs.fed.us
Background/History of the Laboratory:
At the turn of
the 19th century, logging had proceeded across much of the
eastern United States and demands for wood products were
rising rapidly. In 1910, the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL)
was established in Madison, Wisc., to find ways to conserve
scarce timber resources. For almost 100 years, our mission
has been to use our Nation's wood resources wisely and
efficiently, while at the same time keeping our forests
healthy. Our research began with preserving railroad ties,
and now we are venturing into nanotechnology and finding ways
that our research can contribute to mitigating the impacts of
climate change. The Forest Products Laboratory (FPL)
celebrated its 100th Anniversary June 6, 2010. A pictorial
history of the research conducted at the FPL can be found at
http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/centennial/galleryplayer.php#con_gallery.
Mission of the Laboratory:
To identify and
conduct innovative wood and fiber utilization research that
contributes to conservation and productivity of the forest
resource, thereby sustaining forests, the economy, and
quality of life.
Facilities:
1. The Centennial Research
Facility (CRF), the newest addition to the FPL campus,
provides 90,000 square foot of combined research facility
that consolidates research activities, allowing for maximum
collaboration between scientists and with outside partners.
The facility opened June 6, 2010 for the FPL’s 100th
Anniversary. The CRF houses state-of-the art equipment and
laboratories in four major areas of research:
-
Wood
Preservation
-
Durability
-
Engineering
Mechanics
-
Composite
Sciences
2. The Analytical Chemistry
and Microscopy Laboratory (ACML) provides high-quality
analytical support and technical consultation to researchers
with the use of specialized equipment and
capabilities.
3. The Fire Test Lab is key to
developing safe, durable building products; it is equipped to
perform standardized tests for flame retardancy and fire
resistance.
4. The Pulp and Paper Pilot Plant
contains a state-of-the-art recycling plant with processes and
equipment similar to those found in mills today. The 45,000
square foot facility has the capacity to recycle five dry
metric tons of paper per day. The paper recycling pilot plant
includes high-consistency pulping, pressure screening,
centri-cleaning, flotation, washing/dewatering, and
clarification by dissolved air flotation. The plant is
configured in a closed-loop operation. Clarified process water
can be recycled upstream for use in the pulping of additional
batches and also as dilution water for the cleaning and
screening stages. Typical yield is 70 percent.
Facilities:
Technology Transfer Mechanisms:
- Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)
- Patents and Licensing
- Cooperative Research
- Joint Venture Agreements
- Technical and Financial Assistance
- Workshops, seminars, conferences, publications
Technology Areas of Expertise:
- Advanced Wood Composites
- Advanced Wood Structures
- Nanotechnology
- Underutilized Woody Biomass
- Forest Biorefinery and Biomass Utilization
