Research is also in progress on new environmentally benign pulping processes for both wood and agro-based materials. Biotechnological and solvent-based systems are under investigation and show promise for pulping.Critical factors include fiber/paper properties, mechanisms of paper strength development, chemical recovery systems and use of byproducts. We also evaluate a variety of natural plant extractive materials for applications as medicinals, adhesives and preservation agents. One emphasis of our research program has been on the use of cold plasmas for enhancing the surface properties of natural and synthetic polymeric materials with particular interest in films, fibrous webs and composites. A wide variety of plasma approaches are under exploration such as the use of inert and reactive gases, plasma-state polymerization and plasma-induced polymerization. We are interested in the use of plasmas for enhancement of adhesion and bonding of biobased composite materials, attachment of biomolecules to cellulosic substrates for enzyme immobilization and molecular recognition and production of interactive paper. Analysis of plasma-induced changes in surface properties through modern instrumental techniques and mechanisms of plasma reactions are integral to the research program.