Technical University in Zvolen OJS
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COMPARATIVE COLOUR ANALYSIS OF THERMALLY MODIFIED SELECTED TEMPERATE HARDWOODS AND TROPICAL WOOD SPECIES USING PRINCIPAL COMPONENT ANALYSIS
Get PDFThermal modification is an eco-friendly and cost-effective method for enhancing the optical properties of wood by darkening its colour throughout the cross-section due to chemical changes. In this study, the colour coordinates (L*, a*, b*) of thermally modified temperate hardwoods native to Central Europe were statistically compared to those of selected tropical species. The tested species ‒ European ash, European beech, paper birch, black locust, European hornbeam, and pedunculate oak ‒ were treated at 200°C for 3 hours. The analysis revealed that thermal modification effectively altered their colour, in some cases achieving a visual resemblance to tropical woods. Pedunculate oak and black locust closely resembled wengé, while European beech approximated the appearance of ipé. Other hardwoods only partially matched tropical tones. These findings confirm the potential of thermally modified local hardwoods to substitute tropical species in interior and furniture applications, supporting more sustainable and regionally focused utilization for biological stains
PROPERTIES OF WOOD SURFACE COATED WITH OIL WAX
Get PDFThe research is aimed at establishing the changes in colour, gloss, hydrophobicity, and roughness of wood surfaces after treatment with hard wax oil, as well as the number of layers and the appropriate amount of liquid system required to achieve an effective coating. The water permeability of the coating was used as a criterion. Commercial hard wax oil was applied to the wood of spruce (Picea abies Karst.), aspen (Popolus tremula L.), beech (Fagus sylvatica L.), ash (Fraxinus excelsior L.), and European oak (Quercus robur L.). Changes in the colour of the wood substrates were evaluated visually. Gloss was measured using a gloss meter in accordance with ISO 2813:2014. Changes in roughness were assessed through the parameters Rz and RSm. Measurements were conducted with a contact surface roughness tester. Hydrophobicity was evaluated using the sessile drop method. It was found that a two-layer coating is optimal, and that the density, composition, and structure of the substrate influence the amount of liquid system required to form a coating with uniform colour and gloss. The coating was classified as unstable. Changes in colour, roughness, gloss, and hydrophobicity of the treated surfaces were established. No raising of the wood grains was found. The characteristics of the substrate had a significant impact on the coating properties
MODELING AND ANALYSIS OF TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION ACROSS THE CROSS-SECTION OF FLAT-PRESSED WOOD-POLYMER COMPOSITES DURING COOLING STAGE
Get PDFThis study is aimed at formulating a mathematical model describing the thermal dissipation kinetics during the post-processing cooling of flat-pressed wood-polymer composites (FPWPC). The dependence of the composite cooling time and the spatiotemporal temperature distribution across its thickness on the wood particle content, initial surface temperature, and bulk density are elucidated in the study. Analysis of the core layer thermal profile revealed three distinct phases: an initial temperature rise, a thermal maximum, and a conduction cooling phase. The findings indicate that both the wood particle content and the initial surface temperature of the FPWPC significantly influence the rate of thermal dissipation. Elevated initial surface temperatures (200°C) resulted in an initially accelerated cooling rate followed by a deceleration. Composites with a higher wood particle content (60%) exhibited slower cooling rates, attributed to the lower thermal conductivity of wood compared to the thermoplastic polymer matrix, leading to enhanced thermal retention. The bulk density of the FPWPC plays a critical role in its thermal management, affecting its specific heat capacity, thermal conductivity, and convective heat transfer efficiency. The derived mathematical model has the potential to optimise FPWPC manufacturing processes
SOFT SKILLS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION
Get PDFThe article discusses soft skills in the context of diachronic and synchronic social change with a focus on foreign language education. What are soft skills and why should they be an integral part of foreign language teaching? Changes in the concepts of and approach to foreign language teaching have created more opportunities for the development of soft skills than the traditional way of teaching. The systematic inclusion and development of these skills in the teaching process will enable formal education to be better linked to the demands of practice and successful integration of young people into working life. Once key soft skills become arranged into categories and their basic characteristics are described, procedures will be offered for the acquisition of these skills and for their development in educational practice
THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING
Get PDFThe ongoing digitalisation of the education sector has fundamentally transformed teaching and learning processes – not only in foreign language education. Owing to the development of artificial intelligence (AI), new perspectives for personalised, adaptive, and interactive learning have emerged. Consequently, a central task of didactics is to systematically explore the potential of AI in teaching and to convey its practical applications to educators. This paper analyses the role of modern AI-supported applications – particularly ChatGPT – in foreign language teaching and compares their didactic potential with that of traditional language learning programs. Through selected examples, it demonstrates how AI provides individualised learner support, generates complex feedback, and simulates authentic communicative situations. Particular attention is given to the comparison of feedback structures between conventional online exercise platforms and AI-based systems. While traditional programs are largely limited to statistical correctness checks, ChatGPT offers qualitative feedback that explains error sources and promotes adaptive learning strategies. An empirical study conducted among 380 students and 12 teachers in Slovakia reveals an overall positive attitude toward digital media in foreign language instruction. The majority of respondents, who expressed their views on AI in teaching through questionnaires and pedagogical interviews, consider its use motivating and helpful, particularly for understanding new content. Nevertheless, challenges remain in the areas of technical infrastructure, time resources, and media-pedagogical competence. The study concludes that AI represents a valuable instrument for the individualisation of teaching, but does not replace the teacher. A reflective and methodologically grounded integration of AI technologies can foster foreign language acquisition by making learning processes more differentiated, interactive, and practice-oriented.
AI INTEGRATION IN FLIPPED EFL WRITING CLASSROOMS: LEARNERS’ PRACTICES AND PEDAGOGICAL IMPLICATIONS IN THE MOROCCAN CONTEXT
Get PDFThis study investigates the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in flipped classroom pedagogy and its implications for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) writing instruction in a Moroccan language institution. A total of 630 intermediate-level EFL learners responded to a survey combining quantitative and qualitative components. The survey examined students’ frequency and purposes of AI use, perceived benefits, and concerns related to writing tasks within flipped learning environments. Findings reveal that nearly all respondents reported using AI in some form, primarily for idea generation, grammar correction, vocabulary development, and content organization. While respondents acknowledged the usefulness of AI in enhancing writing quality and supporting task completion, they also expressed concerns about overdependence, diminished authenticity reduced critical thinking, and ethical uncertainties. Thematic analysis of open-ended responses, from the survey, highlighted a strong need for teacher guidance and institutional training on ethical and effective AI use. The study concludes that AI integration in flipped EFL writing instruction poses opportunities and challenges: it can foster learner autonomy and improve writing outcomes, but it also risks undermining originality and academic integrity if not properly scaffolded. Pedagogical implications are discussed, emphasizing the importance of AI literacy, ethical guidelines, and teacher support to ensure responsible adoption of AI in technology-enhanced language education
USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF MARKETING COMMUNICATION TOOLS FOR A SPECIFIC FURNITURE PRODUCT
Get PDFArtificial intelligence is transforming various industries, including the furniture sector, by enhancing efficiency and innovation. attitudes toward AI-driven marketing communication tools in the wood processing industry are evaluated in this paper. An experiment focused on using artificial intelligence to create communication tools for a specific furniture product, namely a selected kitchen unit from a Slovak furniture manufacturing company and subsequently evaluated the perception of AI-generated suggestions in comparison to human-generated ones. The attitudes observed in the experiment were determined through a questionnaire and evaluated using descriptive statistics. AI-generated ideas were rated as more original and attractive than those from human participants and professional designers; however, they face challenges such as incomprehensibility and credibility issues. The results of the experiment align with theoretical knowledge and other research, indicating that AI-generated ideas are original, innovative, and appealing to customers; however, the human factor remains very important and necessary. Maintaining a professional approach is essential when creating selected marketing communication tools to ensure their effectiveness and proper targeting
KINETICS AND MODELLING OF WATER ABSORPTION PROCESSES IN DIFFERENT TREE SPECIES
Get PDFA novel two-stage kinetic model for simulating water absorption in wood is presented, explicitly accounting for simultaneous absorption and evaporation in the longitudinal direction and addressing limitations of prior models focused primarily on drying or radial sorption. Water absorption was investigated by partial immersion of samples from three tree species – paulownia (Paulownia in vitro), alder (Alnus glutinosa), and pine (Pinus sylvestris). A computational experiment was conducted using parameter sensitivity analysis of the developed mathematical model. The model demonstrates high fidelity in describing sorption kinetics, with correlation coefficients reaching 85% for absorption (logarithmic dependence) and over 90% for dehydration (exponential reliance). At 20 °C, the paulownia absorption rate exceeded alder by 8% and pine by 23%. These findings enhance understanding of moisture transport mechanisms and offer practical insights for optimizing impregnation processes in wood processing
ASSESSMENT OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FIBER AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF TREE SPECIES
Get PDFThe variations in mechanical and fiber properties and wood density of seven commonly used timber species in the furniture industry of Sri Lanka were studied. Wood density, compressive strength (parallel to grain and perpendicular to grain), and static bending proportional limit properties were measured. Specifications stated in BS 373: 1957 were used as the standards for the tests. The mechanical property test was performed using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM 100 PC). Fiber analysis was done according to modified Franklin’s method. Regarding density, all fiber properties decreased according to the trend graph. Similarly, no significant correlations were found among fiber properties (fiber length, fiber diameter, and fiber wall thickness) and bending proportional limit, MOR, and MOE. A higher Runkel ratio in high-density timber species was associated with higher strength values
THE USE OF GENERATIVE AI IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE IN MANAGEMENT STUDENTS: OPPORTUNITIES AND OBSTACLES IN DEVELOPING LINGUISTIC COMPONENT
Get PDFThe paper addresses the use of artificial intelligence in foreign language training for management students. Its aim is to identify the current opportunities and obstacles related to the use of generative artificial intelligence in teaching and learning a foreign language for specific purposes, specifically focusing on the development of linguistic competence as a component of intercultural communicative competence among management students. Drawing on an analysis of selected studies that document experiences with generative artificial intelligence in developing intercultural communicative competence in foreign language teaching in higher education, the paper provides an overview of opportunities and obstacles in using this technology to develop linguistic competence among management students