Wooden Cars

Japanese engineers have designed a supercar made from cellulose nanofiber (CNF), a plant-based material that is five times as strong as steel but only one-fifth the weight.

CNFs are manufactured from wood pulp that is chemically treated to remove lignin and hemi-cellulose. In addition to being lightweight and stronger than spider silk, they are highly versatile in terms of manufacturability, as they can be combined with resins and rubbers and injection molded into complex shapes. They are also easily recycled and biodegradable. Applications for these materials range from construction materials to computer components – and now to vehicles.

Known as the Nanocellulose Vehicle (NCV) the futuristic-looking supercar uses CNFs in the bodywork as well as interior components to decrease overall weight by about ten percent. It is estimated that this would reduce the carbon footprint of each vehicle by sustainably reducing the amount of carbon produced over its useful life by as much as 2,000 kilograms (4,400 pounds). The parts are currently undergoing rigorous testing for strength, durability and longevity.