BioResources (E-Journal)
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Distribution Characteristics and Ecotoxicity Assessment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Hydrothermal Carbonization Products of Corn Stalks
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Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of corn straw causes hydrolysis and pyrolytic reorganization of the carbon skeleton, leading to the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). When used as a soil amendment, hydrothermal carbon can lead to soil contamination, increased biotoxicity, and potential harm to ecosystem health. To systematically evaluate PAHs formation mechanisms, single-factor experiments were carried out by treating corn straw under varying temperatures (180 to 300 °C) and durations (2 to 6 h) in a closed batch reactor. PAHs were quantified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) with deuterated internal standards. Results revealed that total PAHs concentrations increased by 409%, 66.5%, and 68.3% at 180 °C, 210 °C, and 240 °C (4 h and 2 h), respectively, attributed to intensified dehydration and aromatization reactions under subcritical conditions. Conversely, PAHs levels decreased by 80.4% and 78.1% at 270 °C and 300 °C (4 h and 2 h), likely due to thermal cracking of PAHs macromolecules into low-molecular-weight fragments. Prolonged treatment (6 h and 4 h) reduced PAHs by 62.9 to 70.8% at ≤240 °C, suggesting oxidative degradation pathways dominate over pyrolysis under extended residence time. Mechanistic analysis indicated that optimizing HTC at 270 °C for 4 h achieves a critical balance between carbonization efficiency and PAHs suppression, providing a feasible strategy to mitigate ecotoxicological risks of hydrothermal carbon in soil remediation
Additive Manufacturing of Furniture Corner Guards Based on Thermoplastic Polyurethane Filament
No full textFurniture corners are the most vulnerable areas to be damaged by collisions or to cause injuries to children. In this study a furniture corner guard was developed using thermoplastic polyurethane filament (TPU) and fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing. First, the energy-absorption performance of cylindrical specimens with different printing parameters (infill pattern, filament hardness, and printing speed) was analysed using a quasi-static compression test. The experimental results showed that among the three infill patterns, the honeycomb pattern had the best energy-absorption performance, the gyroid pattern had the middle energy-absorption performance, and the linear pattern had the worst energy-absorption performance. The energy-absorption performance of the cylindrical specimen gradually increased with decreased filament hardness and decreased printing speed. Then, the furniture corner guard with buffer airbag was designed by SolidWorks software, and the prototype was additively manufactured using honeycomb infill pattern, Shore A 75 TPU filament, and 20 mm/s printing speed. The 3D-printed furniture corner guard had a smooth outer surface, free of print defects, and was custom-designed to fit the size and shape of the furniture corner to ensure a tight fit. The energy-absorption performance of 3D-printed furniture corner guard was about 90% in comparison to injection-molded PFC
A Systematic Review on Enzymatic Refining of Recycled Fibers: A Potential to be Unlocked
No full textEnzymatic refining offers a sustainable alternative to mechanical refining for enhancing the quality of recycled paper fibers. This review examines (a) the benefits and limitations of enzymatic refining and (b) the most commonly used enzymes and their effectiveness. Studies from 2008 to 2023 were systematically analyzed using PRISMA screening to assess enzyme types, energy savings, and paper property improvements. Findings indicate that enzymatic refining reduces energy consumption by up to 20% while improving fiber bonding and drainage. Cellulases and hemicellulases are the most effective enzymes, enhancing mechanical strength and reducing water use. However, enzymatic refining alone is often insufficient, requiring additional mechanical refining for optimal results. Industrial adoption of enzymatic refining remains limited due to challenges in process integration and reaction optimization. This study highlights the role of this kind of refining in advancing circular economy goals and emphasizes future research needs, including enzyme formulation optimization and the development of scalable, one-step refining solutions
Real-Time Monitoring in Polymer Composites: Internet of Things Integration for Enhanced Performance and Sustainability — A Review
No full textThis review article critically examines the integration of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and wireless technology into polymer composites, highlighting its transformative potential in materials science. The focus is on real-time monitoring of key parameters such as temperature, stress, strain, humidity, and environmental exposure, which are essential for predictive maintenance and performance optimization. This review covers existing research and technological developments in IoT-enabled polymer composites, including sensor technologies, data transmission, cloud-based analysis, and digital twin creation for rapid design optimization and troubleshooting. The scope of this review does not extend to experimental procedures for sensor integration, detailed material property enhancements unrelated to IoT technologies, or the development of new composite materials without IoT integration. Key challenges such as standardization, data security, and system interoperability are discussed, and future research directions are proposed. By defining the scope and boundaries of the discussion, this review provides a comprehensive overview of how IoT integration is advancing the performance, reliability, and sustainability of polymer composites across industries such as aerospace, automotive, and infrastructure
Sensory Evaluation of Cultural Relics Imitations of Qing Dynasty Imperial Lacquered Wooden Furniture
No full textTo address the challenge that the perceptual evaluation dimensions of lacquer-wood furniture cultural relics imitations are inherently abstract and challenging to quantify, this study established a systematic perceptual evaluation framework to support the high-quality and large-scale development of lacquer-wood furniture cultural relics imitations. Based on 12 evaluation indicators derived through the Delphi method, six key perceptual evaluation indicators were identified. Using the semantic differential method (SD), evaluators assessed and scored 13 pairs of cultural relic imitation samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to extract the core evaluation factors. At the same time, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to examine the impact of evaluator group type and sample type on the assessment results. Additionally, the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory model (DEMATEL) was utilized to determine the weight distribution of the core evaluation factors. The findings indicated that the perceptual evaluation system, constructed based on six core evaluation factors, exhibits strong scientific validity and practical applicability. This system is a standardized and objective tool for evaluating and certifying the quality of lacquer-wood furniture cultural relic imitations in museums
Phytochemical Characterization of Persicaria longiseta Inflorescence Biomass and Its Biological Activities
No full textNutritional values and biological activity of Persicaria longiseta inflorescence extract (PLE) were assessed relative to the antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial impact of ethanolic extracts from the plant’s inflorescence. Using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the PLE ethanolic extract revealed that naringenin, chlorogenic acid, quercetin, rosmarinic acid, rutin, and gallic acid were all present in high concentrations (9780, 8250, 5190, 4320, 2520, and 2430 µg/g, respectively). Nutritional values assessment showed carbohydrates (166 mg/g), protein (53.2 mg/g), phenols (36.2 mg/g), and flavonoids (13.2 mg/g). When applied to pathogen species and cancer cells, the ethanolic extract of PLE showed inhibitory effects. Additionally, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were evaluated for the tested microorganisms. The P. longiseta extract exhibited significant inhibition of hemolysis, particularly in the presence of B. subtilis (77.7, 90.8, and 95.9%) compared to K. pneumonia (54.1 ± 1.16, 75.8, and 85.3%) at varying doses (25, 50, 75% MIC, respectively). These results represent the beginning of the use of this extract in advanced medical aspects as an antimicrobial, antioxidant, antihemolytic, and antitumor agent, with some confirmatory and accurate experiments in vivo
Investigating Shear Force and Torque of Grapevine Shoots Based on Experimental and Simulation Analysis
No full textWinter pruning of grapevine branches is essential vineyard management, and knowledge of the biomechanical properties of branches is crucial for effective pruning. This study analyzed the dynamic behavior of grapevine shoots through axial–radial tensile, three-point bending, and shear tests. The axial elastic modulus, the radial elastic modulus, and the flexural modulus of grapevine shoots were 797 MPa, 79.8 MPa, and 5890 MPa, respectively. A finite element model of the grapevine shoot was established using the measured data, and a three-point bending simulation was conducted. The flexural modulus value obtained from the simulation was 5700 MPa, with a deviation of 3.37% from the experimental average, demonstrating the model’s accuracy. Moreover, a mathematical regression model was developed to describe the relationship of the branch diameter with its maximum shear force and shear torque. Shear test simulations revealed the stress distribution during the shear process, with the maximum shear force and torque deviating 9.60% and 12.11%, respectively, from the experimental averages. This study provides data support for grapevine pruning automation. In the future, these findings may contribute to the development of automated mechanical pruning equipment for grapevines
Wettability Variation of Unmodified and Thermally Modified Surfaces of Thinned Wood from a Hardwood Plantation
No full textThe study of surface properties—particularly wettability—and how these vary from pith to bark in relation to changes in surface roughness, chemical composition and crystallinity is of importance to improve the use of wood that comes from thinning of a hardwood plantation. In this study, water wettability was assessed by measuring the contact angle using a drop shape analyzer, while surface roughness was evaluated with a confocal microscope. The chemical composition and crystallinity of the surface were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). To minimize the influence of machining variables on surface properties, a consistent surface quality before and after thermal modification was ensured using computer-controlled cutting. The results revealed that, prior to thermal modification, the contact angle varied significantly from pith to bark. After modification, the contact angle increased, but the differences were no longer statistically significant, due to the homogenization of the chemical-structural characteristics caused by the thermal modification. Relative crystallinity and surface roughness tended to increase towards the bark, with the contact angle tending to decrease, before and after modification
Development of Finite Element Model for Charring Rate for Solid Timber from Malaysian Tropical Hardwood Subjected to Standard Fire
No full textTimber has natural fire resistance because of its predictable charring behavior. When subjected to high temperatures, timber undergoes pyrolysis, forming an insulating char layer that protects the inner structural core. Eurocode EN 1995-1-2 (2004), commonly known as Eurocode 5 where EC5 specifies 0.5 mm/min charring rate for temperate hardwoods, pertains to timber with density exceeding 450 kg/m³. This paper presents the development of a finite element model (FEM) to predict the charring rate of timber exposed to fire through innovative experimental and numerical approaches. Timber samples were exposed to controlled heat fluxes for 60 min, simulating real-world fire scenarios. The resulting char layer thickness was measured over time. The Malaysian tropical hardwood timber used was Resak (Cotylelobium and Vatica spp.) with density range from 932 kg/m3 to 1125 kg/m3. The proposed FEM was developed using ABAQUS software, which included thermal conductivity and specific heat to simulate the transient heat transfer and degradation processes in timber. It was found that the charring rate of Resak was 0.47 mm/min lower than the rates established in EC5 (2004). The model is validated through experimental data, demonstrating its accuracy in predicting char depth and temperature profiles under standard fire condition. The data are useful when designing the fire safety of timber structures from the Malaysian tropical timber species
Biodegradation Resistance of Wood-filled Caustic Magnesite Composites
No full textThe article deals with composite materials based on caustic magnesite binder and wood fillers used in the fabrication of various types of objects in mechanical engineering, construction engineering, and oil and gas industries. Under operational conditions, caustic magnesite composites can be exposed to aggressive actions of microorganisms. This study looked into resistance of wood-filled composites upon exposure to byproducts of filamentous fungi (micromycetes). This research substantiated the choice of model medium for testing – byproducts of metabolism of micromycetes. Designed experiments were carried out. The samples were held in model solutions with different concentrations of aggressive medium agents. Lines of equal values of materials’ resistance were plotted. It was found from experiments that composites without fillers had a lower biocorrosive resistance compared to those filled with pine sawdust