{"id":50145,"date":"2024-08-13T13:43:44","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T12:43:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=50145"},"modified":"2024-08-13T13:43:44","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T12:43:44","slug":"genetically-engineered-wood-revolutionises-green-construction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/genetically-engineered-wood-revolutionises-green-construction\/50145\/","title":{"rendered":"Genetically engineered wood to revolutionise construction industry sustainability"},"content":{"rendered":"
Researchers at the University of Maryland have made a groundbreaking advancement in the field of sustainable building materials by genetically modifying poplar trees<\/a> to produce high-performance, structural wood without the need for harmful chemicals or energy-intensive processing.<\/p>\n This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionise the construction industry by providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional building materials like steel and concrete while also contributing to carbon sequestration<\/a> efforts.<\/p>\n Engineered wood, made from traditional wood, is often hailed as a renewable substitute for materials such as steel, cement, glass, and plastic.<\/p>\n Its ability to store carbon for extended periods while resisting deterioration makes it a valuable tool in reducing carbon emissions.<\/p>\n However, the process of creating engineered wood typically involves the use of volatile chemicals and significant energy, leading to considerable waste and diminishing its sustainability.<\/p>\n To overcome this challenge, the research team at the University of Maryland, led by Professors Yiping Qi and Liangbing Hu, sought to develop a method to produce genetically engineered wood without relying on chemicals or energy-intensive processing.<\/p>\n The researchers utilised a technique called base editing to modify a key gene, 4CL1, in poplar trees.<\/p>\n This genetic modification resulted in a 12.8% reduction in lignin content\u2014a compound that traditionally needs to be removed through chemical treatments to make wood suitable for engineering.<\/p>\n Remarkably, the genetically engineered poplars grew alongside unmodified trees in a greenhouse for six months, showing no differences in growth rates or structure.<\/p>\n Lignin, while essential for maintaining the structure of natural wood cells, poses a challenge when creating high-strength engineered wood.<\/p>\n Typically, lignin must be stripped away using chemicals, which contributes to environmental pollution and energy consumption.<\/p>\n By reducing lignin content through genetic engineering, the team has managed to sidestep these drawbacks, creating a more sustainable and efficient method for producing engineered wood.<\/p>\n To evaluate the performance of the genetically engineered wood, the researchers created compressed wood samples\u2014a process that involves soaking wood in water under a vacuum and then hot-pressing it to increase its density.<\/p>\n The results were impressive: the genetically modified compressed wood was denser and more than 1.5 times stronger than untreated natural wood. Its tensile strength was comparable to that of aluminium alloy 6061, a material commonly used in construction.<\/p>\n Moreover, the performance of the genetically engineered wood was on par with chemically treated wood, demonstrating that this new method could effectively replace traditional, less sustainable practices.<\/p>\n This breakthrough in genetically engineered wood opens up new possibilities for producing building materials in a low-cost, environmentally friendly manner.<\/p>\n As the world seeks to combat climate change, innovations like this have the potential to play a crucial role by reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry while contributing to long-term carbon sequestration.<\/p>\n The research marks a significant step forward in the quest for sustainable building materials, offering a glimpse into a future where genetically engineered wood could become a staple in eco-friendly construction practices<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" University of Maryland researchers have genetically engineered wood that has the potential to transform sustainable construction.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":50146,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24433],"tags":[24142,24536,24229],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe challenge of sustainably engineered wood<\/h3>\n
Genetic engineering: A game changer<\/h3>\n
Performance results<\/h3>\n
Implications for the future<\/h3>\n