The newly developed fire chamber where researchers can CT-scan wood samples during a fire and follow how the interior of the material changes in real time.
27 November 2025
Unique fire chamber reveals the inner secrets of wood
Researchers at Luleå University of Technology, in collaboration with the state research institute RISE, have developed a unique fire chamber that, for the first time, makes it possible to study how wood changes on the inside during an ongoing fire. The technology opens new opportunities for both fire research and the development of wood-based construction materials.
The new fire chamber, developed within the research programme CT WOOD and supported by Träcentrum Norr, makes it possible to CT-scan wood samples while they are burning, providing detailed images of the material’s internal structure in real time. According to the researchers, this has never been possible before. CT scanning, or computed tomography, is a technique used to create three-dimensional images of a material’s interior without cutting or damaging it. By combining fire testing with this imaging method, researchers can now observe how cracks form and how the material’s density changes during combustion.
“This is an important step toward understanding how wood behaves in a fire and how we can develop safer and more sustainable constructions,” says Bror Sundqvist, Director of WoodCenter North at Luleå University of Technology.
Bror Sundqvist.
The completed fire chamber works according to plan and can conduct safe controlled experiments without smoke and gases spreading in the laboratory. The first tests show that the equipment provides clear and useful CT images without interference, confirming that the technology works as intended.
New opportunities for wood research
Despite limited resources, the project has succeeded in developing a fully functioning prototype that is already being used in research experiments. The capacity is one standard test per hour, but with future upgrades it could be increased to two or three. The fire chamber is planned to be made available for external research and industry partners in upcoming projects.
“There is great potential in this type of equipment. With continued investment, we can increase capacity and enable more, and more advanced, experiments,” says Bror Sundqvist.
The image shows how the wood sample loses density from around 650 to 200 kilograms per cubic meter and cracks as it charred.
Two scientific publications are planned: one describing the method and one presenting the first research results.
“The project demonstrates the power of collaboration between academia and industry. By developing new research infrastructure, we strengthen both wood research and the future competitiveness of the industry,” says Bror Sundqvist.
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Bror Sundqvist
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