Designing functional wood materials for novel engineering applications

Abstract Wood has great potential to become a key material for future bio-economy, thanks especially to its intrinsic renewability and CO 2 -storing capacity. Improved functionalization treatments can make wood materials valid substitutes for less ecofriendly ones, expanding and widening their application range. However, further research is needed. This mini-review highlights some of the most recent developments in the design of functional wood materials, critically discussing their current limitations and obstacles to their implementation.