NARA’s second Cumulative Report is now available online. This report describes research efforts and activities conducted between April 2013 through March 2014.
You can view the NARA Cumulative Report: April 2013-March 2014 here.
Progress reports are sectioned within the Project’s five goals: Sustainable Biojet, Value Lignin Co-Products, Rural …more
NARA investigates conversion technologies that rely on enzymes called cellulases. Cellulases break down the cellulose and hemicellulose polymers found in wood and release simple sugars. The simple sugars can then be used to make …more
Gevo, a NARA affiliated organization, has developed a fermentation and process technology that converts biomass sugars into isobutanol and further into biojet fuel through chemical processing. To convert …more
Douglas-fir trees are not all alike. Some grow faster, some adapt better to harsher climates and they all differ somewhat in their chemical makeup. These distinctions are due to variations in their genetic makeup. Those interested in breeding plantation trees for timber value have capitalized on genetic …more
A brochure has been developed that describes the seven AFRI CAP projects working within the biofuels challenge area at USDA NIFA. This information was developed primarily by the extension team at Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest.
You can view and download the entire brochure here.
When NARA was initiated in the Fall 2011, it was tasked to evaluate available pretreatment methods and ultimately select one as a NARA-preferred method to incorporate into a wood to bio-jet fuel conversion process. Pretreatment is the process that breaks up the wood fibers so that enzymes can …more
NARA researcher J.Y. Zhu and his team are trying to solve a problem. They are refining a pretreatment method used to soften the wood and allow the simple sugars to be released. It is the simple sugars that are used to make alcohols, which are …more
Transporting the forest residues located in slash piles out of the woods requires vehicles and equipment to roll and vibrate over bare ground. This activity can cause soil compaction and disturbance, which can lead to adverse soil erosion and limit plant growth.
Numerous studies and harvesting policies have been initiated to lessen the impact of soil …more
Story written by Jenna Loeppky: M.F. candidate and graduate research assistant in the Department of Forest Engineering, Resource Management at Oregon State University
Researchers, such as Oregon State University Professor and NARA investigator Dr. Kevin Boston, are asking questions …more
A woodland owner has a choice of time tested measuring techniques to predict how much lumber can be produced from trees. Accurate volume estimates can help forest managers plan for the number and type of trees to harvest and the appropriate workforce and equipment needed.
NARA provides technical assistance to an emerging industry that, instead of using the bole wood (trunk) for lumber, uses the wood …more