This is one invention that could reshape the future of construction and manufacturing.
Scientists have developed a new type of wood, aptly named “Superwood” one that boasts a strength-to-weight ratio up to 10 times that of steel, while being six times lighter.
The material, now commercially available, is produced by InventWood, a company co-founded by materials scientist Liangbing Hu, whose research has redefined the possibilities of natural materials.
“People always complain that furniture breaks down over time, and that’s often because it sags or weakens at the joints, which are typically made of metal,” said Lau, a member of the InventWood team. “Superwood can replace these parts, as well as screws, nails, and other metal fasteners.”
The long-term vision, according to Lau, is even more ambitious, the creation of entire Superwood buildings, although more testing is needed before that becomes a reality.
The journey to this innovation began over a decade ago when Hu, then a researcher at the University of Maryland’s Center for Materials Innovation, set out to reinvent one of humanity’s oldest building materials. He experimented with removing lignin, the natural polymer that gives wood its color and rigidity, even creating transparent wood at one point. But his ultimate goal was to make wood stronger by enhancing cellulose, the primary structural component of plant fibers — and the most abundant biopolymer on Earth.
The key breakthrough came in 2017, when Hu and his team discovered that chemically treating and hot-pressing regular wood could drastically increase its density and strength. The process involves boiling the wood in a special chemical bath, then compressing it at high temperatures to collapse its cellular structure. The result is a compact, ultra-strong material that rivals — and in many ways surpasses — steel.
A study published in Nature described the result as having a strength-to-weight ratio higher than most metals and alloys, marking a pivotal moment for sustainable materials research.
After years of refining the process and securing over 140 patents, InventWood has now brought Superwood to market, opening new possibilities for architects, engineers, and designers seeking eco-friendly alternatives to steel and concrete.
Experts say the potential environmental impact could be profound. Philip Oldfield, Professor of Architecture at the University of New South Wales, who is not affiliated with InventWood, highlighted wood’s sustainability advantages: “Timber has environmental benefits over many other building materials, as its production process is less energy-intensive. Wood also stores carbon dioxide in its biomass, effectively locking in emissions for long periods.”
He added that stronger timber products like Superwood could enable larger, more durable wooden structures, paving the way for cities built with renewable, carbon-storing materials.
