Genetically engineered wood

[hooky_marr]

Interesting science story: Researchers used gene editing to change the amount of lignin in poplar, creating a much stronger wood with tensile strength approaching aluminum.

This could be really great for the guitar industry, as bespoke “tuned” woods could be made to provide specific desired properties, maybe requiring less processing and treatment, too. (Also great for carbon sequestration!)

Researchers make breakthrough with genetically engineered wood that could transform the construction industry: 'One major step for us'

"We are excited to explore the other trees by applying similar technologies."

www.yahoo.com

 

[GTHintz]

I'd like to see some more testing. If they can get some wood to be more dense but still retain a consistent and repeatable timbre it could really be a wonderful thing for building guitars.

 

[superheavyfunk]

Interesting science story: Researchers used gene editing to change the amount of lignin in poplar, creating a much stronger wood with tensile strength approaching aluminum.

This could be really great for the guitar industry, as bespoke “tuned” woods could be made to provide specific desired properties, maybe requiring less processing and treatment, too. (Also great for carbon sequestration!)

Researchers make breakthrough with genetically engineered wood that could transform the construction industry: 'One major step for us'

"We are excited to explore the other trees by applying similar technologies."

www.yahoo.com

I’m all for it! At this stage in the game, we definitely don’t need to be deforesting areas to build instruments.

 

[Hoochie Coochie Man]

Think of all the work it would save if you could engineer a tree to grow in the shape of a guitar.

 

[Gopherbassist]

Think of all the work it would save if you could engineer a tree to grow in the shape of a guitar.

Giant guitar pinecones. One tree, 100 guitars a year!

 

[Deleted member 409896]

I'd like to see some more testing. If they can get some wood to be more dense but still retain a consistent and repeatable timbre it could really be a wonderful thing for building guitars.

It would be a big deal for a lot of musical instruments, including DB.

 

[Beej]

I'd love it if they could actually include any explanations as to how this might work. Those of us who work with wood know that the stiffness comes from lignin... I'm stymied as to how reduction of lignin would result in an increase in stiffness? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[hooky_marr]

I'd love it if they could actually include any explanations as to how this might work. Those of us who work with wood know that the stiffness comes from lignin... I'm stymied as to how reduction of lignin would result in an increase in stiffness? Inquiring minds want to know.

I suspect the story might have had a misquote? I could see benefits of both more and less lignin for different industries (the latter, for paper, mostly)

 

[Deleted member 409896]

Materials science is wild.

Wood, nature's original composite material.

The article claims an increase in tensile strength due to lignin reduction. That's it. No mention of compressive strength, or of stiffness or hardness test numbers. So, there's not much to go on.

I don't much care for the comparison to aluminum. One of these things is not like the other. I get what they were trying to convey, but I still find it misleading, especially if you are not very science-y.

It sounds like they managed to make wood that is on par with aluminum for tensile strength, but that doesn't mean much by itself. Aluminum has uniform properties (aka "homogeneous" modulus of elasticity etc.), where wood strength can and does vary with direction of applied force.

 

[Major Seven]

Think of all the work it would save if you could engineer a tree to grow in the shape of a guitar.

The replicator in the galley of the starship Enterprise can do that.
You could even work out the design first in the holo-deck.

 

[chris_b]

If wood has the tensile strength of aluminum, how do you work it?

 

[Ritter667]

If wood has the tensile strength of aluminum, how do you work it?

How do you work aluminum?

Aluminum bass necks are a thing.

 

[chris_b]

Interesting science story: Researchers used gene editing to change the amount of lignin in poplar, creating a much stronger wood with tensile strength approaching aluminum.

I'll look forward to a 1lb bass in the near future.