Monsanto Company

Weyerhaeuser Company Limited

Gary D Peterson

Amar N Neogi

Terry N Adams

R Scott Stephens

James M Askew

James Shaw

Walter D Watt

Methods for esterifying hydroxyl groups in cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in wood are described, wherein the wood is chosen from loblolly, slash, shortleaf, longleaf or radiata pines. Methods can include solvent drying techniques and heating provided by electromagnetic radiation, such as microwave, and radiofrequency. Products made from the methods are described that have greater decay resistance and dimensional stability as compared with non-esterified wood products.

Methods for esterifying hydroxyl groups in wood

A suspension of bacterial cellulose having a reticulated structure has been conditioned to remain in suspension when the suspension is under shear so that it may be coated on a substrate. The suspension of bacterial cellulose is homogenized and thereafter filtered to provide a bacterial cellulose component having a size no greater than 125 microns. This allows a process for applying bacterial cellulose as a coating on a substrate on a substantially continuous basis, either by roll coating or spraying. It also provides a coated product in which the bacterial cellulose is substantially uniform, taking into account the normal discontinuities of roll coating and spray coating.

Process of coating a substrate with reticulated bacterial cellulose

Growing community of inventors

Auburn, WA, United States of America

Gary D Peterson