Why scientists are making transparent wood

[stevecassidy]

An interesting article about the development of transparent wood products by bleaching out the lignum and replacing it with polymers. Most interesting to me was that they are developing non-petroleum based polymers (from citrus peel). The resulting material is 90% transparent and has much better insulation properties than glass. I wonder if we could get used to using this?

Why scientists are making transparent wood - Ars Technica

Steve

[rjtwin501]

Wow thanks for the link Steve.
Science has always captured my imagination as does this article.
I marvel at the changes in my life time and wonder about the future.

Cheers John T

[GraemeCook]

Fascinating article.

But replacing the lignin in wood with epoxy hardly seems sustainable technology. Yet it is basic research. Who knows where it will lead?