Transforming Balsa Wood into Conductive Natural Transistors

Date:25 April 2023

Country: Sweden

Application

• Sustainable Electronics: The wood-based transistors are considered a more sustainable option than traditional materials, with future applications in eco-friendly electronics, including sensors.

Description

Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have developed a method to convert balsa wood into a conductive material by removing its lignin and submerging it in a conductive polymer solution. This process creates natural transistors, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional materials. While slower and larger than silicon-based transistors, these wood transistors show promise for applications in environmental monitoring. Future research aims to grow wood with conductive polymers naturally integrated.

Pathway Description:

In this project, engineers removed lignin from balsa wood, leaving behind a network of lumina (tubing) that transports water. The wood is then submerged in a liquid solution containing an electrically conductive polymer. This process allows the wood to absorb the polymer, making it capable of conducting electricity. The result is a natural, sustainable material that can function as a transistor.