Using the legendary properties of heartwood from the black
locust tree as their inspiration, scientists have discovered a way to improve
the performance of softwoods widely used in construction. The method, reported
in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, involves addition of
similar kinds of flavonoid compounds that boost the health of humans.
Ingo Burgert and colleagues explain that wood’s position as
a mainstay building material over the centuries results from a combination of
desirable factors, including surprising strength for a material so light in weight.
Wood is renewable and sustainable, making it even more attractive in the 21st
century. Wood, however, has a major drawback that limits its use: It collects
moisture easily — warping, bending, twisting and rotting in ways that can
undermine wooden structures. Some trees, like the black locust, deposit
substances termed flavonoids into their less durable “sapwood.” It changes
sapwood into darker “heartwood” that reduces water collection and resists rot.
The scientists used this process as an inspiration for trying an improved
softwood that is more stable than natural wood.
journal reference (abstract free): acs >>