Transparent wood: Innovation and sustainability in the industry
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Transparent wood promises to revolutionize technology and construction. From cell phone screens to color-changing windows, this material combines strength and modernity.
Wood, a classic and versatile material used since ancient times in Spain, has taken a surprising turn toward transparency. This breakthrough, the result of decades of research, promises to revolutionize several industries.
It all began thirty years ago, when Siegfried Fink, a German botanist, dreamed of observing the interior of woody plants without damaging them. His innovative cell pigment bleaching technique, published in 1992, laid the foundation for the creation of transparent wood. Lars Berglund, inspired by this work, developed a more resistant alternative to plastic.
However, interest in this wood was not limited to Europe. Researchers at the University of Maryland also explored its possibilities. After months of experimentation, they succeeded in creating a transparent material with diverse applications, from cell phone screens to lamps and structural elements.
The key lies in a complex process that modifies lignin, the component that gives wood its characteristic brown color. By removing it and filling the cavities with special substances, transparency is achieved without losing strength. In fact, in comparative tests, transparent wood proved to be ten times stronger than glass and three times stronger than plastic.
In the construction field, this material promises superior insulation compared to glass, which could turn into energy savings. Although its vision may be slightly blurred, it offers the possibility of soft and diffused lighting, as well as being able to function as a structural light source.
Advances also point toward sustainability. Researchers have explored options such as the use of bio-based polymers derived from citrus peels and more eco-friendly production methods.
Despite these advances, glass is still considered more environmentally friendly at the end of its useful life. However, transparent wood opens up a world of possibilities in terms of design, strength, and energy efficiency, positioning itself as an innovative material with a promising future.
References
La madera transparente que jubilará al vidrio: es más resistente que el cristal | El Español-Omicron| Retreived March 22th, 2024 from: https://www.elespanol.com/omicrono/tecnologia/20240322/madera-transparente-jubilara-vidrio-fuerte-plastico-resistente-cristal/841166207_0.html
Adiós al plástico y al vidrio: la madera transparente que es 10 veces más resistente | HoyEco | Retrieved March 31th, 2024 from: https://www.ecoticias.com/hoyeco/madera-transparente-construccion/4585/
Estamos creando madera transparente y de última tecnología con un objetivo: revolucionar el futuro de los materiales | Xataka| Retreived December 25th, 2024 from: https://www.xataka.com/materiales/estamos-creando-madera-transparente-ultima-tecnologia-objetivo-revolucionar-futuro-materiales
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