Engineers create transparent wood

Wood is an amazing building material, but it rots, gets eaten, and blocks light. Engineers at the University of Maryland's Energy Research Center have developed a process to turn wood transparent — while making it stronger and more durable.

Produced by Zach Wasser and Dave Mosher. Video courtesy of Maryland Nanocenter.

[dtiydr]

I thought/hoped they had made wood transparent and much harder by it self by some chemical way, not adding epoxy.

[takeshikovacs]

It's basicly Epoxy with Wood pattern. It's not Wood.

[Kyleman]

Even if epoxy is replaced by reusable plastic, it will be pain in the ass to reuse it afterwards because there will be wood particles in this plastic. It will then get thrown in the trash and end up in the landfill anyways.
If they don't come up with ideas to make it durable, clear and that will biodegrade without consequences, then there is no future for this.

[whyask]

so its mostly epoxy. no wonder its strong

[PaleOrchid]

Just like we say Carbon (fiber), not Carbon fiber reinforced epoxy, I think transparent wood is ok

[jsal]

1:23 Even a piece of wood can handle more stress than I can.

[StudioOAC]

Sorry if I sound like some idiot, but is it possible you could somehow use this see through material for windows? It will be practical as the windows won't shatter and cause damage in areas like Japan where earthquakes are common and will provide very good insulation making for efficient housing design and reduced heat loss. Also could it be somehow made to regenerate so it can regrow itself like regenerate particular cells that maintain its structure and stop it from degrading? Sounds like a very cool advancement! :)

[redseve]

Whats the difference between stress and strain

[nowymail]

This is so toxic. First all the chemicals to make it clear. Then the epoxy treatment. How one could even consider using it when we have glass which is non-toxic, easy to recycle, easy to produce and cheap?

[glennlopez]

Thanks for the video!
Is the wood, first, bleached and then boiled?
Is the bleach sodium hypochlorite etc. like laundry bleach, or something stronger like oxalic acid?

[kinar]

The backround song is same with the "tires dont need air" video that insider put on youtube

[Arka_Das]

great, but I don't think its that much practical. people love the color & texture. and if u want transparency, there are other alternatives, more cheap & non toxic.

[pvanukoff]

So, it's not really wood anymore. What's the point? Just use resin or plastic to begin with.

[elipse]

The whole building would be made out of brick and the windows made out of wood. You heard of fire.

[duckmxscrooge]

Should rename, epoxy makes wood stronger

[NiffirgkcaJ]

It's still wood with plastic added.

[trevgauntletneu_gaming]

Must be a pain to remove those ligmas.

[bobbypatton]

Mhm. Fiberglass can be made translucent also. Turns out it is even stronger and cheaper.

[isaiahpenny]

But why all of a sudden you get bored and say, “HEY, LET’S MAKE TRANSPARENT WOOD!!!”

[runirokk]

Great invention, I need this glass... also, the tune playing underneath is "Shiny" from Disney's Moana. Who borrowed from who? :)