ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides several important sources of lignocellulosic materials. Since the dawn of civilization, human beings have acquired and applied technical knowledge and skills to harness lignocellulosic materials such as wood for making the weapons, domestic utensils, tools, building materials, and fuel they required. The book emphasises that scientists throughout the world have worked diligently to improve the properties, performance, and utility of wood and other lignocellulosic materials. The emergence of high carbon and stainless steel, structural aluminum alloys, organometalics, ceramics, plastic composites, and other engineering materials has also reduced significantly the market share of lignocellulosic-derived products. since lignocellulosic materials are renewable, they are received in a better light than those from nonrenewable sources. As a natural product of biological origin, lignocellulosic materials are characterized by a high degree of diversity and variability in their properties.
