Researchers Develop Extraordinary Timber: 50% More Durable Than Steel, 90% Greener for the Environment
Revamped Reports: A Breakthrough in Sustainable Construction Materials with SuperWood!
Embrace a revolutionary building material that rivals steel's strength but boasts a featherweight touch, eco-friendliness, and an impressive 90% reduction in carbon emissions. Presenting SuperWood, the invention of InventWood - a startup spun from the University of Maryland - set to reshape construction, transportation, aerospace, and more.
SuperWood packs a whopping 10 times the strength-to-weight ratio of steel and a 50% superior tensile strength. This high-performance engineered wood is fireproof, pest-resistant, and unaffected by moisture, promising to disrupt traditional construction norms. InventWood believes SuperWood could potentially replace steel almost everywhere, quoting Christina Ra, stating, "SuperWood has substantial potential to become mainstream globally."
The magic behind SuperWood
The journey of SuperWood begins with ordinary wooden boards, such as pine or balsa. Scientists apply a two-step process:1. A chemical treatment that involves boiling the wood in a mixture of sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfite, removing much of the lignin and hemicellulose, preserving the cellulose fibers.2. Hot-press densification under moderate temperatures (~65 °C) and pressure, which collapses the cell walls, aligns cellulose nanofibers, and strengthens the material nearly 10 times.
"SuperWood results from a patented molecular transformation that reorganizes and densifies cellulose nanofibrils within natural wood," Christina Ra explains.
The final product is a robust, high-density board - 12 times stronger than natural wood - boasting enhanced fire resistance, weatherproof properties, and improved resistance to insects and rot.
Embracing the next eco-friendly revolution
From building facades and structural beams to aircraft interiors and furniture, SuperWood is poised to serve various applications. InventWood's new factory in Frederick, Maryland, backed by a $15 million investment, is set to produce millions of square feet of SuperWood annually, initially focusing on architectural panels.
Though SuperWood isn't confined to pine and balsa, the significant cost remains a challenge to its mainstream adoption. Currently priced over $12.5 and potentially reaching $25 per pound, InventWood is working relentlessly to close the price gap with steel. As production scales up and technology advances, the company is confident about achieving cost parity with conventional materials.
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Did you know? SuperWood's production method isn't confined to pine or balsa, opening up possibilities for myriad wood types to be transformed using a similar approach!
(Sources:))
[1] Bentz, A. (2021). InventWood announces breakthrough in engineered high-performance wood. Retrieved from https://www.mdtmag.com/inventwood-announces-breakthrough-in-engineered-high-performance-wood/
[2] InventWood. (n.d.). Frequently asked questions. Retrieved from https://inventwood.com
[3] InventWood. (n.d.). Our story. Retrieved from https://inventwood.com/our-story
[4] McNichol, B. (2021). SuperWood: Engineered Wood Offers Revolutionary Construction Opportunities. Retrieved from https://www.woodbusiness.ca/superwood-engineered-wood-offers-revolutionary-construction-opportunities-1437148703/
[5] Ulrey, C. (2021). The New Engineered Wood Is Stronger Than Steel. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/90629096/superwood-engineered-wood-is-stronger-than-steel
In the realm of environmental science and technology, the revolutionary breakthrough in construction materials, SuperWood, promises to disrupt various sectors beyond construction, such as transportation and aerospace. This high-performance engineered wood results from a patented molecular transformation, involving a two-step process that strengthens the material nearly 10 times.
The low carbon emission production of SuperWood, which boasts a 90% reduction compared to steel, aligns with the objectives of sustainable construction. As research continues in this field, scientists anticipate that SuperWood could potentially replace steel almost everywhere, in structures ranging from building facades and architectural panels to aircraft interiors and furniture.
With a significant investment, InventWood's new factory in Frederick, Maryland, aims to produce millions of square feet of SuperWood annually, contributing to the global shift towards eco-friendly materials. Despite the current high production cost, InventWood is dedicated to reducing the price gap with conventional materials like steel.
The evolution of SuperWood isn't limited to pine and balsa, as diverse wood types hold the potential to be transformed, opening new opportunities for this innovative material in the realm of science and the environment. With advancements in technology and production scale, SuperWood is poised to reshape the construction industry and provide significant contributions to the global commitment to sustainability.
