Mandate

Assessing anatomical, physical, Chemical & mechanical properties of plantation grown and lesser known timber species (including palm and bamboo).

Value addition to wood and other lignocellulosic materials.

Wood Seasoning & Preservation

Wood Working

Wood Polymer Composites

Wood Modification

Engineered Wood and Bamboo Processing

Wood weathering and coatings

Developing testing methods for timber and timber products

Nano-technology in wood utilization

Research Activities

Understanding the anatomical structures of wood, bamboo and palms.

Relating anatomical structures with properties and processing

Chemical characterization of important wood species and other plant materials

Physical, chemical and mechanical characterization of wood, bamboo and palm for their efficient utilization

Developing wood modification processess for property enhancement

Developing wood drying/seasoning processes and understanding drying behaviour of diferent timber species

Development of eco friendly and plant based wood preservatives

Studies on wood weathering and protection

Non-destructive testing for wood quality assessment and charecterization

Development of solid wood and bamboo based composites

Research on natural fibre reinforced thermo plastic composites

Transparent wood ocomposites

Nano-cellulose synthesis, characterization and applications

Improving wood properties using nano particles

Development of fire retardant composites

Carbonization of lignocellulosic biomass

Ongoing Research Programmes

Anatomical approach to evaluate treat ability of timbers.

Evaluation of strength properties of the wood and wood products in use by using ultrasonic method.

Utilization of Bambusa bambos (L.) and Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) as an alternative of wooden dunnage pallets.

Comparative study of clones of Eucalypts and Acacia hybrid for handicraft sector.

Enhancing dimensional stability and durability of wood for flooring application by eco-friendly thermal processing.

Effect of treatment with micronized copper preservative on the strength, treatability and durability of selected wood species

Completed Research Projects

Studies on acoustical behaviour of plantation timbers for musical instruments and wall paneling.

Investigations on tree ring analysis of certain species in Western ghats to monitor climate changes and its relevance to wood quality.

Study of Anatomy and properties of lesser known timbers of North-eastern States of India with particular reference to Nagaland.

Processing and evaluation of plantation grown Simaruba glauca DC from Orissa. Detection of natural and biological defects in timber by non-destructive testing techniques.

Studies on utilization aspects of plantation grown Acacia mangium Willd. from Orissa.

Evaluation of wood quality of Eucalyptus clones and plantation grown Gevillea robusta A. Cunn. based on spiral grain.

Evaluation of culm quality before, during and after flowering in bamboo (Bambusa bambos, Dendrocalamus strictus) species.

Studies on fracture mechanics in solid wood and wood composites using acoustic emissions. Assessment of wood quality of Tectona grandis (teak) clones from Thithimathi (Karnataka) and Andhra Pradesh.

Characterization and identification of imported timbers available in the timber markets and sea ports.

Evaluation of wood quality parameters of plantation grown Eucalyptus citriodora for different end uses.

Assessment of wood quality of Simarouba glauca for its timber value. Use of sonic and ultrasonic testing techniques to evaluate wood strength of plantation species - A non-destructive test method.

Assessment of wood quality (Anatomical) of 8-10 year old Acacia auriculaeformis and Acacia mangium hybrids.

Study of anatomical, physical and mechanical properties of plantation grown timber Acacia mangium, A. auriculaeformis, Tecomella undulata and Eucalyptus tereticornis clones.

Evaluation of physical and mechanical properties of Acacia hybrids. Development and popularization of packing boxes of plantation growth timbers from South India for Horticulture produces.

Plasticsation of palm and bamboo.

Wood Quality parameters for improving planting stock of Bambusa arundinacea, dendrocalamus strictus and Pseudooxytenananthera stocksii.

Production of reconstituted wood products/wood composites-laminated veneer lumber (LVL) from different plantation grown timber species and to study their different physical and mechanical properties.

Relationship of the wood properties of coppice plantation grown Eucalyptus species. Development of software for calculating the properties- CALPRO.

Wood quality parameters for improving planting stock for Gmelina arborea.

Studies on influence of microfibril angle and spiral grains in wood on the strength properties of plantation grown timbers (Eucalyptus spp.)

Services Rendered

Consultancies

* The testing charges can be paid either in 'CASH' or through 'Demand Draft' drawn in favour of the DIRECTOR, INSTITUTE OF WOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, payable at BANGALORE. The amount can also be paid in the bank as per following details Account Holder's Name: Director Bank Name & Branch: Union Bank of India, Malleshwaram 11th Cross, Bangalore Account Number: 392002010004883 IFS Code: UBIN0539201 The copy of receipt from Bank should be sent to the Director, Institute of Wood Science & Technology, Malleshwaram along with testing requisition letter and samples.

Facilities & Equipments

The Division has the following facilities and equipments for rendering services to user industries and Government and non-government organisations:

1. Testing of timber and timber products for determining the strength properties.
2. Identification of timber
3. Workshop for processing wood samples for various experiments.

The division is well equipped with
1. Universal Testing Machine (50 kN and 100kN)
2. Impact Bending Machine
3. Near Infrared Spectrophotometer (NIRS)
4. Setup for measuring acoustical properties of wood
5. FFT Analyzer
6. Thermal Conductivity Apparatus
7. Electrical Conductivity Apparatus
8. Ultrasonicl Wood Tester
9. Compound Research Microscope with Photographic Equipment
10.Image Analysis System
11.Wood Microtome
12.CCTV Camera with Monitor
13.Hot Air Oven
14.Wood Workshop

Research & Support Staff

Ph.D Scholars