Transparent Wood

Wow!!! that is really cool! Here is to hoping it becomes available at an affordable price.

It could potentially replace plastic??

Sounds like you can make it yourself. H2O2 + marine epoxy + vacuum bag.

Is that anything like transparent aluminum?

Is opaque wood anything like opaque aluminum. ;-)

"Many different types of wood, from balsa to oak, can be made transparent..."

Does transparent balsa look any different than transparent oak?

"...and it doesn't matter if it is cut along the grain or against it."

If we can't see the grain, then we better make sure our combination blades are sharp.

In case it was missed, the reference to "transparent aluminum" is from Star Trek IV.

In case it was missed, "transparent aluminum" (ALON) is a real thing.

Here's something from the past and the present...

What concentration of H2O2? It's pretty hard to get more than a 3% solution. B*mb stuff, ya know.

Do you really think an * is going to help?

H202 and B*mb in the same post. Nah...they'll never even notice. ;-)

I use H2O2 for mouthwash too. ;-)

That is the bomb!

Rocket fuel.

Propellant-grade hydrogen peroxide is available to qualified buyers. In typical circumstances, this chemical is sold only to companies or government institutions that have the ability to properly handle and utilize the material. Non-professionals have purchased hydrogen peroxide of 70% or lower concentration (the remaining 30% is water with traces of impurities and stabilizing materials, such as tin salts, phosphates, nitrates, and other chemical additives), and increased its concentration themselves[*].

It's the bomb!

I've always loved that warning...

"Do not do/try this at home."

OK, I'll do at somebody else's house. I'll do it in my office. (When they let me back in.)

I'll do it at church. I'll do it in the diner on Main St.

Hey, I'm just following the rules. ;-)

AND I WOULD EAT THEM IN A BOAT. AND I WOULD EAT THEM WITH A GOAT... AND I WILL EAT THEM, IN THE RAIN. AND IN THE DARK. AND ON A TRAIN. AND IN A CAR. AND IN A TREE. THEY ARE SO GOOD, SO GOOD, YOU SEE! SO I WILL EAT THEM IN A BOX. AND I WILL EAT THEM WITH A FOX. AND I WILL EAT THEM IN A HOUSE. AND I WILL EAT THEM WITH A MOUSE. AND I WILL EAT THEM HERE AND THERE. SAY! I WILL EAT THEM ANYWHERE!

I DO SO LIKE GREEN EGGS AND HAM! THANK YOU! THANK YOU, SAM I AM.

It IS plastic, just as Formica (phenolic polymer impregnated paper) is plastic. The transparency is useful, but depends on the matching of index of refraction of cellulose and epoxy. Mainly, it will be useful because it is fibrous (and tough) instead of shatter-prone.

The utility of wood, is that it is lightweight and inexpensive in thick sections, so makes good structures. The beauty of wood comes from the grain and color, both of which are lacking in the transparent state.

You can buy 12% H2O2 on Amazon. $15/pint or $33/gallon.

And of course the question every one is waiting for... Can the transparent wood be stained to look like wood?

In all seriousness I think is pretty cool.

You left out "Hold my Beer!"