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Synthetic Wood

Posted March 20, 2009 9:15 AM

From The Engineer:

Researchers at Stanford University in California have developed a synthetic-wood substitute that may one day save trees, reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and shrink landfills. The wood is made from a novel biodegradable plastic that could be used in a variety of building materials and perhaps replace the petrochemical plastics now used in billions of disposable water bottles.

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Anonymous Poster
#1

Re: Synthetic Wood

03/20/2009 11:03 AM

In a related story, scientists working at the National Artificial Intelligence Laboratory have released a statement cheering this news. The heretofore lack of an acceptable synthetic wood has long been seen as a major roadblock to the successful completion of their fully-autonomous robotic woodpecker.
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Delmar
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#2

Re: Synthetic Wood

03/21/2009 10:38 AM

Plastic lumber is nothing new, the decking industry has been producing extruded product for years and getting premium prices for it.

Curious why they would mention "biodegradable" as a feature? If I choose to pay more for plastic decking vs wood decking, the choice is based upon how long the decking will last before it degrades

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Dragonsfarm
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#3

Re: Synthetic Wood

03/21/2009 1:33 PM

Biodegradable: the new "buzzword", anything to make it sound "green". Real wood is already biodegradable: ask a termite.

Regards Dragon

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