Using 3D printing technology and ultrasonic joining technique, researchers at TU Graz succeeded in attaining an extremely strong joining of the renewable raw material wood with metal and polymer composite. The renewable raw material wood is climate-neutral and at the same time light and strong, making it fundamentally attractive for use in vehicle manufacturing. One challenge to date has been joining the wood and the other materials in the vehicle, such as metals and polymer composites, in a robust way. The research team from the Institute of Materials Science, Joining and Forming of Graz University of Technology …has now successfully tested two techniques by which extremely strong joints can be achieved without using adhesives or screws. The application of the techniques to wood is patent pending and could be used in the aircraft, automotive and furniture industries. …In future, the team would like to work with partners from the automotive, aircraft and furniture industries.