Finding wood alternatives for endangered ebony
(PHYSorg.com Chemistry)

Like many tropical wood types, ebony is an endangered species that is tricky to use, such in instrument manufacturing. Despite strict trade regulations, ebony stocks are plummeting. A substitute is urgently needed. And this is where the Empa spin-off Swiss Wood Solutions comes in. Its product, `Swiss Ebony`, consists of modified Swiss maple, which boasts the same properties as ebony - a sustainable and entirely legal solution.