United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

David W Vahey

Junyong Zhu

Jun Yong Zhu

Charles Timothy Scott

Carl J Houtman

A method is provided for reliably determining anatomical properties of a tree having a plurality of growth rings spaced from each other in a radial direction. The method involves preparing a sample from a tree to be analyzed, and preparing an image of the sample at a resolution sufficient to analyze at least one of the earlywood and latewood portions of one or more rings. The image is used to determine at least one anatomical property of the sample based on the image, the anatomical property being selected from the group consisting of sample density, tracheid wall thickness, and tracheid exterior dimension.

Method for characterizing the density and cross-section morphology of trees

A system and method for determining a level of effective residual ink concentration (ERIC) in a piece of recycled paper. The piece of paper is illuminated with a beam of radiation and an amount of the beam of radiation reflected and transmitted by the piece of paper is measured. The level of ERIC is determined as a function of the reflected and transmitted radiation.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

David W Vahey