Faculty members in NC State University’s Department of Wood & Paper Science (WPS) are engaged in a wide variety of scholarly research projects, both individually and as informal teams.  Descriptions of their general areas of interest, arranged by topic, can be found below. More thorough descriptions of each faculty member’s activities can be found in Faculty & Staff Directory, as well as by visiting the faculty-maintained websites mentioned in their bios.

To give a general sense of the research being carried out in WPS, several broad categories of work are alphabetized and introduced below. These areas include Biomaterials &  Bioenergy, Papermaking &  Recycling, Pulping & Bleaching, Wood Chemistry, Wood Products & Housing and Wood Products Extension. Please click on the highlighted names below for more information on the research projects a faculty member is conducting within each area of study.

Biomaterials & Bioenergy

Biomaterials &  Bioenergy research is a rapidly expanding area for WPS. Research projects include significant efforts by Steve Kelley, Hasan Jameel, Dimitris Argyropoulos, Hou-min Chang, Lucian Lucia, Orlando Rojas, Sunkyu Park, Richard Venditti and Richard Phillips. Projects of current interest cover the technical and economic evaluation of pretreatment technologies in order to facilitate the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic materials as a first step in the production of bioethanol.  Other work includes process modeling and technoeconomic evaluations of alternative processing strategies, some of which can be defined as “biorefinery” components. A number of innovative projects are investigating the fundamental and applied aspects of new cellulose and lignin based biomaterials. These projects include novel chemical approaches, polymeric phase behavior and process development.

Papermaking & Recycling

Papermaking and Recycling research is being carried out by various faculty, including Martin Hubbe, Orlando Rojas, John Heitmann, Mike Kocurek, Joel Pawlak and Richard Venditti.  The department has made significant research contributions to the understanding of surface charge phenomena, effects of enzymes, the role of polymeric additives to the process, as well as colloid chemical aspects of the paper manufacturing process.  Richard Venditti, with contributions from other faculty members, has also made significant contributions in de-inking, removal and effects of stickies, repulping of wax-containing paper, and automated, high-speed sorting of waste-paper fragments.

Pulping & Bleaching Chemistry

Pulping & Bleaching Chemistry research is being carried out by Hasan Jameel, Adrianna Kirkman and Richard Phillips, along with contributions from various other faculty members.  Topics of interest include process modifications to pulping and bleaching to increase the cost-competitiveness of these processes, and integration of black liquor gasification into a kraft mill.  Dimitris Argyropoulos, Lucian Lucia and Hou-min Chang are all conducting related research involving new pulping methods, such as recycling of green liquor.

Wood Chemistry

Wood Chemistryresearch is being pursued by Dimitris Argyropoulos, Lucian Lucia and Hou-min Chang.  Topics include lignin chemical characterization, novel analytical methods, solvent systems for cellulosic materials and biomass conversion to chemical intermediates.  Vincent Chiang pursues fundamental and applied research related to characterization and manipulation of genetics for improved wood properties, enhanced pulping, bioenergy and biofuels

Wood Products & Housing Research

Wood Products and Housing research in the department has covered a wide range of topical areas including wood machining analysis and process improvements (Richard Lemaster and Daniel Saloni) to wood composites, wood quality, (Perry Peralta and Ilona Peszlen), to management and marketing (Sudipta Dasmohapatra).  Such research also contributes to initiatives led by David Tilotta, related to the Center for the American Home @ NC State.

Wood Products Extension

Wood Products Extension, led by Joe Denig, Phil Mitchell and Dave Tilotta, conduct applied research and technology deployment in wood products processing, wood drying, lean manufacturing  and sustainable housing.  These efforts serve small industries and other clients across the state of North Carolina.

Our People

• Faculty & Staff Directory
• By Research Area
• Postdocs & Visiting Scholars
• Graduate Students

Key Contacts