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State-of-the-art technology transforms see-through wood

Since it was first introduced in 2016, transparent wood has been developed by researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology as an innovative structural material for building construction. It allows natural light to pass through and can even store thermal energy.

The key to turning wood into a transparent composite material is to remove its lignin molecule, which is the main light-absorbing component in wood. But the voids left by the absence of lignin need to be filled with something to restore the strength of the wood and allow light to pass through.

Photo: @KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

Photo: @KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

In previous versions, researchers at KTH’s Wallenberg Wood Science Center used polymers made from fossils. Now, researchers have successfully tested a more eco-friendly alternative, limonene acrylate, a monomer made from limonene extracted from citrus peels. Lead author Céline Montanari said: “The new limonene acrylate is obtained from citrus peels, which can be harvested after the orange juice is extracted.”

The researchers report that the new limonene acrylate provides up to 90% optical transmittance at 1.2 mm thick, along with a strength of 174 MPa (25.2 ksi) and an elasticity of 17 GPa (or approx. 2.5 Mpsi).

Photo: @KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

Photo: @KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

Professor Lars Berglund, head of KTH’s Department of Fiber and Polymer Technology, says sustainability remains a top priority for the team.

Berglund said: “The consideration of environment and so-called green chemistry permeates this whole research work. The finished material is completely solvent-free, and all chemicals are derived from biological raw materials.

Photo: @KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

Photo: @KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

New advances in this work could pave the way for a wide range of unexplored applications, such as the application of nanotechnology in wood, smart windows, wood for heat retention, wood with integrated functions. lighting, even laser wood.

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