Super Wood

The two best of all types of wood available to humankind are "Oak" and "Maple" which are known for their strengths. But recently a study carried out by the Researchers at the University of Maryland. They have created a so-called “super wood” that is stronger than steel and even some high-tech titanium alloys. This wood can be utilized to make buildings, vehicles, air-planes and even the bullet proof armors.

The research team used a two-step process to drastically increase the density of the wood, thus reinforcing its strength to 10 times that of traditional wood. “It is as strong as steel, but six times lighter,” research team co-leader Teng Li told that, “It takes 10 times more energy to fracture than natural wood. It can even be bent and molded at the beginning of the process.”

To create the super material two-step process is involved which starts with boiling the wood in a solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium sulfite (Na2SO3). This partially removes lignin and hemicellulose (natural polymers that help stiffen a plant’s cell walls)—but it largely leaves the wood’s cellulose (another natural polymer) intact.

The second step is almost as simple as the first: Compressing the treated wood until its cell walls collapse, then maintaining that compression as it is gently heated. The pressure and heat encourage the formation of chemical bonds between large numbers of hydrogen atoms and neighboring atoms in adjacent nano fibers of cellulose, greatly strengthening the material.

The resulting density provides its super strength.

Another of super wood’s special powers is its ability to be sourced sustainable. “Soft woods like pine or balsa, which grow fast and are more environmentally friendly, could replace slower-growing but denser woods like teak in furniture or buildings,”said Hu. “Given the abundance of wood, as well as other cellulose-rich plants, this paper inspires imagination,” said professor of mechanics and materials at Harvard University Zhigang Suo, who was not involved in the study. The team at University of Maryland has also created a kind of transparent wood, which could be used to replace glass and plastic with more sustainable sourced, stronger alternatives.