Industrial design for the development of new materials based on microwave modified timber

This research contributes towards the development of Vintorg and Torgvin, two new composite wood materials based on Microwave Modified Timber (MMT). Their potential properties and variations offer opportunities for innovation in the Australian forestry and furniture industries, which have recently experienced increasing trade deficits. Conducted as part of a Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Wood Innovations, industrial design has uniquely been integrated with engineering and science in the early stages of materials development to ensure the creation of useful material properties, increasing the probability of commercial success. More specifically, the PhD focuses upon the use of industrial design activities and methods in the materials development process by aligning MMT material characteristics with product needs. This strategy may also accelerate materials development. Another distinctive element of the PhD is the way a flexible research structure was adopted to allow research activity to respond to material discoveries and other CRC Wood Innovation influences. Flexibility has enabled the substance of the investigation and research methods to remain appropriately focused, suggesting a useful 'flexible design' model for applied design research. Initially a Technology-Push Design Strategy was used to explore Vintorg. Research through the design and construction of screens for architectural interiors benchmarked Vintorg, revealing development of the material wasn’t as advanced as anticipated. While production parameters for Vintorg were resolved, Torgvin was investigated as an acoustic material through concurrent design, science and engineering research. However, acoustic properties of Torgvin were deemed minimal and Vintorg development regained focus within the broader CRC program. The research method in this PhD evolved to a Pre-Commercial Technology-Push Design Strategy. A specific variety of Vintorg tailored to outdoor cafe furniture was chosen as a case study to generate transferable knowledge of material characteristics. Design, engineering and scientific research again occurred concurrently, iteratively advancing each other although 'Cafe Vintorg' was ultimately determined an unsuitable type of Vintorg based on research findings. This PhD has contributed towards many aspects of materials development for MMT materials. In addition to advancing Vintorg’s development, it has generated or driven inquiry leading to greater knowledge of a number of Vintorg characteristics including performance, appearance and component production. Further research directions for MMT materials are recommended and evaluation of research strategies is framed in a manner transferable to other scenarios incorporating collaborative research, materials development or technology development. In particular the investigation demonstrates the value of a flexible approach to conducting materials research in a dynamic research environment, establishing methods extendable to other fields of inquiry.