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Scientists from Edinburgh Napier University and Sappi have developed a low cost way to turn wood into a wonder material that could be used to build greener cars, thicken paints and foods and even treat wounds.
It means South African-headquartered Sappi will be able to produce the lightweight material on a commercially viable basis – and without producing large volumes of chemical waste water associated with existing techniques.
The versatile material has previously been produced by intensively processing wood pulp to release ultra-small or ‘nano’ cellulose fibres – each so small that 2000 could fit inside the width of a single strand of human hair. But the Edinburgh Napier research team said they have been able to drastically reduce the amount of energy needed to power the process, as well as the need for expensive chemicals.
