A groundbreaking new product called “Superwood” has emerged from a US company, promising remarkable strength and lightweight properties. Developed by InventWood and co-founded by material scientist Liangbing Hu, this engineered wood boasts a strength-to-weight ratio up to ten times that of steel, with a weight that is six times lighter.
The Development of Superwood
Liangbing Hu initiated his quest to revolutionize wood over a decade ago at the University of Maryland’s Center for Materials Innovation. Hu, now a professor at Yale, aimed to harness the natural properties of wood while enhancing its strength using cellulose, the planet’s most abundant biopolymer.
The significant breakthrough came in 2017 when Hu chemically treated conventional wood. This process involved boiling the wood in a mixture of water and specific chemicals, followed by hot-pressing, which significantly increased the wood’s density and strength. His research, published in the journal Nature, reported that this modified wood surpassed many structural metals in strength-to-weight ratio.
Commercial Launch and Production
Years of research and over 140 patents later, Superwood has officially launched. Alex Lau, the CEO of InventWood since 2021, explained that while the material resembles traditional wood, it greatly outperforms it in terms of strength. Lau envisions using Superwood in construction, potentially allowing structures to be four times lighter. This would improve earthquake resistance and simplify foundation requirements.
Currently, Superwood is produced in Frederick, Maryland. The production process has dramatically shortened, now measured in hours instead of days. InventWood aims to initially market Superwood for external applications like decking and cladding, before expanding into interior uses such as wall paneling and flooring in the coming year.
Applications and Benefits of Superwood
- Superwood is up to 20 times stronger than conventional wood.
- It has ten times the resistance to dents due to its toughened structure.
- It is resistant to pests and fungi and performs excellently in fire resistance tests.
- It aims to be competitive with steel in terms of cost as production scales.
Additionally, Superwood was designed to replace metal fasteners traditionally used in furniture, addressing concerns about durability in joints, which often fail over time. InventWood’s processes allow the use of various wood species, as well as bamboo, enhancing versatility.
Environmental Considerations
Though Superwood’s initial costs are higher than regular wood and its carbon footprint larger, its manufacturing generates 90% less carbon emissions than that of steel. With a more sustainable production process compared to concrete, it aligns with the growing trend of using timber in construction.
Advancements in wood construction have led cities like Milwaukee to plan taller timber buildings, responding to the construction industry’s shift toward more environmentally friendly materials. Experts note that while stronger timber products like Superwood offer incredible potential, industry adoption requires overcoming existing conservative practices and regulatory hurdles.
In conclusion, Superwood represents a significant advancement in building materials. Its unique characteristics and environmental benefits may pave the way for wider adoption of timber in modern construction.
