A method of preparing a fiberboard is described herein, the method comprising treating a particulate plant-derived material with plasma to obtain a plasma-treated particulate material, and compressing the plasma-treated particulate material. Further described herein is a fiberboard comprising a particulate plant-derived material, and being substantially devoid of an adhesive, or substantially devoid of an adhesive which is urea-formaldehyde resin, melamine-formaldehyde resin, polyurethane resin, epoxy resin, and/or phenol formaldehyde resin. The fiberboard may be characterized by a density of less than 500 kg/m.sup.3, a particulate plant-derived material particle area of at least 1 mm.sup.2, and/or a particulate plant-derived material water contact angle of no more than 20°.

Systems and methods for treating wood products are provided. The methods comprise preconditioning the wood product by irradiating one or more surfaces of the wood product with infrared (IR) and/or ultraviolet (UV) radiation and subsequently treating the wood product. The systems comprise one or more fixtures positioned to irradiate one or more surfaces of the wood product with IR and/or UV radiation, wherein each fixture comprises a reflector and a radiation source.

Systems and methods for treating wood products are provided. The methods comprise preconditioning the wood product by irradiating one or more surfaces of the wood product with infrared (IR) and/or ultraviolet (UV) radiation and subsequently treating the wood product. The systems comprise one or more fixtures positioned to irradiate one or more surfaces of the wood product with IR and/or UV radiation, wherein each fixture comprises a reflector and a radiation source.

Systems and methods for treating wood products are provided. The methods comprise preconditioning the wood product by irradiating one or more surfaces of the wood product with infrared (IR) and/or ultraviolet (UV) radiation and subsequently treating the wood product. The systems comprise one or more fixtures positioned to irradiate one or more surfaces of the wood product with IR and/or UV radiation, wherein each fixture comprises a reflector and a radiation source.

A portable electromagnetic wave drying apparatus is provided for the in-situ reduction of moisture in structural members within a wood frame construction. The apparatus comprises at least one electromagnetic wave generation assembly and an electromagnetic wave applicator. Also provided is an electromagnetic wave treatment method for the in-situ reduction of moisture content in a structural member within a wood frame construction. The method comprises contacting a portion of the structural member with electromagnetic waves for a period of not more than 30 minutes and then allowing the structural member to rest for a period of not more than 90 minutes. The apparatus and method are useful in the remediation of wood frame structures that have been exposed to flood waters.

A process is provided for treating wood products including lumber, plywood and other engineered wood products comprising the steps of applying an aqueous fire-retardant impregnate and applying a coating to the surface of the wood product. In one embodiment, said process confers fire-retardant properties to the wood products sufficient to pass the extended burn test of ASTM E-84. The present invention also provides fire retardant wood products.

A portable electromagnetic wave drying apparatus is provided for the in-situ reduction of moisture in structural members within a wood frame construction. The apparatus comprises at least one electromagnetic wave generation assembly and an electromagnetic wave applicator. Also provided is an electromagnetic wave treatment method for the in-situ reduction of moisture content in a structural member within a wood frame construction. The method comprises contacting a portion of the structural member with electromagnetic waves for a period of not more than 30 minutes and then allowing the structural member to rest for a period of not more than 90 minutes. The apparatus and method are useful in the remediation of wood frame structures that have been exposed to flood waters.

A process for producing nano veneers generally involving: placing a veneer to be treated in a vacuum vessel; adding a nano carbon powder and nano silicon dioxide suspension in the vacuum vessel; reducing the pressure in the vessel over a first period of time; increasing the pressure in the vessel; letting the contents of the vessel rest over a second period of time. The veneer may optionally be subjected to ultrasonic treatment, ultraviolet solidification treatment, or subsequent pressurization treatments to obtain the final nano veneer product. As a result, veneer manufactured using embodiments of the present invention will have the advantages of high strength, wear resistance, pollution resistance, acid and alkali resistance, water segregation and decay resistance.

Techniques and products are described for coloring acetylated wood products. An acetylated wood product can be impregnated by a coloring medium within a chamber and the colorant or colorants contained within the coloring medium can be fixed to the acetylated wood product by the application of heat or by application of radio frequency radiation to color any external surface or interior region of the acetylated wood product which has been impregnated by the coloring medium.

Techniques and products are described for coloring acetylated wood products. An acetylated wood product can be impregnated by a coloring medium within a chamber and the colorant or colorants contained within the coloring medium can be fixed to the acetylated wood product by the application of heat or by application of radio frequency radiation to color any external surface or interior region of the acetylated wood product which has been impregnated by the coloring medium.