News from our CD Laboratory

Lukas Kaindl (left), Markus Lukacevic (center), Dominik Kratzer (right)
September 1st, 2025

Welcome Lukas & Dominik, Our Newest PhD Researchers

Meet Lukas Kaindl and Dominik Kratzer, our newest PhD researchers dedicated to advancing sustainable materials, spanning chemical/analytical development and multiscale computational modelling.

Cornelia Hofbauer operating the custom glass reactor used for peracetic-acid pulping
August 26th, 2025

Hemicellulose-rich holocellulose fibers from spruce chips: New publication

New study shows a practical peracetic-acid route to hemicellulose-rich fibers from sawmill chips with consistently strong sheet performance.

Picture of Markus Lukacevic welcoming Richard Nadanyi
January 30th, 2025

New Postdoc Richard Nadányi Joins Our Research Team

Richard brings expertise in lignin processing and sustainable materials to our CD laboratory

Picture of Gabriel Unsinn at a microscope
February 1st, 2024

Welcome Gabriel, Our Newest PhD Researcher

Meet Gabriel Unsinn, our newest PhD researcher dedicated to advancing sustainable material science through the exploration of mechanical properties.

Collage of newspaper covers and logos
December 30th, 2023

Latest Media Spotlight on Our Lab: From Interviews to Podcasts

Explore recent highlights from our lab's activities in the media. Read our latest interview in TUW.Magazine, see our feature in 'Die Presse', and listen to our in-depth discussion on the WoodCAST podcast.

Group picture of visit at HS Timber sawmill in Kodersdorf, Saxony
November 24th, 2023

Exploring the Source: Insightful Visit to HS Timber’s Sawmill

Discover highlights from the CD Laboratory's recent visit to HS Timber's sawmill, where our team gained firsthand insights into the source of our wood-based biocomposite.

Graphical abstract for publication on viscoelastic properties of lignin
November 10th, 2023

Exploring the Viscoelastic Properties of Lignin: New Publication

New study shows that neither feedstocks nor extraction processes affect the viscoelastic properties of hot-pressed lignins

Markus Lukacevic giving an interview
October 16th, 2023

Opening ceremony of CD Laboratory

The official opening ceremony of the CD Laboratory took place on October 13, 2023 at the Festive Hall of TU Wien

Welcome to the CD Laboratory for Next-Generation Wood-Based Biocomposite

This CD lab develops processes for the production and characterization of sustainable biocomposite materials based on sawmill by-products. Our goal is to create both a biocomposite material using the main constituents of wood (wood fibers, lignin, extractives, etc.) with significant mechanical properties and, in parallel, a production and design concept for next-generation biocomposite elements. We are, therefore, developing computational simulation tools in parallel. This enables us to develop and optimize the new material in a targeted manner.

Vision for the CD laboratory

Together with active and sustainable forest management, timber constructions not only ensure that CO2-causing building materials are replaced but also that significant amounts of CO2 are stored for the duration of use. If the by-products that are produced in large quantities in sawmills can now also be put to a higher-value use in a biocomposite, then not only an important contribution to climate protection will be achieved but a further value-added chain for the wood industry, an essential economic sector in Austria, will be created.

To achieve this, we have established a strongly interdisciplinary research program in which a biocomposite will be developed using a chemistry-based and simulation-guided approach. The raw material and the material to be developed will be examined, understood, and ultimately modeled on all length scales. This will allow for targeted development and optimization of the new biocomposite material, laying the basis for entirely new lightweight products with complex geometries and demand-specific properties.

Christian Doppler Laboratories

In Christian Doppler Laboratories, application-oriented basic research is carried out at a high level, with outstanding scientists cooperating with innovative companies. The Christian Doppler Research Association is regarded internationally as a best practice example for the promotion of this cooperation.

Christian Doppler Laboratories are jointly funded by the public sector and the participating companies. The most important public funding body is the Federal Ministry of Labor and Economy (BMAW).