The unique laboratory in Stockholm generates a lot of data every year to investigate the effect of environment and genetics on wood properties together with other institutes and universities. At the same time, the laboratory is constantly developing its ability to analyse new sample types and generate new data types.
In the early 2000s, investment was made in SilviScan, a system capable of anatomical characterisation (Figure 1) and high resolution density and microfibril measurements from pith to bark on samples from pulleys and 10 mm diameter cores. This installation is one of only three such measurement systems in the world. Complementing the measurement system, there were also sample preparation tools that can prepare samples of appropriate size and surface quality with high precision. The system in Stockholm has since been an important tool in tree breeding and research projects investigating the effect of genetics and environment on wood properties.
Figure 1: SilviScan performs, among other things, anatomical
analyses. While research on forest resources has traditionally focused on wood properties important for pulp and timber products, in recent years there has been increased interest in other bioproducts where the chemical composition is more important than the physical.
Consequently, it also invested in a near-infrared (NIR) camera for chemical characterisation of both pulleys and drill cores. This particular combination of the NIR camera with SilviScan makes the laboratory unique in its ability to characterise wood samples in their chemical and physical properties.
At the same time, the number of greenhouse experiments on hybrid aspen, which is often used as a model tree in scientific studies, increased in order to quickly investigate genetic and environmental effects on wood and tree characteristics. In these greenhouse studies, new wood samples are generated in just three months, but the laboratory was more equipped for the analysis of pulleys and 10 mm drill cores from adult trees. Consequently, the development of a sample preparation routine for greenhouse samples was initiated that includes NIR scanning of trunk cross-sections followed by sawing and scanning with SilviScan. Thus, the laboratory is now able to generate high-resolution chemical and physical information on greenhouse samples that are also generated at a high rate.
In a further step towards wood characterisation of younger trees - this time ca. 8-12 year old spruce field trials - sample preparation and scanning procedures were recently developed for the analysis of 5 mm diameter cores taken just above the ground, instead of at breast height. In contrast to analyses on older trees, this means that only juvenile wood is analysed, which is often regarded as the very part of the tree where wood quality needs to be improved. Here too, the ability to characterise younger trees means that the rate of refinement can be increased.
But the laboratory is not only active in tree breeding. NIR technology is applicable in industrial processes, and the NIR camera can be used to create models for the prediction of physical and chemical properties. Examples of such properties include tree species, core/splinter, rot, moisture, lignin, cellulose, resin, minerals, etc. Examples of ongoing projects include the characterisation of wood chips for pulp production, timber in consideration measurement and identification of undesirable properties in furniture components.
In addition, the laboratory is also involved in product and process development projects, such as the evaluation of the results of impregnating wood with the NIR camera. Clearly, there are opportunities for the laboratory to contribute in more areas. It is the imagination that sets the limits for the laboratory's use. The challenge, however, is that potential customers are aware of their problems and how the laboratory's offer can contribute.
Further reading
High-resolution wood characterisation in laboratory environment
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