OSU doctoral student Wen Bai develops rubber composites in an OSU laboratory
ENERGY,  TRANSPORTATION

Tires Made from Trees Save on Fuel and Energy

Kaichang Li, an associate professor of wood science and engineering in the OSU College of Forestry believes that microcrystalline cellulose, a material made from trees and other plant fibers, may be able to replace about 12% of the silica used as a reinforcing filler in rubber tires.

Photo: Materials scientist and OSU doctoral student, Wen Bai, develops rubber composites in an OSU laboratory using a new technology that incorporates microcrystalline cellulose – an approach that may lead to automobile tires which cost less, perform better and produce improved vehicle mileage.

Lower production costs, more heat-resistant, fuel-efficient tires similar in traction and strength to conventional tires appear to be some of the benefits of the cellulose-infused tires. Ongoing studies will confirm the long-term durability of the wood-infused tires, and determine whether the fibers used in them hold up over use and time.

According to OSU:

This advance is another in a series of significant discoveries in Li’s research program at OSU in recent years. He developed a non-toxic adhesive for production of wood composite panels that has dramatically changed that industry, and in 2007 received a Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award at the National Academy of Sciences for his work on new, sustainable and environmentally friendly wood products.

References: OSU
Photo Credit:
OSU Flickr

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