Maryland Scientists Create "Superwood" That's Stronger Than Steel
- Mutual Assurance Society
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
In 2018, University of Maryland materials scientist Liangbing Hu discovered a way to transform ordinary wood into a material stronger than steel. Initially unsure how to commercialize the breakthrough, Hu teamed up with Alex Lau, now CEO of the startup InventWood, to begin producing commercial batches of this "Superwood" this summer.
To introduce this product, Hu required two years of refining the production process, which used to take weeks, so that boards could now be produced in just a few hours and in large quantities.
Made by strengthening cellulose—the main component of timber—this superwood is created using food-grade chemicals and intense compression. Specifically, the process densifies the wood by removing components of the wood's cellular structure and compressing it to enhance molecular bonding.
The result is a product that is not just denser but up to 10 times stronger than untreated wood. It boasts 50% more tensile strength than steel and a 10x better strength-to-weight ratio. It will also be 6 times lighter than steel, making construction use easier and safer, while requiring less material and need for reinforcement in foundations and framing.
Beyond strength, Superwood is flame-resistant, pest- and rot-proof, and visually stunning. The densification enriches its natural color, giving it the appearance of exotic hardwoods, without the environmental toll.
InventWood is initially introducing facade-use products for commercial and luxury buildings. Its ambition is to eventually replace structural steel and concrete, which are huge contributors to construction-related carbon emissions.
“Our goal is to move from the skin to the bones of buildings,” Lau said. “Imagine beautiful I-beams that don’t need staining or finishing—just natural, high-performance wood.”
If you are planning a renovation or new-build in 2026, ask your contractor about using Superwood. It is being manufactured in Maryland, so the finished product will not be impacted by tariffs, and since it is not shipping across the country, transporting it to Virginia will also cost less.
Sources: TechCrunch, Newsweek, Wonderful Engineering