Nanowood Insulation

A new material consisting of the cellulose nanofibers found in wood could turn out to be the best insulator ever discovered. Known as nanowood, it has been shown to outperform nearly all of the insulators it was tested against, and it can be produced using a few inexpensive, simple chemicals.

The revolutionary insulation was created by exposing wood to sodium hydroxide, sodium sulphite and hydrogen peroxide. The chemicals remove lignin — the component of wood that makes it brown — as well as some of the shorter fibers that are entangled with the longer cellulose fiber structure. The remaining long, parallel channels, which were once used by the tree to transport water and nutrients, can be used to conduct heat; but when oriented in the right direction, they can also be used to block it.

In laboratory tests against Styrofoam and silica aerogel, a 2-centimeter-thick sample of nanowood demonstrated at least 10 degrees less heat transmission from one side to the other. In crush tests, it was also shown to be 30 times stronger. In addition, nanowood’s white color reflects sunlight very effectively, and its tiny fibers do not irritate lung tissues the way glass and wool fibers can. And since it can be made in virtually any shape or size, it can be used to insulate anything from buildings to electronic components.