By STEVE DABROWSKI
IT SEEMS TO ME
In this technological age, I am often drawn to amazing inventions, testaments to the creativity of the human mind when applied to challenging circumstances. That’s why a recent headline from “Scientific American” grabbed my attention: “Stronger than Steel, Able to Stop a Speeding Bullet….” I expected the story to describe some new polymer, or a process by which a metal can be enhanced; but the end of the headline pulled me into the article: “…It’s Super Wood!”
Wood?! Yes, and the process is quite simple.
This is not the same densification process used to make certain wood products harder. That process can be undone by something as simple as humidity; and if you live along the Ohio River, you know how quickly that can happen. This new process, pioneered by materials scientist Liangbing Hu at the University of Maryland, College Park, is relatively simple. Hu and his team boiled wood in sodium hydroxide and sodium sulfite. This, according to the Scientific American, causes some of the natural polymers in the wood to break down, but it leaves the cellulose unharmed. They then compress the wood and gently heat it; voila, Super Wood.
The process is simple and cost-effective; and given the readily available nature of trees, it could revolutionize the building, auto and defense industries. This could be a holy grail of sorts for auto makers as the wood can be carved and fastened much more easily than steel – and it is far less expensive than carbon fiber. Similarly, a sheet of Super Wood is only slightly less effective than Kevlar, the material used in bulletproof vests; but it costs only 5% of what Kevlar requires to produce.
You may not be a science geek like I am, so you may not share my excitement. But think of all the applications. Wood is a replenishable resource, it is inexpensive to grow and harvest, and it could also transform our local economies. Sure, wood isn’t super exiting; but it can do amazing things. It can even be transformed from one thing to another with enough blood and sweat.
Just as other scientific discoveries like the Big Bang Theory and the mathematic principles behind the Hubble Space Telescope were birthed by Catholic priest-scientists, Super Wood too has been celebrated in the Church for a bit over 2,000 years. In fact, the Good Friday liturgy has the oldest description of Super Wood when the antiphon is recited, “See how the Cross of the Lord stands revealed as the Tree of Life.” Humble wood is transformed by blood, sweat and sacrifice; and from it springs eternal life. Now that’s Super Wood, and I daresay no scientific experiment could equal such a result. From one tree sprang a cross, and that Cross opened all humanity to life.
It seems to me that Good Friday is often skipped over as we focus on the eggs, bunnies, chocolates and family dinners of Easter. I’m not criticizing this; after all, Good Friday would be a sad, pathetic day if not for the Resurrection. But it is dangerous to overlook the Super Wood of the Cross that paved the way to our salvation. I think we would be far healthier as a Church if we spent more time contemplating Good Friday as we sat with our family at the Empty Tomb on Sunday morning, seeking to recognize the full meaning of Christ’s Passion and Death without leaping to the “happy ending.” As St. Paul writes, “I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). The Crucifixion and Resurrection are inextricably linked, like labor and child birth; the latter is always joyful, but the sacrifice and struggle of the prior is of great value.
As we look upon the Cross this Good Friday, let us ponder the amazing process by which the Creator of all things redeemed us from our sin, transforming wooden beams hewn and assembled by men into a tree whose branches gather in all who accept Jesus Christ. That’s Super Wood, and the process to make it is rather simple. It requires blood, sweat, sacrifice and faith.