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.

The present invention relates to a wood treatment device (1) for treating wood, and to a method for treating wood. Said wood treatment device (1) comprises a cylindrical hollow body (2) having inner end which is inside the wood when in use, and an outer end facing away from the inner end and at least one outlet opening (4). The cylindrical hollow body (2) comprises a receiving space (20′) which is designed to receive a carrier material (20) containing a wood treatment agent. Said wood treatment device (1) also comprises a thrust pin (10) which extends along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical hollow body (2), and which can be moved outside of the cylindrical hollow body (2) on the outer end. Said thrust pin (10) comprises at least one closure section (11, 12) which closes at least one outlet opening when the wood treatment device (1) is not in use, and when the wood treatment device (1) is in use, the at least one outlet opening is released after moving and the receiving chamber is brought into contact with the 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.

The present disclosure describes a treated cellulosic material comprising a cellulosic material having a porous structure defining a plurality of pores, at least a portion of the pores containing a treating agent comprising a polymer, the polymer comprising a polyurethane polymer. The present disclosure further describes a method for preparing a treated cellulosic material comprising providing a cellulosic material; and a first treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with an aqueous dispersion comprising a polymer, the polymer comprising a polyurethane polymer; and a second treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a modifying agent, the modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic amine.

A method for preparing a treated cellulosic material comprising: providing a cellulosic material; a treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with an aqueous dispersion comprising a polybutene and a stabilizing agent.

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.

Provided is a wooden sheet having high flexibility (for example, folding resistance) and processability (for example, degree of processing freedom) even if the wooden sheet is considerably thick. Also provided is a method that can be used to produce such a wooden sheet. The wooden sheet is modified with a modifying agent including a combination of an acid or an alkali and a compound having a hydroxyl group.

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 filler material is applied to a plurality of wood elements. The plurality of wood elements is bonded into a composite wood product, where the bonding includes delivering ultrasound energy to the plurality of wood elements. The ultrasound energy has a frequency within a frequency range of 10 kHz-20 MHz.

The present disclosure describes a treated cellulosic material comprising a cellulosic material having a porous structure defining a plurality of pores, at least a portion of the pores containing a treating agent comprising a polymer, the polymer comprising a polyurethane polymer. The present disclosure further describes a method for preparing a treated cellulosic material comprising providing a cellulosic material; and a first treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with an aqueous dispersion comprising a polymer, the polymer comprising a polyurethane polymer; and a second treatment protocol comprising impregnating the cellulosic material with a modifying agent, the modifying agent comprising a hydrophobic amine.