Students at Aalto University have developed a wood-based material suitable for shoe insoles. A particular advantage of the new type of insole is its ability to withstand repetitive loading, which has previously been a challenge in foam-like biomaterials.
The material was created in a product development project course (PDP), where a team of students, with the support of researchers, aimed to develop a polyurethane-like biofoam for the textile industry. The team, made up of engineering and art and design students, worked together for nine months. A patent has been applied for in Finland for the new type of insole.