Charles E. Frazier

Professor, Thomas M. Brooks Professor of Sustainable Biomaterials

Director, Wood-Based Composites Center

Location:

230E Cheatham Hall
310 West Campus Dr.
Blacksburg, VA 24060

Contact:

cfrazier@vt.edu

(540) 231-8318

LinkedIn Profile

Google Scholar

VT Expert Page

Biography

Dr. Frazier is a plant-polymer scientist, emphasizing polymers found in natural materials like wood, grasses, wheat, soybeans, nutshells, etc. His current focus is in lignin chemistry and manipulating lignin reactions during biomass processing. He is the Director of the Wood-Based Composites Center, a National Science Foundation Industry / University Cooperative Research Center (WBC), where the industry requests fundamental research on applied topics that stimulate industrial innovation. WBC members are companies that manufacture wood-based composites, and also companies that supply chemicals and adhesives to the manufacturers. Students in his group obtain a great deal of industry exposure as they gain training in polymer science through the Macromolecules Innovation Institute (MII).

Education

B.S. - Virginia Tech, 1985
M.S. - University of Washington, 1987
Ph.D. - Virginia Tech, 1992

Areas of Expertise and Research Interest

Lignocellulose chemistry
Biomass Rheology
Composite materials
Surface chemistry and adhesion

Classes

Research Program Description

Dr. Frazier’s research focuses on polymers found in natural materials like wood, grasses, hemp, soybeans, nutshells, etc. His current research is in lignin chemistry, manipulating lignin reactions during biomass processing and lignin-based thermosetting resins.

For more information about Dr. Frazier’s interests and affiliations, please visit these websites:

Macromolecules Innovation Institute

Wood-Based Composites Center