A method of heat treating a wood board comprises: passing a wood board from an input end to a discharge end of a conveyor; and heating the board with radiant heat as it is passes along the conveyor, the heating can be such as to provide significant charring of the wood. The wood board is then brushed with at least one rotating brush. An apparatus, for carrying out the method, has a conveyor for conveying a wood board having an input end and a discharge end. A radiant heater is located above the conveyor for heating the wood board, and a rotating brush is mounted for rotation above the conveyor, for brushing the wood board after heating.

A laser system comprises a femtosecond laser, and a beam delivery system configured to deliver and scan a laser beam emanating from the femtosecond laser onto wood, based on a desired graphene design, wherein graphene is formed on the wood by the laser beam. A device capable of being fabricated by the laser system may include a temperature sensor which detects a temperature by measuring resistance of the graphene, a heater or a boiler which converts electrical energy to thermal energy, or electrical interconnects.

A laser system comprises a femtosecond laser, and a beam delivery system configured to deliver and scan a laser beam emanating from the femtosecond laser onto wood, based on a desired graphene design, wherein graphene is formed on the wood by the laser beam. A device capable of being fabricated by the laser system may include a temperature sensor which detects a temperature by measuring resistance of the graphene, a heater or a boiler which converts electrical energy to thermal energy, or electrical interconnects.

A method and apparatus for aging spirits using a novel wooden medallion, where the method requires selecting a type of wood, washing the wood, roasting the wood, and contacting the wood with an ethyl or ethanol alcohol based liquid product.

A method and apparatus for aging spirits using a novel wooden medallion, where the method requires selecting a type of wood, washing the wood, roasting the wood, and contacting the wood with an ethyl or ethanol alcohol based liquid product.

A method and apparatus for aging spirits using a novel wooden medallion, where the method requires selecting a type of wood, washing the wood, roasting the wood, and contacting the wood with an ethyl or ethanol alcohol based liquid product.

A method and apparatus for aging spirits using a novel wooden medallion, where the method requires selecting a type of wood, washing the wood, roasting the wood, and contacting the wood with an ethyl or ethanol alcohol based liquid product.

A method and apparatus for aging spirits using a novel wooden medallion, where the method requires selecting a type of wood, washing the wood, roasting the wood, and contacting the wood with an ethyl or ethanol alcohol based liquid product.

A method and apparatus for aging spirits using a novel wooden medallion, where the method requires selecting a type of wood, washing the wood, roasting the wood, and contacting the wood with an ethyl or ethanol alcohol based liquid product.

Disclosed herein is a process for the conditioning of wood barrels, in particular, a process for the rapid conditioning of wood barrels. The disclosed process may comprise one or more steps comprising: subjecting a wood barrel to heat to increase the temperature of the wood; contacting the heated internal surface of the wood barrel with a fluid additive; and then optionally: subjecting the interior of the wood barrel to a pressurised environment; and/or subjecting the wood barrel to further heating; repeating one or more steps; and allowing the wood barrel to cool, or cooling the wood barrel, to provide a conditioned wood barrel. Also disclosed is another process comprising the step of providing a bladder and a liquid additive within the interior of a wood barrel for a predetermined time to facilitate absorbing the additive into the wood, wherein the bladder reduces the interior volume of the wood barrel such that the liquid additive is in contact with the internal surface of the barrel. Also disclosed herein are conditioned wood barrels and uses thereof.