Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have devised a unique way to replace traditional non-ecological logging. Laboratory wood may reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists believe in the success of laboratory-grown wood, as is the case with laboratory-grown meat.
Wood as a Commodity
Mankind has been using wood as a building material and fuel for thousands of years. In ancient times, natural resources were used only for personal consumption. Whereas today they are industrially processed on a large scale. Wood is considered a valued and irreplaceable commodity.
Laboratory-grown wood is a way to reduce felling and emissions. The traditional way of obtaining wood and other natural resources is inefficient on this scale. A team of scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) started cultivating wood in the laboratory. They believe that laboratory-grown wood is more efficient and environmentally friendly compared to traditional logging.
Traditional Logging Is not Efficient
The process of obtaining wood is lengthy – planting, cultivation, transport, and processing. All these steps are not ecological. Laboratory wood can be the first step to a sustainable life.
Logging generates a lot of waste, branches that are burned. Mining machines produce emissions, just as felled trees emit carbon dioxide into the air.
Laboratory-grown Wood
MIT team created laboratory-grown wood using a petri dish. Plant cells, which function similarly to stem cells, contain the substances needed to develop wood: lignin, hemicelluloses, and cellulose.
In the next phase, the researchers put the plant cells in a gel with hormones. They can monitor lignin production and correct the number of hormones. As a result, scientists expect the possibility of obtaining the desired shape of the wood.
Source: https://truththeory.com/scientist-plan-to-produce-furniture-from-lab-grown-wood/, featured photo by Couleur/Pixabay
