Wood's New Trick: Building Stronger Than Ever

A team in Maryland has figured out how to turn regular wood into something incredibly strong. This isn't just any wood. It's a new kind of wood that can outmuscle steel. It's called Superwood. It all started in a lab at the University of Maryland. The person behind this breakthrough is a scientist named Liangbing Hu. He created a process to transform ordinary wood into a super-strong material. At first, it seemed like just another cool lab discovery that might never leave the lab. But Hu didn't stop there. He spent years perfecting the technology. He made it faster and more efficient. Eventually, it was ready to hit the market. Now, a company called InventWood is about to start making Superwood on a large scale. The first batches will be ready this summer. The company's CEO, Alex Lau, has big plans. They want to start with small parts of buildings, like the outer layers. But eventually, they aim to use Superwood for the main structure of buildings. That's because a lot of the environmental impact from buildings comes from the concrete and steel used in construction. To build their factory, InventWood has raised $15 million from investors. These investors see the potential in Superwood. They believe it could be a game-changer in the construction industry. The process to make Superwood is pretty interesting. It starts with regular timber, which is mostly made up of cellulose and lignin. The goal is to make the cellulose in the wood stronger. The company uses chemicals from the food industry to change the lignin in the wood. Then, they compress the wood to create more hydrogen bonds between the cellulose molecules. The result is a material that's 50% stronger than steel. It's also really good at resisting fire, rot, and pests. Plus, it looks great. The compression process makes the colors richer, like tropical hardwoods. Superwood could be a big deal for the construction industry. It's stronger, lighter, and more environmentally friendly than traditional materials. But it's not just about strength. Superwood also looks good. The compressed material has a rich, natural color. It could be used for things like siding, decking, or roofing. InventWood's first products will be facade materials for buildings. But the possibilities don't stop there. The company plans to use wood chips to create structural beams. These beams could be used in all sorts of construction projects.