science

High-tech wood treated with a chemical found in BLEACH could keep us cool in summer


High-tech wood treated with a chemical found in BLEACH reflects sunlight and could be used to build houses that stay cool in hot weather

  • Researchers from University of Maryland looked into chemically-treated wood
  • Found hydrogen peroxide can change cell structure, stopping heat absorption 
  • Potentially, this could negate the need for domestic air-conditioning units 

Chemically-treated wood may replace the need for air-conditioning and keep buildings cooler.  

Researchers from the University of Maryland made the finding after altering the material’s cell structure with hydrogen peroxide – a chemical also found in bleach, hair-dye and teeth whiteners. 

The wood reflects more energy from the sun, with less rays of light being absorbed and passed inside. 

Homes built with modified wood could therefore be kept cooler in hot weather, negating the need for domestic climate control. 

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An end to air-conditioning? Researchers from University of Maryland looked into chemically-treated wood, which reflects the bulk of near-infrared light

An end to air-conditioning? Researchers from University of Maryland looked into chemically-treated wood, which reflects the bulk of near-infrared light

Liangbing Hu, the study’s author, did this by removing the lignin from a tree’s cell wall. 

Lignin is created by plants to stiffen them and eventually leads to the production of wood. 

Although treated, the wood would actually be stronger than normal – boasting a durability that’s comparable to steel. 

Specifically, it would have tensile strength of around 404 megapascals. That’s nearly nine times greater than standard wood.  

As if that wasn’t enough, the team also discovered that the material can soak-up heat that’s produced indoors and release it back into the atmosphere, almost emulating the functional of an extractor fan. 

Flip-side: Although it would be effective in summer, the material wouldn't be able to absorb any heat in the colder months, which would likely cause higher central heating costs

Flip-side: Although it would be effective in summer, the material wouldn’t be able to absorb any heat in the colder months, which would likely cause higher central heating costs

HOW DOES IT WORK? 

The wood is treated with hydrogen peroxide, which removes a chemical called lignin.

Lignin is produced by plants and produces support systems for them. 

Lignification is also the process that leads to the production of wood.   

This means the cell walls mostly comprise of cellulose, which reflects visible light. 

Heat is then reflected, keeping internal temperatures low.  

When translated to energy costs, Hu’s team calculated that it could reduce energy consumption by 20 to 35 per cent. 

They did this by replacing the ceilings and exterior walls in various apartment buildings across 16 US states. 

However, there is a flip-side: the material wouldn’t be able to absorb any heat in the colder months, which would likely cause higher central heating costs. 

Therefore, Hu suggests the material is used in areas renowned for their oppressively hot weather, such as Arizona and Hawaii.

The study was published in the journal, Science 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO EARTH WHEN THE SUN DIES?

Five billion years from now, it’s said the sun will have grown into a red giant star, more than a hundred times larger than its current size. 

Eventually, it will eject gas and dust to create an ‘envelope’ accounting for as much as half its mass.

The core will become a tiny white dwarf star. This will shine for thousands of years, illuminating the envelope to create a ring-shaped planetary nebula.

Five billion years from now, it's said the sun will have grown into a red giant star, more than a hundred times larger than its current size (file photo)

Five billion years from now, it’s said the sun will have grown into a red giant star, more than a hundred times larger than its current size (file photo) 

While this metamorphosis will change the solar system, scientists are unsure what will happen to the third rock from the sun.

We already know that our sun will be bigger and brighter, so that it will probably destroy any form of life on our planet.

But whether the Earth’s rocky core will survive is uncertain. 

 



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