Looking Through Transparent Wood Windows

 Microstructures Are Key to Lighting and Insulation

Researchers at the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland (UMD) have created transparent wood that “provides better thermal insulation and lets in nearly as much light as glass, while eliminating glare and providing uniform and consistent indoor lighting.”

The UMD Materials Science and Engineering and the Energy Research Center has published a paper on the now patented process in the journal Advanced Energy Materials.

[Watch UMaryland Engineers create transparent wood.]

The process begins with bleaching the wood of all its lignin. That is a component in wood that makes it brown and strong.  Next the wood is soaked in epoxy. That puts strength back in the material and makes it clearer. The wood used in the process can be any size.

Liangbing (Bing) Hu is an Associate Professor and leader of the UMD research team.

Hu is also the founder and director of a group of diverse STEM investigators in the Bing Research Group (BRG).

The BRG explores emerging nanomaterials characteristics and is interested in nanoscale fundamental science and its application through nanomanufacturing. Current research includes nanoscale materials synthesis and nanomanufacturing, emerging energy storages beyond lithium-Ion batteries, and flexible electronics.

BRG post-doctoral researchers

Tian Li is also a member of the transparent wood research team and cited in its journal reference. She received her PhD from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2015.          Li specializes in  Nanomaterials for energy and flexible electronics.

 

 

 

Amy Gong received her PhD from the University of California, Riverside in 2011. She specializes in solid state hybrid batteries.

 

 

 

 

BRG graduate students

Marcus Carter received his BS Degree from Frostburg State College. His specialty is nanomaterials.

 

 

 

 

 

Jaehee Song received her BS from the University of Maryland in 2010. Her research is in batteries.

 

 

 

 

 

Emily Hitz has a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Maryland College Park. She specializes in energy storage.

 

 

 

 

BRG Undergraduate Students

Valencia Danner is studying Materials Science and Engineering at the  University of Maryland at College Park. In July 2016, she was selected as the 2016 recipient of the American Society for Metals-DC Chapter’s Morgan L. Williams Memorial Scholarship for Undergraduate Students.

A BRG Undegraduate from another US institution

Gemima Muteba is studying Chemical Engineering at Montgomery College.

 

 

 

 

 

 

STEM Advocacy

Dr. Bing Hu extends an invitation to motivated individuals interested in participating in the Bing Research Group to further their education with dynamic hands-on research experience. Hu participates with the organizations below.

Women in Engineering LEAD Academy

 The Women in Engineering Leadership Enhancement, Application and Design Academies were created to provide high school students with the opportunity to spend a day learning and applying principles related to a particular engineering discipline offered at the University of Maryland.

Maryland Day

“Science—whether physics, biology, engineering, chemistry or mathematics—is for everyone. Learn about laser technology and extreme robotics, then get blasted in the Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel. Explore skeletons, outer space, modern electronic devices and the weather.”