Post by Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science

Most large power transformers in the U.S. are over 25 years old with a typical life expectancy of just 30 years. As electricity demand surges from data centers, electric vehicles, and renewable energy, the grid's aging infrastructure is under dramatic strain. The weakest link is the insulation breakdown. It's the most common cause of transformer failure, costing consumers tens of billions of dollars annually. A Yale-led interdisciplinary team has developed a potential solution from an unlikely source: wood. By treating natural wood veneer and soaking it in insulating oil, the team created a material called oil-impregnated densified wood (ODW) that outperforms the century-old insulation technology currently used in most transformers. It's stronger, conducts heat better, and is far more resistant to electrical breakdown. The work also points to broader applications beyond transformers, including motors and printed circuit boards. Read more: https://loom.ly/cfHYA1o Liangbing Hu Yale Center for Materials Innovation