TRANSPARENT WOOD COMPOSITE, SYSTEMS AND METHOD OF FABRICATION

Smart overview of the Invention

Highly transparent wood composites have been developed with up to 92% light transmittance. The fabrication process involves removing lignin from the wood and infiltrating it with polymers that match the refractive index of the cellulose-containing channel walls. This method preserves the natural alignment of the wood's nanoscale fibers. The thickness and optical properties of these composites can be customized by adjusting the initial wood substrate's thickness and selecting polymers with different refractive indices.

Applications and Benefits

The transparent wood composites have diverse applications, including biodegradable electronics, optoelectronics, and energy-efficient building materials. Coating GaAs thin film solar cells with these composites has demonstrated an 18% increase in energy conversion efficiency. The material's unique properties make it suitable for guided sunlight transmittance and thermal insulation in buildings, potentially replacing traditional glass windows and rooftops.

Fabrication Process

The fabrication involves a two-stage process: first, lignin is extracted from the wood's low tortuosity channels. In the second stage, the lignin-free wood is infiltrated with polymers that have a refractive index closely matching that of the cellulose-containing channel walls. This process results in an anisotropic mesoporous composite with high mechanical strength and ductility, suitable for various optoelectronic and photonic systems.

Environmental and Structural Advantages

Transparent wood composites offer significant advantages over traditional materials like glass. Unlike glass, which has high thermal conductivity and brittleness issues, wood is a natural thermal insulator with excellent mechanical strength. The hierarchical structure of wood provides efficient water and ion transport, making it an ideal candidate for energy-efficient applications in buildings and other structural uses.

Potential Impact

The development of transparent wood composites aligns with energy conservation goals set by entities like the U.S. Department of Energy. By reducing energy consumption for lighting and heating, these composites could contribute to significant savings in residential and commercial buildings. Their use in optoelectronic devices could enhance light management, improving energy conversion efficiencies in devices such as solar cells.