Activities include development and presentation of workshops about kiln drying and wood moisture relationships. An active extension program allows on site evaluation and help for the primary and secondary wood processing facilities. The UT Center for Industrial Services provides further on site services through their tie with the Center. The current research being conducted in this area is a contract with Oak Ridge National Laboratory on a Department of Energy sponsored project to develop a kiln drying system using microwave energy. This project is a 3 year project with industrial, UT, and ORNL partners.
Development is to proceed from the initial concept to a industrial prototype.
The Center has a strong program in wood composites processing technology which includes unique laboratory processing equipment for the manufacture of strandboard, fiberboard, and particleboard products. The Center has wide support for this program, including funding from the USDA National Research Initiative Competitive Grants program, the Structural Board Association, the Composite Panel Association, and many private corporations. The Center is recognized internationally for its work in nondestructive density determination during product manufacture as a key variable in the understanding of composite panel performance. More information can be found here . The Center has recently completed a characterization of the forest products industries in the state, including analysis of employment, payroll, number of firms, and hardwood and softwood removals.