Waste wood chemically recycled to produce material stronger than steel
Researchers from the University of British Columbia have invented a treatment process that can turn old pieces of wood into a new super-strong material called “healed wood”. The process involves dissolving a glue-like component inside plant cell walls called lignin so tiny fibres called nanofibrils are exposed. Once the researchers add a solvent, the nanofibrils from two old pieces of wood bind to create a “healed” piece of wood. The new wood no longer looks like natural wood but has better strength properties than the original material. Learn more.
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