A transparent wood comprising at least one polymer and a wood substrate comprising more than 15% lignin, measured as Klason lignin, and having an optical transmittance of at least 60%, as well as a method for its preparation.

A transparent wood comprising at least one polymer and a wood substrate comprising more than 15% lignin, measured as Klason lignin, and having an optical transmittance of at least 60%, as well as a method for its preparation.

Disclosed are methods of protecting porous substrates and/or increasing the peel-resistance of coatings and stains for porous substrates. The methods may include providing a stain or coating comprising a microencapsulated self-healing material; and applying the stain or coating to a porous substrate. Damage to the stain or coating may release the self-healing material at a site of damage, such as a crack or scratch in the stain or coating. The self-healing material may be a polymeric precursor, an unsaturated polyester resin or alkyd, a fatty acid-based natural oil or derivative thereof, or a cross-linkable silane or siloxane monomer or resin. The microencapsulated self-healing material may include a microcapsule having a shell wall that includes a thermosetting polymer or a thermoplastic polymer; the thermosetting polymer may include urea-formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde, polyurethane, polyurea, or polyacrylate; and the thermoplastic polymer comprises poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(lactic acid), or poly(glycolic acid).

A woodworking bridge has two base walls or components that enable the bridge to span an abutment or joint between two work pieces. A top surface enables a clamp to engage the bridge to permit the clamp to apply a clamping force to a first work piece and a second work piece on both sides of the joint and prevent the clamp from contacting the joint. This allows any adhesive that oozes from the joint to be cleaned without curing in the top surface and/or the bottom surface of the two work pieces. The work pieces may then be stained without any cured adhesive in the pores of the work pieces where stain is applied.

A woodworking bridge has two base walls or components that enable the bridge to span an abutment or joint between two work pieces. A top surface enables a clamp to engage the bridge to permit the clamp to apply a clamping force to a first work piece and a second work piece on both sides of the joint and prevent the clamp from contacting the joint. This allows any adhesive that oozes from the joint to be cleaned without curing in the top surface and/or the bottom surface of the two work pieces. The work pieces may then be stained without any cured adhesive in the pores of the work pieces where stain is applied.

Provided is a method for producing colored wood, the method including: a step of impregnating a block of wood with an organic acid aqueous solution containing an organic acid; and a step of performing steam treatment at high temperature and high pressure on the block of wood in a wet state of being impregnated with the organic acid aqueous solution while keeping the block of wood in the wet state. In the steam treatment, the temperature is 110? C. or more and 160? C. or less and the pressure is a saturated steam pressure at the temperature.

Provided is a method for producing colored wood, the method including: a step of impregnating a block of wood with an organic acid aqueous solution containing an organic acid; and a step of performing steam treatment at high temperature and high pressure on the block of wood in a wet state of being impregnated with the organic acid aqueous solution while keeping the block of wood in the wet state. In the steam treatment, the temperature is 110? C. or more and 160? C. or less and the pressure is a saturated steam pressure at the temperature.

A new composition has been invented which for restores the appearance of finished wood surfaces. The composition includes between 20 and 40%, by volume, of at least two oils; between 60 and 80%, by volume, of an organic, nonpolar solvent; and, at least two colorants, with a first colorant comprising about twice, by volume of a second colorant. The at least two oils may be any combination of tung oil, boiled linseed oil, and, olive oil, preferably all three are present. The organic, nonpolar solvent may be high grade mineral spirits. The first colorant may be yellow oxide and the second colorant may be raw umber.

A new composition has been invented which for restores the appearance of finished wood surfaces. The composition includes between 20 and 40%, by volume, of at least two oils; between 60 and 80%, by volume, of an organic, nonpolar solvent; and, at least two colorants, with a first colorant comprising about twice, by volume of a second colorant. The at least two oils may be any combination of tung oil, boiled linseed oil, and, olive oil, preferably all three are present. The organic, nonpolar solvent may be high grade mineral spirits. The first colorant may be yellow oxide and the second colorant may be raw umber.

A delignified wood material is formed by removing substantially all of the lignin from natural wood. The resulting delignified wood retains cellulose-based lumina of the natural wood, with nanofibers of the cellulose microfibrils being substantially aligned along a common direction. The unique microstructure and composition of the delignified wood can provide advantageous thermal insulation and mechanical properties, among other advantages described herein. The thermal and mechanical properties of the delignified wood material can be tailored by pressing or densifying the delignified wood, with increased densification yielding improved strength and thermal conductivity. The chemical composition of the delignified wood also offers unique optical properties that enable passive cooling under solar illumination.