"Unveiling the Future: The Fascinating Quest for Transparent Wood"

TL;DR Summary
Scientists have developed transparent wood by removing the pigments and modifying the glue that holds the cell bundles together in wood. By filling the resulting hollow cells with a substance that bends light, such as epoxy resin, the wood becomes transparent. Transparent wood is stronger than carbon fibers and outperforms plastic and glass in terms of strength and toughness. It has potential applications in smartphone screens, light fixtures, and architectural features like color-changing windows. It is also a better insulator than glass, making it useful for heat retention in buildings.
Topics:technology#alternative-to-plastic-and-glass#materials-science#polymer-composites#science-and-technology#structural-features#transparent-wood
Why scientists are making transparent wood Ars Technica
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