Robert J. Moon has been with USDA Forest Services for 14 years as a Materials Research Engineer concentrating in Cellulose Nanomaterials and engaging the international community of Universities, Research Institutions, and the industry in advancing research, development and deployment of Cellulose Nanomaterials. He has been a TAPPI member for more than 13 years and has served on several of the Nanotechnology Division’s committees. Robert is the current Chair of the Nanotechnology Division Council and a member on the Division’s Steering Committee, Technical Program Committee, Awards Committee, Research Committee, End-users/Products/ Applications Committee, Composite Processing and Testing Committee, and the Renewable Nanomaterials Producers Committee.
Robert is a co-editor and contributing author on “Production and Application of Cellulose Nanomaterials”, lead author on Paper 360° article on “Research into Cellulose Nanomaterials Spans the Globe”, and a lead author on “2011 Roadmap for the Development of International Standards for Nanocellulose”. He was also involved in the development of TAPPI Standards for Cellulose Nanomaterials and has presented multiple times at TAPPI’s International Conference on Nanotechnology for Renewable Materials.
- When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I’ve never considered this question. It wasn’t until I was in graduate school that I realized I NEEDED to write as it was a publish or perish type of thing. Now, after many years of utility writing, I have found myself writing more for the expression of shared knowledge, ideas, and insight, looking at topics from a much broader perspective and this I have found to be very rewarding. So, it is honest to say that I first realized I wanted to be a writer after contemplating this question.
- What is your work schedule like when you’re writing for a TAPPI publication?
The turnaround of “Production and Application of Cellulose Nanomaterials” was eight months from initial idea to finished product in order to be on display at the 2013 Nano Conference. On average, I put in 40 hours a week on this project, and it has been worth every minute of the time.
- What advice do you have for anyone considering writing for a TAPPI publication?
Get the right team together, keep TAPPI in the loop for the duration of the project and solicit their input, using word processing and drawing programs that sync with TAPPI’s publication systems.
- When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? I’ve never considered this question. It wasn’t until I was in graduate school that I realized I NEEDED to write as it is was a publish or perish type of thing. Now, after many years of utility writing, I have found myself writing more for the expression of shared knowledge, ideas and insight, looking at topics from a much broader perspective and this I have found to be very rewarding. So, it is honest to say that I first realized I wanted to be a writer about 10 minutes ago after contemplating this question.
- Where did you get the idea for ”Production and Application of Cellulose Nanomaterials” ? A co-editor on this publication had the original idea and which was inspired from a similar book he completed summarizing various internal research projects. After discussing with additional co-editors, and others, we made small refinements and identified a list of topics. My role was to lead the charge in identifying, securing submissions, reviewing, and editing more than 100 contributions to the book from over 45 different research groups. To help readers connect with the book, I focused my efforts on these contributions having a similar voice (e.g., similar nomenclature, phrasing, approach used to describe their work, etc. To my surprise, most authors readily accepted and appreciated these efforts.
- What is your work schedule like when you’re writing for a TAPPI publication? The turnaround of this book was eight months from initial idea to finished product in order to be on display at the 2013 Nano Conference. On average, I put in 40 hours a week on this project, and it has been worth every minute of the time.
- What advice do you have for anyone considering writing for a TAPPI publication? Get the right team together, keep TAPPI in the loop for the duration of the project and solicit their input, use word processing and drawing programs that sync with TAPPI’s publication systems.
- How has your involvement in TAPPI impacted your professional life?
It has greatly expanded my professional network (in academia and in industry), given me opportunities to expand my knowledge and insight into Cellulose Nanomaterials, giving me opportunities to engage the international community to help advance the research, development and deployment of Cellulose Nanomaterials, and given me opportunities to have a greater impact on the Cellulose Nanomaterial community.