What began as a laboratory experiment at the University of Maryland is now poised to significantly influence construction practices. InventWood, a startup spun out of the university,.
Forward-looking: As InventWood prepares to bring its first batches of Superwood to market, it stands as a testament to what can happen when scientific innovation meets entrepreneurial determination. If successful, Superwood could mark a turning point in the quest for greener, stronger, and more beautiful buildings.
What began as a laboratory experiment at the University of Maryland is now poised to significantly influence construction practices. InventWood, a startup spun out of the university, is preparing to launch a new material known as Superwood – a wood-based product engineered to have a strength-to-weight ratio nearly ten times greater than steel, yet lighter and more sustainable.
The story began in 2018, when Dr. Liangbing Hu, a materials scientist at the University of Maryland, developed a patented technique that transforms ordinary timber into a material up to 12 times stronger and 10 times tougher than its original form.
Instead of letting the discovery languish in academic obscurity, Dr. Hu further refined his technique, dramatically reducing the production time from over a week to just a few hours.
