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Mint
29-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
It's bulletproof, fire-resistant and stronger than steel. It's superwood.
FREDERICK, Md.—Inside a cavernous warehouse, in the midst of a half-finished industrial park not far from a Civil War battleground, robot arms the size of Cadillac Escalades are rehearsing their moves for a tightly choreographed dance that will commence later this summer. A strange new substance will begin rolling off the assembly line: soft wood transformed at the molecular level into something stronger than steel yet one-sixth the weight. Its name is, maybe, a bit on the nose: Superwood. Its maker, startup InventWood, says it could someday replace steel I-beams in the skeleton of a building, while being impact-resistant enough for bulletproof doors. It's also fire resistant—the outside carbonizes in a way that protects the inside, and it won't sag in a fire like steel. It would be a coup if the company can replace a good chunk of construction-grade steel and concrete with scrap wood that is otherwise unusable waste. Superwood is also, I can attest, beautiful. The densification process deepens its color and brings out its natural grain. Alex Lau, InventWood's chief executive, handed me several of the oddly lustrous, improbably stiff boards as we toured the company's test lab and under-construction factory in central Maryland. In my hands, Superwood feels like an otherworldly object—amazingly strong and light. I could easily snap an eighth-of-an-inch-thick pine board in half (not to brag), but a sheet of Superwood with the same dimensions merely flexes slightly, no matter my effort. A foot-long stick, just a half-inch thick, was so rigid I couldn't bend it at all. Sometime this summer, the world's first Superwood factory will go online. On my tour, I saw its beginnings, from a lab setup to a pilot system the size of a school gymnasium, then finally the gigantic factory floor, with machinery that towered over me. Soon, it will be churning out Superwood at an industrial scale, and the test of this new material's marketability will begin. The company says customers will be able to buy it for about the same price as high-end building facades, or tropical hardwood. 'Engineered" wood is big right now. The industry has long used scraps to make those familiar sheets of oriented strand board (better known as OSB), which differs from plywood but is still made with glued-together layers. Now researchers and engineers are evolving the concept. Wood giant Weyerhaeuser just broke ground on a $500 million plant in Arkansas to create TimberStrand, which is made from scrap but can be stronger than conventional lumber. And InventWood is drawing on the industry's expertise: The company's plant manager came from Weyerhaeuser. Some builders are experimenting with cross-laminated timber—carefully layered wood planks—to replace smaller steel or concrete structural elements. This has led to things like wooden skyscrapers and the warm, inviting, $2 billion airport terminal in Portland, Ore. This movement toward ever-larger wooden buildings has depended on updating building codes and convincing people they won't go up in flames, says Caitlin Mueller, director of the Building Technology program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Properly designed, engineered wood buildings are quite safe in fires, she adds. Traditional stick-built construction, with thin boards and ready access to oxygen, isn't. 'You're basically making a little campfire," she says. Liangbing Hu is the Willy Wonka of engineered wood. Now a professor at Yale, he previously served as director for the Center for Materials Innovation at the University of Maryland. There, he invented transparent wood, wood that could be molded like plastic, and wood that bounces like a rubber ball. All of his inventions involved messing with wood at the molecular level. In 2018, Hu and his colleagues made waves among material scientists when they presented Superwood's enabling technology in a paper in Nature. To create Superwood, they started by cooking and chemically treating the wood. Then they compressed it, so a typical board becomes one-quarter as thick. Hu found that the process pushed cellulose fibers closer together and collapsed the channels that make up a tree's circulatory system. One challenge for Superwood: While it's much stiffer than regular wood, it's still not as stiff as steel or concrete, so buildings have to be designed not to flex too much, says MIT's Mueller. After its initial buzz, most wrote off Superwood as a curiosity. Not Lau. He reached out to Hu and helped commercially launch InventWood in 2021. The startup nabbed a $20 million scale-up grant from the Energy Department the following year, and has also received $30 million in financing from a variety of investors. Today, InventWood is bringing Superwood to market with a 90,000-square-foot manufacturing facility—and it's already planning a new facility three times as large. In a recent tour of the nearly ready factory, I saw the entire process from start to finish. The company asked me not to reveal details about how it makes Superwood, because of their fear that companies overseas—Lau wouldn't say where, but it was obviously China—would copy their process. Focusing on profitability, InventWood will initially market Superwood as siding, which requires minimal certification, says Lau. It could also be used as decking—it has longevity and weather resistance similar to tropical hardwoods—as well as fencing and window mullions. Establishing that Superwood can be used as structural elements in buildings requires certification by the company's partners, which include builders and architects. It also requires new building processes, since the stuff is strong enough to eliminate the steel joinery that is typical in engineered wood structures. Future buildings could be built with ancient techniques—think pegs made out of Superwood hammered into beams made from it, says Lau. Applications go beyond construction. Superwood is like carbon fiber, but less brittle, and carbon fiber is already used in everything from sports equipment and tennis shoes to race cars and airplanes. The last notable wooden airplane was the De Havilland Mosquito, in World War II, but in a future of eVTOLs, otherwise known as 'flying cars," a material like Superwood could be in demand. And who wouldn't want a laptop or smartphone made of deeply hued, extra-strong wood? Machining it requires new techniques, but those aren't out of the question, says Lau. As my tour of InventWood's factory wound down, Lau gestured to the steel endoskeleton of his company's brand new space. Someday, he said, even this factory could be constructed from the same material it produces. For now, though, there is no shortage of partners lining up to test this new substance, and they take priority.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
How Shaquille O'Neal's love for luxury car collection and betting once cost him $600K
How Shaquille O'Neal's love for luxury car collection and betting once cost him $600K (Image Credit: Getty Images) Shaquille O'Neal is one of the richest NBA stars, who has accumulated an estimated net worth of $500 million. It was due to his marketing genius and popularity earned from on-court achievements that he could generate massive income. Shaquille splurged on luxury cars, and those cars were not just run-of-the-mill products. Finicky Shaquille accepted the deliveries of his stylish cars only when they were customized to his desires, vision, and above all, requirements. Shaquille O'Neal once shelled out $600K on Cadillac Escalades and had to be reminded of his purchase Love for customized cars reflected heavily in Shaquille O'Neal's garage, which boasted an enviable lineup of custom-designed luxury cars. An interesting anecdote about Shaquille's frequent purchases of luxury cars goes like this. Once he ordered two Cadillac Escalades and asked for customizations. Effortless Motors were the experts who took the orders, and on completion of customizations, went to deliver the car to the NBA star. He looked perplexed on the arrival of the crew and insisted that the EM's owner accept a bet in which he put on stake his unique car Dodge Hellcat convertible. Shaquille was confident that he had not purchased the car, and that he wouldn't fit into the car (he is 7'1'). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 이것은 모든 플레이어가 이야기하는 로봇 전투 게임입니다 기계 경기장 Undo However, Effortless Motors could prove both the points, and as soon a Shaquille sat in the driver's seat, he realized his mistake and had to give up his hatchback in the bet. Top cars in Shaquille O'Neal's garage and customizations done on them for NBA star California-based Effortless Motors was able to accommodate all the peculiar needs of the 7'1' giant NBA star. Shaquille also used other customization services to get the cars tailored to his specific needs from time to time. Here are some of the top-tier customized beauties that adorn Shaquille's garage. Also, the changes made in the cars are highlighted: Car Customizations Lamborghini Gallardo Extended wheelbase by 12 inches; elongated doors, roof, and side windows; interior retrimmed to accommodate Shaq's height. Dodge Challenger R/T Convertible ("Shaqcat") Convertible conversion; red LED headlights; underglow lighting; HEMI decals; custom leather upholstery; structural reinforcements to support Shaq's weight. Polaris Slingshot ("Sling-Shaq") Converted to a 4-seater; installed 18-speaker sound system; quilted leather seats with red piping; custom roof added. Lucid Air B-pillar removed; larger front doors installed; Superman-themed wheel center caps; "DIESEL" branding on the front. Ferrari F355 Spider Soft top removed; fuel tank relocated; seats pushed back to accommodate Shaq's size. Rolls-Royce Cullinan Superman logo on the grille; custom body kit; front seats moved back for additional comfort. Jeep Wrangler Extended doors; matte black paint; off-road lights; custom bumpers; upgraded sound system. Chevy G1500 Van Louis Vuitton interior with Superman logos; air ride suspension; 100×100 HD projector; XBOX system; DVD player. Cadillac Escalade Butterfly doors; Superman logo on the grille; widened for easier access. Mercedes S550 Convertible Retractable fabric roof; suicide-style doors; custom rims; modified to fit Shaq's frame. Range Rover ("Superman Range Rover") Chrome Superman logo; mesh grille; other chrome accents. Ford F-650 ("Terminator-Themed") Custom exterior design inspired by the Terminator; imposing size; used as a daily driver. Inside Shaq's ALL CUSTOM Car Collection Shaquille has splurged heavily on his love for cars. His uber-stylish cars are no less than an extension of his personality. His black Cadillac Escalade IQ had enhancements like custom 26″ Travis Scott Forgiato wheels and was pumped up to fit his giant physique. In another Cadillac Escalade IQ bought the same month, he chose dark grey color customization along with custom wheels. Also Read: Shaquille O'Neal reveals why he got rid of his two Tesla Cybertrucks, says he treats his cars like his 'girlfriends' When Shaquille forgot about buying his cars, he had lost a handsome money on gambling too. It is estimated that his expenses on cars and betting touched $600K that month when two Cadillac Escalades were delivered to him back-to-back, a purchase that had 'slipped from his mind.' Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
The Hill
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Hill
GM recalls nearly 600,000 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC cars due to engine failure risks
NEW YORK (AP) — General Motors is recalling nearly 600,000 vehicles across its Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC brands in the U.S. due to potential manufacturing defects that can cause engine failure. The recall covers certain Cadillac Escalades and Escalade ESVs; Chevrolet Silverado 1500s, Suburbans and Tahoes; as well as GMC Sierra 1500s, Yukons and Yukon XLs between model years 2021 and 2024. According to recall documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these vehicles share a gas engine that may have connecting rod or crankshaft component problems, due to supplier manufacturing or quality issues. This can lead to engine damage, and potentially failure, while driving — increasing crash risks. Prior to failure, NHSTA documents warn, impacted drivers may be alerted of these issues through loud knocking or banging noises, the check engine light turning on and/or other driving performance issues, such as reduced propulsion. As a remedy, dealers will inspect affected vehicles — and repair or replace the engine if necessary with newer components, free of charge. Dealers notifications began last week, with owner letters set to be mailed out June 9. In all, about 597,630 vehicles are covered by the recall, per a notice dated April 24. But the company estimates that just 3% have the defect. When asked why owner notification wouldn't start until June 9, GM maintained that it was 'common to require time' to both confirm mailing lists for registered owners and ensure that dealers are prepared. The Detroit-based auto company added that it was continuing to increase engine production, but felt confident about having 'sufficient supply to service this recall campaign' — noting that it only expects a small percentage to need replacements. Drivers can also confirm if their specific vehicle is included in this recall, and find more information, using the NHTSA site and/or GM's recall lookup. 'The safety and satisfaction of our customers are the highest priorities for the entire GM team, and we're working to address this matter as quickly as possible,' GM said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. An investigation by GM has found 28,102 complaints or incidents across the U.S. related to engine failure of these vehicles between April 2021 and February 2025, including 14,332 reports that alleged loss of propulsion, NHTSA documents note. The probe also identified alleged reports of 12 crashes and 12 injuries, as well as 42 fires — but noted that causes were not always clear and that 'all specifically alleged injuries,' for example, were 'minor or non-physical, and most were not crash related.'
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
GM recalls nearly 600,000 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC cars due to engine failure risks
NEW YORK (AP) — General Motors is recalling nearly 600,000 vehicles across its Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC brands in the U.S. due to potential manufacturing defects that can cause engine failure. The recall covers certain Cadillac Escalades and Escalade ESVs; Chevrolet Silverado 1500s, Suburbans and Tahoes; as well as GMC Sierra 1500s, Yukons and Yukon XLs between model years 2021 and 2024. According to recall documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these vehicles share a gas engine that may have connecting rod or crankshaft component problems, due to supplier manufacturing or quality issues. This can lead to engine damage, and potentially failure, while driving — increasing crash risks. Prior to failure, NHSTA documents warn, impacted drivers may be alerted of these issues through loud knocking or banging noises, the check engine light turning on and/or other driving performance issues, such as reduced propulsion. As a remedy, dealers will inspect affected vehicles — and repair or replace the engine if necessary with newer components, free of charge. Dealers notifications began last week, with owner letters set to be mailed out June 9. In all, about 597,630 vehicles are covered by the recall, per a notice dated April 24. But the company estimates that just 3% have the defect. When asked why owner notification wouldn't start until June 9, GM maintained that it was 'common to require time' to both confirm mailing lists for registered owners and ensure that dealers are prepared. The Detroit-based auto company added that it was continuing to increase engine production, but felt confident about having 'sufficient supply to service this recall campaign" — noting that it only expects a small percentage to need replacements. Drivers can also confirm if their specific vehicle is included in this recall, and find more information, using the NHTSA site and/or GM's recall lookup. 'The safety and satisfaction of our customers are the highest priorities for the entire GM team, and we're working to address this matter as quickly as possible,' GM said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. An investigation by GM has found 28,102 complaints or incidents across the U.S. related to engine failure of these vehicles between April 2021 and February 2025, including 14,332 reports that alleged loss of propulsion, NHTSA documents note. The probe also identified alleged reports of 12 crashes and 12 injuries, as well as 42 fires — but noted that causes were not always clear and that 'all specifically alleged injuries," for example, were "minor or non-physical, and most were not crash related.'
29-04-2025
- Automotive
GM recalls nearly 600,000 Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC cars
NEW YORK -- General Motors is recalling nearly 600,000 vehicles across its Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC brands in the U.S. due to potential manufacturing defects that can cause engine failure. The recall covers certain Cadillac Escalades and Escalade ESVs; Chevrolet Silverado 1500s, Suburbans and Tahoes; as well as GMC Sierra 1500s, Yukons and Yukon XLs between model years 2021 and 2024. According to recall documents published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these vehicles share a gas engine that may have connecting rod or crankshaft component problems, due to supplier manufacturing or quality issues. This can lead to engine damage, and potentially failure, while driving — increasing crash risks. Prior to failure, NHSTA documents warn, impacted drivers may be alerted of these issues through loud knocking or banging noises, the check engine light turning on and/or other driving performance issues, such as reduced propulsion. As a remedy, dealers will inspect affected vehicles — and repair or replace the engine if necessary with newer components, free of charge. Dealers notifications began last week, with owner letters set to be mailed out June 9. In all, about 597,630 vehicles are covered by the recall, per a notice dated April 24. But the company estimates that just 3% have the defect. When asked why owner notification wouldn't start until June 9, GM maintained that it was 'common to require time' to both confirm mailing lists for registered owners and ensure that dealers are prepared. The Detroit-based auto company added that it was continuing to increase engine production, but felt confident about having 'sufficient supply to service this recall campaign" — noting that it only expects a small percentage to need replacements. Drivers can also confirm if their specific vehicle is included in this recall, and find more information, using the NHTSA site and/or GM's recall lookup. 'The safety and satisfaction of our customers are the highest priorities for the entire GM team, and we're working to address this matter as quickly as possible,' GM said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. An investigation by GM has found 28,102 complaints or incidents across the U.S. related to engine failure of these vehicles between April 2021 and February 2025, including 14,332 reports that alleged loss of propulsion, NHTSA documents note. The probe also identified alleged reports of 12 crashes and 12 injuries, as well as 42 fires — but noted that causes were not always clear and that 'all specifically alleged injuries," for example, were "minor or non-physical, and most were not crash related.'
