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Scientists have found a way to harden wood to make a knife that rivals steel

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11–20 of 168 posts

Re: Scientists have found a way to harden wood to make a knife that rivals steel

#11
post #2

Lovely idea. I would like to see a comparison of the energy requirement for hardening wood this way vs. making steel. Would give a better sense of whether this is a technology worth pursuing as one path toward decarbonising the future.

Also what chemicals are used, where do those come from, how sustainable are they, are there adverse environmental impacts in their production

Re: Scientists have found a way to harden wood to make a knife that rivals steel

#13
post #2

Lovely idea. I would like to see a comparison of the energy requirement for hardening wood this way vs. making steel. Would give a better sense of whether this is a technology worth pursuing as one path toward decarbonising the future.

Also what chemicals are used, where do those come from, how sustainable are they, are there adverse environmental impacts in their production

To dissolve lignin? I haven’t read the paper yet but doubt it’s anything terrible or too exotic. Probably a recipe based around sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

Re: Scientists have found a way to harden wood to make a knife that rivals steel

#14
post #7

Fun days for airport security :) How do they handle people bringing caramic knifes today? Would wooden knives display clearly on their scanners?

They barely deal with the people bringing metal guns.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/exclusive-undercover-dhs-tests-fin...

Re: Scientists have found a way to harden wood to make a knife that rivals steel

#15
post #7

Fun days for airport security :) How do they handle people bringing caramic knifes today? Would wooden knives display clearly on their scanners?

Getting knives past airport security seems not particularly difficult from the experience of my circle and other anecdotal sources. I've had friends and family accidentally get knives through security on many occasions, and I have also accidentally done it myself. To my knowledge none of them has ever been caught in the converse situation and had to give up a knife.

I imagine if one were resourceful and deliberate about it, it would be even more successful.

Re: Scientists have found a way to harden wood to make a knife that rivals steel

#16
post #10
post #7

Fun days for airport security :) How do they handle people bringing caramic knifes today? Would wooden knives display clearly on their scanners?

You can already bring scissors on a plane with 4 inch blades. That's two knives.

A scissor can't really compare to a proper forged and heat treated knife, and for the purpose of using a seemingly everyday object for a more malicious purpose there are better things imo.

Re: Scientists have found a way to harden wood to make a knife that rivals steel

#17
post #9
post #7

Fun days for airport security :) How do they handle people bringing caramic knifes today? Would wooden knives display clearly on their scanners?

Most ceramic knives have some metal in them for this reason.

Didn't know that. I wonder how if it would be the same for Wood knives as well.

Re: Scientists have found a way to harden wood to make a knife that rivals steel

#18
post #2

Lovely idea. I would like to see a comparison of the energy requirement for hardening wood this way vs. making steel. Would give a better sense of whether this is a technology worth pursuing as one path toward decarbonising the future.

Also what chemicals are used, where do those come from, how sustainable are they, are there adverse environmental impacts in their production

If this is the same bit that's hit this page just recently, the chemicals used were sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfite (to remove the lignin) and then food grade oil to seal it.
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