Making transparent wood

The script introduces an attempt to recreate transparent wood, a material as clear as glass but stronger and shatterproof. The narrator had previously tried and faced issues such as cracking and yellowing. They decided to try again using a method from a 2016 paper, starting with acquiring balsa wood and detailing the process of cutting it into small squares, drying it, and chemically treating it to remove lignin and bleach it white using sodium chloride, a more accessible and efficient alternative to the previous method.

This paragraph delves into the chemical treatment process of the wood to remove lignin and achieve a white color. The narrator describes creating a sodium chloride and acetate buffer solution, its reaction to produce chlorine dioxide, and the subsequent treatment of the wood pieces. The goal is to reduce lignin content, making the wood more porous and colorless. After the treatment, the wood is washed with solvents to remove chemicals, and the narrator finds the wood still strong but not yet transparent, leading to the next step of infusing it with plastic.

The narrator discusses the issues with using epoxy resin in their previous transparent wood experiments, including its tendency to yellow over time and the difficulty of working with a two-part mixture that quickly hardens. They express concerns about the suitability of epoxy for transparent wood intended as a glass replacement, given windows' exposure to UV light. The paragraph concludes with the narrator's decision to use methyl methacrylate (MMA) instead, which polymerizes to form acrylic and avoids the yellowing issue.

The script describes the process of using methyl methacrylate (MMA) to make the wood transparent. The narrator partially polymerizes the MMA with an initiator, AIBN, and then infuses the wood with it using a vacuum chamber. They detail the steps of vacuuming and infusing the MMA into the wood pieces, followed by placing the infused wood between glass plates and heating it to complete the polymerization. However, the result is disappointing as the wood does not become transparent, and the MMA seems to have disappeared.

After an initial failure, the narrator repeats the MMA infusion process with adjustments, such as using a larger amount of initiator and ensuring a thorough vacuum cycle. They note improvements in the wood's transparency but still encounter issues like the acrylic sticking to the glass. Despite these setbacks, the narrator manages to free the wood from the glass and refines the process by cutting thinner pieces and treating the glass with mold release to prevent adhesion.

The narrator describes further attempts to create transparent wood, facing challenges such as gas bubbles, cracking, and difficulty in separating the final product from the glass. They experiment with different mold releases, vacuum cycles, and glass types to address these issues. The paragraph highlights the iterative nature of the process and the narrator's persistence in refining their method to achieve better results.

The script discusses the narrator's attempt to scale up the transparent wood process to create larger pieces, only to discover new challenges at a larger scale, such as gas bubble entrapment and issues with methacrylate distribution. They also address the problem of selectively treating one side of the wood and the difficulties in achieving a uniform result. Despite these obstacles, the narrator continues to experiment and adjust their approach.

After achieving a somewhat transparent piece of wood, the narrator focuses on refining its appearance. They sand and polish the wood to improve its transparency and reveal the wood grain. The use of Novus plastic polish helps in enhancing the surface quality. Despite a slight yellow tint, the final result is a significant improvement from previous attempts, maintaining the wood's appearance rather than resembling plastic.

The narrator concludes the script by reflecting on the successful outcome of their transparent wood experiment, appreciating the imperfections that give it a natural wood look. They express satisfaction with the final product and discuss future plans to create a full-size window. The script ends with a personal note about the narrator's move to a new lab space and a shoutout to their Patreon supporters and KiwiCo for sponsoring the video. They also promote KiwiCo's educational products for children.