Wood Wool

Wood Wool or "Excelsior".

Wood Wool, also known as excelsior, is a multifunctional material made of fine wood fibers. Produced with the use of machines since about the middle of the 19th century. Properties can be quite variable depending on the feedstock used.

Applications (from Wikipedia, shortened)

• wood wool boards (mineralized/bonded with cement, lime or magnesia binder)
• insulation
• packaging material (cushioning, e.g. in poultry).
• bedding for animals
• filler for mattresses
• growing medium for hydroponics
• filter (e.g. water purification)
• garden mulches
• evaporative cooler systems ("swamp coolers")
• mats and blankets for erosion control

Open Source Hardware Needs

• wood wool machine: cutting slivers
• pressing machines for panels
• weaving machine

Links

• Heraklit (German brand)
• Inhabitat: "Colorful Hexagonal Wall Tiles Made From Sound-Absorbing “Wood Wool”"