Meet the Wood That Laughs at Steel, Who is Rural America, Wanted: More Wheelchair Ramps
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Meet the Wood That Laughs at Steel, Who is Rural America, Wanted: More Wheelchair Ramps
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A revolutionary material that could transform our built environment is emerging from laboratories into commercial production. Super Wood, developed at the University of Maryland, demonstrates strength properties that outmatch conventional steel while maintaining a dramatically lighter profile. With 50% greater tensile strength and a weight-to-strength ratio ten times better than steel, this transformed natural material is heading to market this summer after seven years of development. Unlike steel production, which releases nearly two tons of carbon dioxide per ton manufactured, Super Wood sequesters carbon during its growth phase and requires only food-grade chemicals and modest heat for processing.
The contrast between innovation and stagnation becomes stark when examining accessibility issues across America. Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act being law for nearly three decades, a recent study found 70% of disabled Americans still encounter buildings they cannot enter. Meanwhile, in Iceland, a single determined wheelchair user has spearheaded the installation of 1,756 ramps in just four years, demonstrating that solutions don't require massive budgets or complex engineering – just commitment and creativity.
Rural America presents another overlooked story of potential and perseverance. Comprising 71% of our nation's landmass while housing just one-seventh of the population, these communities contribute approximately $2.7 trillion to US GDP. Contrary to popular perception, farming accounts for merely 7% of rural employment, with government, manufacturing, and healthcare dominating the economic landscape. As we recalibrate our understanding of remote communities and their significance, we face parallel challenges in the energy sector, where US drillers now believe "peak shale" has arrived – signaling the end of America's domestic oil production boom as fields become less economically viable to develop.
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