InventWood's Superwood: A Revolutionary Strong, Light, & Eco-Friendly Wood Alternative
InventWood, a US-based company, has launched Superwood, a revolutionary new type of wood that boasts unparalleled strength and resistance. This breakthrough, co-founded by material scientist Liangbing Hu, could revolutionize construction and furniture manufacturing.
Superwood, now commercially available, is stronger and more resistant to dents, fungi, insects, and fire than regular wood. It has a strength-to-weight ratio up to 10 times that of steel and is up to six times lighter. This remarkable material was developed by Hu, now a professor at Yale, who first made wood transparent by removing lignin. He then focused on strengthening it using cellulose, resulting in a material with a strength-to-weight ratio higher than most structural metals.
The environmental benefits of Superwood are significant. While its manufacturing process has a larger carbon footprint than regular wood, it emits 90% less than steel production. Timber construction also stores CO2 in its woody biomass through photosynthesis, further reducing its environmental impact. This makes Superwood an attractive alternative to steel and concrete in construction. Milwaukee plans to capitalize on this by building an even taller timber tower than the current world's tallest, the 284-foot Ascent MKE.
InventWood is initially focusing on external applications like decking and cladding, with internal applications planned for next year. In the future, Superwood could potentially replace metal parts in furniture and be used to construct entire buildings. The company's co-founder, Liangbing Hu, along with Professor Tushar K. Ghosh at Yale University, have played pivotal roles in developing this groundbreaking material. As Superwood continues to gain traction, it could significantly impact the construction and furniture industries, offering a stronger, lighter, and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional materials.
