Wood science [1] is the scientific field which predominantly studies and investigates elements associated with the formation, the physical and chemical composition, and the macro- and microstructure of wood as a bio-based and lignocellulosic material. Wood science additionally delves into the biological, chemical, physical, and mechanical properties and characteristics of wood as a natural material. [2] [3]
Deep understanding of wood plays a pivotal role in several endeavors such as the processing of wood, the production of wood-based materials like particleboard, fiberboard, OSB, plywood and other materials, as well as the utilization of wood and wood-based materials in construction and a wide array of products, including pulpwood, furniture, engineered wood products, such as glued laminated timber, CLT, LVL, PSL, as well as pellets, briquettes, and numerous wood-derived products.
Initial comprehensive investigations in the field of wood science emerged at the start of the 20th century. In 1902, the Wood Processing Laboratory was founded in the Department of Forestry at Tokyo University and academic studies on wood processing were first initiated. The Forest and Forest Products Research Institute in Tokyo was also established in 1905. [4] In 1906 the Forest Products Research Institute was created in Dehradun, India.
The advent of contemporary wood research commenced in 1910, when the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) was established in Madison, Wisconsin, USA. [5] The Forest Products Laboratory played a fundamental role in wood science providing scientific research on wood and wood products in partnership with academia, industry, local and other institutions in North and South America and worldwide. [6] [7] [8]
In the following years, many wood research institutes came into existence across almost all industrialized nations. A general overview of these institutes and laboratories is shown below: [9]
From the '60s, the founding of research institutes in the field of wood sciences continued in many universities, and also in universities of applied sciences, and technological universities.
Today, the International Academy of Wood Science (known as IAWS), a widely recognised, non-profit assembly of wood and wood-related scientists, represents worldwide the scientific area of wood science and technology, and all of its associated technological domains. [10] [11]
The field of wood science can be categorized into three distinct sub-areas, which include: [12]
Below is a list of the scientific journals within the area of wood sciences: [15]
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