Kaichang Li
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Associate Professor, Wood Science and Engineering |
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Education
Ph.D. 1996, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityResearch
Generally speaking, my research is on application of biotechnology in the forest products industry and in the pulp and paper industry. More specifically, my research programs fall into five broad areas: 1) development of formaldehyde-free wood adhesives from renewable natural resources, 2) investigation of interfacial chemistry of wood-plastic composites, 3) development of new paper additives from renewable natural resources with biological methods; 4) investigation of the mechanisms by which white-rot fungi degrade lignin, and development of environmentally benign pulp bleaching techniques; 5) reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from dryer and press exhaust gas using ionic liquids.Development of Formaldehyde-Free Wood Adhesives. There are two important issues associated with the currently used wood adhesives, phenol-formaldehyde and urea-formaldehyde, in the forest products industry: 1) these synthetic adhesives are petroleum-based, whereas the resources for petroleum are naturally limited; 2) hazardous compounds such as formaldehyde are emitted in the production and the use of these wood composites. Our objective for this study is to develop new formaldehyde-free wood adhesives from renewable natural resources for production of wood composites.
Inspired by the strong and water-resistant binding of marine organisms such as mussels to rocks and other substances, we are investigating conversion of renewable natural resources such as soy protein, carbohydrates, and lignin to a strong and water-resistant wood adhesive. This investigation is divided into two phases. In the first phase, we focus on how to convert a natural resource to a strong and water-resistant wood adhesive. In the second phase, we will genetically modify soybean plants so that a strong and water resistant wood adhesive can be directly produced through planting the genetically modified soybean plants.
Investigation of Interfacial Chemistry of Wood-Plastic Composites. Wood-plastic composites such as wood-filled polypropylene are one of the fastest growing sectors in the wood composites industry. However, the interface between the wood and the plastic is typically weak and fails to transfer stress between the phases. Consequently, the full strength of the wood is unavailable to reinforce the plastic. One solution to this problem is a compatibilizer that bridges the interface and improves the stress transfer between the wood and plastic. We are developing a superior family of wood-plastic compatibilizers and gaining a better understanding of interfacial chemistry of wood-plastic composites.
Development of New Paper Additives from Plant Proteins with Biological Methods. This project is to investigate conversion of currently over-supplied wheat gluten and corn protein to various paper additives such as paper dry strength agents and paper wet-strength agents using biological methods.
Mechanistic Study of Fungal Degradation of Lignin and Development of Environmentally Friendly Techniques for Pulp Bleaching. White-rot fungi are the only microorganisms able to selectively and efficiently degrade lignin in wood. Our goal in this study is to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms by which fungi degrade lignin. We are also developing enzymatic pulp bleaching techniques.
Reduction of volatile organic compounds (VOC) using ionic liquids. Room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL) are salt-like compounds that are liquid at or near ambient temperature. RTILs have ionic character, thus having essentially zero vapor pressure. They are good solvents for a variety of organic, inorganic, and polymeric materials. More and more reports reveal that RTILs may be used as environmentally friendly solvents and catalysts for various organic reactions and industrial processes. This project is to utilize unique properties of RTILs for reduction of VOCs from dryer and press exhaust gas.