The world is moving towards a sustainability revolution. From paper packaging to electric vehicles, many different items are getting a ‘sustainable’ upgrade. Next on the list is one of the most common things worldwide-window glasses.
According to NY post, researchers at the forest products laboratory, a research wing of the United States department of agriculture (USDA), has developed a wood-based material that it as thin and transparent as glass.
The research team was able to create transparent wood then they treated a low-density balsa tree with hydrogen peroxide that ride it of nearly all visibility. The reformed wood pulp was then penetrated with a synthetic polymer called polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), resulting in a virtually transparent product.
The newly developed alternative is much lighter, more durable and five times more thermally efficient than glass, offering the world a sustainable and cost-effective solution.
In comparison, traditional glass is costly to produce and creates a burden of close to 25,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. It also transfer heat quickly, which leads to higher energy bills as warm air escapes through the window panes during the winter.
This, glass like material made from wood might be able to outperform traditional glass in almost every area. However, the compatibility can only be seen once it is used on a larger scale.
Interesting things to know…
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