[tapia]

If that is the case, then I don't see any novelty here. This has been done for a long time. In Germany, this is called "Panzerholz" (something like "bulletproof wood")

[nic547]

Modern Panzerholz (Kunstharzpressholz, 'synthetic resin densified wood') is manufactured with resin - this new material doesn't seem to rely on resin, but only on the cellulose contained in the wood.

[meindnoch]

Yes, but Panzerholz is plywood. They seem to be doing the same, but with bulk timber.

[brador]

Why isn’t panzerholz wood used everywhere? What is the article missing?

[WJW]

Same reason we don't build bridges out of titanium: panzerholz is more expensive than normal wood, and normal wood is good enough for most applications where it's used.

[leoedin]

The limiting factor in most structural uses of wood is stiffness not strength.

You could build your floor joists out of scaffolding boards, but they'd bend unacceptably.

Stiffness is basically a product of geometry rather than strength. Making your wood stronger doesn't help you if you need it to be stiffer.

[mml]

"armor wood"