Wood

Scientists have developed transparent bamboo that's also water- and fire-resistant

Materials

Transparent bamboo: A fireproof and waterproof alternative to glass

Glass might soon have some competition from an unlikely rival – bamboo. Scientists in China have turned regular old bamboo into a transparent material that’s also resistant to fire and water, and suppresses smoke.

From left to right, team members M.S.H Thakur, Muhammad Rahman and Chen Shi pose with 3D-printed wooden letters produced as part of the study

3D Printing

In a world-first, wooden items get 3D-printed out of wood-only ingredients

Scientists have developed a new "ink" that allows objects to be 3D-printed out of wood. The material could reduce the amount of wood that gets wasted in the manufacturing of various products, plus it could utilize existing wood waste.

Researchers have found a way to turn a wood-based waste product into a transparent coating or colorful reflective surface

Materials

Wood waste transformed into transparent, anti-fog coating

Researchers have turned lignin into nanoparticles that can create a transparent coating with antifog properties or a colorful antireflective surface, transforming this abundant waste product into a useful material with diverse applications.

The meticulously crafted stick shows the craftmenship of ancient hunting weaponry

Materials

Proof our ancestors were expert woodworkers 300,000 years ago

New analysis of a tool that dates back 300,000 years has revealed that our ancestors were skilled craftspeople that made useful hunting weapons designed for comfort, efficiency and longevity. Some of these skills are still seen in woodwork today.

By employing a high-precision CNC machining technique, the entire building is assembled without the use of screws or glue

Architecture

Precision in panel form: Constructing a furniture store from 386 pieces

Chinese architectural firm Partyfriendship Studio has constructed a unique workshop space using CNC panels, where the individuals can freely design and build their own furniture creations without the need for traditional tools, nails, or adhesives.

Researchers have created moveable wooden walls that would do away with the need for knocking down existing internal walls to create more space

Materials

Flexible, moveable wooden walls mean no more 'knocking through'

Knocking down a wall to create an open-plan space can be expensive. Researchers have created sustainable, moveable wooden partition walls that can be positioned right where you want them, making ‘knocking through’ a thing of the past.

Researchers have created a functional wooden transistor

Electronics

First working wooden transistor marks a step toward biodegradable tech

Wood isn’t usually very good at conducting electricity, but now scientists have created the first functional wooden transistor. It’s not the best, and it requires some processing, but it does work and could help make for biodegradable electronics.

Woodio describes the Block as the world's first bio-material toilet

Around The Home

World's first bio-material toilet swaps porcelain for composite wood

Some people like to install a wooden seat on their toilet for its warmth, but the Block goes further. Described by Woodio as the world's first bio-material toilet, it ditches porcelain in favor of a modern toilet that's made from composite wood.

The Aintro Handlebars are presently on Kickstarter

Bicycles

Aintro Handlebars feature integrated internally routed brake levers

When it comes to bicycle commuting, a lot of people like "city bikes" that are light, simple and streamlined. With their built-in internally routed brake levers, Aintro Handlebars were designed with just such folks in mind.

Scientists have come up with a novel way of capturing electricity from drying wood

Materials

Engineered wood generates electricity as it dries

By tinkering with fine details within wood, engineers in Sweden have come up with an interesting new way of harvesting electricity that leverages natural processes that already take place in drying wood.

The Tornado Updraft 12 RC Kit is priced at US$105

Aircraft

Tornado Updraft gives balsa-wood model planes an electric RC makeover

Many readers may fondly recall building rubber-band-powered balsa wood model airplanes. While the things were kinda cool, they didn't fly for long, nor could they be remotely controlled. Such is not the case, however, with the new Tornado Updraft 12.

Scientists have demonstrated a form of printable wood-based ink that morphs into complex shapes as moisture evaporates

Materials

Printable wood flour forms complex shapes as it dries

A lot of work goes into creating wooden objects like furniture, but some scientists are rethinking the process. They've created a wood-based ink that can be 3D printed into flat shapes, which then morph into more complex 3D forms as they dry out.