The thermal conductivity properties are perhaps what makes this material most interesting. Translucency is fine in many applications, for example as greenhouse windows.
I've been fantasizing about building a rather big greenhouse lately, and a translucent insulating material would be great! Currently, if I want decent thermal retainment in the greenhouse my options are triple pane glass(really expensive!) Or plastic. If transparent wood can be produced cheaper than glass, and with less environmental impact than plastic, it'd be a pretty good contender for this kind of construction.
I can also imagine it being great for building energy efficient houses, as any translucent material will allow the interior to absorb heat from the sun, and if it the also doesn't leak heat very much, you might be able to reduce the cost of heating somewhat by installing such a roof. And complete transparency isn't necessarily needed or even wanted in a roof, whereas for a window it's more important.
I've been fantasizing about building a rather big greenhouse lately, and a translucent insulating material would be great! Currently, if I want decent thermal retainment in the greenhouse my options are triple pane glass(really expensive!) Or plastic. If transparent wood can be produced cheaper than glass, and with less environmental impact than plastic, it'd be a pretty good contender for this kind of construction.
I can also imagine it being great for building energy efficient houses, as any translucent material will allow the interior to absorb heat from the sun, and if it the also doesn't leak heat very much, you might be able to reduce the cost of heating somewhat by installing such a roof. And complete transparency isn't necessarily needed or even wanted in a roof, whereas for a window it's more important.