In a surprising new development, researchers are now turning to transparent wood as a potential game-changer for screens, aiming to replace the ubiquitous glass and plexiglass we've come to love inside smartphones. Imagine a screen that's not just sleek but ten times stronger than glass and three times more robust than plexiglass.
It's not science fiction – it's the future in the making. Swedish researcher Lars Berglund, affiliated with the KTH Institute of Technology, and a team at the University of Maryland are at the forefront of this transparent wood revolution.
Their secret recipe is modifying/eliminating lignin, the tree component responsible for its brown color. By bleaching and infusing the wood with epoxy resin, the researchers have created transparent wood sheets boasting up to 90% light pass-through rate.
However, there's a catch. As the wood's thickness increases, the transparency rate drops, raising questions about its viability for thicker applications. Yet, this hasn't dampened the researchers' enthusiasm. Transparent wood displays could become the next big thing.
Wood glass has high potential in other areas needing enhanced durability compared to traditional glass. The benefits continue beyond the smartphone applications. Transparent wood could be a boon for the environment, but the current production process involves a petroleum-derived plastic product, epoxy resin.
Researchers are optimistic about finding a sustainable alternative, paving the way for eco-friendly transparent wood displays in our devices. The smartphones with transparent wooden screens combining strength, durability, and a natural appeal seem a bit out of touch now. But it could lead to groundbreaking innovations in the future.