A treated cellulosic material comprising: a cellulosic material having a porous structure defining a plurality of pores, the cellulosic material comprising wood including wood or wood composite materials, at least a portion of the pores containing a treating agent comprising: a polymer comprising a water soluble polyol; and a modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic polyalkylene polyol. A method for preparing a treated cellulosic material comprising: providing a cellulosic material; a first treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a polymer, the polymer comprising a water-soluble polyol; and a second treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a modifying agent, the modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic polyalkylene polyol.

A treated cellulosic material comprising: a cellulosic material having a porous structure defining a plurality of pores, the cellulosic material comprising wood including wood or wood composite materials, at least a portion of the pores containing a treating agent comprising: a polymer comprising a water soluble polyol; and a modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic polyalkylene polyol. A method for preparing a treated cellulosic material comprising: providing a cellulosic material; a first treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a polymer, the polymer comprising a water-soluble polyol; and a second treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a modifying agent, the modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic polyalkylene polyol.

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.

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 invention provides a method for the acetylation of wood comprising treating the wood with an acetylation medium under wood acetylation reaction conditions and drying the acetylated wood, wherein the drying comprises at least two steps, wherein the wood is first dried with a first drying medium and then with a second drying medium.

The present invention provides a method for the acetylation of wood comprising treating the wood with an acetylation medium under wood acetylation reaction conditions and drying the acetylated wood, wherein the drying comprises at least two steps, wherein the wood is first dried with a first drying medium and then with a second drying medium.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for extracting phenols from a wood barrel whereby one or more of the wood barrels filled with a distilled spirit or wine are placed inside a container to which a gas transfer system is connected. The gas transfer system is provided with a pumping means for removing air from the cavity, filling the cavity with a gas, pressurizing the cavity with the gas, and reducing the pressure of the cavity. Means are provided for controlling the distilled spirit or wine evacuating from and absorbing and impregnating the porous structures of the wood barrel.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for extracting phenols from a wood barrel whereby one or more of the wood barrels filled with a distilled spirit or wine are placed inside a container to which a gas transfer system is connected. The gas transfer system is provided with a pumping means for removing air from the cavity, filling the cavity with a gas, pressurizing the cavity with the gas, and reducing the pressure of the cavity. Means are provided for controlling the distilled spirit or wine evacuating from and absorbing and impregnating the porous structures of the wood barrel.

The present invention provides a method for the acetylation of wood comprising treating the wood with an acetylation medium under wood acetylation reaction conditions and drying the acetylated wood, wherein the drying comprises at least two steps, wherein the wood is first dried with a first drying medium and then with a second drying medium.

The present invention provides a method for the acetylation of wood comprising treating the wood with an acetylation medium under wood acetylation reaction conditions and drying the acetylated wood, wherein the drying comprises at least two steps, wherein the wood is first dried with a first drying medium and then with a second drying medium.