Das Projekt "Chitosan as a wood preservative, the wood technology aspect" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Göttingen, Institut für Holzbiologie und Holztechnologie durchgeführt. The natural durability of pine, spruce, beech and birch is low to medium. To use these species outdoors, a modification of the wood needs to be applied. Up to now, copper, chromium, and arsenic (CCA), and other copper-containing agents have been used for impregnation of wood. These preservatives have a good antifungal effect, but are under environmental discussion. This PhD study focuses on applying chitosan (a derivate from shellfish shell, squid pens ++) as an antifungal agent in pine (Pinus sylvestris), spruce (Picea abies), beech (Fagus sylvatica) and birch (Betula verrucosa/pubescens). Chitosan is an environmentally friendly natural polymer that is nowadays used for different purposes (weight reducing agent, waste water purification, absorbent for heavy metal removal and in medicine. The parameters that will be investigated in this PhD study are: 1. The ability of penetration of chitosan with different chain lengths and different degrees of acetylation in wood. 2. The fixation-process of chitosan to wood, which cross linking agents between chitosan and wood, should be used to prevent leaching. 3. Measuring of the changes in the physical/mechanical properties of wood after impregnation with chitosan. 4. The fire retardant ability. 5. To refine the use of chitosan treated wood in combination with other procedures.