Nicole M. Stark
Research Chemical Engineer
Forest Biopolymer Science and Engineering
One Gifford Pinchot Drive
Madison, WI 53726-2398
United States
Madison, WI 53726-2398
United States
Phone
608-231-9392
Current Research
Dr. Nicole Stark's research focuses on the durability of wood-plastic composites from polymers and wood-derived. Nicole is interested in characterizing fundamental changes in surface chemistry and morphology that occur during weathering, and uses innovative processing techniques and treatments to improve weathering performance. Her research also includes incorporating alternative raw materials such as biopolymers, low-value woody biomass, and biorefinery residuals into high-value composites.
Research Interest
- Composites from wood or other natural fibers and plastics
- Coating wood composites for improved durability
- Chemical modification and pre-treatment of wood fibers for enhanced composite durability
- Changes in surface chemistry of wood-plastic composites during photodegradation
- Moisture performance and fire performance of wood-plastic composites
Education
- Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, Ph.D., Forest Science,
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, M.S., Mechanical Engineering,
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, B.S., Chemical Engineering,
Professional Organizations
- Board Member, Forest Products Society (FPS), 2013 - Current
- Member, Society of Plastics Engineers, 2004 - Current
Featured Publications
- Stark, Nicole M.; Cai, Zhiyong; Carll, Charles. 2010. Wood-based composite materials : panel products, glued-laminated timber, structural composite lumber, and wood-nonwood composite materials
- Stark, Nicole M.; White, Robert H.; Mueller, Scott A.; Osswald, Tim A.. 2010. Evaluation of various fire retardants for use in wood flour--polyethylene composites
- Clemons, Craig M.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2009. Feasibility of using saltcedar as a filler in injection-molded polyethylene composites
Other Publications
- Natarajan, Madhumitha ; Sabo, Ronald C.; Stark, Nicole M.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2022. Improving gas barrier properties of sugarcane‐based LLDPE with cellulose nanocrystals
- Stark, Nicole; Cai, Zhiyong. 2021. Wood-based composite materials: panel products, glued laminated timber, structural composite lumber, and wood–nonwood composites
- Karkhanis, Sonal S.; Stark, Nicole M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2021. Potential of extrusion-blown poly(lactic acid)/cellulose nanocrystals nanocomposite films for improving the shelf-life of a dry food product
- Wang, Huihui ; Tang, Xiaoyan ; Arvanitis, Matthew A.; Yang, Vina ; Stark, Nicole ; Liu, Chuanfu ; Considine, John M.; Zhu, J.Y.. 2021. Colloidal lignin nanoparticles from acid hydrotropic fractionation for producing tough, biodegradable, and UV blocking PVA nanocomposite
- Chanda, Saptaparni ; Bajwa, Dilpreet S.; Holt, Greg A.; Stark, Nicole ; Bajwa, Sreekala G.; Quadir, Mohiuddin. 2021. Silane compatibilzation to improve the dispersion, thermal and mechancial properties of cellulose nanocrystals in poly (ethylene oxide)
- Stark, N.M. ; Matuana, L.M.. 2021. Trends in sustainable biobased packaging materials: a mini review
- Lafia-Araga, Ruth Anayimi; Sabo, Ronald ; Nabinejad, Omid ; Matuana, Laurent ; Stark, Nicole. 2021. Influence of Lactic Acid Surface Modification of Cellulose Nanofibrils on the Properties of Cellulose Nanofibril Films and Cellulose Nanofibril–Poly(lactic acid) Composites
- Vahidi, Ghazal ; Bajwa, Dilpreet S.; Shojaeiarani, Jamileh ; Stark, Nicole ; Darabi, Amir. 2021. Advancements in traditional and nanosized flame retardants for polymers—A review
- Shojaeiarani, Jamileh ; Bajwa, Dilpreet S.; Stark, Nicole M.; Bergholz, Teresa M.; Kraft, Autumn L.. 2020. Spin coating method improved the performance characteristics of films obtained from poly(lactic acid) and cellulose nanocrystals
- Sabo, Ronald C.; Stark, Nicole M.; Lebow, Patricia ; Nabinejad, Omid ; Karkhanis, Sonal S.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2020. Novel method of compounding cellulose nanocrystal suspensions into poly(lactic acid) and poly(vinyl acetate) blends
- Ibach, Rebecca E.; Clemons, Craig M.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2020. Long-term field exposure of wood-plastic composites processed on a commercial-size extruder
- Sabo, Ronald C.; Stark, Nicole M.; Wei, Liqing ; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2019. Wet compounding of cellulose nanocrystals into polylactic acid for packaging applications
- Shojaeiarani, Jamileh ; Bajwa, Dilpreet S.; Stark, Nicole M.; Bajwa, Sreekala G.. 2019. Rheological properties of cellulose nanocrystals engineered polylactic acid nanocomposites
- Bajwa, Dilpreet ; Rehovsky, Chad ; Shojaeiarani, Jamileh ; Stark, Nicole ; Bajwa, Sreekala ; Dietenberger, Mark A.. 2019. Functionalized Cellulose Nanocrystals: A Potential Fire Retardant for Polymer Composites
- Zheng, Michelle ; Tajvidi, Mehdi ; Tayeb, Ali H.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2019. Effects of bentonite on physical, mechanical and barrier properties of cellulose nanofibril hybrid films for packaging applications
- Karkhanis, Sonal S.; Stark, Nicole M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2018. Water vapor and oxygen barrier properties of extrusion-blown poly(lactic acid)/cellulose nanocrystals nanocomposite films
- Shojaeiarani, Jamileh ; Bajwa, Dilpreet S.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2018. Green esterification: a new approach to improve thermal and mechanical properties of poly(lactic acid) composites reinforced by cellulose nanocrystals
- Wang, Jinwu ; Gardner, Douglas J.; Stark, Nicole M.; Bousfield, Douglas W.; Tajvidi, Mehdi ; Cai, Zhiyong. 2018. Moisture and oxygen barrier properties of cellulose nanomaterial-based films
- Shojaeiarani, Jamileh ; Bajwa, Dilpreet S.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2018. Spin-coating: a new approach for improving dispersion of cellulose nanocrystals and mechanical properties of poly (lactic acid) composites
- Stark, Nicole M.; Wei, Liquing ; Sabo, Ronald C.; Reiner, Richard R.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2018. Effect of freeze-drying on the morphology of dried cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and tensile properties of poly(lactic) acid-CNC composites
- Wei, Liqing; Agarwal, Umesh P.; Matuana, Laurent; Sabo, Ronald C.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2018. Performance of high lignin content cellulose nanocrystals in poly(lactic acid)
- Terzi, Evren; Kartal, Saip Nami; Piskin, Sabriye; Stark, Nicole; Figen, Aysel Kanturk; White, Robert H.. 2018. Colemanite: a fire retardant candidate for wood plastic composites
- Karkhanis, Sonal S.; Stark, Nicole M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2017. Blown film extrusion of poly(lactic acid) without melt strength enhancers
- Wei, Liqing; Luo, Shupin; McDonald, Armando G.; Agarwal, Umesh P.; Hirth, Kolby C.; Matuana, Laurent M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2017. Preparation and characterization of the nanocomposites from chemically modified nanocellulose and poly(lactic acid)
- Karkhanis, Sonal S.; Stark, Nicole M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2017. Performance of poly(lactic acid)/ cellulose nanocrystal composite blown films processed by two different compounding approaches
- Dietenberger, Mark A.; Boardman, Charles R.; Stark, Nicole. 2017. Flammability properties and radiant fraction of FRT wood plastic composites using mass loss calorimeter under HRR hood
- Wei, Liqing; Agarwal, Umesh; Stark, Nicole; Sabo, Ronald. 2017. Nanocomposites from lignin-containing cellulose nanocrystals and poly(lactic acid)
- Karkhanis, Sonal S.; Matuana, Laurent M.; Stark, Nicole M.; Sabo, Ronald C.. 2017. Effect of compounding approaches on fiber dispersion and performance of poly(lactic acid)/cellulose nanocrystal composite blown films
- Wei, Liqing; Agarwal, Umesh P.; Hirth, Kolby C.; Matuana, Laurent M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2017. Chemical modification of nanocellulose with canola oil fatty acid methyl ester
- Chen, Yao; Stark, Nicole M.; Tshabalala, Mandla A.; Gao, Jianmin; Fan, Yongming. 2016. Weathering characteristics of wood plastic composites reinforced with extracted or delignified wood flour
- Stark, Nicole M.; Yelle, Daniel J.; Agarwal, Umesh P.. 2016. Techniques for characterizing lignin
- Wei, Liqing; Stark, Nicole M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Matuana, Laurent. 2016. Modification of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) for use in poly(lactic acid) (PLA)-CNC composite packaging products
- Stark, Nicole M.. 2016. Opportunities for cellulose nanomaterials in packaging films: a review and future trends
- Wei, Liqing; McDonald, Armando G.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2015. Grafting of Bacterial Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) onto Cellulose via In Situ Reactive Extrusion with Dicumyl Peroxide
- Agarwal, Umesh P.; Ralph, Sally A.; Reiner, Rick S.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2015. Formation of Irreversible H-bonds in Cellulose Materials
- Wei, Liqing; Stark, Nicole M.; McDonald, Armando G.. 2015. Interfacial improvements in biocomposites based on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-<em>co</em>-3-hydroxyvalerate) bioplastics reinforced and grafted with α-cellulose fibers
- Chen, Yao; Tshabalala, Mandla A.; Gao, Jianmin; Stark, Nicole M.; Fan, Yongming; Ibach, Rebecca E.. 2014. Thermal behavior of extracted and delignified pine wood flour
- Chen, Yao; Stark, Nicole M.; Tshabalala, Mandla A.; Gao, Jianmin; Fan, Yongming. 2014. Moisture Performance of wood-plastic composites reinforced with extracted and delignified wood flour
- Piao, Cheng; Cai, Zhiyong; Stark, Nicole M.; Montezun, Charles J.. 2014. Dimensional stability of wood-plastic composites reinforced with potassium methyl siliconate modified fiber and sawdust made from beetle-killed trees
- Chen, Yao; Stark, Nicole M.; Cai, Zhiyong; Frihart, Charles R.; Lorenz, Linda F.; Ibach, Rebecca E.. 2014. Chemical Modification of Kraft Lignin: Effect on Chemical and Thermal Properties
- Chen, Yao; Stark, Nicole M.; Tshabalala, Mandla A.; Gao, Jianmin; Fan, Yongming. 2014. Properties of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) reinforced with extracted and delignified wood flour
- Ibach, Rebecca E.; Chen, Yao; Stark, Nicole M.; Tshabalala, Mandla A.; Fan, Yongming; Gao, Jianmin. 2014. Decay resistance of wood-plastic composites reinforced with extracted or delignified wood flour
- Clausen, Carol A.; White, Robert H.; Wacker, James P.; Lebow, Stan T.; Dietenberger, Mark A.; Zelinka, Samuel L.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2014. Laboratory investigation of fire protection coatings for creosote-treated timber railroad bridges
- Chen, Yao; Tshabalala, Mandla A.; Gao, Jianmin; Stark, Nicole M.; Fan, Yongming. 2014. Color and Surface Chemistry Changes of Pine Wood Flour after Extraction and Delignification
- Sabo, Ronald; Jin, Liwei; Stark, Nicole; Ibach, Rebecca E.. 2013. Effect of environmental conditions on the mechanical properties and fungal degradation of polycaprolactone/microcrystalline cellulose/wood flour composites
- Piao, Cheng; Cai, Zhiyong; Stark, Nicole M.; Monlezun, Charles J.. 2013. Potassium methyl siliconate-treated pulp fibers and their effects on wood plastic composites: Water sorption and dimensional stability
- Cai, Zhiyong; Rudie, Alan W.; Stark, Nicole M.; Sabo, Ronald C.; Ralph, Sally A.. 2013. Chapter 6: New Products and Product Categories in the Global Forest Sector
- Chen, Yao; Tshabalala, Mandla A.; Gao, Jianmin; Stark, Nicole M.. 2013. Color and surface chemistry changes of extracted wood flour after heating at 120 °C
- Jin, Shan; Stark, Nicole M.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2013. Influence of a stabilized cap layer on the photodegradation of coextruded high density polyethylene/woodflour composites
- Chen, Yao; Frihart, Charles R.; Cai, Zhiyong; Lorenz, Linda F.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2013. Lignin-based Phenol-Formaldehyde Resins from Purified CO<sub>2</sub> Precipitated Kraft lignin (PCO<sub>2</sub>KL)
- Chen, Yao; Frihart, Charles R.; Cai, Zhiyong; Lorenz, Linda F.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2013. Lignin-based Phenol-Formalehyde Resins from Purified CO<sub>2</sub> Precipitated Kraft Lignin (PCO<sub>2</sub>KL)
- Chen, Yao; Gao, Jianmin; Fan, Yongming; Tshabalala, Mandla A.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2012. Heat-induced chemical and color changes of extractive-free Black Locust (<em>Rosinia Pseudoacacia</em>) wood
- Chen, Yao; Fan, Yongming; Gao, Jianmin; Tshabalala, Mandla A.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2012. Spectroscopic analysis of the role of extractives on heat-induced discoloration of black locust (<em>Robinia pseudoacacia</em>)
- Chen, Yao; Fan, Yongming; Tshabalala, Mandla A.; Stark, Nicole M.; Gao, Jianmin. 2012. Optical property analysis of thermally and photolytically aged <em>Eucalyptus Camaldulensis</em> chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP)
- Chen, Yao; Fan, Yongming; Gao, Jianmin; Stark, Nicole M.. 2012. The Effect of Heat Treatment on the chemical and color change of Black Locust (<em>Robinia Pseudoacacia</em>) wood flour
- Xu, Yuzhi; Wang, Chunpeng; Chu, Fuxiang; Frihart, Charles R.; Lorenz, Linda F.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2012. Chemical Modification of Soy Flour Protein and its Properties
- Xu, Yuzhi; Wang, Chunpeng; Stark, Nicole M.; Cai, Zhiyong; Chu, Fuxiang. 2012. Miscibility and thermal behavior of poly (<em>ε</em>-caprolactone)/long-chain ester of cellulose blends
- Matuana, Laurent M.; Jin, Shan; Stark, Nicole M.. 2011. Ultraviolet weathering of HDPE/wood-flour composites coextruded with a clear HDPE cap layer
- White, Robert H.; Stark, Nicole M.; Ayrilmis, Nadir. 2011. Recent activities in flame retardancy of wood-plastic composites at the Forest Products Laboratory
- Stark, Nicole M.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2009. Co-extrusion of WPCs with a clear cap layer to improve color stability
- Stark, Nicole M.; Mueller, Scott A.. 2008. Improving the color stability of wood-plastic composites through fiber pre-treatment
- White, Robert H.; Dietenberger, Mark A.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2007. Cone calorimeter tests of wood-based decking materials
- Clemons, Craig; Stark, Nicole. 2007. Use of saltcedar and Utah juniper as fillers in wood–plastic composites
- Fabiyi, James S.; McDonald, Armando G.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2007. Surface characterization of weathered wood-plastic composites produced from modified wood flour
- Stark, Nicole M.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2007. Coating WPC's using co-extrusion to improve durability
- Stark, Nicole M.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2007. Characterization of weathered wood-plastic composite surfaces using FTIR spectroscopy, contact angle, and XPS
- Bengtsson, Magnus; Stark, Nicole M.; Oksman, Kristiina. 2007. Durability and mechanical properties of silane cross-linked wood thermoplastic composites
- Stark, Nicole M.. 2007. Considerations in the weathering of wood-plastic composites
- Stark, Nicole M.. 2006. Effect of weathering cycle and manufacturing method on performance of wood flour and high-density polyethylene composites
- Morrell, J.J.; Stark, Nicole M.; Pendleton, David E.; McDonald, Armando G.. 2006. Durability of wood-plastic composites
- Stark, Nicole M.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2006. Influence of photostabilizers on wood flour-HDPE composites exposed to xenon-arc radiation with and without water spray
- Winandy, Jerrold E.; Clemons, Craig M.; Stark, Nicole M.; Muehl, James H.; Williams, R. Sam. 2005. Evaluation and process development of salt cedar and juniper biocomposites as tools to utilize exotic and invasive species and restore native ecosystems
- Stark, Nicole M.. 2005. Effect of weathering variables on the lightness of high-density polyethylene woodflour composites
- Stark, Nicole M.. 2005. Changes in wood flour/HDPE composites after accelerated weathering with and without water spray
- Stark, Nicole M.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2004. Surface chemistry changes of weathered HDPE/wood-flour composites studied by XPS and FTIR spectroscopy
- Stark, Nicole M.; Matuana, Laurent M.; Clemons, Craig M.. 2004. Effect of processing method on surface and weathering characteristics of wood-flour/HDPE composites
- Stark, Nicole M.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2004. Surface chemistry and mechanical property changes of wood-flour/high-density-polyethylene composites after accelerated weathering
- Ibach, Rebecca E.; Clemons, Craig M.; Stark, Nicole M.. 2003. Combined ultraviolet and water exposure as a preconditioning method in laboratory fungal durability testing
- Stark, Nicole M.; Matuana, Laurent M.; Clemons, Craig M.. 2003. Effect of processing method on accelerated weathering of wood-flour/HDPE composites
- Stark, Nicole M.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2003. Ultraviolet weathering of photostabilized wood-flour-filled high-density polyethylene composites
- Stark, Nicole M.; Rowlands, Robert E.. 2003. Effects of wood fiber characteristics on mechanical properties of wood/polypropylene composites
- Stark, Nicole M.; Matuana, Laurent M.. 2002. Photostabilization of wood flour filled HDPE composites
- Stark, Nicole. 2001. Influence of moisture absorption on mechanical properties of wood flour- polypropylene composites
- Chow, Poo; Bajwa, Dilpreet S.; Lu, Wen-da; Youngquist, John A.; Stark, Nicole M.; Li, Qiang; English, Brent. 1998. Injection molded composites from kenaf and recycled plastic
- English, Brent; Clemons, Craig M.; Stark, Nicole; Schneider, James P.. 1996. Waste-wood-derived fillers for plastics
Research Highlights
Evaluation of Various Fire Retardants for Use in Wood Flour/Polyethylene Composites
Year: 2010
Wood-plastic composites (WPCs) represent a class of materials increasingly used in residential construction and furniture-making. The fire performance of WPCs is not well understood, however, and there is little information regarding the effectiveness of various fire retardants in the public domain....
Wood-Plastic Composites Improved with Fiber Pre-Treatment
Year: 2013
Scientists determine the dimensional stability of wood-plastic composites can be improved by treating wood sawdust and particles derived from beetle-killed trees with potassium methyl siliconate before incorporating the wood into high-density polyethylene.
New Drying Process Gives Black Locust Wood Exotic Appearance
Year: 2012
Heat treatment that prevents discoloration increases uses of this fast growing wood
Wood Flour Extraction Improves Moisture Performance of Wood-Plastic Composites
Year: 2014
Improving the moisture performance of wood-plastic composites provides a potential avenue toward improving the product's overall durability. Forest Service scientists evaluated methods for pre-treating the wood flour before incorporation into the plastic matrix as a strategy to improve composite per...
Renewable, Biodegradable Polylactic Acid-Cellulose Nanocrystal Composites for Packaging Applications
Year: 2016
Packaging research conducted at the Forest Products Laboratory is aimed at developing fully biobased composites containing cellulose nanomaterials for packaging applications. Cellulose nanomaterials exhibit a number of interesting properties and have been demonstrated to improve the barrier performa...
Improving biopolymers for packaging applications using surface-tailored cellulose nanocrystals
Year: 2017
Demand is rapidly increasing for environmentally friendly packaging materials that are derived from renewable resources and are biodegradable, but many of these “green” polymers do not perform as well as traditional, fossil fuel-derived polymers. By adding tailored cellulose nanocrystals, which are ...
Modifying Cellulose Nanomaterials for Wet Compounding into Polylactic Acid
Year: 2018
Cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs) have been demonstrated to significantly improve various properties, including mechanical and barrier performance, of polymer composites, but one of the major impediments for producing these cellulose nanocomposites is the profound challenge of drying the nanomaterials ...
Wet Compounding of Cellulose Nanomaterials into Biodegradable Polymers
Year: 2019
Research at the USDA Forest Service Forest Products Laboratory has shown that cellulose nanomaterials can improve the barrier properties of polymer films, and such improvements can lead to an increased shelf-life for food. But compounding cellulose nanomaterials into thermoplastic polymers presents ...
Centennial Edition, Wood Handbook—Wood as an Engineering Material
Year: 2010
The Wood Handbook—Wood as an Engineering Material serves as a primary reference document for a wide variety of users-from the general public through architects and design engineers who use wood in highly engineered structures.