Research & Outreach

Research projects managed collaboratively by faculty members and graduate students are a critical success factor in the renewable materials program. Not only do these projects help fund facilities, and high-tech laboratories like the Biomaterials Lab and the University of Idaho Experimental Forest, they also generate exposure for the university empowering our program to attract the best and brightest students, faculty and renowned visiting scientists.

You’ll learn how to cultivate, care for, and intelligently manufacture sustainable bio-based materials to benefit us all.

Research is a prominent pillar in the renewable materials program. Our faculty members are recognized nationally and internationally for their expertise and research work. Current projects are investigating the following topics:

• Biofuels from forest biomass and agricultural residues
• Strengthening wood fiber-plastic composites for large dimension structures 
• Effect of environmental labels on consumer purchasing
• Color modification of wood through electro-heating
• Improving the hardness of wood
• Fuel reduction and ecosystem restoration
• Environmental impacts of timber harvesting
• Collection and transportation of forest biomass for energy
• Grading logs for structural uses
• Plastics from lignin