Supports research and training for the responsible use of forest and lignocellulosic fibre resources, taking into account environmental and economic issues.
The Centre has extensive expertise in characterizing supply sources (anatomical, physico‑mechanical, chemical and thermal properties); developing and assessing the properties of new products, innovative systems and eco-friendly buildings; developing methods for processing wood substances and leveraging biopolymers and biopolymer by-products (extractives, biofuels); assessing the behaviour and performance of innovative products and systems in response to fire and environmental factors, and analyzing the life cycle of those products and systems; and commercializing products and assessing their impact on social life.
Their most innovative areas of expertise include the design of biosourced composites with structural, thermal and acoustic properties suitable to eco-friendly construction; the development of biosourced thermal insulation that can be used in construction as an alternative to petroleum-based insulation; the development of insulating foams made from tannins from trees; the development of photopolymerized self-repairing coatings, wood surface impregnation systems and automated coatings, the design of construction systems providing optimal thermal, hydric and acoustic performance to enhance user comfort, increase the lifespan of buildings and reduce their carbon footprint; the development of innovative bioproducts based on cellulose fibers (antimicrobial papers, agricultural bioproducts), and the leveraging of bioenergy from forest and agricultural biomass for use in eco-friendly buildings.
- Training of college and undergraduate students.
- Training of highly qualified personnel (graduate students).
- Support provided to businesses to foster innovation through technical support, technology development, information and training.
- Transfer of outcomes and technologies developed for users from various sectors through the CRMR website and its social media platforms, its annual conference, and popular science videos and articles.
- Chemical industries
- Construction (including building, civil engineering, specialty trades)
- Education
- Forestry and forest-based industries
- Manufacturing and processing
Specialized labs and equipment
|
Specialized lab |
Equipment |
Function |
|---|---|---|
|
Wood anatomy lab |
Fibre quality analyzer |
Rapidly and accurately measure fibre length, width, curl, fines (very small fibres or fibre fragments found in wood pulp) percentage and curvature. |
|
Structural lab |
Shear wall test bench |
Measure the mechanical deformation properties of structures such as house walls. Simulates seismic and wind loads. Maximum capacity of 300 kN. |
|
Value-added product and building performance lab |
Environmental test chamber |
Unit with two compartments designed to simulate the external and internal environmental conditions of a wall. |
|
Value-added product and building performance lab |
3-axis machining centre |
Machining of high-precision parts (e.g., 4′x8′ panel sheets or a large 5′x10′ table). |
|
Mechanical testing laboratory |
Universal testing machine |
Test flexural, compressive and shear strength for materials characterization. Maximum capacity of 444 kN. |
|
Wood physics lab |
Micro CT scanner |
Create 3D reproductions of materials by measuring density and porosity variation. |
|
Physics lab |
Profilometer |
Measure a surface’s profile to assess its roughness and microgeometry. |
|
Wood anatomy lab |
Keyence high-resolution optical microscope |
4K high-accuracy optical microscope capable of capturing images of 3D objects and surfaces. |
|
Impregnation lab |
Cone calorimeter |
Study the behaviour of fire in small samples with a surface area of 100x100 mm2. |
|
Wood physics lab |
Confocal Raman spectrometer |
A non-destructive method for determining the chemical nature, molecular structure and crystallinity of materials. Spatial resolution of 1 µm. |
|
Composite panel lab |
Hydraulic panel press |
Generate a large compressive force (9,500 kPa) to manufacture various types of panels. Maximum temperature of 213°C. |
|
Wood machining lab |
Chipper canter |
Produce pulp-and-paper cants and chips in a single operation. Rotation speed control. |
|
Weathering lab |
QUV UV weathering test chamber and Q-SUN xenon weathering test chamber |
Simulate accelerated weathering of materials through exposure to ultraviolet radiation. |
|
Analytical chemistry lab |
Infrared spectrometer |
Its detector makes it useful for kinetic studies as it can record multiple spectra per second. A spectroscopy technique using photons with wavelengths in the infrared region. |
|
Analytical chemistry lab |
Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) |
Detection of phase transitions. Thermoanalytical technique for measuring the difference in the amount of heat exchanged between a sample and reference. |
|
Analytical chemistry lab |
Thermogravimetric balance |
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Measure the variation in mass of a sample over time at a specific temperature or temperature profile. |
|
Analytical chemistry lab |
High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system |
Separate the molecules in a complex, highly diverse mixture. |
|
Analytical chemistry lab |
Dynamic thermomechanical analyzer (DMA) |
Measure the physicochemical properties of materials under different temperatures, time and atmospheric conditions. |
|
Analytical chemistry lab |
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) system |
Separate, identify and quantify the compounds in a sample, even in trace amounts. |
|
Analytical chemistry lab |
UV-visible-infrared (UV-Vis-IR) spectrophotometer |
Measure absorbance as a function of wavelength. A spectroscopy technique using photons with wavelengths in the ultraviolet, visible or near-infrared range. |
Private and public sector research partners
- SEREX
- FPInnovations
- Quebec Forestry Industry Council (QFIC)
- Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (Quebec)
- Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM)
- École de technologie supérieure | ÉTS Montréal
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQAT)
- Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC)
- Canlak
- EMCO-Inortech
- Mirage (Mirage Floors)
- Canadel
- Inovem
- Agilent Technologies
- Cecobois
- Association des professionnels de la construction et de l’habitation du Québec (APCHQ)
- Société Laurentide
- Vertima
- Corruven
- Provencher Roy
- Bostik Canada Inc.
- Rotho Blaas Canada Construction Products Inc.
- Centre d’enseignement et de recherche en foresterie (CERFO)
- Combustion Expert Énergie
- Énergir
- Groupement forestier coopératif Abitibi
- Hydro-Québec
- Innofibre
- Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable (Quebec)
- Natural Resources Canada
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Municipality of Quebec City
- Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO)
- SACOPAN
- Uniboard Canada
- Tafisa Canada
- Arbec Forest Products
- Coarchitecture
- Art Massif
- Chantiers Chibougamau
- Kruger
- CIMA+
- Maibec
- Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs (MFFP) (Quebec)
- Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques (MELCC) (Quebec)
- Société québécoise des infrastructures (SQI)
- Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ)
Additional information
|
Titre |
Hyperlien |
|---|---|
|
Scientific journals: peer-reviewed articles, dissertations, etc. |
|
|
Equipment available at the CRMR |
|
|
Achievements and honours |