The doctoral dissertation in the field of Sustainable Technologies will be examined at the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, Joensuu campus.
What is the topic of your doctoral research? Why is it important to study the topic?
This thesis explores alternatives to conventional wood preservatives by examining bio-based treatments for solid wood and engineered wood products. It evaluates how wood species and fixation methods influence resistance to leaching, fungal decay, fire, and mechanical performance.
Studying this topic is important as it investigates alternative wood preservatives that enhance durability, and mechanical properties. These bio-based treatments offer a promising avenue for developing high-performance wood products, with potential for broader industrial application, thereby improving material longevity and performance in real-world environments.
What are the key findings or observations of your doctoral research?
The results highlight the potential of bio-based treatments to produce durable, high-performance wood products, emphasizing their industrial promise and recommending further optimisation for broader application. The novelty of this research lies in exploring bio-based preservatives as an alternative to conventional chemical treatments. The findings provide valuable insights for both the scientific community and industry, showing how these treatments can improve the durability and performance of wood products. The research also suggests opportunities for optimizing these treatments, which could lead to wider industrial adoption and improved wood preservation practices.
What are the key research methods and materials used in your doctoral research?
The doctoral research focused on evaluating bio-based preservatives applied to both solid wood and engineered wood products. The process involved applying various treatment methods and assessing their impact on the physical and chemical properties of the materials. Key methods included characterizing the materials' resistance to leaching, fungal decay, fire performance, and mechanical properties. This comprehensive approach provided a detailed understanding of how the treatments influence the long-term durability and performance of the wood products.
The doctoral dissertation of Yeray Manuel López-Gómez, MSc, entitled Thermochemical fixation of antifungal compounds to wood and engineered wood products will be examined at the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, Joensuu campus. The opponent will be Professor Holger Militz, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Germany, and the custos will be Professor Antti Haapala, University of Eastern Finland. Language of the public defence is English.
