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Finnish university in cross-border research project
LUT Lappeenranta University of Technology is involved in a cross-border consortium with a Russian university and industrial partner to build infrastructure elements from a new hybrid wood-based material.
In the project called Lightweight hybrid wooden composite materials for sustainable construction technology (SUSTECH), researchers look to create a hybrid wooden composite with advanced properties and use it in infrastructure projects in Russia and Finland.
Researchers from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) suggested a method of strengthening wooden constructions with high-module fibres that also comprehensively protects the wood.
“This technology may be used in rough swampy areas, possibly, in nature parks,” saidAndrey Ponomarev, head of the SPbPU research team. “The developed material exceeds raw wood in strength and durability with the best properties of wood remaining untouched. At the same time, the developed constructions will be lighter and more eco-friendly. The testing results demonstrate that this material is resistant to ignition, icing and mould.”
Constructions such as pedestrian bridges and arbours made with the new material will be installed in the Vepssky Forest nature park in Russia, as well as yet-to-be-selected locations in Finland.
The Technological Centre of Applied Nanotechnologies will act as the industrial partner in the project awarded in the second call of the South-East Finland – Russia Cross-Border Cooperation Program 2014-2020.