Designing functional wood materials for novel engineering applications

Wood has great potential to become a key material for future bio-economy, thanks especially to its intrinsic renewability and CO2-storing capacity. Improved functionalization treatments can make wood materials valid substitutes for less ecofriendly ones, expanding and widening their application range. However, further research is needed. This mini-review highlights some of the most recent developments in the design of functional wood materials, critically discussing their current limitations and obstacles to their implementation.

Automated summary

Wood has the potential to become a key material for future bio-economy due to its renewability and CO2-storing capacity. Enhanced functionalization treatments can enable wood materials to serve as valid substitutes for less ecofriendly materials, although further research is needed. Recent developments in the design of functional wood materials are highlighted, addressing current limitations and obstacles to implementation.