The researchers studied how to break down yellow poplar wood into simple sugars using strong acid. They found that the best conditions were using a specific ratio of wood to acid, a certain temperature, and time. By following these conditions, they were able to produce high amounts of glucose and xylose. They also discovered some other compounds in the solution. Increasing the time of the reaction led to higher levels of certain compounds. After a certain point, the xylose levels decreased, but glucose levels stayed steady. This study shows how to efficiently convert wood into useful sugars for various applications.