WoodTec@EMPA

Research

The use of wood and wood products strongly depends on material properties, processing and application requirements. The "WoodTec" research group combines methodological competence in wood technology, biochemistry and machine learning in order to develop customized solutions for wood-based industries. In general, our focus is on expanding the domain of wood application.
Our activities range from bio-modification of wood and the formulation of innovative wood coatings and bonding approaches to the development of machine learning algorithms for wood science and industry.
In addition to basic and applied research in close cooperation with the wood industry, our group offers consulting, testing and expert services and actively participates in teaching and training of students.

Focus topics

Machine learning (Dr. Mark Schubert)

  • Development and implementation of machine learning algorithms
  • Analysis of big data produced by the wood industry

Weathering protection (Tina Künniger)

  • Exposure tests / SLP
  • Moisture-related processes in (weather exposed) wooden components
  • Protective surface treatments of wood and wood products
  • Functionalised wood surfaces and coatings

Wood bonding (Martin Arnold)

  • Moisture and temperature resistance (reliability)
  • Application of coupling agents for the adhesive bonding of wood
  • Effect of wood extractives on bond quality
  • Bond line integrity
  • Quality control

Wood structure and (bio-)modification of wood properties (Dr. Mark Schubert)

  • Physical and mechanical properties of wood and wood products (wood quality, grading, dry-ing)
  • Enzyme-assisted grafting of functional molecules onto the wood surface
  • Combining functionalities of biomolecules (proteins/enzymes with the structure of wood and wood-based materials
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