Researchers at Linköping University and KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed the world’s first electrical transistor made from wood, marking a significant innovation in wood-based electronics. Published in the journal PNAS, their study reveals the potential for creating eco-friendly electronic components and “smart” plants. Traditionally, transistors manage current flow in electronic devices, and while previous wood attempts limited functionality to regulating ion transport, this new wood transistor can maintain electrical current control continuously.
The team utilized balsa wood, known for its grainless structure, removing lignin to leave behind cellulose fibers filled with a conductive polymer, PEDOT:PSS. This approach resulted in an electrically conductive wooden material that can switch power on and off, albeit with some delays—about one second to turn off and five seconds to turn on.
While the current prototype is noted to be slower and bulkier than conventional transistors, it has the potential to manage greater currents, enhancing future electronic applications. The researchers emphasize the project’s aim is to demonstrate feasibility, hoping to inspire further advancements in wood-based electronics without a specific application in mind. The study was supported by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.