Article

2009-01-18 Europe

Liquid Wood Is Plastic of Tomorrow, Say Scientists

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Posted by tipper 2009-01-18 09:54|| || Front Page|| [3 views ] Top

#1 Plastic has been made out of wood in the US for some time in experimental quantities. The logistics of gathering the wood is a problem.

The more interesting related question is making plastic from coal as part of a coal gasification process. If this technology could be significantly advanced, it would offset some of the gasification costs or the costs associated with carbon sequestration.

Posted by mhw 2009-01-18 10:32|| 2009-01-18 10:32|| Front Page Top

#2 liquid wood? another name for alcohol in a pick-up bar?

Posted by Frank G">Frank G 2009-01-18 11:34|| 2009-01-18 11:34|| Front Page Top

#3 Of course, even though wood is a renewable resource, some people object to cutting down trees for any purpose ( I guess they live in caves or something).

Posted by Rambler in Virginia">Rambler in Virginia 2009-01-18 12:03|| 2009-01-18 12:03|| Front Page Top

#4 Only some synthetics are petroleum based. Nylon is made from coal, air and water; some polyesters are made from plant material. Toxicity is usually far less an issue than strength, durability, transparency and many other issues.

A highly valuable synthetic wood would replicate rare hardwoods such as teak, which are both slow growing and in high demand, reducing their natural availability.

Other, composite synthetic woods of high value would be in synthetic ironwoods, of various types, that would incorporate silicon, making them extremely strong and durable materials.

Posted by Anonymoose 2009-01-18 12:43|| 2009-01-18 12:43|| Front Page Top

#5 Even if this doesn't pan out, having other materials to make things with is always a plus.

If it does work, even better.

Posted by DarthVader 2009-01-18 14:24|| 2009-01-18 14:24|| Front Page Top

#6 mhw, we've been doing that for many years at the chemical plant where I work.

Posted by Deacon Blues">Deacon Blues 2009-01-18 19:04|| 2009-01-18 19:04|| Front Page Top

#7 "another name for alcohol in a pick-up bar?"

They still have pick-up bars? I thought most of those disappeared in the 1990's.

Posted by crosspatch 2009-01-18 21:21|| 2009-01-18 21:21|| Front Page Top

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