Raymond A. Young Emeritus Professor Address/E-mail Program Affiliations Education Fields of Interest Publications Summary Files and Links For additional information, see my

Contact Information

120 Russell Laboratories 1630 Linden Drive Madison, WI 53706

Tel: 608/262-0873 or 608/265-5628 E-mail: ryoung@facstaff.wisc.edu

Program Affiliations

• Materials Science Program
• Forest Ecology and Management

Education

• PhD, University of Washington, Seattle

Fields of Interest

• plasma modification of natural and synthetic materials
• bonding and adhesion in composite materials
• new wood pulping methods
• chemistry of natural products

Publications

• Plasma Chemistry
  • Martinez, S. Manolache, V. Gonzalez, F. Denes and R. A. Young, 2000. Immobilized Biomolecules on Plasma Functionalized Cellophane. I. Covalently Attached Alpha-Chymotrypsin, J. Biomaterials Science, accepted.
  • F. Denes, S. Monolache and R. A. Young, Synthesis and Surface Functionalization Under Cold-Plasma Conditions", 1999. J. Photopolymer Science & Technology, 12(1): 27-38.
  • F. Denes and R. A. Young, 1998. Surface Modification of Polysaccharides Under Cold Plasma Conditions", In: Polysaccharides: Structural Diversity and Functional Versatility, S. Dumitriu, ed., Marcel Dekker, Inc., NY, p. 1087-1135.
• Pulp and Paper
  • R. A. Young, G. Idarraga, J. Ramos and V. Zuniga, Pulp and Paper from Blue Agave Waste from Tequila Production", 1999. J. Agricultural & Food Chem., 47(10): 4450-4455.
  • R. A. Young, P. Bustamante, J. Ramos, V. Zuniga, H. Sabharwal and M. Akhtar, Biomechanical Pulping of Kenaf and Other Agro-Based Materials", 1999. In: Kenaf: Properties, Processing and Products, T. Sellers, ed., Mississippi Univ. Press.
  • R. A. Young and M. Akhtar, eds., 1998. Environmentally Friendly Technologies for the Pulp and Paper Industry1998. Wiley-Interscience Pub., New York, 577 pp.
• Adhesion, Bonding and Composites
  • Sanadi, D. Caulfield, D. Feng, S. Prabawa and R. A. Young, 1999. Interphase Effects on the Mechanical and Physical Aspects of Natural Fiber Composites, Die Angewandte Makromolekulare Chemie, 272 (4757): 57-64.
  • R. A. Young, 1992. Activation and Characterization of Fiber Surfaces for Composites, Chapter 9 in Emerging Technologies for Materials and Chemicals from Biomass, R. Rowell, T. Schultz and R. Narayan, eds., Am. Chem. Soc., Washington, D.C.
• Biology and Chemistry of Extractives
  • C. Celimene, J. Micales, L. Ferge and R. A. Young, 1998. Efficacy of Pinosylvins against White-Rot and Brown-Rot Fungi, Holzforschung, 53: 491-497.
  • T. Eberhardt and R. A. Young, 1996. Assessment of the Anti-HIV Activity of a Pine Cone Isolate, Planta Medica, 62: 63-65.
  • T. Eberhardt and R. A. Young, 1994. Conifer Seed Cone Proanthocyanidin Polymers: Characterization by C13 NMR Spectroscopy and Determination of Anti-Fungal Activity, J. Agriculural & Food Chem., 42: 1704-1708.

Summary

One emphasis of our research program has been on the use of cold plasmas for enhancing the surface properties of natural and synthetic polymeric materials with particular interest in films, fibrous webs and composites. A wide variety of plasma approaches are under exploration such as the use of inert and reactive gases, plasma-state polymerization and plasma-induced polymerization. We are interested in the use of plasmas for enhancement of adhesion and bonding of biobased composite materials, attachment of biomolecules to cellulosic substrates for enzyme immobilization and molecular recognition and production of interactive paper. Analysis of plasma-induced changes in surface properties through modern instrumental techniques and mechanisms of plasma reactions are integral to the research program.

Research is also in progress on new environmentally benign pulping processes for both wood and agro-based materials. Biotechnological and solvent-based systems are under investigation and show promise for pulping. Critical factors include fiber/paper properties, mechanisms of paper strength development, chemical recovery systems and use of byproducts. We also evaluate a variety of natural plant extractive materials for applications as medicinals, adhesives and preservation agents.

Files and Links of Interest

• UW Wood and Polymer Chemistry Group Homepage