Highly transparent (up to 92% light transmittance) wood composites have been developed. The process of fabricating the transparent wood composites includes lignin removal followed by index-matching polymer infiltration resulted in fabrication of the transparent wood composites with preserved naturally aligned nanoscale fibers. The thickness of the transparent wood composite can be tailored by controlling the thickness of the initial wood substrate. The optical transmittance can be tailored by selecting infiltrating polymers with different refractive indices. The transparent wood composites have a range of applications in biodegradable electronics, optoelectronics, as well as structural and energy efficient building materials. By coating the transparent wood composite layer on the surface of GaAs thin film solar cell, an 18% enhancement in the overall energy conversion efficiency has been attained.

Systems and methods for treating wood products are provided. The methods comprise preconditioning the wood product by irradiating one or more surfaces of the wood product with infrared (IR) and/or ultraviolet (UV) radiation and subsequently treating the wood product. The systems comprise one or more fixtures positioned to irradiate one or more surfaces of the wood product with IR and/or UV radiation, wherein each fixture comprises a reflector and a radiation source.

A process utilizes electron beam generated ionizing radiation or low energy electron irradiation to effect cure of polymerizable stain compositions applied to wood planking. The electron beam ionization process generates sufficient energy to break bonds and generate new cross-links within the polymeric stain composition thus bonding the stain strongly within the pores and surface of the wood planks further creating a durable treatment. The electron beam ionization process simplifies the curing process by eliminating or reducing the need for expensive photoinitiators. Pre-stained wood planking is suitable for exterior decking materials and building panels requiring a combination of color affected and durable finishes, thereby eliminating the need for field installation of pretreatments, stains, coatings and the like. These electron beam cured wood planks take on an assortment of appearances including clear, natural, translucent, and solid hues.

The present invention relates to a method for continuous acetylation of wood elements. The acetylation is conducted with an acetylation medium at a pressure of at least 1.5 barg in a substantially oxygen free environment. Alternatively, the method according to the invention comprises the steps of: (a) feeding wood elements in a substantially oxygen free environment to a continuous acetylation reactor, and (b) treating the wood elements with an acetylation medium in the continuous acetylation reactor under wood acetylation reaction conditions, at a pressure of at least 1.5 barg. The process according to the present invention allows to acetylate wood elements to a high acetyl content in a very efficient way, without compromising on the quality of the material. The acetylated wood elements can be used in the production of medium density fibreboards with superior qualities such as dimensional stability and durability.

A part made from lignocellulosic material (10) is formed from a single sheet (11) of partially delignified lignocellulosic material impregnated with an impregnation polymer. The part (10) comprises at least one curved portion having a double curvature surface. The part made from lignocellulosic material is produced by a production method implementing a thermoforming step. Use in particular for producing wood veneer structures.

A synergistic aqueous wood preservative composition comprising a copper compound and penflufen. The copper compounds of the compositions of the invention may be soluble, partially solubilized or micronized particles. The penflufen of the compositions of the invention may be solubilized, emulsified or particulate. The wood preservative compositions of the present invention are surprisingly provided as stable dispersions and confer surprising and unexpected resistance to treated wood and wood products.

A method of producing a thermally modified and impregnated wooden product is described herein. One or more pieces of wood are thermally modified. The thermally modified wood is formed into a wooden object by hand, tool, machine, a computer numerical controlled machine, or combinations thereof. The wooden object is then impregnated with one or more treatment agents to produce the thermally modified and impregnated wooden product. The wooden object is impregnated by applying pressure or heat while the object is in the presence of the one or more treatment agents. Minimal, if any, deformation of the thermally modified wooden object occurs during impregnation.

A method for preparing a wood preservative composition, includes modifying lignin with Na.sub.2B.sub.4O.sub.7 or NaNO.sub.3 and then with a chromium (II) salt, copper (II), cadmium (II) or zinc (II), for example, metal nitrates (Cr(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Cd(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2); to the preservative obtainable by this method; and to a method for preserving wood; and to the preserved wood. The preservative prevents degradation by xylophagous and fungal agents, and also improves some properties of the wood, and the hygroscopicity and fire resistance.

A method (10) for ethanol-based extraction of soluble wood components. Wood is prepared (12), and chipped (18) to provide wood chips. The wood chips and a liquid are mixed (20) in a container to provide a mixture. After waiting (22) for a specified time, RF energy is applied (26) to the mixture while controlling (28) at least one an RF power level, a temperature of the mixture, a time of application of the RF energy, or a speed of a pump which is circulating the liquid in the mixture. The mixture is then cooled (30), the liquid and the components are removed (32) from the container, and are filtered (36) to provide a filtered extract. The wood may be heated (14) such as by charring and/or toasting before being chipped. Oxygen may be added (34) to the liquid and the components removed from the container before being filtered.

A method for improving the hydrophobic properties of a cellulosic material having a measurable moisture content without leaving an acidic residue comprises immersing the material in an inert gas, treating the material at a first temperature of between about 180° F. and about 250° F. with a vapor of silane until the silane reacts with the moisture to form hydroxysilanes and an acid vapor, then treating the material at a second temperature of between about 280° F. and about 350° F. until the hydroxysilanes convert to dehydrated silanes that are diffusely resident in the material, and removing the moisture, the acid vapor and remaining silane vapor until the treated material is substantially acid free.