UMD Researchers Create Super Wood Stronger Than Most Metals

Author:  University of Maryland
Source:  The Shot Peener magazine, Vol 32, Issue 3, Summer 2018
Doc ID:  2018035
Year of Publication:  2018
Abstract:  
ENGINEERS AT THE University of Maryland (UMD) have found a way to make wood more than ten times stronger and tougher than before, creating a natural substance that is stronger than many titanium alloys. “This new way to treat wood makes it twelve times stronger than natural wood and ten times tougher,” said Liangbing Hu, the leader of the UMD team that did the research, published in the journal Nature. “This could be a competitor to steel or even titanium alloys, it is so strong and durable. It’s also comparable to carbon fiber, but much less expensive.” Hu is an associate professor of materials science and engineering and a member of the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute.