Engineering transverse cell deformation of bamboo by controlling localized moisture content
Abstract Bamboo’s native structure, defined by the vertical growth pattern of its vascular bundles and parenchyma cell tissue, limits its application in advanced engineering materials. Here we show an innovative method that controls localized moisture content to shape natural bamboo into a versatile...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59453-3 |
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| author | Tian Bai Jie Yan Jiqing Lu Jie Zhou Hang Yao Xiuwen He Shaohua Gu Zhihan Tong Sheldon Q. Shi Jian Li Wanli Cheng Dong Wang Guangping Han Chaoji Chen |
| author_facet | Tian Bai Jie Yan Jiqing Lu Jie Zhou Hang Yao Xiuwen He Shaohua Gu Zhihan Tong Sheldon Q. Shi Jian Li Wanli Cheng Dong Wang Guangping Han Chaoji Chen |
| author_sort | Tian Bai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Bamboo’s native structure, defined by the vertical growth pattern of its vascular bundles and parenchyma cell tissue, limits its application in advanced engineering materials. Here we show an innovative method that controls localized moisture content to shape natural bamboo into a versatile three-dimensional (3D) structural product. Different temperatures along the transverse direction of bamboo were used to induce directional water transport within the bamboo, so that the distribution of internal stress was shifted from the bamboo surface to the inner layers. The internal stress shifting enabled the control of the transverse deformation. After densification, a 3D-molded bamboo product was obtained that retained the natural heterogeneous structure. The molded bamboo had a high specific strength of 740.58 MPa·kg−1·m3 and impact resistance of 2033.29 J/m, surpassing most renewable and nonrenewable engineering materials. The life cycle assessment revealed that replacing metals and polymers in structural materials with 3D-molded bamboo significantly reduces carbon emissions. Our proposed “localized moisture gradient-driven uneven drying” strategy represents a sustainable path in transforming natural bamboo into high-performance engineering materials. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d249df5b0d984ee281f8ba315e9d27a7 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-d249df5b0d984ee281f8ba315e9d27a72025-08-20T02:55:29ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-05-0116111010.1038/s41467-025-59453-3Engineering transverse cell deformation of bamboo by controlling localized moisture contentTian Bai0Jie Yan1Jiqing Lu2Jie Zhou3Hang Yao4Xiuwen He5Shaohua Gu6Zhihan Tong7Sheldon Q. Shi8Jian Li9Wanli Cheng10Dong Wang11Guangping Han12Chaoji Chen13Key Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of EducationHubei Biomass-Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology Key Laboratory, School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan UniversityKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of EducationInternational Center for Bamboo and RattanKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of EducationMechanical Engineering Department University of North Texas, UNT Discovery ParkKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of EducationKey Laboratory of Bio-based Material Science & Technology (Northeast Forestry University), Ministry of EducationHubei Biomass-Resource Chemistry and Environmental Biotechnology Key Laboratory, School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan UniversityAbstract Bamboo’s native structure, defined by the vertical growth pattern of its vascular bundles and parenchyma cell tissue, limits its application in advanced engineering materials. Here we show an innovative method that controls localized moisture content to shape natural bamboo into a versatile three-dimensional (3D) structural product. Different temperatures along the transverse direction of bamboo were used to induce directional water transport within the bamboo, so that the distribution of internal stress was shifted from the bamboo surface to the inner layers. The internal stress shifting enabled the control of the transverse deformation. After densification, a 3D-molded bamboo product was obtained that retained the natural heterogeneous structure. The molded bamboo had a high specific strength of 740.58 MPa·kg−1·m3 and impact resistance of 2033.29 J/m, surpassing most renewable and nonrenewable engineering materials. The life cycle assessment revealed that replacing metals and polymers in structural materials with 3D-molded bamboo significantly reduces carbon emissions. Our proposed “localized moisture gradient-driven uneven drying” strategy represents a sustainable path in transforming natural bamboo into high-performance engineering materials.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59453-3 |
| spellingShingle | Tian Bai Jie Yan Jiqing Lu Jie Zhou Hang Yao Xiuwen He Shaohua Gu Zhihan Tong Sheldon Q. Shi Jian Li Wanli Cheng Dong Wang Guangping Han Chaoji Chen Engineering transverse cell deformation of bamboo by controlling localized moisture content Nature Communications |
| title | Engineering transverse cell deformation of bamboo by controlling localized moisture content |
| title_full | Engineering transverse cell deformation of bamboo by controlling localized moisture content |
| title_fullStr | Engineering transverse cell deformation of bamboo by controlling localized moisture content |
| title_full_unstemmed | Engineering transverse cell deformation of bamboo by controlling localized moisture content |
| title_short | Engineering transverse cell deformation of bamboo by controlling localized moisture content |
| title_sort | engineering transverse cell deformation of bamboo by controlling localized moisture content |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59453-3 |
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