1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. Research + Consulting services
  3. Research areas
  4. Wood Modification
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Wood Modification

In the area of wood modification, we develop processes and systems that permanently increase the value of solid wood and wood-based materials.

We change the properties of wood-based materials using environmentally friendly preparations, such as minerals and biopolymers: fire resistance is increased, biological susceptibility reduced and weather resilience improved.

Institute for Materials and Wood Technology IWH

We research, develop and optimise innovative and sustainable materials for the timber and construction industries, supporting you from the initial idea through to the finished marketable product.

Service portfolio

We provide tailored solutions for the modification of wood. These include the following services:

  • Research projects commissioned by companies and institutions
  • Technology developments tailored to the size of the company (from micro-enterprises to industrial companies)
  • Support with applying for research funding from national and international funding organisations (including Innosuisse, FOEN, Horizon 2020, M-ERA.NET)
  • Microscopy testing services
  • Consulting services
  • Expert opinions

We are heavily involved in teaching and continuing education. We supervise students’ projects and theses. We also frequently engage master’s students as assistants in research projects. In this way, we contribute to training the experts of the future.

We have connections with the following academic programmes and courses of continuing education:

We aim to transfer all non-confidential research into practice. To this end, we hold events and lectures, write specialist articles, conduct tours, organise workshops, and present our results at trade fairs.

Areas of expertise

Our areas of expertise include:

  • Impregnation based on traditional impregnation salts, bio-compatible compounds and environmentally friendly minerals
  • Surface modification to enhance wood’s UV protection
  • Thermo treatment
  • Plasma technology
  • Development of new preparations for the protection of wood
  • State-of-the-art microscopy technology


Institute for Materials and Wood Technology IWH

Wood modification is one of the key focus areas of the Institute for Materials and Wood Technology IWH. At IWH, we develop and optimise multifunctional wood and composite materials as well as innovative products for the timber and construction industry with the emphasis on the sustainable use of resources. Other key focus areas are:

Infrastructure

We have extremely well-equipped laboratories available to us for the professional performance of services and development mandates:

  • A range of autoclaves from 25 to 250 l
  • Outdoor exposure rig and accelerated weathering apparatus
  • Various climatic chambers
  • Sterile workplaces for biological analysis
  • A range of light microscopes, an electron microscope (incl. EDX system) and atomic force microscope
  • Microtomes and grinding machines
  • Materials testing laboratory
  • Surfaces testing laboratory
  • Chemistry laboratory

Contact

We offer many different collaboration options. I will be happy to answer your questions and look forward to hearing from you:

Prof. Dr. Thomas Volkmer

  • Kompetenzbereichsleiter
  • +41 32 344 03 46
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