http://hdl.handle.net/1957/7820 Collection contains recent scholarly output of student majors in the Wood Science and Engineering (WSE) Department Search the Channel search http://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/dspace/simple-search http://hdl.handle.net/1957/9389 Title: DNA based artificial nanostructures : directed assembly of cellulose nanocrystals into advanced nanomaterials <br/> <br/>Abstract: The fabrication of nano-scale devices is a challenging, but potentially important, technology that has drawn a great deal of interest among researchers. Such nanoscale constructions utilizing a bottom-up approach for device building have many foreseeable applications in areas as diverse as miniaturized electronics, sensors, and biomedical devices. One of the most chemically versatile, abundant and inexpensive nanoparticles available for nanodevice development is the cellulose nanocrystal (CNXL). CNXLs have drawn attention from researchers for their remarkable reinforcing abilities and excellent mechanical properties. CNXLs typically have high aspect ratios of around 20-50 (length/width), low density of around 1.6 g/cc, high stiffness (135 to 155 GPa) and strength (estimated at 7500 MPa). Here we utilized CNXLs in a bottom-up hierarchical assembly to produce a macroscale material. The CNXLs were produced using an established acid hydrolysis protocol and were then oxidized using TEMPO-mediated carboxylation. Surface carboxylation of the C6 primary alcohol was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. Single stranded oligonucleotides with an amino modifier were successfully grafted on these carboxylated CNXLs. The molecular recognition ability of the oligomeric base pairs was then utilized by duplexing complementary oligonucleotides grafted onto separate CNXL populations. The resulting hybrid nanomaterials were characterized using dynamic light scattering and UV-Vis spectroscopy for its reversible thermoplastic processing attributes. Atomic force microscopy was used to characterize the morphology of the dried dispersion. To our knowledge, this is the first report of DNA being grafted to CNXLs and further being used to bond the CNXLs to each other. <br/> <br/>Description: Graduation date: 2009 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 22:58:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1957/9164 Title: Three strategies for tree bucking at the harvest site: consequences for the sawmill <br/> <br/>Abstract: The timber shortage in the Pacific Northwest is forcing sawmill owners to improve the competitiveness of their harvesting and processing operations. A computer simulation and financial statement analysis were used to compare the processing efficiency and profitability of three bucking strategies: log cost minimization (traditional 40-foot preferredlength logs); hauling length maximization (55-foot preferred-length logs); and the Integrated Log Manufacturing system (ILM), a proposed computer-based strategy that acts as a harvest-site merchandiser and integrates harvest-site tree bucking and lumber manufacturing. Five days of sawmill operations were simulated for each strategy; the same second-growth Douglas-fir trees were processed each day to fill identical lumber orders. The sawmill produced 0.4 percent and 1.9 percent more cubic feet of targeted lumber with the 55-foot preferred-length strategy and ILM respectively, than with the 40-foot preferred-length strategy. Compared with the 40-foot preferred-length strategy, sawmill profits rose $2,262 (23%) per week in pay-as-scaled sales with the 55-foot preferredlength strategy, and $5,530 (57%) per week in lump sum sales with ILM. <br/> <br/>Description: Graduation date: 1997; Presentation date: 1996-08-30 Thu, 29 Aug 1996 22:58:59 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1957/9092 Title: Performance of wood frame wall with thin shell ECC shear panel <br/> <br/>Abstract: The overall goal of this study was to evaluate an alternative to traditional wood framed shear wall construction. This study introduced the innovative idea of using a water and seismic damage resistant, wood-concrete- composite (WCC) construction instead of an all-wood design. The WCC design consisted of a thin shell of engineered cementitious composite (ECC) cast in composite with a traditional wood frame. The WCC wall was evaluated with regards to structural performance during lateral loading, cost and damage sustained during lateral loading. The WCC test results were compared to a traditional wood frame wall with OSB sheathing. Data from the monotonic tests of the WCC walls show that the average maximum load was 47.5 kN (10700 lb), average elastic shear stiffness was 1.78 kN/mm (10200 lb/in) and the average energy absorbed was 4810 J (42600 lb-in). Overall, the test results indicate that the WCC is comparable with or superior to the OSB wall in regards to shear strength, shear stiffness, energy absorption and ductility. During lateral loading tests the WCC wall appeared to sustain less damage than the OSB wall. Panelized construction of the WCC system may increase overall project cost but could provide many additional benefits such as decreased construction time and greater durability. The WCC design appears to be a viable shear wall system that should be refined and fully tested for building code compliance. <br/> <br/>Description: Graduation date: 2009 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:54:49 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1957/8940 Title: Corporate social responsibility in the forest products industry : an issues management approach <br/> <br/>Abstract: Business is a social institution and society has always designated a role for business which has been undergoing changes with changing societal values and paradigms. Thus while business has always had some responsibilities, the modern connotation of the words corporate social responsibility commonly refers to business assuming responsibilities in economic, social and environmental realms. Relevance and acceptance of this view regarding the role of business in society has been increasing and is especially important for sectors such as the forest products industry. However corporate social responsibility in the forest products industry is an under- investigated area, more so, in the US context. To fill this gap, this research investigates corporate social responsibility in the US forest products industry. This is done by first developing a general theoretical foundation about the concept of corporate social responsibility, followed by investigating students' perceptions regarding the success of the US forest products industry in fulfilling its economic, social and environmental responsibilities. These students were drawn from four academic majors at Oregon State University and University of Montana and their perceptions were assessed on items covering economic, social and environmental responsibilities that were developed in Finland. The results suggest that students with different academic majors perceive the US forest products industry's success in fulfilling its economic, social and environmental responsibilities differently. Differences in perceptions were also found between male and female students. Limitations associated with this study led to conducting a broader study by first identifying social and environmental issues associated with the US forest products industry and then assessing the perceptions of general society with regards to industry's performance on these issues. Issues were identified by developing a two stage framework that consists of key-informants interviews and a Delphi group decision-making technique. Societal perceptions were assessed relative to industry perceptions for developing insights into business and society interaction. This was done by developing an issues evaluation framework consisting the legitimacy gap and expectational gaps components. Results suggest that significant legitimacy and expectational gaps exist between societal respondents and industry managers, indicating managerial attention to the social and environmental issues facing the US forest products industry. <br/> <br/>Description: Graduation date: 2009 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:18:32 GMT