This invention refers to a method for producing magnetic cork particles comprising the steps of providing a composition of an alkaline solution and cork particles, with a size comprised between 1 nm and 2 mm, and stirring; Adding an acid solution containing Fe.sup.3+ and Fe.sup.2+ cations to the composition to cause the magnetization of the cork particles and maintaining the stirring; Filtering the solution obtained to obtain a magnetized cork particles precipitate, and washing the precipitate with water until the washed solution reaches a pH comprised between 4 and 7, and let dry until obtaining stabilized magnetized cork particles, wherein the magnetization of the cork particles is due to the formation of a magnetite coating on the particles, being the magnetite adsorbed on the particle surface. It also refers to magnetized cork particles thus obtained and their uses.

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 with-in 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 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 with-in 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.

The present invention relates to the creation of thermally insulating materials derived from cellulosic materials by selectively depolymerizing the materials anatomy. Cellulosic materials may be comprised of three main biopolymers: lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose. The present invention relates to the chemical and physical removal of lignin and hemicellulose, while leaving the cellulose unaltered to induce increased porosity within the material and the material's macrostructure matrix for use as thermal and acoustic insulation. The increased porosity will be due to the creation of closed cell voids within the cellulosic matrix. These voids will increase the thermal and acoustic insulating performance of the cellulosic materials. The selective removal of secondary biopolymers from cellulosic materials allow for isolation of other value added products that can be regenerated through fewer reactions/steps. This is a novel advantage over other similar processes that dissolve cellulose completely, making it harder to extract and isolate secondary off-stream products.

A treatment process and wood products thereof including a product formulation of a single phase solution combining a wood preservative (durable component) with a Flame Retardant component (FR) to produce a durable Flame Retardant (dFR) treated wood product. The durable component comprises a range of copper based and non-copper based wood preservatives, while the FR component comprises alkali metal silicates and alkali metal aluminate compounds. The dFR working solution undergoes chemical impregnation (treatment) followed by a heat (fixation) process step that locks the chemical into the wood making it non-leachable. The dFR treated wood products are tested for their enhanced fire performance properties. When heated, wood undergoes thermal degradation and combustion producing gases, vapors, tars and chars. Using a cone calorimeter burn test method, dFR treated wood products show a significant reduction in heat release rate, mass loss rate and smoke generated values compared to untreated radiate pine.

An invention relates to thermal or thermomechanical processing of hygroscopic material to adjust the material properties. The invention concerns a modification arrangement for the hygroscopic material. The modification arrangement comprises a modification unit (202) and a fluid container (204) that is coupled with a control valve (205) to at least one fluid aperture (203). The modification arrangement is configured for heating the hygroscopic material in the modification unit (202) to extract water from it and, in response to opening of the control valve (205), leading fluid from the fluid container through said at least one fluid aperture (203) into the modification unit (202). The modification arrangement further comprises a treatment agent (207) added to the fluid so that the treatment agent (207) is absorbed into the hygroscopic material and modifies it. The treatment agent (207) includes at least one of the following ingredients: a preservative, a dye, a pigment, an aroma, an odour eliminator, a pesticide, an impregnation ingredient, or a fire retardant.

An invention relates to thermal or thermomechanical processing of hygroscopic material to adjust the material properties. The invention concerns a modification arrangement for the hygroscopic material. The modification arrangement comprises a modification unit (202) and a fluid container (204) that is coupled with a control valve (205) to at least one fluid aperture (203). The modification arrangement is configured for heating the hygroscopic material in the modification unit (202) to extract water from it and, in response to opening of the control valve (205), leading fluid from the fluid container through said at least one fluid aperture (203) into the modification unit (202). The modification arrangement further comprises a treatment agent (207) added to the fluid so that the treatment agent (207) is absorbed into the hygroscopic material and modifies it. The treatment agent (207) includes at least one of the following ingredients: a preservative, a dye, a pigment, an aroma, an odour eliminator, a pesticide, an impregnation ingredient, or a fire retardant.

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for treating wood to give it a desirable color that is durable over time, while at the same time rendering the wood resistant to fungal decay and insect attack. The wood may be pressure treated in a two-step process whereby the wood is first treated with a wood preservation composition, and then treated with a composition comprising pigments, or vice versa. Alternatively, the wood may be simultaneously treated with a composition comprising a wood preservative and a composition comprising pigments.

A composition for treating cellulosic materials is provided. The composition comprises a dispersion of micronized additives. The dispersion comprises additive particles with diameters in the range of 0.001 to 25 microns. Also provided is a method for the application of the additive-containing composition to wood, as well as wood products which have been treated with the composition.

A composition for treating cellulosic materials is provided. The composition comprises a dispersion of micronized additives. The dispersion comprises additive particles with diameters in the range of 0.001 to 25 microns. Also provided is a method for the application of the additive-containing composition to wood, as well as wood products which have been treated with the composition.