Strong and CO2 Consuming Living Wood for Buildings

Default ARPA-E Project Image

Program:
HESTIA
Award:
$958,245
Location:
West Lafayette, Indiana
Status:
ACTIVE
Project Term:
10/18/2022 - 10/17/2023
Website:

Project Innovation + Advantages:

Purdue University develop a transformational “living” wood with the strength of steel, a self-healing capability, and combined carbon-sequestering benefits from wood and microbes. The living wood captures CO2 during its growth, manufacturing, and use. By leveraging microbe activities, the manufacturing of living wood largely eliminates the use of harsh chemicals commonly used to treat and modify it. The right microbes fill the wood pores while capturing CO2 into strong biomaterials, significantly strengthening the wood scaffold and promoting self-healing. Manufacturing living wood is inherently scalable and will promote healthy forest management and a national bioeconomy.

Contact

ARPA-E Program Director:
Dr. Marina Sofos
Project Contact:
Dr. Tian Li
Press and General Inquiries Email:
ARPA-E-Comms@hq.doe.gov
Project Contact Email:
tianli@purdue.edu

Partners

Michigan State University

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Release Date:
06/13/2022