Aalto University's "smart wood foam" research project is using artificial intelligence to develop wood-based foams. Wood-based foam materials could replace, for example, expanded polystyrene and bubble wrap. Wood foams are resistant to heat and impact...

Professor Mikko Alava says that the project is based on biomimetics, i.e., the possibility of using natural processes. Artificial intelligence helps to develop (synthesise) foams with wood-like (related) properties: strength, flexibility, and heat resistance.

For example, a mixture of lignin, wood fibre, and laponite can be transformed into impact- and heat-resistant foams to be used instead of plastic foams.