Dr Clemens Altaner
Research Expertise
As a wood scientist I have expertise over the whole chain of wood utilisation. My focus is on the variability of wood properties between and within species as well as individuals.
Current Focus
The huge variability of wood properties, which can vary up to 10-fold even within a single tree, is both an opportunity and a challenge for its utilisation. The variability can be exploited by choosing the wood with the right properties for a product. This requires the efficient and non-destructive assessment of wood properties. On the other hand indistrial processes desire homogeneous materials. The details of how trees control wood properties are not known, but the basis for the exceptional properties is the molecular cell wall structure. Research interests include:
- Mechanical wood properties at the molecular level
- Developing non-destructive wood quality assessment tools
- Variability of wood properties
- The structure and function of compression and tension wood
Representative Publications
Leonardon, M., Altaner, C.M., Vihermaa, L. and Jarvis, M.C. (2009). Wood shrinkage: influence of anatomy, cell wall architecture, chemical composition and cambial age. European Journal of Wood and Wood Products. DOI: 10.1007/s00107-009-0355-8
Gregorova, A., Hrabalova, M., Wimmer, R., Saake, B. and Altaner, C. (2009). Poly(lactide acide) composites reinforced with fibers obtained from different tissue types of Picea sitchensis. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 114: 2616-23
Altaner, C.M., Tokareva, E.N., Wong, J., Hapca, A.I., McLean, J.P. an Jarvis, M.C. (2009). Measuring compression wood severity in spruce. Wood Science and Technology, 43: 279-90
Altaner, C.M. and Jarvis, M.C. (2009). Modelling polymer interactions of the 'molecular Velcro' type in wood under mechanical stress. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 253: 434-45
Altaner, C., Apperley, D.C. and Jarvis, M.C. (2006). Spatial relationships between polymers in Sitka spruce: Proton spin-diffusion studies. Holzforschung 60: 665-73