New substance may help preserve waterlogged wood from soggy shipwrecks
Briefly

Researchers have developed a new self-dissolving hydrogel that helps reinforce and preserve 800-year-old wood from shipwrecks, mitigating decay caused by seawater and bacteria.
The hydrogel, made from sodium alginate and silver nanoparticles, reinforces waterlogged wood and shows significant preservation effects in just a matter of days.
Current methods to preserve soggy wood involve lengthy processes like freeze-drying, leaving many shipwrecks vulnerable to degradation over time.
The application of the hydrogel not only strengthens wood structure but also introduces antibacterial properties, enhancing preservation efforts for historical artifacts.
Read at Washington Post
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