# Durable Metal-Infused Lumber This Treated Lumber Effectively Resists Both Water and Mold By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2020-02-15 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/treated-lumber References: [newatlas](https://newatlas.com/science/metal-infused-wood/) & [gatech.edu](https://www.gatech.edu/) Pressure-treated wood is commonplace in building because of its ability to withstand rot but requires a slew of chemicals to be enhanced, so this treated lumber has been created as an eco alternative. The new lumber treatment was developed by a team of researchers at Georgia Tech led by Assistant Professor Mark Losego and consists of atomic layer deposition. This process puts wood in a low-pressure chamber before flooding it with metal oxide gas; this permeates the wood and forms a [coating on the inner structure](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microban-international-1) to prevent the lumber from absorbing water. The treated lumber is resistant to [mold growth](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spectrum-blue-antimicrobial) and is even less thermally conductive than traditional wood, which could mean less heat loss when used in building. Image Credit: Allison Carter, Georgia Tech ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.8/10 - Popularity: 83% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Metal-infused Lumber:** Innovative wood treatment using metal infusion to resist water and mold growth. - **Eco-friendly Lumber:** Pressure-treated wood alternatives that are free from harmful chemicals. - **Thermal Conductivity Reduction:** Developments which lower the thermal conductivity of materials. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Construction:** Developing durable, eco-friendly wood alternatives for use in construction. - **Furniture Manufacturing:** Innovative methods to improve the longevity of wooden furnitures by protecting it against water damage and mold growth. - **Home Appliances:** Opportunities to create better insulating materials for home appliances to minimize heat loss and improve energy efficiency. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Wood-Resembling Composite Decking](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vitrified-composite.md) - [Discarded Wood Construction Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woodoo.md) - [Sustainable Wooden Natural Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forestbank.md) - [Unsinkable Metal Vessel Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aluminum-tubes.md) - [Wood-Derived Sodium-Ion Batteries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fraunhofer-ikts.md) - [Charred Wood Mountain Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alexander-jermyn-architecture.md) - [Wood-Replicating Panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unilin-panels.md) - [Crack-Proof Exterior Stains](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woodluxe.md) - [Non-Soggy Biodegradable Straws](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lignin.md)