[Spridgets] would you drive on wood tires?

[mike rambour]

I can see the obit already...

 Mr. So-and-so, died when he lost control of his car, police said the
cause of the accident was low tire pressure due to termites.


On Tue, 2009-07-21 at 13:50 -0700, corvallis at peoplepc.com wrote:
> Tires made from trees -- better, cheaper, more fuel efficient
> 
> 
> CORVALLIS, Ore. - Automobile owners around the world may some day soon be
> driving on tires that are partly made out of trees - which could cost less,
> perform better and save on fuel and energy.
> 
> Wood science researchers at Oregon State University have made some
> surprising findings about the potential of microcrystalline cellulose - a
> product that can be made easily from almost any type of plant fibers - to
> partially replace silica as a reinforcing filler in the manufacture of
> rubber tires.
> 
> A new study suggests that this approach might decrease the energy required
> to produce the tire, reduce costs, and better resist heat buildup. Early
> tests indicate that such products would have comparable traction on cold or
> wet pavement, be just as strong, and provide even higher fuel efficiency
> than traditional tires in hot weather.