The invention features a method of reconditioning a fluid container including heating for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select temperature for a select time duration; sealing for at least one cycle the fluid container; cooling for at least one cycle the fluid container to a select vacuum for a select time duration in an interior of the fluid container; wherein the select vacuum and the select time duration of the cooling step are selected to draw substantially a fluid from at least one of a pore, a cell and a fiber of the fluid container to a surface of the fluid container. The invention also features methods of infusing an infusion agent into a reconditioned fluid container, and methods for preparing construction materials, devices adapted for the construction material preparation methods, and construction materials including wood reconditioned and prepared in accordance with the methods of the invention.

A flexible structure is formed by subjecting cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes hemicellulose and lignin therefrom. The treated wood has a unique 3-D porous structure with numerous channels, excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility, and improved flexibility as compared to the natural wood. By further modifying the treated wood, the structure can be adapted to particular applications. For example, nanoparticles, nanowires, carbon nanotubes, or any other coating or material can be added to the treated wood to form a hybrid structure. In some embodiments, open lumina within the structure can be at least partially filled with a non-wood substance, such as a flexible polymer, or with entangled cellulose nanofibers. The unique architecture and superior properties of the flexible wood allow for its use in various applications, such as, but not limited to, structural materials, solar thermal devices, flexible electronics, tissue engineering, thermal management, and energy storage.

A super strong and tough densified wood structure is formed by subjecting a cellulose-based natural wood material to a chemical treatment that partially removes lignin therefrom. The treated wood retains lumina of the natural wood, with cellulose nanofibers of cell walls being aligned. The treated wood is then pressed in a direction crossing the direction in which the lumina extend, such that the lumina collapse and any residual fluid within the wood is removed. As a result, the cell walls become entangled and hydrogen bonds are formed between adjacent cellulose nanofibers, thereby improving the strength and toughness of the wood among other mechanical properties. By further modifying, manipulating, or machining the densified wood, it can be adapted to various applications.

The present disclosure relates to the use of various quinones to protect building materials from bird, pest and/or fungal damage. In particular, the disclosure relates to incorporating one or more quinone compounds in a building material to deter birds, pests or fungi from damaging such material.

The invention relates to a process for treating a lignocellulosic material, preferably wood, comprising the following steps: (1) soaking of the material with organic fluid in order to dissolve at least 40% and at most 85%, in weight %, of the lignin of the material; (2) washing with organic fluid so as to discharge the dissolved lignin; (3) filling with a filling compound; and (4) finishing, so as to obtain a composite formed of a three-dimensional network of transformed filling compound incorporated into a cellulose and lignin network. The invention also relates to a composite structure able to be obtained in this way, and to any part comprising at least one such structure.

Methods of reducing waste in the production of wood products, particularly a fenestration unit, and methods of coating a solid softwood component, as well as coated wood products are provided.

The present disclosure describes a treated cellulosic material comprising: a cellulosic material having a porous structure defining a plurality of pores, at least a portion of the pores containing a treating agent comprising: a polymer comprising an olefin-carboxylic acid copolymer; and a modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic amine.

The present invention relates to furniture panels, and more particularly, to a method for preparing functional engineered wood. It includes the following steps: make veneer blanks by rotary cutting or splicing, and cut the veneer blanks into desired dimensions to obtain veneers A. Soak the veneers A in a ternary mixed solution of a biomass nanocellulose solubilizer, a fire retardant and an acid dye for toughening, fire retardation and dyeing to obtain veneers B. Add a formaldehyde decomposing powder into a modified MUF adhesive, mix them up, coat the veneers B with the mixture to obtain veneers C. Assemble and cold-press the veneers C to obtain flitches D, and saw the flitches D into desired patterns and dimensions to obtain finished products.

The co-formulation of a wood preservative (‘treated’) with an inorganic (alkali metal silicates) based flame retardant which undergoes chemical impregnation. Once the ‘treated flame retardant” working solution has fully penetrated (sapwood) into the wood, it then undergoes a heat (fixation) process using various heating schedules to achieve chemical fixation. The treated flame retardant Modified Wood [tfrMW] products are then tested for their enhanced fire performance properties. When heated, wood undergoes thermal degradation and combustion producing gases, vapours, tars & chars. Using the ‘cone calorimeter’ test method, the [tfrMW] products showed a significant reduction in the following parameters: heat release rate (HRR), mass loss rate (MLR) & smoke generated (SEA) values compared to untreated radiata pine.

The co-formulation of a wood preservative (‘treated’) with an inorganic (alkali metal silicates) based flame retardant which undergoes chemical impregnation. Once the ‘treated flame retardant” working solution has fully penetrated (sapwood) into the wood, it then undergoes a heat (fixation) process using various heating schedules to achieve chemical fixation. The treated flame retardant Modified Wood [tfrMW] products are then tested for their enhanced fire performance properties. When heated, wood undergoes thermal degradation and combustion producing gases, vapours, tars & chars. Using the ‘cone calorimeter’ test method, the [tfrMW] products showed a significant reduction in the following parameters: heat release rate (HRR), mass loss rate (MLR) & smoke generated (SEA) values compared to untreated radiata pine.