A New Concept: Wood as an Integrated Part of Materials Science and Engineering

Authors

  • T. M. Maloney

Keywords:

Education, materials science, wood technology, wood science

Abstract

The study of wood technology at Washington State University has been integrated into a materials science and engineering curriculum that includes metallurgy and polymer chemistry. Previously, materials science concentrated on the study of materials amenable to manipulation of their engineering properties at the molecular level, such as metal and polymers. It has been shown that the properties of wood materials can also be manipulated, but not at the molecular level. The manipulation occurs at the level of fibers, or elements composed of many fibers. The new educational program is designed to provide wood-oriented students with a basic background in materials and engineering with emphasis on wood and polymers. The interrelationships of wood and various polymeric materials in the form of resins, adhesives, and overlays makes the coordinated study of wood and polymers a logical program for both industry and research oriented students.

References

Knight, W. H. 1973. History and objectives of the College of Engineering and the Advisory Board. Washington State University, Pullman, Washington.nMarra, G. G. 1969. A vision of the future for particleboard. Pages 3-8 in Maloney, T. M., ed. Proceedings of Third Washington State University Symposium on Particleboard. Pullman, Washington.nMarra, G. G. 1972a. Particleboard and materials engineering. Pages 307-310 in Maloney, T. M., ed. Proceedings of Sixth Washington State University Symposium on Particleboard. Pullman, Washington.nMarra, G. G. 1972b. The future of wood as an engineered material. For. Prod. J. 22(9):43-51.nMarra, G. G. 1975. The age of engineered wood. Unasylva 27(108):2-9.nNational Academy of Sciences. 1974. Materials and man's needs. Summary Report of the Committee on the Survey of Materials Science and Engineering. Nat. Acad. Sci. Washington, D.C.nNational Commission on Materials Policy. 1973. Material needs and the environment today and tomorrow. Final Report, Nat. Com. Mater. Pol., June 1973.n

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Published

2007-06-05

Issue

Number 2 / Summer 1975

Section

Research Contributions

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