Wood Science and Technology
Centre
Your company's research centre
The Wood Science and Technology Centre at UNB is committed to helping wood products manufacturers remain competitive. Numerous Canadian firms have been assisted in meeting demanding global markets with innovative technologies and quality products.
The research team is comprised of wood technologists, biologists, chemists, timber engineers, and specialists in wood processing and composite panels. An international network of experts is also available to assist with industrial issues such as foreign certification of products.
WSTC has assisted companies in investigating the feasibility of new technologies and their implementation. Machine stress rated lumber, finger joined studs and structural I-joists are a few examples.
The manufacturing of engineered products requires quality control programs which include on-site test equipment, regular calibration, personal training, the preparation of a plant standard, and in some cases product certification.
Facilities
WSTC's modern facility was completed in 1988 and includes chemistry and biology laboratories, a composite panel pilot plant, along with small scale and full scale testing facilities.
Being part of a university enables WSTC to capitalize on many resources not usually available in private sector or government laboratories. These include technical personnel with expertise in a variety of applicable fields, specialized laboratory equipment (such as a scanning electron microscope) and excellent library services. This support allows WSTC to offer R&D services in a wide range of technical areas.
Product testing
WSTC specializes in wood product testing and is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada as a test laboratory for specific tests on wood products that are registered with the Council. WSTC is recognized by the Canadian Construction Material Centre and the International Council for Building Research Studies and Documentation.
List of accredited tests
Products tested include:
| lumber | finger joined studs |
| i-joist | oriented strandboard (OSB) |
| particleboard | treated wood |
| adhesives | pellet fuels |
| finishes | fasteners |
| preservatives | laminated veneer lumber (LVL) |
| structural systems |
WSTC is an approved agency for evaluation of kilns under Agriculture Canada's Heat Treated Lumber Program.
Timber inspection
WSTC assists engineers in evaluating wood structures by providing information on the integrity of individual structural members. This allows engineers to quantify the residual strength of the structure.
Wood protection
The focus of the biotechnology group is the development of environmentally friendly techniques for improving the decay resistance of wood. One of its specific aims is to understand the role of various organisms in the tree and how they may directly affect the decay in wood members while in service.
WSTC scientists were part of a national research team that developed a heat treatment regime that ensures eradication of pinewood nematode and its carrier from softwood lumber exports for Europe. Under the subsequent program, with Heat treatment, companies can supply green lumber to their European customers.
BioEnergy
The Wood Science and Technology Centre is also actively involved in BioEnergy projects such as characterization of biomass feeding into pellet and briquette operations, biomass extractive content, fuel pellet and briquette properties and testing to the Pellet Fuels Institute Standards. WSTC and UNB are in the process of establishing the Canadian BioEnergy Centre (CBEC). To learn more about CBEC click here.
Our Location
The Wood Science and Technology Centre is housed in the Tweeddale Centre (UNB's wing of the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Complex)
1350 Regent Street, Fredericton NB. Click here for picture of HJFFC.
Past Reports
Please contact Michael Albright at the address below for copies of past reports.
Contact:
Mr. Michael Albright
Wood Science and Technology Centre 
1350 Regent Street
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Canada E3C 2G6
Tel: (506) 453-4507
Fax: (506) 453-3574
email: woodsci@unb.ca
Click here to go to WSTC's website
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