Mass Timber and Wood Products Innovation

The College of Forestry is home to TallWood Design Institute (TDI), one of the nation’s first interdisciplinary research collaboratives focused exclusively on the advancement of mass timber and other wood products building solutions. Through TDI and various other labs and working groups, faculty and students at the College of Forestry are working to advance mass timber products and building systems with the goal of removing technical barriers, designing sustainable wood products and composite materials and increasing access to affordable housing. Learn more about this research by exploring the focus areas below.

Focus Areas

  • Industry 4.0 (also referred to as smart manufacturing) principles and practices are quickly being adopted by forest industry companies. Research in this area facilitates the implementation of innovative manufacturing practices across Oregon’s forest industry.

    No associated Research Programs found.

  • This multifaceted area covers the use of wood in green building, sustainably designed wood products, and wood sculpture. It also covers cutting edge knowledge of market demands, designer needs, end-user preferences, and the integration of scientific understanding of wood into biological artistry.

    No associated Research Programs found.

  • A critical component of forest products innovation is the continual evolution of competitive marketing and business management strategies. This area of study includes marketing in renewable materials, corporate responsibility, and the fostering of local forest industry competitiveness.

    Faculty Research Programs

    Forest Business Solutions

    Forest Business Solutions is a research team in OSU's Department of Wood Science & Engineering. As a group, our mission is to develop professionals in forest products marketing and business and to facilitate forest industry competitiveness through education and research. Our vision is to be the leading forest business program in North America as perceived by both peers and industry managers.

     Website: http://facstaff.forestry.oregonstate.edu/eric-hansen/fbs-group
    Oregon Wood Innovation Center

    Oregon State University’s College of Forestry and Extension Service teamed up to create the Oregon Wood Innovation Center (OWIC). OWIC’s mission is to improve the competitiveness of Oregon’s wood products industry by fostering innovation in products, processes, and business systems. A key function of the Center is to serve as the primary link between university research and needs and opportunities in the forest industry.

     Website: https://owic.oregonstate.edu/homepage

  • The future bioeconomy depends on development of bio-products. Research in this area ranges from nano-cellulose applications in a host of products to application of fungal pigments in solar cells and batteries and their aesthetic and commercial application for wood products in the areas of art, design and science.

    Faculty Research Programs

    Oregon Wood Innovation Center

    Oregon State University’s College of Forestry and Extension Service teamed up to create the Oregon Wood Innovation Center (OWIC). OWIC’s mission is to improve the competitiveness of Oregon’s wood products industry by fostering innovation in products, processes, and business systems. A key function of the Center is to serve as the primary link between university research and needs and opportunities in the forest industry.

     Website: https://owic.oregonstate.edu/homepage

  • Composites can be made from an incredibly diverse range of materials – including wood and other plants in the form of fibers, particles, strands, veneer, and lumber. Our composite materials research reflects this spectrum, and addresses composite design, manufacturing, adhesion, modeling, and performance.

    Faculty Research Programs

    Oregon Wood Innovation Center

    Oregon State University’s College of Forestry and Extension Service teamed up to create the Oregon Wood Innovation Center (OWIC). OWIC’s mission is to improve the competitiveness of Oregon’s wood products industry by fostering innovation in products, processes, and business systems. A key function of the Center is to serve as the primary link between university research and needs and opportunities in the forest industry.

     Website: https://owic.oregonstate.edu/homepage

  • Optimal utilization, improving durability of wood and increasing recyclability all contribute to extending the resource. Oregon State has a history of innovation in the science of improving wood product durability and specializes in the critical issue of how to sustainably design and manage wood products for a long life and re-use.

    Faculty Research Programs

    Utility Pole Research Cooperative

    Our goals are to improve the performance of utility poles through research on treatment, specifications, maintenance, and disposal.

     Website: http://utilpole.forestry.oregonstate.edu/

  • Timber engineering includes studying the behavior of constituent materials, components, and assemblies; the performance of structural systems under structural and environmental loading and demand; engineering design of wood structures; and behavior of wood structures under extreme loads.

    No associated Research Programs found.

  • Wood anatomy and chemistry provide insight into the interplay of trees to the environment and applied treatments. Research in this area includes: 1) assessment of silvicultural or fungal treatments to physical and chemical properties of wood, 2) influence of wood physical and chemical properties on product performance, and 3) implementation of advanced diagnostic instruments for wood identification and characterization. This research applies to art, industry, timber legality, wood modification and chemical treatments.

    No associated Research Programs found.