Technical Interest Groups
Technical Interest Groups
Technical interest groups (TIGs) are communities of FPS members with shared mutual interests based on a subject matter.
FPS has established multiple TIGs to meet the educational and networking needs of the membership.
If you have questions about TIGs or would like to join one, please email memberconnect@forestprod.org.
To facilitate open conversations around these topics, Discussion Boards for each group have been created. Only signed in FPS Members will be able to access these boards.
Adhesives and Composites
The scope of the Adhesives and Composites TIG is the area of forest products technical information and activity pertaining to adhesive technology, as well as the manufacture, utilization, and performance of bonded wood composite materials, including structural panels, particle board, fiberboard, and hardwood veneer/plywood.
Chair: Charles Markessini, CHIMAR HELLAS SA
Vice Chair: Mojgan Nejad, Michigan State University
Durability and Protection
The scope of the Durability and Protection TIG is the area of forest products technical information and activity pertaining to the durability and preservation treatment of wood and forest products.
Chair: Tammy Franca, Mississippi State University
Vice Chair: Rachel Arango, Forest Products Laboratory
Secretary: Katie Ohno, Forest Products Laboratory
Processing and Wood Quality
The scope of the Processing and Wood Quality TIG is the area of forest products technical information and activity pertaining to industry 4.0, testing methodology, quality control, process control, production management, drying, storage, energy generation, milling, machining, timber harvesting, improving silviculture, species classification and analysis, lumber quality standards, and lumber supplier certification.
Chair: Brunela Pollastrelli Rodrigues, Clemson University
Vice Chair: Scott Leavengood, Oregon State University
Lignocellulosic Materials Science
The scope of the Lignocellulosic Materials Science TIG is the area of technical information and activity pertaining to lignocellulosic biology, chemistry, physics, developments in analytical testing, modifications, and the development of fundamental structure-property-processing-performance relationships for wood and other lignocellulosic materials.
Chair: Joseph E. Jakes PhD, Forest Products Laboratory
Vice Chair: Nayomi Plaza, Forest Products Laboratory
Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation
The scope of the Nondestructive Testing and Evaluation TIG is the area of forest products technical information and activity pertaining to the development and application of nondestructive testing and evaluation of forests, standing trees, forest materials, and wood products.
Chair: Xiping Wang, Forest Products Laboratory
Vice Chair: Munkaila Musah, Forest Product Development Center, Auburn University
Mass Timber and Engineering Design
The scope of the Engineering and Mass Timber TIG is to transfer scientific information and technology related to the structural design and use of wood and wood-based members, including mass timber. Relevant areas include but are not limited to: quantification and prediction of mechanical properties; structural design, construction, and long-term performance of wood and wood-based structural materials; connections; use in adverse environments; fire performance; and the wholistic sustainability of the material and structure.
Chair: Daniel Hindman, Virginia Tech
Vice Chair: Hongmei Gu, Forest Product Technologist USDA Forest Products Laboratory
Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry (Nano)
The scope of the Nanotechnology for the Forest Products Industry (Nano) TIG is the area of forest products technical information and activity pertaining to renewable nanomaterials derived from wood, such as nanocellulose and lignin nanoparticles, and their wide range of applications in the forest products industry, such as composites, adhesives, and coatings. The scope also includes the application of nanotechnology and other types of nanomaterials to enhance forest products and manufacturing processes.
Chair: Robert Moon, Forest Products Laboratory
Vice Chair: Soledad Peresin, Auburn University Forest Products Development Center
Circular Economy of Forest Products
The scope of the Circular Economy of Forest Products TIG is the area of forest products technical information and activity pertaining to life cycle and material flow analyses and their effects on the environment, economics, financial management, marketing of forest products, and finding opportunities to improve circularity.
Chair: Maureen Puettmann
Vice Chair: Jennifer Russell
Wood Anatomy, Identification and Forensics
The scope of the Wood Anatomy, Identification and Forensics TIG is the area of technical information and activity pertaining to wood’s anatomical structure; quantitative wood anatomy; dendrochronology; wood species identification by conventional and other methods such as artificial intelligence (computer-vision, machine learning, etc.), DNA extraction and analysis, spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry; wood identification proficiency testing; methods that determine provenance involving stable isotopes, DNA and others; and applications of any of these methods in law enforcement, forensics, and commercial fraud deterrence.
Chair: Adriana Costa
Vice Chair: Miftah Rahman
TIG Planning Committee:
Joseph Jakes, Chair
David DeVallance
Jesse Paris
Leandro Passarini