American scientists say slotxo they have developed a method for growing wood materials in the lab. This way, different wood products can be created inside the building in one step. This will greatly reduce the cost of production and reduce the damage to the world's forests.
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have demonstrated a proven concept of growing wood-like structures from cells taken from the leaves of flowering plants.
The study's report was published in the recent issue of the Journal of Cleaner Production, the lead researcher on the project is Luis Fernando Velásquez-García. Scientists at MIT's Microsystems Technology Laboratories
He told MIT News the process was still in the early stages of development. But if it can be perfected, it will make it easier and faster to make wood products, and that the way humans get wood materials has remained the same for centuries. And also the method that is not very effective
For example, the process for making wooden tables today can take years. First of all, trees must be planted. Trees must then be cut, transported, processed, and so much more. Velásquez-García said the lab grown wood can combine all those steps into one, for example, if a table is needed. Just planted a table
The process is similar to laboratory-made meats. Which is grown from living animal cells But in this plant experiment MIT researchers have collected live cells from the leaves of the zinnia flower plant. The plant cells are then cultured and stored in an environment designed to stimulate growth. Plant cells are similar to stem cells in the sense that they can become anything if stimulated.
The experiment was done in a building without soil or sunlight. During the process, the researchers used a combination of two plant hormones that help cells grow to have a thick and strong wood-like structure. In the next stage of development The researchers said They may use the same process to grow wood into a specific shape, such as a table or chair.
Ashley Beckwith, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering at the MIT Institute who leads the research, told MIT News that she had the idea for the project while spending time on the farm. Because she wondered if some of the ineffective steps inherent in agriculture could be improved through laboratory methods.
She said she wanted to find more efficient ways to use land and resources so people could have more farmland. And that this experiment shows that growing plant tissue in the lab could have a profound effect on agriculture. The same is true for wood production. This process can reduce the time and effort associated with traditional agricultural methods. It can also eliminate problems linked to weather and seasons in agriculture.
Studies suggest that such lab farming methods will increase yields. At the same time, it reduces plant waste and the problem of scrambling for arable land.
Velásquez-García Researchers from the MIT Institute concluded that their team will try to develop this method even better. Especially learning how to better control the final material of production. And researchers still want to do new experiments. To see what other plants Will I be able to achieve the same results?