Associate Professor of Wood Composite Materials 
Ph.D. in Wood Science, 1997, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Contact Information
Department of Forestry
126 Natural Resources
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan 48824-1222
Tel. (517) 353-4616
Fax. (517) 432-1143
matuana@msu.edu
http://myprofile.cos.com/lmatuana
Courses Taught
FOR 305 Wood Composites
FOR 393 Wood Products Internship
FOR 802 Forest Science Research
FOR 890 Forestry Special Problems
Research Interests
Engineered wood-based composites
Wood plastic composites
Wood adhesives
Microcellular and conventional foaming of wood/plastic composites
Adhesion and surface science
Biodegradable polymers and composites
Nanocomposites and Nanoparticles
Durability of wood composites (biological, UV, fire, etc.)
Selected Publications
K. Carlborn and L.M. Matuana, "Composite Materials Manufactured >From Wood Particles Modified Through a Reactive Extrusion Process", Polymer Composites, 26(4): 534-541 (2005).
J.M. Pilarski and L.M. Matuana, "Durability of Wood-Flour Plastic Composites Exposed to Accelerated Freeze-Thaw Cycling Part I: Rigid PVC Matrix", Journal of Vinyl & Additive Technology, 11(1): 1-8 (2005)
B. Dawson-Andoh, L.M. Matuana, and J. Harrison, "Mold Susceptibility of Rigid PVC/Wood-Flour Composites", Journal of Vinyl & Additive Technology, 10 (4): 179-186 (2004).
N.M. Stark and L.M. Matuana, "Surface Chemistry Changes of Weathered HDPE/Wood-Flour Composites Studied by XPS and FTIR Spectroscopy",Polymer Degradation and Stability, 86 (1): 1-9 (2004).
P. Rachtanapun, S.E.M. Selke, and L.M. Matuana, Relationship between Cell Morphology and Impact Strength of Microcellular Foamed High Density Polyethylene/Polypropylene Blends,Polymer Engineering and Science, 44(8): 1551-1560 (2004).
P. Rachtanapun, S.E.M. Selke, and L.M. Matuana, Effect of High-Density Polyethylene Melt Index on Microcellular Foaming of High-Density Polyethylene/Polypropylene Blends,Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 93(1): 364-371 (2004).
L.M. Matuana and Q. Li, "Statistical Modeling and Response Surface Optimization of Extruded HDPE/Wood-Flour Composite Foams",Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 17 (2): 185-199 (2004).
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
Prospective graduate students interested in joining my research group are strongly encouraged to contact me. Research assistantships in terms of stipends, tuitions and other fees are available from funded projects.