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.

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.

A durable palm fiber composite material is obtained by impregnating an unprocessed palm bark in a resin adhesive solution prepared by using a palm leaf as a raw material and then hot-pressing. The palm bark is dried under a natural state without additional processing. The palm leaf is made into a tannin resin adhesive solution under the effect of additives such as furfuryl alcohol, paraformaldehyde, and others. A pH value of the adhesive solution is controlled to be 9-11. A solid content is 40-60%. An adhesive amount applied to the palm bark by the resin adhesive solution is 800-1500 g/m.sup.2. Odd number of layers (three or more layers) of palm barks that are impregnated by the resin adhesive solution and are hot-pressed to the composite material. Hot-pressed parameters are as follows: the temperature is 150-180° C. the unit pressure is 0.8-1.5 MPa, and the time is 10-30 s/mm.

A wood stain composition comprises or consists essentially of a water-miscible polyol having a molecular weight less than 1000 Da, a water-dispersible hydrophobic polymer and a pigment dispersion for providing improved application properties and compliance with regulatory VOC limits.

A method for reinforcing and enhancing bamboo/wood materials employs a sulfuric acid hydrolysis method to prepare a nanocellulose dispersion solution; then with the nanocellulose dispersion solution having a certain concentration as a precursor, nano zinc oxide is in-situ produced on the surface of the nanocellulose; and the cellulose dispersion solution is improved by compounding. The obtained treatment solution is impregnated into the pores of bamboo/wood materials in a specific manner to play the role of filling, binding and consolidating the bamboo/wood tissues, so that the treated bamboo/wood materials have enhanced hardness, strength and dimension stability, and significantly-improved mildew- and corrosion-resistance. The method is suitable for the reinforcing and enhancing treatment of wood materials with relatively-loose texture, such as fast-growing wood and wood from a planted forest, and is also suitable for the reinforcement and restoration of slightly-rotten wood materials.

A composite material comprising a substrate body having a mesoporous structure defined by a network of interconnected fibers; and a thermochromic material including a hydrogel complex filling the mesoporous network, the hydrogel complex including a first polymer being a thermoresponsive hydrogel; wherein the thermochromic material undergoes an increase or a decrease of transparency in response to an external temperature exceeding or falling below a critical transition temperature of the thermochromic material, thereby changing an overall transparency of the composite material. A method of preparing the composite material of some embodiments of the present invention. Use of the composite material of some of the embodiments of the present invention for forming an article. Also a window unit including the composite material of some of the embodiments of the present invention.

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.

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.

This application relates to the technical field of building material processing, and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing a transparent heat-insulation building material based on waste wood. The method includes the following steps of: step S1, wood pretreatment, step S2, wood acetylation treatment, step S3, resin impregnating, and step S4, hot press molding to obtain a densified wood.

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.