Superwood aims to replace steel and concrete with a sustainable alternative

Forward-looking: As InventWood prepares to bring its first batches of Superwood to market, it stands as a testament to what can happen when scientific innovation meets entrepreneurial determination. If successful, Superwood could mark a turning point in the quest for greener, stronger, and more beautiful buildings. What began as a laboratory experiment at the University of Maryland is now poised to significantly influence construction practices. InventWood, a startup spun out of the university, is preparing to launch a new material known as Superwood – a wood-based product engineered to have a strength-to-weight ratio nearly ten times greater than steel, yet lighter and more sustainable. The story began in 2018, when Dr. Liangbing Hu, a materials scientist at the University of Maryland, developed a patented technique that transforms ordinary timber into a material up to 12 times stronger and 10 times tougher than its original form. Instead of letting the discovery languish in academ ... Read full article.