BioResources (E-Journal)
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One-Step Alkaline-Hydrogen Peroxide Degumming of Hemp Fiber: Optimization for Enhanced Processability and Eco-Efficiency
No full textHemp fiber, as a renewable bio-based material, holds significant potential in the textile and paper industries. To unlock this potential, a critical step involves purification of the fibers. However, conventional degumming methods suffer from high energy consumption, severe fiber damage, and environmental pollution. This study evaluated a proposed one-step alkaline-hydrogen peroxide degumming process under mild conditions to achieve high-value utilization of hemp crops. Orthogonal experiments were conducted to optimize reaction conditions, including temperature, time, and liquid-to-solid ratio. Results showed that under optimal conditions (80°C, 4 h, 10:1 liquid-to-solid ratio), the residual gum content was 7.68% and fiber crystallinity increased by 8.33%. Additionally, the proportion of short fibers increased while coarse fibers decreased, yielding paper with a tensile index of 190 N/m and a whiteness of 70.3%. This low-temperature degumming process effectively removed gums while minimizing fiber damage, offering an eco-friendly and industrially viable solution for hemp fiber applications
Bridging Time: A Dual Path Analysis of Chinese Furniture Culture from Diplomatic Exchange to Digital Narratives
No full textThe dual pathways of historical legacy and contemporary digital perception were explored relative to cultural communication in Chinese furniture. An interactive analytical framework was established, linking material artifacts with evolving audience cognition. Historically, Ming and Qing furniture shaped European styles such as Rococo and Chippendale, serving as cultural emblems in diplomatic exchanges. However, symbolic depth was often lost in translation. The “New Chinese Style” furniture continues this legacy, yet it encounters new challenges in global online markets. Through natural language processing (NLP) of user reviews from Wayfair, consumer perceptions were analyzed in this work across three cultural layers: tangible, behavioral, and intangible. Results revealed a perceptual asymmetry: international users consistently value material authenticity and visual beauty but tend to overlook craftsmanship and cultural narratives. Notably, attention to cultural narrative declined significantly, while emotional resonance and functional attributes increased, reflecting a shift in user priorities toward lifestyle alignment. To reconcile these gaps, a responsive strategy was proposed that includes: (1) dual semantic encoding—preserving traditional design forms while reframing meanings for global relevance; (2) multi-modal visualization—leveraging AR, process videos, and interactive interfaces to convey craftsmanship; and (3) culturally segmented design—to align diverse audience motivations with tailored messaging
Tannin-Sucrose Adhesive Properties: A Comparison of Bayberry and Acacia Tannins
No full textBayberry tannin and acacia tannin were selected as raw materials to prepare tannin-sucrose adhesives, and their properties were investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis results indicated that both bayberry tannin and acacia tannin were condensed tannins, composed of polymerized flavonoid monomer units, with their repeating units often closely connected to the A and B rings of carbohydrates, with bayberry tannin containing relatively more trisubstituted benzene structural units. Hot-pressing temperature was found to have a significant impact on the adhesive performance. When the hot-pressing temperature was set at 215 °C, the bayberry tannin-sucrose adhesive exhibited excellent bonding performance, meeting the strength requirements of Class II plywood in GB/T 17657 (2022) (≥0.70 MPa). Thermogravimetric (TG) test results revealed that the cured product of the bayberry tannin-sucrose adhesive had superior thermal stability. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations showed that the cured product of the acacia tannin-sucrose adhesive had cracking and porosity on the cross-section, while the cured product of the bayberry tannin-sucrose adhesive presented a unique complex wrinkled structure on the cross-section, which endowed it with higher toughness and better environmental resistance
Influence of Pulp Temperature and Convective Drying on Wet Tensile Strength of Towel Papers with Poly(amidoamine epichlorohydrin) Additive
No full textThe influence of the temperature of the paper pulp and drying of towel papers containing polyamidoamine-epichlorohydrin (PAE - 3.5 mg/g ADM) on their wet tensile strength was investigated. The paper was produced from pulp containing 40% pine fibers and 60% eucalyptus bleached kraft fibers, heated to 25 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C, after which the paper was dried with hot air in the temperature range of 190 to 330 °C. The aim of the research was to determine the influence of the temperature of the paper pulp and drying of the paper formed from it on the degree of PAE bonding with fibers and its self-crosslinking ability. The sheets obtained were tested for wet strength in both the machine direction (MD) and cross direction (CD). The results indicated that the paper drying temperature had a key influence on the increase in its wet strength, while heating the pulp before forming the sheets had a relatively minor effect. The increase in drying temperature to 330 °C allowed the wet tensile index (WTI) to be improved over 100% compared to drying at ambient temperature, with the highest strength demonstrated by samples formed from pulp heated to 50 °C and dried at 330 °C. Paper samples with PAE, tested wet for CD, showed strength at a level of 36 to 44% of the values obtained for MD. The obtained results contribute to the deepening of knowledge on the mechanism of increase in wet strength of PAE-modified towel papers, depending on the temperature conditions used during their production
Mechanical Properties of Laminated and Aramid Fiber-Reinforced Laminated Wood Elements
No full textThe mechanical performance of laminated panels manufactured from beech (Fagus orientalis) wood was enhanced by reinforcement with aramid fibers. Specimens were organized into three primary groups: (i) a solid (control) group, (ii) laminated groups composed of two and three layers without aramid reinforcement, and (iii) laminated groups incorporating one or two layers of aramid fiber reinforcement. Results of compressive strength tests revealed that both laminated and aramid-reinforced laminated specimens exhibited improved performance compared to the control group. Static bending strength was improved by lamination alone, and inclusion of aramid reinforcement in the lamination interface gave further enhancement. Lamination by itself did not yield a statistically significant improvement in the modulus of elasticity in static bending. A significant increase in the modulus of elasticity was observed only when aramid fibers were embedded in the lamination interface. Moreover, dynamic bending strength was substantially improved by the incorporation of aramid reinforcement into the laminated structure. The enhancement ratios were 63.4% for two-layer laminates with one aramid layer and 123.5% for three-layer laminates with two aramid layers. These findings indicate that aramid fiber reinforcement is an effective strategy for improving the mechanical performance of laminated wood composites
Thermal Sensation Study of Wooden Desktop Based on COMSOL Multiphysics
No full textThe choice of furniture materials has a direct impact on thermal comfort, especially during prolonged contact. In this study, the COMSOL Multiphysics software was utilized to simulate the process of heat transfer from the human body, treated as a constant heat source, to the wood desktop material at a specific room temperature. By carefully adjusting various physical parameters, the specific effects of each factor on the change in contact temperature were thoroughly examined. Simultaneously, human body method experiments were conducted as a control to verify the simulation’s accuracy against real-world conditions. Additionally, a systematic analysis was performed to explore the influence of various physical parameters, such as density, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, thickness, and decorative layer treatment, on temperature sensation. The primary objective was to address the existing challenge of achieving thermal comfort in wooden furniture design . The results suggest that the density, specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, thickness, and room temperature of the wood tabletop material significantly affect the contact temperature. Applying coatings or veneers to the wooden tabletop can also influence the variation in contact temperature
Influence of Some Biostimulants Combined with Zinc and Boron Oxides on the Performance of Date Palm
No full textAlthough chemical fertilizers increase plant growth and crop yields, their usage over a long period harms soil health, damages the beneficial microorganisms, and reduces soil fertility. Therefore, there is interest in using natural biostimulants in agriculture instead of chemical fertilizers. This study aimed to examine how spraying with zinc (ZnO) and boron (B2O3) oxides, as well as the biostimulants yeast extract (YE) and seaweed extract (SWE), and their combinations affect the yield and fruit quality of Barhi date palm. The trees were sprayed four times starting from mid of February with one month between each two sprays with 50 mg/L ZnO + 50 mg/L B2O3; 100 mg/L ZnO + 100 mg/L B2O3; 0.2% or 0.4% YE; 0.2% or 0.4% SWE; 50 mg/L ZnO + 50 mg/L B2O3 + 0.2 % YE + 0.2 % SWE, (combination 1); 100 mg/L ZnO + 100 mg/L B2O3 + 0.4% YE + 0.4% SWE (combination 2) compared to not-treated trees. The results indicated that applying ZnO and B2O3, YE and SWE either individually or in combination effectively enhanced the productivity and fruit quality of the date palm cv. Barhi compared to the control. The results also showed that the combined application gave a larger improvement in the measured parameters, particularly combination 2, which was the best treatment, followed by combination 1
Evaluation of Biological and Fire Resistance of Scots Pine Wood Impregnated with Commercial Copper-based Preservatives
No full textThe objective of this work was to enhance fire and decay resistance of wood materials using environmentally friendly and non-toxic wood preservatives. Two copper-based impregnation agents, Korasit KS and Tanalith-E, were applied to Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) specimens. The fire performance was evaluated with ASTM E69 (2002) by measuring mass loss after fire exposure. Decay resistance was assessed according to EN 113 (2006), using white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor and brown-rot fungus Postia placenta over a 12-week incubation period. Specimens treated with 9% concentration of Korasit KS exhibited the lowest mass loss after fire exposure. Similarly, increasing the concentrations of both preservatives resulted in reduced mass loss under fire conditions. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan’s test (α = 0.05). Specimens impregnated with 9% Tanalith-E showed the lowest mass loss and the highest resistance to both T. versicolor and P. placenta. Overall, it is recommended that wood materials intended for industrial applications be impregnated with higher concentrations of Korasit KS to improve fire resistance, and with Tanalith-E to enhance biological durability against fungal decay
Enhancing Rubberwood Properties via Sodium Silicate Modification: A Study on Mechanical and Thermal Stability
No full textRubberwood (RW), a commercially valuable timber species widely used for mid-to-high-end wood products in Yunnan, was modified through full-cell impregnation with sodium silicate (SS) solutions at varying concentrations (10 to 30%). The treatment significantly improved the wood's performance, overcoming challenges such as achieving optimal impregnation while preserving its integrity. Comprehensive analysis indicated that a 20% sodium silicate solution provided the most effective modification. This optimal treatment increased compressive strength by 15% (78.8 MPa), increased modulus of elasticity by 35.7% (1900 MPa), and reduced water absorption by 13.3% (103.5%) compared to untreated samples. Microstructural analysis confirmed optimal impregnation at 20%, with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealing Si-O-Si peaks and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicating the presence of silicon, confirming the successful penetration of sodium silicate and silica formation. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that there was no alteration in the position of the cellulose diffraction peaks, which demonstrated that the sodium silicate impregnation treatment did not destroy its crystalline structure. This modification enhanced the mechanical properties and thermal stability of rubberwood while providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional chemical treatments. Sodium silicate, mildly toxic and abundant, offers a sustainable solution for improving wood quality in various applications
Evaluation of Organ Dose following Radiotherapy of the Brain using Bio-Based Head Phantom Made From Soy-Lignin bonded Rhizophora spp.
No full textThe purpose of this work was to create and assess a bio-based head phantom made from bio-based resources for external beam radiotherapy dose planning and delivery in brain cancer. The custom-made head phantom was fabricated using Rhizophora spp. bonded with soy flour and lignin, and its potential as phantom material was evaluated in previous studies. Organs at risk and planning target volume were identified using the treatment planning system, which was guided by computed tomography raw images. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were placed into specific holes positioned throughout the head phantom following individual calibration. Head phantom was imaged, planned and irradiated by linear accelerator. The planned predicted doses by treatment planning system at the targeted volume and the organ at risk regions were obtained and compared with the dosimeter doses. The result revealed that the planning target volume and organ at risks were within the dose range calculated by the treatment planning system, except for lens, optic chiasm and brainstem. Verification of the treatment plans was implemented, and good agreement between measured values and those predicted by the treatment planning system was found. The custom-made, bio-based phantom’s preliminary results have proved to be a valuable tool for the treatment dose verification, demonstrating its prospective as potential phantom material for use in radiotherapy