Bamboo In The World’s Longest Sea Bridge

 

How Chinese engineers used bamboo in the world’s longest sea bridge, and more



Chinese scientists have been working on new technologies to make stronger and more durable bamboo-based materials for large-scale infrastructure, reinforcing the country’s position as a leader in the emerging eco-friendly industry.

Bamboo, which is known for its rapid growth and high strength, was engineered into composite panels used on the scenic platforms that stretch for kilometres along the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, the official Science and Technology Daily reported on Wednesday.

Six years after they were installed on the bridge – the world’s largest sea crossing – the bamboo-based panels have withstood sunlight, typhoons and seawater corrosion, remaining “as solid as ever”, according to the report.

Lou Zhichao, from Nanjing Forestry University’s Bamboo Research Institute, said most of the world’s bamboo was grown in developing countries. “China is not only the world’s largest bamboo producer but also holds a comparative advantage in processing capabilities,” he told the newspaper.

“Maintaining China’s leadership in bamboo technology innovation is crucial. The industry should focus on advancing automation and smart manufacturing while actively shaping international standards,” said Lou, whose team has spent the past decade developing low-carbon bamboo processing technologies.

The researchers also worked with Hangzhou-based Dasuo Technology to create a 240,000 sq metre (258,300 sq feet) curved bamboo ceiling at the Madrid-Barajas International Airport – the largest of its kind in the world – and other major international projects, the report said.

Botanically, bamboo is a grass, not a tree. But with a strength-to-weight ratio surpassing some steel alloys, it can replace wood, plastic and even steel in various applications. It also excels at carbon sequestration, absorbing about 50 per cent more carbon dioxide than typical trees.

China has the world’s largest bamboo forests and dominates the global trade, with nearly 50 million people benefiting from bamboo cultivation across the country, according to the report.

However, bamboo’s rich nutrients make it highly prone to decay, and processing it is much more complex than wood, according to Lou. Many bamboo-based materials depend on toxic preservatives or excessive adhesives, making them less environment-friendly.

Lou’s team has been working on greener, more durable engineered bamboo technologies since 2016. One breakthrough is a heat treatment that removes decay-causing nutrients while preserving the structure of bamboo, cutting processing time by over 50 per cent and allowing it to last at least five years outdoors without anti-mould treatments.

They also developed low-emission adhesive with reduced formaldehyde and phenol levels, so no harmful chemicals are released.

In addition, Lou and his team have been working on a comprehensive carbon footprint assessment to ensure bamboo materials made in China meet the strict carbon standards in Europe and North America, opening pathways to high-end markets.

“We hope the government will support an industry-academia innovation alliance, fund key technology development, and strengthen regulation through national and local standards to drive the industry forward,” Lou said.

We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to the 

China Scientist Awards!

Join us for the China Scientist Awards, a premier event in the realm of research. Whether you're joining virtually from anywhere in the world, this is your invitation to explore and innovate in the field of research. Become part of a global community of researchers, scientists, and professionals passionate about advancing research.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New Frost-Resistant Sand-Control Agent

Image
  Across China: Chinese researchers develop new frost-resistant sand-control agent LANZHOU -- A Chinese research team has developed a chemical sand-fixation material suitable for use in cold desert regions, which is expected to serve as a new tool for sand control and desertification prevention in such areas. The application of chemical materials to stabilize shifting sands is one of the primary methods of desertification control. This approach involves the use of adhesive chemical substances to bind loose sand particles together, thereby mitigating encroachment by wind-blown sand. However, conventional chemical sand-fixation materials have been mainly designed for hot and arid regions. In colder, high-altitude or high-latitude desert regions, such as the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and the Mongolian Plateau, which are located in Northwest, Southwest and North China, cooler temperatures often render traditional methods of sand control ineffective. Researchers from the Northwest Institut...
Read more

Blueprint Of Human Brain Cortex

Image
  Chinese scientists uncover complex blueprint of human brain cortex BEIJING -- Researchers from the Institute of Automation at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have revealed the intrinsic relationship between the topological structure of human brain cortex connections and genetic characteristics, according to a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience. Fan Lingzhong, a researcher at the institute, explained that neural networks operate as human think, learn, or perceive the world, with trillions of connections enabling rapid information transfer. The study addresses a fundamental question: How do these intricate connections form, and why do distinct brain regions exhibit such orderly distribution across the cortex? "The brain begins following a genetic 'blueprint' during embryonic development," Fan noted. Researchers proposed a hypothesis: genetic encoding and cortical connectivity are not directly correlated due to the vast numerical disparity between genes and...
Read more