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Engineering

Biobased Composites

Just like wood, but spares trees
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Biobased Composites

A research group at Stanford University is developing synthetic wood that they expect will be sturdy enough to build a house frame and pliable enough to carve. The team of engineers says the faux timber (bacteria-derived biodegradable plastic resin bound to hemp fibers) could not only replace dozens of construction materials, it decomposes in a landfill after a few weeks, emitting methane that can be used to make more synthetic wood.
stanford.edu

3 Comments

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DerivePi
11/12/09 at 5:58 pm

"decomposes in a landfill after a few weeks." Sure hope the construction crew put the vapor barrier on correctly!

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mattkent
09/15/10 at 11:34 pm

With so many alternatives already on the market I must question the need and the real ecological benefits from this research. With respect, it appears that we are not curbing or using our natural resources rather we are now seeking to manipulate and create greater problems in the future as any product that requires manufacturing must include some negative bi products.

northchicago.floorcoveringsinternational.com

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mattkent
09/27/10 at 11:57 pm

With so many alternatives already on the market I must question the need and the real ecological benefits from this research. With respect, it appears that we are not curbing or using our natural resources rather we are now seeking to manipulate and create greater problems in the future as any product that requires manufacturing must include some negative bi products.

www.northchicago.floorcoveringsinternational.com

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