Research
Research focus of the institute is to improve utilization of forest wood products along the Forest-Wood-Chain. This covers all aspects beginning with harvesting activities and forest engineering up to development of new sustainable bio-materials. The research activities are subdivided into four working groups. As well it is a strength of our institute, to cross-link our research and teaching activities of all working groups within one institute.
Forest-Product-Supply-Chain When it comes to harvest, transport and conversion of forest biomass into various products, the efficiency and sustainability of the entire supply chain depends any of these technical processes.  | Wood Properties and Quality Wood is expected to play an ever growing role in world markets, substituting materials such as concrete, steel or aluminium. At FOBAWI we are interested in understanding how wood structure and consequently wood properties can be influenced by silvicultural management and environmental factors.  | Renewable Materials The utilization of CO2 neutral renewable resources into renewable polymers and composites offers high potential to alleviate the environmental problems associated with petroleum-based materials (recycling, greenhouse gas emissions etc). | Bioenergy Besides the traditional process of biomass combustion for energy production, biogas, biodiesel and bioethanol productions as well as district heating systems running by a combined heat and power plant, are promising technologies for converting biomass into bioenergy. |
pictures: Suchomel, 2010; Engler, 2010; Ohnesorge, 2009