Dr Robert Franich
BSc (Chemistry) Auckland University, NZ - 1967
MSc Hons., 1st class (Chemistry) Auckland University, NZ - 1968
PhD (Chemistry) Auckland University, NZ - 1970
Dip. Perfumery, IFEAT, London - 1984
MBIE Unitec Auckland, NZ - 2005
Robert has acheived distinction as an inventor, as well as a scientist. His specialised interest in wood chemistry and natural products, has led to the development of significant new patents and products. His most notable patent was for Indurite, a wood hardening process that in now marketed by Fibre7 under the brand name of Greenseal.
With over 27 years of experience as a practising researcher, Robert's fascination with chemistry extends to all manner of polymers, adhesives, mycotoxins, organoboron chemicals and fragrances. He also has a strong personal interest in the innovation and entrepreneurial process required to take an idea from the lab to the market, which he sees as a crucial part of the scientific process.
Contact
Phone: (07) 343 5899
Email: robert.franich@scionresearch.com
Honours/Distinctions/Membership
- NZUGC Postgraduate Scholarship - 1968
- NZUGC Postdoctoral Fellowship - 1970
- Beecham Research Fellowship - 1972
- Royal Society Nuffield Foundation Fellowship - 1978
- Swedish Institute Fellowship - 1985
- Fellow of the NZ Institute of Chemistry - 1987
- Swedish Institute Fellowship - 1991
- Quality Science Award, NZ FRI Ltd - 1994
- Collaborative Science Award, NZ FRI Ltd - 1994
- Royal Society Fellow, Applied Sciences and Technologies Section - 1994
- Foundation for Research, Science and technology Bright Futures Enterprise Scholarship - 2002-2004
Selected Publications
Singh, A., Dawson, B.S.W., Franich, R.A., Cowan, F. and Warnes, J. (1999)
The Relationship between Pit Membrane Ultrastructure and Chemical Impregnability of Wood. Holzforschung, 53 (4), 341-346.
McDonald, A. G.. Steward, D and Franich R. A.. (1999). Monoterpene composition of radiata pine (Pinus radiata D.Don) sapwood from a 13 year old progeny trial. Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff., 57: 301-302.
Qiao, L, Easteal, A.J., Bolt, C.J., Coveny, P.K. and Franich, R.A. (1999). The effects of filler materials on poly(vinylacetate) emulsion wood adhesives. Pigment and Resin Technology, 28 (6), 326-330.
Meder, R., Franich, R.A. and Callaghan, P.T. (1999). 11B magnetic resonance imaging and MAS spectroscopy of trimethylborate-treated radiata pine wood. Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, 15, 69-72.
Franich, Robert and Haslett, Tony. (2000). Hot Topic – Fires in HT Drying: Explanation and Solution? Forest Research Wood Processing Newsletter, No 27, 3pp.
Qiao, L., Easteal, A.J., Bolt, C.J., Coveny, P.K. and Franich, R.A. (2000). Improvement of the water resistance of poly(vinylacetate) emulsion wood adhesive. Pigment and Resin Technology, 29 (3), 152-158.
Qiao, L., Easteal, A.J., Bolt, C.J., Coveny, P.K. and Franich, R.A. (2001)
Thermomechanical analysis and performance tests of some EPI wood adhesives. Pigment & Resin Technology, 29, 229-237.
Kroese, H.W., Dawson, B.S.W. and Franich, R.A. (2001). Characterisation of solvent components in light organic solvent preservative (LOSP) treated pine sapwood boards. Holz roh u. werkstoff, 59, 71-72.
Clare, A.B., Franich, R.A., Lomax, T.D., McDonald, A.G. and Meder, A.R. (2002). Preparation, Characterisation and Performance of Cross-linkable maltodextrin-based Packaging Adhesives. Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology, 16, 317-329
Kylin, H., Söderkvist, K., Undeman, A. and Franich, R.A. (2002). Seasonal Variation of the Terpene Content, an Overlooked Factor in the Determination of Environmental Pollutants in Pine Needles. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, (68), 155-160.
Murphy, G. and Franich, R.A. (2003). Early Experience with Electronic Nose technology for Log Tracking. Forest Products Journal, 54(2), 28-35.
Pickering, K., Abdalla, A., Ji, C., McDonald, A.G. and Franich, R.A. (2003) The Effect of Silane Coupling Agents on Radiata Pine FIbre for Use in Thermoplastic Matrix Composites. Composites Part A-Applied Science and Manufacturing, 34 (10) 915-925.
Meder, R., Codd, S.C., Franich, R.A., Callaghan, P.T. and Pope, J.M. (2003)Observation of anisotropic water movement in Pinus radiata D. Don sapwood above fibre saturation using magnetic resonance micro-imaging. Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff, 61, 251–256.
Grigsby, W.J., Ferguson, C.J., Franich, R.A. and Russell, G.T. (2005). Evaluation of latex adhesives containing hydrophobic cores and poly(vinyl acetate) shells: potential to improve poly(vinyl acetate) performance.
International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives, 25, 127-137.
Franich, R.A., Singh, A. and Torr, K. (2005) Enhancement of lignocellulosic material stiffness properties with chitosan oligomer-methylol-melamine co-polymer. Appita, (in press).
Torr, K. M., Chittenden, C., Franich, R.A. and Kreber, B. (2005). Advances in understanding bioactivity of chitosan and chitosan oligomers against selected wood inhabiting fungi. Holzforschung, (in press).
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