The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has its main locations in Uppsala, Umeå and Alnarp. The University´s primary research and educational areas concern agriculture, veterinary, forestry and horticulture. SLU was ranked 36th on the Times Higher Education Young University World list and as Sweden´s best young University, 2018. The Division of Wood Science belongs to the Department of Forest Biomaterials and Technology, whose headquarters are in Umeå. The Department in Umeå also includes Divisions of Forest Operations and Biomass Technology and Chemistry.
The Wood Science division is located in Uppsala. It conducts research and education on biomaterials, including wood anatomy, wood and pulp fibre micro-and nanostructure, wood technology (mechanical, physical, chemical properties), cell wall biosynthesis, wood chemical modification and protection, mechanisms of wood biodegradation, biocomposites, bioadhesives and tree property characterization. The Division is accredited (Swedish Accreditation Authorities) for laboratory and outdoor (field) testing of wood durability against biological decay and conducts testing for industry and academia. The Division has solid industrial collaboration with the Swedish pulp and paper, wood protection and other forest industries and national- and international cooperation in its research field. The Wood Science infrastructure includes microscopes (LM, FM, TEM, SEM) for biomaterial characterization at nano- to macro levels, facilities for biomaterial chemical and thermal analysis (HPLC, IR-, TGA, DSC), a microwave line for solid wood and chip treatment, wood mechanical testing and pilot plant impregnation facilities, a fungal herbarium, and climate facilities for growth experiments. In 2022, a new laboratory for biocomposites and bioadhesives will be operable. More details of projects within the Department and Wood Science are here.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N°952314.