Elnaz Jamshidi

Advisor: Prof. Kyriaki Kalaitzidou

will propose a doctoral thesis entitled,

Structural Insulated Panels with Adhesive-free Oriented Strand Boards and

Bio-based Thermal Insulation Core

On

Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

4211 Conference Room MRDC

and

Virtually via MS Teams or Zoom

Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/283808438267064?p=W0aj0ooOXQb9FqlBGE

Meeting ID: 283 808 438 267 064

Passcode: TE3Wn2LK

Committee

• Prof. Kyriaki Kalaitzidou - School of Materials Science and Engineering (advisor)

• Prof. Valerie M. Thomas - H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering

• Prof. Karl Jacob - School of Materials Science and Engineering

• Prof. Carson Meredith - School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

• Dr. Robert J. Moon - USDA Forest Products Laboratory

Abstract

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are widely used in building applications because they provide an

efficient combination of structural support, low weight, and thermal insulation. Despite these

advantages, conventional SIPs typically rely on petroleum-based foam cores and wood composites bonded with formaldehyde-based adhesives, which raise environmental and health concerns. The development of sustainable alternatives is therefore important for reducing dependence on fossil derived materials and improving the environmental profile of structural building components. This research addresses that need through the development of bio-based SIPs composed of adhesive-free oriented strand board (OSB) facings and renewable insulation core materials. A major focus of this thesis is the fabrication of adhesive-free OSB by activating native lignin in wood strands through an alkaline-hydrothermal treatment. The process involves NaOH soaking, autoclaving, and hot pressing, and is intended to promote interfacial bonding without the addition of synthetic resin. Preliminary studies have demonstrated the feasibility of this approach, with optimized processing conditions producing bonding strengths comparable to formaldehyde-bonded controls. Chemical and surface characterization further suggest the formation of a lignin-rich interphase, supporting the hypothesis that mobilized native lignin contributes to adhesive-free bonding. These findings establish a strong foundation for using treated wood strands as sustainable structural facings in SIP systems. In parallel, this research investigates bio-based insulation core materials derived from natural fibers and renewable binders, including lignin-based systems. Particular attention is given to the influence of composition, density, and processing conditions on thermal conductivity, porosity, moisture response, and mechanical integrity. Understanding these relationships is essential for identifying core materials that provide both effective insulation and sufficient structural compatibility with the panel facings. The optimized core materials will then be integrated with adhesive-free OSB facings to fabricate complete SIP structures. Overall, this work seeks to establish a pathway toward formaldehyde-free, high-performance structural panels derived from renewable resources and to contribute to the broader development of safer, more sustainable materials for the construction industry.