About
From Lab to Landmark Material.
In 2013, Dr. Liangbing Hu's lab at the University of Maryland began exploring a simple question: Could we engineer wood at the nanoscale to create materials that perform like steel, glass, and sponge? Little did we know this would unlock a decade of discoveries that would fundamentally challenge what we know about natural materials.
University Partnerships
University of Maryland and Yale.
Research Excellence
30+ publications in premier journals (Nature, Science, Advanced Materials).
Patent Portfolio
144 patents filed, 41 granted - covering every aspect of transformation.
Government Recognition
ARPA-E SCALEUP award ($20M), DARPA Waste Upcycling program.
Development Timeline
2013-2025 - From concept to commercial reality.
The SUPERWOOD Story
A decade from concept to commercialization:
How SUPERWOOD became reality
How SUPERWOOD became reality
2013-2014
The Spark
2013-2014
The Spark
First research grant for wood cellulose technology
Created transparent paper made of wood fibers for increasing solar cell efficiency
2016-2017
New Possibilities Emerge
2016-2017
New Possibilities Emerge
Invented see-through wood as an alternative to glass and plastic
Developed wood that purifies water using only sunlight
2018
The Breakthrough Year
2018
The Breakthrough Year
Published in Nature: Created wood stronger than steel but 6x lighter
U.S. DOE ARPA-E OPEN award
2019-2020
Expanding the Vision
2019-2020
Expanding the Vision
Engineered fire-resistant wood without toxic chemicals
Perfected transparent wood for energy-efficient buildings
2021
Material Mastery
2021
Material Mastery
Created wood that can bend and fold like paper
Demonstrated more than twice the strength of steel (1 GPa) in a natural material
2022
Recognition & Scale
2022
Recognition & Scale
Awarded $20 million U.S. DOE grant to support manufacturing scale-up
Developed wood that absorbs sound and insulates buildings
2023-2024
From Lab to Factory
2023-2024
From Lab to Factory
Started building manufacturing facility in Maryland
Secured U.S. DoD DARPA grant
2025
SUPERWOOD Launches
2025
SUPERWOOD is Born
Raised Series A funding round
Commercial launch of SUPERWOOD
Environmental Impact
90% lower carbon emissions than steel production.
No toxic chemicals; optional waterproofing additives available.
Locks carbon away for the building's lifetime and beyond.
Sustainably sourced from fast-growing and underutilized wood species.