By: mimi Martinez
At the moment, only about 17% of waste wood gets reused. Considering all the energy and carbon involved in wood’s production and use, this is a great are for improvement. To meet his need, scientists have started exploring turning waste wood into new use materials.
A new study[i] has developed a technology that can assist in repurposing waste wood. By mixing old wood with a special resin called melamine-formaldehyde (MF) and heating it up, waste wood can be adapted to glow in the dark at room temperature. This glowing effect is called room temperature phosphorescence (RTP), and the MF resin is the secret sauce. MF bonds tightly with the wood, keeping the glow safe from water and oxygen. Additionally, it also helps the natural parts of the wood, like lignin and holocellulose, shine brighter.
The result? The creation of “R-wood@MF” from recycled wood that glows green for over 330 milliseconds, a tiny blink that’s actually pretty long in science terms. Because the wood and resin stick together well, this glowing wood can survive water and other liquids without fading.
Possible applications include anti-counterfeit glue and optical films that play with light. Anti-counterfeit glue is often used to prevent tampering, unauthorized removal, and replication of security labels and products; while optical films are used to enhance displays in electronic devices like LCD screens, improving the efficiency of solar panels, and reducing glare on eyeglasses and car windows, among other uses. With the growth of wood waste, this approach could help reduce environmental impact and make our materials smarter, greener, and yes… even shine.
