Sea squirt could hold key to better wood composites

In Maryland, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology have developed a composite material that is flexible, nontoxic, and UV light-reflective using wood pulp and dried up pieces of tunicate, a marine creature commonly known as the sea squirt.

The two materials formed a Bouligand Structure, which is resistance to cracking and transfers energy in a way that leaves the material intact.  On its own, wood pulp is brittle, but adding 5% dried, crushed tunicates enabled a functional Bouligand Structure to be achieved.

NIST’s Jeff Gilman says the composite material could be used in food packaging, biomedical devices, building and construction, and automobiles.

“The right product, if developed, could be used in everything from aerospace composites to packaging that would keep food fresh,” Gilman said. “Many materials begin to degrade if they are exposed to the sun for a long time,” said Gilman. “This material could [also] potentially be used as a coating on other surfaces in order to reflect light and extend durability.”

The work was included in a recent issue of Advanced Functional Materials.