Manufacturing 2019 Manufacturing Week Bus Tour | Seite 36

WSU
Pullman
The Composite Materials and Engineering Center
at Washington State University is an epicenter of
finding new ways to use (and re-use) the natural
products of Washington. WSU’s engineering faculty
are doing cutting-edge research on cross-laminated
timber, biofuels and bioplastics, composites
recycling, and much more. WSU Composite Materials and Engineering
Center researchers pressure-tested a five-ply length
of compressed-laminate timber (above). The plank
held an incredible 26,000 pounds before fracturing
— that’s just under the weight of three full-size
orca whales!
Professor Vikram Yadama holds up a type of construction product made
from strands of wood held together with resin and then filled with foam.
This light, strong, fully insulated product can be used as both drywall and
frame for a wall — no studs required. The wall can be tilted into place. WSU president Kirk Schulz and AWB President
Kris Johnson.