Articles tagged with Wood
The EU climate target 2040 aims to reduce emissions, and ForestPaths suggests using forests and wood products to sequester carbon. The project recommends a holistic approach to consider interactions between forest-based activities, adaptation, and other sectors.
A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that cutting boards made of plastic and wood can release tens of millions of microparticles when chopped, which may have negative health impacts if ingested. The researchers estimated that polyethylene microplastics could produce 14 to 71 million particles per year.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed flexible wooden partition walls using kerfing technology, allowing residents to adapt their spaces as needed. The innovative system aims to reduce waste and carbon emissions while providing affordable solutions for housing.
Researchers found improved cookstoves produce twice as many harmful ultrafine air pollution particles (PM0.1) as conventional stoves. Despite reducing fine particles by up to 65%, they increase ultrafine particle emission.
Researchers found that beetles in dead wood diversity is influenced by energy types depending on their position in the food chain, with bottom-dwelling species benefiting from stored energy and top-dwellers responding to solar radiation.
A Texas A¼M researcher has received a $3M NSF grant to test 3D printing living matter for substituting petroleum-based plastics in packaging, furniture and construction industries. The project aims to create locally available materials that can generate domestic jobs.
The team developed a working wood transistor that can regulate electric current without deteriorating, paving the way for wood-based electronics. The technology could potentially lead to applications such as regulating electronic plants, which is another strong research area at Linköping University.
A team of scientists has discovered the oldest evidence of tylosis formation in a 360-million-year-old fossil from Ireland, providing insights into the evolution of plant defenses. The discovery sheds light on how early woody species protected their wood from pathogens and water loss.
Researchers discovered that ambrosia beetles Xylosandrus germanus use the volatile compounds of their fungal symbionts to aggregate and potentially kill trees. This finding suggests a new method for biological control by targeting specific beetle species with trapping lures based on these compounds.
Scientists have mapped the largest known woody deposit in the Mackenzie River Delta, finding it stores about 3.4 million tons of carbon. The deposit, covering 51 square kilometers, is an important part of the carbon cycle and has significant implications for climate change.
Researchers found that 89% of Dominica's trees sustained damage from Hurricane Maria, but only 10% were immediately killed. The study suggests that forests in hurricane-prone regions can resist extreme weather events due to their adapted structure and composition.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology developed a thermal wood composite using coconuts and lemons that can store both heat and cold. The material, which is transparent and energy-saving, can regulate temperatures around 24C, reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling.
A research group at Nagoya University discovered that the Japanese longicorn beetle has a symbiotic yeast called Scheffersomyces insectosa. The yeast breaks down xylose and other wood components, making it edible for the beetles.
A team led by Professor Siegfried Waldvogel has successfully degraded Kraft lignin using a
Scientists have successfully developed a novel method to recover vanillin from Kraft lignin, a previously waste material, without using harmful chemicals. This process utilizes recycled materials and electric power, making it an environmentally friendly approach to meet the high demand for vanillin in various industries.
Researchers have developed a method to transform lignin, a biopolymer found in biomass, into chemically recyclable plastics using light. This breakthrough could advance the circular plastic economy by producing next-generation materials with reduced waste.
Rice University scientists have developed a method to engineer wood that traps carbon dioxide while increasing its strength. This process involves removing lignin and hemicellulose from the wood and replacing them with metal-organic framework particles, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional materials.
Researchers have developed a shellac-based coating to improve the gas barrier properties of moulded pulp materials, making them suitable for food packaging. The coating, combined with nanofibrillated cellulose, provides superior water resistance and thermal stability, while preserving environmental sustainability.
Replacing biomass-burning cookstoves in sub-Saharan Africa could save 463,000 lives and $66 billion in health costs. However, adoption has been sluggish due to high upfront costs, with many households unable to afford cleaner alternatives.
The expansion of forests in Central Europe, circa 11,000 years ago, led to the decline and eventual extinction of large Ice Age mammals such as mammoth and bison. The growth of trees deprived these herbivores of their main food source, grass.
Scientists at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a method to harness electricity from wood placed in water, producing small amounts of bioelectricity. By nanoengineering the wood's surface area and porosity, they improved electricity generation by 10 times compared to natural wood.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a new kind of wood-based degradable plastic with semi-structural strength, enabling the replacement of fossil-based materials in home construction and furnishing. The material can be broken down without harming the environment, allowing for recycling and reuse of fibers.
A new study reveals that wood releases low levels of formaldehyde at room temperature due to a lignin-mediated Fenton reaction. Researchers have developed an effective, low-cost method to mitigate this release by mixing antioxidants and chelators with wood or spraying them on surfaces.
A new international study reveals termites' pivotal role in wood decay, contributing to the earth's carbon cycle, and their sensitivity to temperature and rainfall. Termites may increasingly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions with climate change.
The six interdisciplinary studies will explore effective ways to expand UK trees, hedgerows, woodlands, and forests in rural and urban settings. Researchers aim to improve understanding of treescapes' value to people and the planet, supporting the Government's ambition to increase tree cover.
A new study suggests that timber cities could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using wood as a building material. The researchers found that housing in mid-rise buildings made of wood could avoid more than 100 billion tons of CO2 emissions by 2100, equivalent to 10% of the remaining carbon budget for the 2°C target.
Researchers have developed a way to print wooden objects that can self-morph into complex 3D shapes after drying. The technique uses a combination of print speed and pathway to control the final shape, which could reduce shipping volume and costs for furniture and other wood products.
A new USDA Forest Service study projects that residential structures will continue to increase carbon storage through 2070 and beyond. The research examines how population growth and income can be combined to project rates of new housing construction and its impact on carbon storage in wood products.
Replacing coal with woody biomass in Georgia's power plants reduces carbon emissions by 43%, according to a new study. The most carbon-efficient way to generate electricity is using both pulpwood and logging residues, which could be supplied by harvesting trees from six southern states.
Scientists have developed a biomass-derived plastic similar to PET that meets the criteria for replacing several current plastics. The new plastic can be produced in one step using inexpensive chemicals and retains its sugar structure, making it easy to degrade.
Researchers developed a wood-based insulating material that offers superior thermal performance to existing plastic-based materials. The new aerogel-integrated wood material is created without adding additional substances and has the potential to replace fossil-based aerogels for energy efficiency and sustainable development.
A new artificial enzyme has successfully degraded lignin, a stubborn polymer in woody plants, offering hope for developing a new renewable energy source. The enzyme, developed by mimicking natural enzymes that break down lignin in nature, shows promise for producing valuable products from lignin.
Lab-grown plant material can be precisely controlled for physical and mechanical properties, such as stiffness and density. The researchers use a 3D bioprinting process to grow custom shapes and sizes of plant material.
Researchers found tree growth not source-limited but rather by cell growth, suggesting forests may not absorb as much carbon as thought. The study's findings challenge current forest growth models and highlight the need for climate change mitigation strategies.
Researchers developed a strong, water-resistant wood glue using glucose and citric acid for plywood. The adhesive meets China's standard requirement and is more energy-efficient than traditional adhesives.
Researchers found that trees in tropical forests produce significantly more seeds than those in boreal regions, challenging the assumption that larger seeds mean fewer offspring. The studies also reveal that seed production is not constrained by seed size and provide new guidance for forest management and replanting.
A recent study found that US trees generate a total of $114 billion annually in ecosystem services, with carbon storage and air quality regulation contributing 51% and 37% respectively. The most valuable tree species are pine and oak, but face growing threats from climate change and pests.
Researchers at TUM have developed a new process for producing ethanol from waste wood and hydrogen, resulting in a lower cost compared to traditional methods. The process has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75% and can be used as a low-carbon fuel alternative.
Researchers have developed a new type of coating that can limit the flammability of wood used in construction, potentially providing more time to escape fires and curb their spread. The environmentally friendly flame retardant could also be used for other flammable materials.
Researchers at MIT have engineered a composite made mostly from cellulose nanocrystals, which is stronger and tougher than some types of bone, and harder than typical aluminum alloys. The material has a unique brick-and-mortar microstructure that resembles nacre, making it resistant to cracks and plastic deformation.
Researchers analyzed 54,045 georeferenced pieces of building timber to track changes in building activity across Europe from 1250 to 1699. They found clear evidence for the Late Medieval Crisis, the Thirty Years' War, and economic boom periods, with building activity tracking historical price of grain and lead pollution.
A Kyoto University-led team has created a novel hydrogen plant design that harnesses fully renewable resources to produce clean hydrogen with minimal associated CO2 emissions. The SABI-Hydrogen system uses solar heating and biomass gasification to produce hydrogen, resulting in an emission rate of only 1.04kg CO2/kg hydrogen produced.
Researchers estimate that 4.7 million cubic meters of large wood enter oceans annually, negatively impacting coastal and marine environments. The study aims to raise awareness about the consequences of interrupting this natural process.
Researchers at West Virginia University have developed a wood boiler system that improves bird health and reduces carbon dioxide emissions by drying litter and creating dry heat. The system has the potential to replace propane heating systems in poultry farms, benefiting both animal welfare and the environment.
Researchers at MIT created a computational tool to minimize embodied carbon in truss structures by choosing between timber and steel. The analysis suggests that substituting materials or changing the structure can significantly reduce emissions, with potential savings of up to two times current levels.
Researchers from Louisiana State University uncover salt workers' residences and outdoor areas where fish were salted and dried. The discovery sheds light on the organization of the salt industry and its importance to inland cities during the Classic Maya civilization.
Researchers used a new X-ray technique to identify substances quietly eating away at the Mary Rose's timbers, contributing to its decay. The technique, developed by Kirsten Marie Ørnsbjerg Jensen, allows for better preservation of cultural artefacts and archaeological relics.
Researchers used a powerful X-ray technique to identify nanoparticles in the wood of King Henry VIII's favorite ship, the Mary Rose. The findings reveal previously undetected products that could cause damage to the historic vessel.
Researchers at INRAE found that drought conditions do not trigger esca leaf symptoms in vines. The scientists used controlled drought conditions to monitor the physiological state of 51 Sauvignon blanc vines, half under drought, and found no correlation between drought and disease development.
Researchers have developed hardened wooden knives that are 23 times harder and nearly three times sharper than stainless-steel dinner table knives. The material can be used to produce wooden nails as sharp as conventional steel nails and has potential applications in hardwood flooring and other wood products.
A new grant initiative aims to increase Tennessee's hardwood exports to Vietnam, leveraging the state's top three hardwood lumber-producing status. The project will assess market opportunities and provide trade insights, with the goal of capturing increased market share in Vietnam.
Researchers say the July 2021 flood in western Germany was more destructive than predicted, with mobilization of dead wood and sediment contributing to its impact. The event highlights the need for science to better understand precipitation-induced floods and their associated self-reinforcing effects.
The study reveals that climate change affects the rate of decomposition and insect contributions to deadwood, releasing approximately 10.9 giga-tons of carbon worldwide annually
A study found that fires in the Amazon's wettest areas destroy small and medium-sized trees, leading to a loss of biomass and carbon stocks. The destruction can last for decades, with saplings and bushes being among the first to die.
Researchers at Aalto University have developed a bio-based coating for wood using lignin, a natural polymer abundant in wood and other plant sources. The coating retains the natural structure of wood, making it more water repellent and resistant to stains and sunlight.
A Japanese research team has developed a technique to extract cellulose nanofibers from hop stems, reducing agricultural waste in the beer industry. The researchers used a simplified process that eliminates lignin and hemicellulose removal, yielding CNFs with a median width of about 2 nanometers.
Researchers solve a major problem in manufacturing metallic wood, eliminating inverted cracks that plagued similar materials for decades. The new material allows strips of metallic wood to be assembled in areas 20,000 times greater than before, enabling the creation of stronger, more consistent devices.
A new study demonstrates the importance of planting new commercial forests in fighting climate change. The study shows that future use of harvested wood can remove more CO2 from the atmosphere than previously thought, thanks to advancements in carbon capture & storage technology.
Bamboo cricket bats offer improved performance, including increased strength and energy transfer, according to a recent University of Cambridge study. The research also highlights the potential environmental benefits of using bamboo, as it is more sustainable and requires less waste during manufacture than traditional willow.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a transparent composite material made from limonene acrylate, a monomer derived from renewable citrus. The material offers high optical transmittance and low haze, with applications in structural use and potential uses in smart windows and nanotechnology.