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This study presents fibers based on methacrylic acid–methyl methacrylate (Eudragit L100) as Cu(II) adsorbents, resulting in antimicrobial complexes. Eudragit L100, an anionic copolymer synthesized by radical polymerization, was electrospun in dimethylformamide (DMF) and ethanol (EtOH). The electrospinning process was optimized through a 22 -factorial design, with independent variables (copolymer concentration and EtOH/DMF volume ratio) and three repetitions at the central point. The smallest average fiber diameter (259 ± 53 nm) was obtained at 14% w/v Eudragit L100 and 80/20 EtOH/DMF volume ratio. The fibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The pseudo-second-order mechanism explained the kinetic adsorption toward Cu(II). The fibers exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity (qe) of 43.70 mg/g. The DSC analysis confirmed the Cu(II) absorption, indicating complexation between metallic ions and copolymer networks. The complexed fibers showed a lower degree of swelling than the noncomplexed fibers. The complexed fibers exhibited bacteriostatic activity against Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. This study successfully optimized the electrospinning process to produce thin fibers based on Eudragit L100 for potential applications as adsorbents for Cu(II) ions in aqueous media and for controlling bacterial growth, This research was funded by “National Council for Scientific and Technological Development– CNPq” for financial support (grant 305579/2023-1). “This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior-Brasil (CAPES)-Finance Code 001”. The authors thank the State University of Maringá (Complex Research Center— COMCAP) and Federal University of Technology (the multiuser laboratories at Apucarana and Londrina) for the performed analysis, Postprint (published version)

Massatvätt är ett viktigt steg i kraft-processen, då kokkemikalierna kan återvinnas och återanvändas i processen, vilket minimerar belastningen på miljön. Det är ett viktigt steg innan blekning av massan, då en låg kemisk syre-förbrukning (COD) är viktigt för att minska förbrukning av blekningskemikalier. Dessutom kan massatvätt även eliminera andra oönskade material, såsom metaller eller extraktivämnen. Syftet med studien var att utvärdera av tvätt-effektivitet av industriell massatvätt. Målen var att jämföra industriell tvättning med extensiv tvättning, att undersöka kvaliteten av tvättvätskor med analystekniker och att undersöka befintliga metoder för att beräkna tvätt-effektivitet. Den experimentella fasen var indelad i provtvättning och tvätt-serier, utförda med olika tvättvätskor, uppehållstider och industriell och extensiv utspädningsfaktor. Provtvättningen gav resultat som möjliggjorde det att utveckla tvätt-metoden. Resultaten för tvätt-serien visade att den extensiva utspädningsfaktorn generellt gav bättre resultat och en mer effektiv tvätt, och att en tvättvätska med en temperatur på 80°C generellt gav bättre resultat. Ljusheten påverkades inte av utspädningsfaktorn och kappanalysen visade en väldigt liten skillnad jämfört med originalmassan. Utvärderingen av befintliga metoder för att beräkna tvätt-effektivitet indikerade att alla undersökta metoder kunde ge felaktiga resultat, men beräkningarna tillsammans med andra metoder såsom COD, konduktivitet och med flera borde ge industrin en god indikation på tvätt-effektiviteten, Pulp washing is an important step in the kraft process, as it allows for the cooking chemicals to be recovered and reused in the process, which also minimizes the environmental load to the subsequent stages. It is also important before the bleaching plant, as a low chemical oxygen demand (COD) carry-over is important to minimize the consumption of bleaching chemicals. Furthermore, washing can also remove other unwanted materials, such as metals or wood extractives. The aim of the study was to assess washing efficiency of industrial washing. The objectives were to compare industrial washing with extensive washing, to investigate the quality of wash liquors using analytical techniques and to examine existing methods for calculating washing efficiency. The experimental phase was divided into trial washing and washing series, conducted with different wash liquors, residence times and dilution factors (DF). The trial washing yielded results that allowed for the washing methodology to be improved. The results from the washing series indicated the extensive DF in general gave better results and provided a more efficient washing, and that a wash liquor of 80°C gave better results. Brightness was not affected by the dilution factor and kappa number analysis showed that there was a very slight difference compared to the original pulp. The evaluation of existing methods for calculating washing efficiency indicated that all investigated methods could give inaccurate results, but that the calculations together with other methods such as COD and conductivity should give the industry a good indication of the washing efficiency.

Massatvätt är ett viktigt steg i kraft-processen, då kokkemikalierna kan återvinnas och återanvändas i processen, vilket minimerar belastningen på miljön. Det är ett viktigt steg innan blekning av massan, då en låg kemisk syre-förbrukning (COD) är viktigt för att minska förbrukning av blekningskemikalier. Dessutom kan massatvätt även eliminera andra oönskade material, såsom metaller eller extraktivämnen. Syftet med studien var att utvärdera av tvätt-effektivitet av industriell massatvätt. Målen var att jämföra industriell tvättning med extensiv tvättning, att undersöka kvaliteten av tvättvätskor med analystekniker och att undersöka befintliga metoder för att beräkna tvätt-effektivitet. Den experimentella fasen var indelad i provtvättning och tvätt-serier, utförda med olika tvättvätskor, uppehållstider och industriell och extensiv utspädningsfaktor. Provtvättningen gav resultat som möjliggjorde det att utveckla tvätt-metoden. Resultaten för tvätt-serien visade att den extensiva utspädningsfaktorn generellt gav bättre resultat och en mer effektiv tvätt, och att en tvättvätska med en temperatur på 80°C generellt gav bättre resultat. Ljusheten påverkades inte av utspädningsfaktorn och kappanalysen visade en väldigt liten skillnad jämfört med originalmassan. Utvärderingen av befintliga metoder för att beräkna tvätt-effektivitet indikerade att alla undersökta metoder kunde ge felaktiga resultat, men beräkningarna tillsammans med andra metoder såsom COD, konduktivitet och med flera borde ge industrin en god indikation på tvätt-effektiviteten, Pulp washing is an important step in the kraft process, as it allows for the cooking chemicals to be recovered and reused in the process, which also minimizes the environmental load to the subsequent stages. It is also important before the bleaching plant, as a low chemical oxygen demand (COD) carry-over is important to minimize the consumption of bleaching chemicals. Furthermore, washing can also remove other unwanted materials, such as metals or wood extractives. The aim of the study was to assess washing efficiency of industrial washing. The objectives were to compare industrial washing with extensive washing, to investigate the quality of wash liquors using analytical techniques and to examine existing methods for calculating washing efficiency. The experimental phase was divided into trial washing and washing series, conducted with different wash liquors, residence times and dilution factors (DF). The trial washing yielded results that allowed for the washing methodology to be improved. The results from the washing series indicated the extensive DF in general gave better results and provided a more efficient washing, and that a wash liquor of 80°C gave better results. Brightness was not affected by the dilution factor and kappa number analysis showed that there was a very slight difference compared to the original pulp. The evaluation of existing methods for calculating washing efficiency indicated that all investigated methods could give inaccurate results, but that the calculations together with other methods such as COD and conductivity should give the industry a good indication of the washing efficiency.

This study investigates the substitution of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with geopolymer in the production of wood wool geopolymer boards (WWGB), offering insights into manufacturing methods, design parameters, and performance characteristics. The composite formulation involves fibre pre-treatment, adjustment of precursor components, and control of activator compositions. The optimized formulation results in a lightweight composite with a density of 392 kg m−3 and porosity of 76 %, meeting prescribed minimum compressive (20 kPa) and bending strength (1700 kPa) requirements. The inclusion of natural fibres influences the optimal Na2O concentration and modulus for strength, with treated fibres recommended for higher modulus applications and improved strengths. Furthermore, it exhibits low thermal conductivity at 77 mW m−1 K−1, minimal moisture sorption, and low vapour resistance, offering a sustainable alternative in the field of insulation materials.

In this work Rhizopus Delemar was grown on an apple pomace medium, a waste product from the juice industry. The apple pomace was pre-treated with the enzyme invertase to hydrolyse the sucrose available in the waste to glucose and fructose, which are digestible by the fungus. Combination of invertase pre-treatment and yeast extract supplementation, resulted in highest biomass growth which was 4.3 ± 0.5 g/l biomass. The fungal cell wall was separated from fungal biomass using an alkali treatment. A hydrogel was formed from the cell wall material and used for spinning of filaments using dry gel spinning. The average dry weight percentage of the gel was 11.6 ± 1.3 %. The gel was spun through a needle to a collecting rotating surface to make filaments. The filaments were easy to spin and to collect continuous fibres. The spun filaments had a rubber-like texture. All the tested filaments had an ultimate tensile strength approximately 2-3 MPa and 10 – 12% elongation at break. The conclusion of this work is that it is possible to produce fibers from fungi grown in apple waste and that it is possible to improve fungal growth using invertase and yeast extract. The tensile strength of the filaments needs further improvement to compete with other materials used in woven fabrics.

In this work Rhizopus Delemar was grown on an apple pomace medium, a waste product from the juice industry. The apple pomace was pre-treated with the enzyme invertase to hydrolyse the sucrose available in the waste to glucose and fructose, which are digestible by the fungus. Combination of invertase pre-treatment and yeast extract supplementation, resulted in highest biomass growth which was 4.3 ± 0.5 g/l biomass. The fungal cell wall was separated from fungal biomass using an alkali treatment. A hydrogel was formed from the cell wall material and used for spinning of filaments using dry gel spinning. The average dry weight percentage of the gel was 11.6 ± 1.3 %. The gel was spun through a needle to a collecting rotating surface to make filaments. The filaments were easy to spin and to collect continuous fibres. The spun filaments had a rubber-like texture. All the tested filaments had an ultimate tensile strength approximately 2-3 MPa and 10 – 12% elongation at break. The conclusion of this work is that it is possible to produce fibers from fungi grown in apple waste and that it is possible to improve fungal growth using invertase and yeast extract. The tensile strength of the filaments needs further improvement to compete with other materials used in woven fabrics.

Demissionair landbouwminister Piet Adema wil vezelteelten en het gebruik van vezels als biobased bouwmateriaal stimuleren. Volgens hem is daarvoor wel enige opschaling nodig en moet het voor boeren aantrekkelijk genoeg zijn om te verbouwen. Het ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit trekt 200 miljoen euro uit het Klimaatfonds om de complete keten mee te krijgen in deze transitie.

Wat begon met de productie van papier, resulteerde vier jaar terug in de eerste biologisch afbreekbare muur van Europa. Wouter Duijvesteijn van Beyond Chrysant is alsmaar op zoek naar manieren om efficiënter met middelen om te gaan. Zo ook met afval uit zijn eigen chrysantenkwekerij.

This article was supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Open Access Publication Fund of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin., The growth and nutritional profile of the black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) is usually investigated and compared when the larvae feed on substrates that differ in the chemical composition as well as physical properties. This study compares BSFL growth on substrates that differ primarily in physical properties. This was achieved by using various fibres in the substrates. In the first experiment, two substrates with 20% or 14% chicken feed were mixed with three fibres (cellulose, lignocellulose, or straw). In the second experiment, the growth of BSFL was compared with a 17% chicken feed substrate that additionally contained straw with different particle sizes. We show that the substrate texture properties values did not influence the BSFL growth, but the bulk density of the fibre component did. The substrate mixed with cellulose led to higher larvae growth over time in comparison to substrates with higher bulk density fibres. BSFL grown on the substrate mixed with cellulose reached their maximum weight in 6 days instead of 7. Neither the fibres nor the nutrient level changed the crude protein content of BSFL and the values ranged between 33.5% and 38.3%, but an interaction between the fibre and nutrient level was observed. The size of straw particles in the substrates influenced the BSFL growth and led to a 26.78% difference in Ca concentration, a 12.04% difference in Mg concentration, and a 35.34% difference in P concentration. Our findings indicate that the BSFL-rearing substrates can be optimised by changing the fibre component or its particle size. This can improve the survival rate, reduce the cultivation time needed to reach the maximum weight, and alter the chemical composition of BSFL., German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF), Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation), Open Access Publication Fund of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Peer Reviewed

In een circulair ketenproject werken ondernemers samen om product- of materiaalketens circulair te maken. Op dit moment ondersteunt circulaire voorbeeldstad BlueCity in Rotterdam 4 lopende circulaire ketenprojecten. De nieuwste toevoeging hieraan is een project over de Japanse Duizendknoop. Rondom BlueCity gaat een consortium van vier bedrijven aan de slag om in anderhalf jaar de Japanse Duizendknoop plant, die nu nog verbrand of gecomposteerd wordt, als hoogwaardiger materiaal circulair in te zetten. Groenaannemer GKB Groep, studio Why Knot Design, papierexpert Chayka en ondernemer in verwaarden van inhoudsstoffen uit planten DubbelDoel Flora zetten zich in om de lokale economische keten rondom Japanse Duizendknoop te creëren. Deze samenwerking is ontstaan rondom WhyKnot, de winnaar van de eerste BlueCity Circular Challenge van 2022: een challenge voor young professionals die een circulaire oplossing ontwikkelen op basis van een reststroom ingebracht door een deelnemende organisatie. De startup Why Knot Design won met hun plan om een plaatmateriaal te ontwikkelen van de vezels van de plant, als reststroom ingebracht door Hoogheemraadschap Schieland en Krimpenerwaard.

Uit een suikerbiet wordt suiker gewonnen. Dat mag geen verrassing zijn. Maar het calorierijke gewas ontpopt zich inmiddels als biobased multi-talent: van huidcrèmes tot bakkersgist, van compostmiddel tot veevoer. Veel van wat ons omringt, wordt met bestanddelen uit bieten gemaakt of kan ervan gemaakt worden.

In het glastuinbouwcluster vinden veel initiatieven plaats op het gebied van biobased ondernemen. Die zijn vaak nog relatief onzichtbaar. 'De waarde van reststromen' is een serie interviews met ondernemers die reststromen en bijproducten gebruiken om nieuwe producten te maken. In deze eerste aflevering Marieke de Hoop, de ambachtelijk papiermaker van Papierlab Rotterdam. Marieke vertelt het verhaal over producten die gemaakt kunnen worden met papier van aspergeschillen.

En aquest estudi s'ha preparat una matriu polimèrica basada en microfibres obtingudes mitjançant la tècnica d'electrospinning. Les microfibres es caracteritzen per la composició d'àcid polilàctic (PLA, polímer hidròfob) i hidroxipropilmetilcel·lulosa (HPMC, polímer hidròfil). Així, podem caracteritzar les fibres com una barreja híbrida de PLA i HPMC. Aquestes fibres es van carregar amb curcumina, una molècula activa amb propietats antitumorals i antibacterianes i naturalesa hidrofòbica. Per a l'obtenció de les matrius es va estudiar la solubilitat dels polímers i establir els dissolvents compatibles per a l'optimització del procés d'electrospinning. Les diferents matrius preparades es van caracteritzar per la morfologia de les fibres que les componen. Finalment, es duu a terme l’estudi de l’alliberament de curcumina a partir de les matrius de fibres. El caràcter dual (hidròfob/hidròfil) de les microfibres de PLA/HPMC permet la càrrega de qualsevol fàrmac, amb la garantia de la seva compatibilitat i distribució uniforme a les fibres, per la qual cosa es podria considerar com un sistema general d'alliberament de fàrmacs., En este estudio se ha preparado una matriz polimérica basada en microfibras obtenidas mediante la técnica de electrospinning. Las microfibras se caracterizan por su composición de ácido poliláctico (PLA, polímero hidrófobo) e hidroxipropilmetilcelulosa (HPMC, polímero hidrófilo). Así, podemos caracterizar las fibras como una mezcla híbrida de PLA y HPMC. Estas fibras se cargaron con curcumina, una molécula activa con propiedades antitumorales y antibacterianas y naturaleza hidrofóbica. Para la obtención de las matrices se procedió a estudiar la solubilidad de los polímeros y establecer los disolventes compatibles para la optimización del proceso de electrospinning. Las diferentes matrices preparadas se caracterizaron por la morfología de las fibras que las componen. Por último, se lleva a cabo el estudio de la liberación de curcumina a partir de las matrices de fibras. El carácter dual (hidrófobo/hidrófilo) de las microfibras de PLA/HPMC permite la carga de cualquier fármaco, con la garantía de su compatibilidad y distribución uniforme en las fibras, por lo que podría considerarse como un sistema general de liberación de fármacos., In this study, a polymer matrix based on microfibers obtained by the electrospinning technique has been prepared. Microfibers are characterized by their composition of polylactic acid (PLA, hydrophobic polymer) and hydroxypropyl-methyl-cellulose (HPMC, hydrophilic polymer). Thus, we can characterize the fibers as a hybrid blend of PLA and HPMC. These fibers were loaded with curcumin, an active molecule with antitumor and antibacterial properties and hydrophobic nature. To obtain the matrices, we proceed to study the solubility of the polymers and establish the compatible solvents for the optimization of the electrospinning process. The different matrices prepared were characterized by the morphology of their constituent fibers. Finally, the curcumin release from the fiber matrices is studied. The dual character (hydrophobic/hydrophilic) of PLA/HPMC microfibers allows the loading of any drug, with the assurance of its compatibility and uniform distribution in the fibers, and therefore this could be considered as a general drug delivery system., Incoming

In potgronden die momenteel op de markt zijn, is veen het belangrijkste bestandsdeel. Het is licht van gewicht, biedt luchtigheid aan de potgrond en houdt goed vocht vast, zeer stabiel tijdens de verwerking en dus lang houdbaar. Veen heeft echter ook een negatieve ecologische voetafdruk. De verwachting is dan ook dat de regelgeving rondom het gebruik van veen in potgrond in de toekomst zal veranderen. Dit is binnen Europa in buurlanden al gebeurd (Tax, 2023). Onderzoek naar veenvrije potgrondmengsels is nodig, zodat de markt de regelgevingen bij kan houden. Bij dit onderzoek is er gekeken om het veen in potgrond te kunnen vervangen door andere vezels, bij voorkeur uitafvalstromen of lokaal geteeld. Uit gesprekken is een lijst van deze alternatieve vezels gemaakt die de meeste potentie hebben voor dit doel. Een van de belangrijkste eigenschappen van al deze vezels is vocht vasthouden, luchtigheid en stabiliteit bieden aan de potgrond. Het doel van dit onderzoek is het bepalen welke soort vezel bijdraagt aan de groei van Bacillus amyloliquefaciens(Bacillus) en Trichoderma harzianum (Trichoderma). Een goede microbiële activiteit in de bodem draagt namelijk bij aan gezonde en weerbare planten. Bacillus en Trichodermazijn micro-organismen die positief bijdragen aan deze activiteit in een gezonde bodem.

A two-part webinar series exploring the challenges and opportunities with e-textiles and wearable technology. The session will provide the opportunity to discuss and consult on the issues and barriers to successful waste management in electronics and textiles and aims to build ask participants to make suggestions for the drafting of a regulatory framework for e-textiles waste based on design for disassembly principles. E-textiles are a rapidly expanding body of materials, with extensive prototyping and market testing being carried out globally with potential fashion, military and medical applications. This is leading to novel combinations of nano materials, electrical components and fibres which will have a challenging waste profile. A small number of researchers such as Kohler 2011, 2013 [2,3] and Veske, P. et al. (2019) have identified the need for regulation in this area and have highlighted the potential environmental impact of e-textiles. These emerging textiles are partially covered by a myriad of directives and legislature from three very separate disciplines which means there is potential for e-textiles to find their way into landfill due to their position on the edges of WEEE and REACH legislation in the EU and UK. E-textile developers are calling for action to clarify the position of e-textiles in legislature and to define related standards. As a budding product area, e-textiles could lead the way by engendering environmentally aware design for disassembly practice into new products. How this is brought about and what it looks like is an important part of e-textiles journey to the mass market, requiring cross disciplinary discourse with stakeholder and policy maker engagement. The session will provide the opportunity to discuss and consult on the issues and barriers to successful waste management in electronics and textiles and aims to build ask participants to make suggestions for the drafting of a regulatory framework for e-textiles waste based on design, You'll hear from Jessica Saunders, Associate Dean + Programme Director , London College of Fashion. This event was chaired by Veronika Kapsali, Chair, Smart Materials and Systems Group IOM3 Smart Materials & Systems Committee activities provide a one-stop shop for expert advice, specialist conferences and professional development opportunities in this rapidly emerging field., A two-part webinar series exploring the challenges and opportunities with e-textiles and wearable technology. The session will provide the opportunity to discuss and consult on the issues and barriers to successful waste management in electronics and textiles and aims to build ask participants to make suggestions for the drafting of a regulatory framework for e-textiles waste based on design for disassembly principles. E-textiles are a rapidly expanding body of materials, with extensive prototyping and market testing being carried out globally with potential fashion, military and medical applications. This is leading to novel combinations of nano materials, electrical components and fibres which will have a challenging waste profile. A small number of researchers such as Kohler 2011, 2013 [2,3] and Veske, P. et al. (2019) have identified the need for regulation in this area and have highlighted the potential environmental impact of e-textiles. These emerging textiles are partially covered by a myriad of directives and legislature from three very separate disciplines which means there is potential for e-textiles to find their way into landfill due to their position on the edges of WEEE and REACH legislation in the EU and UK. E-textile developers are calling for action to clarify the position of e-textiles in legislature and to define related standards. As a budding product area, e-textiles could lead the way by engendering environmentally aware design for disassembly practice into new products. How this is brought about and what it looks like is an important part of e-textiles journey to the mass market, requiring cross disciplinary discourse with stakeholder and policy maker engagement. The session will provide the opportunity to discuss and consult on the issues and barriers to successful waste management in electronics and textiles and aims to build ask participants to make suggestions for the drafting of a regulatory framework for e-textiles waste based on design, You'll hear from Jessica Saunders, Associate Dean + Programme Director , London College of Fashion. This event was chaired by Veronika Kapsali, Chair, Smart Materials and Systems Group IOM3 Smart Materials & Systems Committee activities provide a one-stop shop for expert advice, specialist conferences and professional development opportunities in this rapidly emerging field.

Mechanically responsive textiles have transformative potential in many areas from fashion to healthcare. Cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers have strong mechanochromic responses that offer attractive opportunities for such applications. Nonetheless, making liquid crystalline elastomer fibres suitable for textiles is challenging since the Plateau–Rayleigh instability tends to break up precursor solutions into droplets. Here, we report a simple approach that balances the viscoelastic properties of the precursor solution to avoid this outcome and achieve long and mechanically robust cholesteric liquid crystal elastomer filaments. These filaments have fast, progressive and reversible mechanochromic responses, from red to blue (wavelength shift of 155 nm), when stretched up to 200%. Moreover, the fibres can be sewed into garments and withstand repeated stretching and regular machine washing. This approach and resulting fibres may be useful for applications in wearable technology and other areas benefiting from autonomous strain sensing or detection of critically strong deformations.

Actualment una de les tècniques constructives més utilitzades és el formigó armat que suposa una millora estructural a causa de la presència de barres metàl·liques que funcionen com una armadura. Habitualment, a causa de les altes sol·licitacions de càrregues, cal millorar el reforç del conjunt mitjançant altres alternatives. Una d’aquestes alternatives és el reforç FRCM (compostos formats per morters reforçats mitjançant fibres). Actualment aquestes fibres estan formades per materials sintètics, aportant una millora mecànica i de comportament. Aquestes fibres sintètiques s'han aconseguit substituir per fibres elaborades amb materials ecològics a causa de la transició ecològica que tothom està experimentant. Tot i això, aquestes fibres naturals presenten una degradació progressiva que posa en perill la integritat del conjunt, per la qual cosa s'han d'impregnar amb un recobriment que les protegeixi i millori en les seves característiques mecàniques. Aquest recobriment és actualment la Resina Epoxi, que presenta unes propietats molt bones, però elimina tot el caràcter ecològic de la malla, per la qual cosa actualment s'estan investigant substitutius ecològics a aquest recobriment, els quals presentin propietats similars., En la actualidad una de las técnicas constructivas más empleadas es el hormigón armado que supone una mejora estructural debido a la presencia de barras metálicas que funcionan como una armadura. Habitualmente, debido a las altas solicitaciones de cargas, se debe mejorar el refuerzo del conjunto mediante otras alternativas. Una de estas alternativas es el refuerzo FRCM (compuestos formados por morteros reforzados mediante fibras). Actualmente estas fibras están compuestas por materiales sintéticos, aportando una mejora mecánica y de comportamiento. Estas fibras sintéticas se han conseguido sustituir por fibras elaboradas con materiales ecológicos debido a la ya presente transición ecológica que todo el mundo está experimentando. No obstante, estas fibras naturales presentan una degradación progresiva que pone en peligro la integridad del conjunto, por lo que se deben impregnar con un recubrimiento que las proteja y mejore en sus características mecánicas. Ese recubrimiento es actualmente la Resina Epoxi, que presenta unas muy buenas propiedades, pero elimina todo el carácter ecológico de la malla, por lo que actualmente se están investigando sustitutivos ecológicos a este recubrimiento, los cuales presenten propiedades similares., Currently one of the most widely used construction techniques is reinforced concrete, which represents a structural improvement due to the presence of metal bars that function as a reinforcement. Usually, due to the high stresses of loads, the reinforcement of the assembly must be improved by means of other alternatives. One of these alternatives is FRCM reinforcement (composites formed by fiber-reinforced mortars). Currently these fibers are composed of synthetic materials, providing a mechanical and behavioral improvement. This synthetic fibers has been replaced by fibers made with ecological materials due to the already present ecological transition that everyone is experiencing. However, these natural fibers show a progressive degradation that endangers the integrity of the whole, so they must be impregnated with a coating that protects them and improves their mechanical characteristics. This coating is currently Epoxy Resin, which has very good properties, but eliminates all the ecological character of the mesh, which is why ecological substitutes for this coating are currently being investigated, which have similar properties.

Los suelos arcillosos tienen la propiedad de hincharse en presencia de agua y contraerse en su ausencia, produciendo así grietas por desecación que alteran significativamente su desempeño mecánico e hidráulico. En este estudio se investigó la mejora de la resistencia al agrietamiento de una arcilla (CL), proveniente de la región Delta del Llobregat en Barcelona, mediante el refuerzo con fibra de polietileno tereftalato. Se realizaron ensayos de laboratorio para evaluar cuantitativamente el efecto del contenido de fibra y el grado de compactación del suelo sobre el agrietamiento por desecación de la arcilla reforzada con fibra. Se empleó un sistema de adquisición de imágenes digitales para capturar la evolución y propagación de grietas en el espécimen de suelo sometido a desecación. Los resultados demuestran una influencia significativa del refuerzo de fibra sobre el comportamiento de agrietamiento de la arcilla durante la desecación. Se midió el ancho medio de la abertura de la fisura, la separación de las fisuras y el área media de las celdas y se comparó con los de una muestra no reforzada. En arcillas reforzadas con fibra se observa una notable reducción del área total fisurada, que se debe a la presencia de fibras. El factor de intensidad de grietas (relación entre el área de las grietas y el área total de la muestra), el ancho promedio, el espaciado de las grietas y el área de la celda disminuyeron con la inclusión de fibras, lo que aumentó relativamente la integridad relativa de la muestra., Postprint (published version)

Fibre-reinforced shotcrete is the most common support method for hard rock tunnels in the Nordic countries. Data collected from the field shows that significant variations in shotcrete thickness and bond strength should be expected during the construction of a tunnel. However, how this affects the structural behaviour and capacity of the shotcrete lining is unknown. Therefore, this was the focus of a recently finalized research project at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, in which numerical simulations were used to study the structural behaviour of fibre-reinforced shotcrete in interaction with hard rock and rock bolts., QC 20220908

Fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites are materials that are usually applied to strengthen existing structures. In this study, a hemp mesh coated with epoxy was manufactured and combined with a cementitious matrix to strengthen a concrete beam. This beam was subjected to bending cyclic loading tests and a nondestructive modal analysis test. The modal analysis was performed to determine the dynamic elastic properties of the beam under pre-cracking, post-cracking, and strengthened conditions. The beam stiffness increased following strengthening with hemp-FRCM. The results of the experimental cyclic loading test showed that the hemp-FRCM system improved the load-bearing capacity of the beam at the service limit state by 42%. Analytical and numerical models were adjusted and validated using the experimental results, and both proved to be effective calculation tools. The models accurately reproduced the behaviour of the FRCM-strengthened concrete beam if the strengthening connection could prevent sliding and mortar debonding failures., Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::11 - Ciutats i Comunitats Sostenibles, Objectius de Desenvolupament Sostenible::9 - Indústria, Innovació i Infraestructura, Postprint (published version)

Cada any es produeixen mes de 4.000 milions de tones de ciment, representa al voltant del 8% de las emissions mundials de CO2 segons el centre d’estudis britànics Chatham House. “Si la industria cimentera fos un país seria el tercer emissor de CO2 mes gran del món, per darrera de Xina i Estats Units. El Ciment, com a component essencial del formigó, essent aquest últim material fabricat per el home mes utilitzat en la historia. Nomes l’aigua el supera com a recurs mes consumit en el planeta.” 2 Aquesta investigació planteja i experimenta una metodologia relativament nova d’optimitzar l’ús del formigó, en aquest cas específicament per a lloses de formigó, que podria tenir un impacte global en la reducció del consum de material i la petjada de carboni en el procés de construcció dels edificis i infraestructures. Aquesta metodologia es basa en l’ús d’algoritmes senzills que permetin l’optimizació topològica d’aquestes estructures per reduir la quantitat de formigó al mínim; metodologia ja apuntada i experimentada prèviament per altres autors. Tanmateix, aquests algoritmes d’optimització sovint donen lloc a geometries molt complexes que no es poden fabricar amb els mètodes actuals i habituals amb els que s’encofra el formigó. L’estudi analitza a través d’alguns casos d’estudi rellevants i d’una elaboració pròpia la manera de poder portar a la pràctica aquesta nova metodologia de treball amb el formigó, des de la seva geometria partint d’un model digital fins a la pròpia construcció a escala 1:1., Award-winning

Despite the numerous studies made showing that the addition of steel fibres to concrete enhances the shear strength of RC beams, current design formulations are still empirical and present large scatter in front of the test results. In this paper, the previously developed Multi-Action Shear Model is extended to SFRC beams without stirrups, adopting an analytical formulation to evaluate the residual tensile stress of SFRC and incorporating the effects of the crack bridging capacity of SFRC in the shear resisted trough the different shear-transfer mechanisms. The proposed model predicts the tests results included in a recently published database with 448 shear tests with less scatter than any of the existing models., The financial support provided by the University of Messina (Italy), through the scholarship granted for a two-months research and teaching stage of the first author, is acknowledged. This work is part of the Research Projects BIA2015-64672-C4-1-R, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and competitiveness, and RTI2018-097314-B-C21, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation., Postprint (published version)

The abundance of microplastics (plastic particles of less than 5 mm) along the sea surface and in seafloor sediments have been extensively documented worldwide; however, little is known in terms of the vertical distribution of microplastics in the water column, especially in the epipelagic zone. Considering the biological importance of this area, the quantification of microplastics available here is essential to identify potential impacts for marine organisms. This study reports the vertical distribution of microplastic abundances throughout the water column in two Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) demarcations from the western Mediterranean Sea during July 2019. Three concatenated 5-L Niskin bottles were used for sampling at 5, 15 and 25 m from the sea surface in stations with a total depth smaller than 50 m and at 5, 25 and 50 m from the sea surface in stations with a total depth greater than 50 m. This study demonstrates the ubiquitous abundance of microfibers, 96% of the microplastic items identified in the upper epipelagic layer of the western Mediterranean Sea. Microplastics exhibit a heterogeneous vertical and horizontal spatial distribution. Fragments had a very low representation (4% of the items) but showed a similar frequency of occurrence along all sampling depths. In terms of size, 68% of the microplastics were less than 2 mm in length. Microplastics quantified within the study area were mainly composed of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) (20% each) followed by cellulose acetate (CA) (16%) and polyestyrene (PS) (14%). Regarding the spatial distribution of microplastics, higher abundances were found at intermediate distances (5–10 km from the coast) with mean values of 2.41 ± 1.90 items L−1 and further away (>20 km) from the coast, with mean values of 2.11 ± 1.80 items L−1. A slight decreasing trend in the abundances of microplastics from the sub-surface to deeper waters was also observed. Stations within MPAs waters showed

Rheological properties of gelatin-based solutions containing different concentrations of ribose and/or glycerol were assessed before electrospun mats were manufactured and their properties investigated. Characterization included morphology, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, solubility, swelling, the release of Maillard reaction (MR) products and their antioxidant activity. Gelatin concentrations >= 16 % w/v favoured the formation of smooth nanofibres in the electrospinning process due to their higher viscosity than for gelatin concentrations <= 14 % w/v. The diameters of the nanofibres were between 300 and 400 nm, irrespective of the concentration of gelatin and the additives. Heat treatments (80-110 degrees C) of the samples induced MR between gelatin and ribose, which provided the mats with water stability. Nevertheless, the fibrous morphology only remained for those mats heat-treated at 110 and 100 degrees C and containing 10 and 20 wt% ribose, respectively, after sample immersion in water. Heat treatment at 110 degrees C, along with glycerol addition, resulted in a decrease of solubility (from 100 to similar to 9 %) and provided a water absorption capacity (1,500-2,500 %), due to the crosslinking of ribose and glycerol with gelatin. Release of MR antioxidant compounds from the mats into water exhibited DPPH radical scavenging activity values up to 38 % (0.61 GAE mu g/mL).

This booklet is the second piece of the big puzzle called circular fashion. Harriëtte and I (and many other colleagues) are fully committed to making sustainable textiles part of WUR, as it fits very well in our mission “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Like part 1 of this series, it is a combination of general information on origin of materials, production methods, lots of (polymer)chemistry and material properties. And again, I tried to simplify the chemistry as much as possible, but sometimes it was inevitable to include some complex parts

In Nederland komt ongeveer 1 miljoen ton oud papier per jaar in afvalverbrandingsinstallaties (AVI’s) terecht omdat het niet wordt bron of nagescheiden. Dit is meer dan 15 % van het afval dat in Nederlandse AVI’s wordt verbrand. Hierdoor is het niet meer geschikt als grondstof voor de papierindustrie. Als deze hoeveelheid papier kan worden gebruikt als secundaire grondstof, dan is dit input voor de biobased economy en hoeft er minder materiaal te worden verbrand in AVI’s. In dit rapport is een verkenning uitgevoerd naar andere toepassingen voor papier en andere vezelstromen in het restafval, dat niet meer geschikt is voor toepassing in de papier/kartonproductie.

We gebruikten de afgelopen maanden miljoenen mondmaskers. Nu het mondkapje (voorlopig) niet meer hoeft, doemt de vraag op wat we doen met die afvalberg. Amerikaanse onderzoekers hebben een antwoord: de vezels in de mondkapjes kunnen beton steviger maken.

De Deense bierbrouwer Carlsberg lanceert een proef met 8.000 volledig recyclebare biobased flessen. De buitenkant van het bierflesje is gemaakt van houtvezels. De binnenkant bestaat uit een dunne laag van plantaardig plastic ontwikkelt door het Nederlandse Avantium.

Although the ingestion of plastics has been reported in a wide variety of organisms, there remains a lack of knowledge regarding the extent of spatial and temporal gradients and no consensus concerning the definition of monitor species for benthic marine environments. The present study aims at demonstrating the correlation between the presence of tangled balls of fibres and high levels of total plastic fibre ingestion in Nephrops norvegicus to assess the potential use of the prevalence of tangled balls as indicators of fibre pollution. To do so, the presence of plastics in stomach contents from several European populations of N. norvegicus is characterized in detail, including size distribution and polymer composition, and then its correlation with the prevalence of balls tested. Our results demonstrate that the prevalence of balls (>20%) is significantly correlated to higher levels of plastic ingestion, regardless of polymer composition and size distribution of ingested fibres. Plastic fibre ingestion levels across wide temporal and geographical scales are assessed using only the prevalence of balls, highlighting areas of increased fibre ingestion (e.g., the Gulf of Cadiz, N Barcelona) and areas of potentially lower fibre pollution (e.g., the Ebro Delta, the NW Iberian margin). Moreover, the relationship between the prevalence of balls and diet composition is analysed to discard a potential relationship with geographical differences in diet habits. Finally, we discuss the benefits and drawbacks of the use of the prevalence of tangled balls of fibres as an affordable, cost-effective and easy to implement indicator of fibre pollution for monitoring purposes in this species

The effect of sugars and sugar replacers (i.e. plasticizers) on the gelatinization and pasting behaviour of wheat starch was studied. The intrinsic properties of the plasticizers, i.e. the molar volume density of effective hydroxyl groups NOH,s/vs, and the volumetric density of hydrogen bonds in the sugar solutions treated as a single solvent, i.e. Φw,eff, were proposed as factors controlling swelling (i.e. pasting) and gelatinization behaviour. Different classes of plasticizers were used including sugars, polyols, amino acids, soluble fibres such as oligofructoses, and mixtures thereof. The onset, peak and end temperature of starch gelatinization obtained by differential scanning calorimetry could be well described by Φw,eff for all solutions, following predictions from an adapted Flory-Huggins model for polymer melting. The multiple transitions involved in starch gelatinization could be well related to different ranges of Φw,eff following a side chain liquid crystalline model for starch. Deviations from the model predictions were observed mainly for Tonset in conditions of intermediate and excess solvent with high sugar concentrations (50% w/w). In such conditions phase separation likely occurs, increasing the effective starch concentration and consequently gelatinization temperatures. Pasting behaviour related to swelling, i.e. peak viscosity, was found to be a sigmoidal Fermi function of NOH,s/vs of the plasticizers. Plasticizers with high NOH,s/vs enhanced swelling compared to water while those with low NOH,s/vs had an inhibition effect. Overall, a comprehensive mechanism of starch plasticization, swelling and melting is proposed. Swelling associated with solvent ingress and helix-helix dissociation is affected by kinetic factors related to size and viscosity of the plasticizers (both described by NOH,s/vs)

[ES] El objetivo de este trabajo es exponer mediante un estudio comparativo las propiedades, procesos de obtención, sostenibilidad y prestaciones de diversos tipos de fibras naturales obtenidas a partir de coco, yute, pelo, caña de azúcar, cáñamo, lino, bambú y algodón, y que son empleadas en el refuerzo del hormigón. Primero se realiza un análisis individualizado de cada tipo de fibra natural elegido y más tarde se exponen las conclusiones obtenidas de una forma gráfica y comparativa. El estudio también analiza si existe la posibilidad de reducir la cantidad de cemento que se utiliza en la elaboración del hormigón a través de la sustitución parcial de éste por alguna de las fibras naturales estudiadas, sin disminuir sus propiedades o incluso mejorándolas. Se realiza con el fin de poner en valor y dar a conocer las mejores opciones en cuanto al uso de fibras naturales. Por último, concluir si es posible la obtención de un hormigón reforzado con fibras naturales más sostenible., [EN] The purpose of this paper is to set out, through a comparative study, the properties, obtaining processes, sustainability and benefits of various natural fibres for their application in reinforced concrete. The fibres studied are obtained from, coconut, jute, sugarcane, hemp, linen, bamboo and cotton. To do so, an individual analysis of each natural fibre is developed, and then conclusions and comparisons are made between them in a graphic way. It is analysed the possibility of a partial reduction of the cement, that is currently used in the process of obtaining concrete, by replacing it with some of the natural fibres studied, without reducing its qualities or even improving them. It highlights the best options in the use of natural fibres. Finally, it concludes if it is possible to obtain a more sustainable reinforced concrete with natural fibres., [CA] L’objectiu d’aquest treball és exposar mitjançant un estudi comparatiu les propietats, procesos d’obtenció, sostenibilitat i prestacions de diversos tipus de fibres naturals obtingudes a partir de:coco, jute, cotó, canya de sucre, cànem, llii sisal, i que son emprades en el reforç del formigó.A més, també s’estudien dos fibres naturals minerals, emprades en l’actualitat, la fibra de vidre ila fibra d’acer.Primerament es realitza una anàlisi individualitzada de cada tipus de fibra natural triat, posteriorment s’exposen les conclusions obtingudes d’una manera gràfica i comparativa.L’estudi també analitza si existeix la possibilitat de reduir la quantitat de ciment que s’utilitza en l’elaboració del formigó a través de la substitució parcial d’aquest per alguna de les fibres naturals estudiades, sense disminuir les seues propietats o fins i tot millorant-les. També s’analitzen els materials més emprats actualment per a la subsitució parcial del cement. Es realitza amb la finalitat de posar en valor i donar a conèixer les millors opcions quant a l’ús de fibres naturals.

[ES] El objetivo de este trabajo es exponer mediante un estudio comparativo las propiedades, procesos de obtención, sostenibilidad y prestaciones de diversos tipos de fibras naturales obtenidas a partir de coco, yute, pelo, caña de azúcar, cáñamo, lino, bambú y algodón, y que son empleadas en el refuerzo del hormigón. Primero se realiza un análisis individualizado de cada tipo de fibra natural elegido y más tarde se exponen las conclusiones obtenidas de una forma gráfica y comparativa. El estudio también analiza si existe la posibilidad de reducir la cantidad de cemento que se utiliza en la elaboración del hormigón a través de la sustitución parcial de éste por alguna de las fibras naturales estudiadas, sin disminuir sus propiedades o incluso mejorándolas. Se realiza con el fin de poner en valor y dar a conocer las mejores opciones en cuanto al uso de fibras naturales. Por último, concluir si es posible la obtención de un hormigón reforzado con fibras naturales más sostenible., [EN] The purpose of this paper is to set out, through a comparative study, the properties, obtaining processes, sustainability and benefits of various natural fibres for their application in reinforced concrete. The fibres studied are obtained from, coconut, jute, sugarcane, hemp, linen, bamboo and cotton. To do so, an individual analysis of each natural fibre is developed, and then conclusions and comparisons are made between them in a graphic way. It is analysed the possibility of a partial reduction of the cement, that is currently used in the process of obtaining concrete, by replacing it with some of the natural fibres studied, without reducing its qualities or even improving them. It highlights the best options in the use of natural fibres. Finally, it concludes if it is possible to obtain a more sustainable reinforced concrete with natural fibres., [CA] L’objectiu d’aquest treball és exposar mitjançant un estudi comparatiu les propietats, procesos d’obtenció, sostenibilitat i prestacions de diversos tipus de fibres naturals obtingudes a partir de:coco, jute, cotó, canya de sucre, cànem, llii sisal, i que son emprades en el reforç del formigó.A més, també s’estudien dos fibres naturals minerals, emprades en l’actualitat, la fibra de vidre ila fibra d’acer.Primerament es realitza una anàlisi individualitzada de cada tipus de fibra natural triat, posteriorment s’exposen les conclusions obtingudes d’una manera gràfica i comparativa.L’estudi també analitza si existeix la possibilitat de reduir la quantitat de ciment que s’utilitza en l’elaboració del formigó a través de la substitució parcial d’aquest per alguna de les fibres naturals estudiades, sense disminuir les seues propietats o fins i tot millorant-les. També s’analitzen els materials més emprats actualment per a la subsitució parcial del cement. Es realitza amb la finalitat de posar en valor i donar a conèixer les millors opcions quant a l’ús de fibres naturals.

The wipes are most commonly used in kitchen purposes like to wash and scour the pans, casseroles, kitchen surfaces like sinks, stove tops and refrigerator. For manual washing of dishes, brushes are dominantly used. Around 29% use brush for cleaning the utensil. For sponge usage, around 50% use it for cleaning utensils. 77% (which is the most number of users) use cloths for utensil cleaning. The wipes have 6 - 9 log CFU of bacterial content in it. When the wipes are checked after usage, they have pathogens like bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter, virus like Eukaryota and Archeae. When the wipes are used to remove the food soils from the utensils, it reduces the bacterial content. But it transfers the pathogens from the wipe to the utensil. Here, the wipe acts as a reservoir to spread the pathogens. The wipes have the ability to absorb larger volume of fluids. They remain wet after use. This makes a suitable condition, for the pathogens to grow. When there is rapid drying of them, the growth of the pathogen is controlled and there will be killing of pathogens. Whereas in humid atmospheric storage of wipes, the wipes won’t dry off soon. The brushes will take less fluid, when compared with wipes.

[ES] El objetivo de este trabajo es exponer mediante un estudio comparativo las propiedades, procesos de obtención, sostenibilidad y prestaciones de diversos tipos de fibras naturales obtenidas a partir de coco, yute, pelo, caña de azúcar, cáñamo, lino, bambú y algodón, y que son empleadas en el refuerzo del hormigón. Primero se realiza un análisis individualizado de cada tipo de fibra natural elegido y más tarde se exponen las conclusiones obtenidas de una forma gráfica y comparativa. El estudio también analiza si existe la posibilidad de reducir la cantidad de cemento que se utiliza en la elaboración del hormigón a través de la sustitución parcial de éste por alguna de las fibras naturales estudiadas, sin disminuir sus propiedades o incluso mejorándolas. Se realiza con el fin de poner en valor y dar a conocer las mejores opciones en cuanto al uso de fibras naturales. Por último, concluir si es posible la obtención de un hormigón reforzado con fibras naturales más sostenible., [EN] The purpose of this paper is to set out, through a comparative study, the properties, obtaining processes, sustainability and benefits of various natural fibres for their application in reinforced concrete. The fibres studied are obtained from, coconut, jute, sugarcane, hemp, linen, bamboo and cotton. To do so, an individual analysis of each natural fibre is developed, and then conclusions and comparisons are made between them in a graphic way. It is analysed the possibility of a partial reduction of the cement, that is currently used in the process of obtaining concrete, by replacing it with some of the natural fibres studied, without reducing its qualities or even improving them. It highlights the best options in the use of natural fibres. Finally, it concludes if it is possible to obtain a more sustainable reinforced concrete with natural fibres., [CA] L’objectiu d’aquest treball és exposar mitjançant un estudi comparatiu les propietats, procesos d’obtenció, sostenibilitat i prestacions de diversos tipus de fibres naturals obtingudes a partir de:coco, jute, cotó, canya de sucre, cànem, llii sisal, i que son emprades en el reforç del formigó.A més, també s’estudien dos fibres naturals minerals, emprades en l’actualitat, la fibra de vidre ila fibra d’acer.Primerament es realitza una anàlisi individualitzada de cada tipus de fibra natural triat, posteriorment s’exposen les conclusions obtingudes d’una manera gràfica i comparativa.L’estudi també analitza si existeix la possibilitat de reduir la quantitat de ciment que s’utilitza en l’elaboració del formigó a través de la substitució parcial d’aquest per alguna de les fibres naturals estudiades, sense disminuir les seues propietats o fins i tot millorant-les. També s’analitzen els materials més emprats actualment per a la subsitució parcial del cement. Es realitza amb la finalitat de posar en valor i donar a conèixer les millors opcions quant a l’ús de fibres naturals.

[ES] El objetivo de este trabajo es exponer mediante un estudio comparativo las propiedades, procesos de obtención, sostenibilidad y prestaciones de diversos tipos de fibras naturales obtenidas a partir de coco, yute, pelo, caña de azúcar, cáñamo, lino, bambú y algodón, y que son empleadas en el refuerzo del hormigón. Primero se realiza un análisis individualizado de cada tipo de fibra natural elegido y más tarde se exponen las conclusiones obtenidas de una forma gráfica y comparativa. El estudio también analiza si existe la posibilidad de reducir la cantidad de cemento que se utiliza en la elaboración del hormigón a través de la sustitución parcial de éste por alguna de las fibras naturales estudiadas, sin disminuir sus propiedades o incluso mejorándolas. Se realiza con el fin de poner en valor y dar a conocer las mejores opciones en cuanto al uso de fibras naturales. Por último, concluir si es posible la obtención de un hormigón reforzado con fibras naturales más sostenible., [EN] The purpose of this paper is to set out, through a comparative study, the properties, obtaining processes, sustainability and benefits of various natural fibres for their application in reinforced concrete. The fibres studied are obtained from, coconut, jute, sugarcane, hemp, linen, bamboo and cotton. To do so, an individual analysis of each natural fibre is developed, and then conclusions and comparisons are made between them in a graphic way. It is analysed the possibility of a partial reduction of the cement, that is currently used in the process of obtaining concrete, by replacing it with some of the natural fibres studied, without reducing its qualities or even improving them. It highlights the best options in the use of natural fibres. Finally, it concludes if it is possible to obtain a more sustainable reinforced concrete with natural fibres., [CA] L’objectiu d’aquest treball és exposar mitjançant un estudi comparatiu les propietats, procesos d’obtenció, sostenibilitat i prestacions de diversos tipus de fibres naturals obtingudes a partir de:coco, jute, cotó, canya de sucre, cànem, llii sisal, i que son emprades en el reforç del formigó.A més, també s’estudien dos fibres naturals minerals, emprades en l’actualitat, la fibra de vidre ila fibra d’acer.Primerament es realitza una anàlisi individualitzada de cada tipus de fibra natural triat, posteriorment s’exposen les conclusions obtingudes d’una manera gràfica i comparativa.L’estudi també analitza si existeix la possibilitat de reduir la quantitat de ciment que s’utilitza en l’elaboració del formigó a través de la substitució parcial d’aquest per alguna de les fibres naturals estudiades, sense disminuir les seues propietats o fins i tot millorant-les. També s’analitzen els materials més emprats actualment per a la subsitució parcial del cement. Es realitza amb la finalitat de posar en valor i donar a conèixer les millors opcions quant a l’ús de fibres naturals.

La pandémie de COVID-19 a montré au public l'importance des équipements de protection individuelle (EPI) dans la prévention de la transmission du virus. Cependant, les déchets associés aux EPI ont alerté le public de la pollution qu’ils causent. Les masques chirurgicaux présentement utilisés sont constitués de tissu de polypropylène non tissé, qui est dérivé d’une ressource non-renouvelable – le pétrole. De plus, ces masques sont utilisés qu’une seule fois, ce qui entraine un gaspillage important. Dans ce mémoire, je discute le développement d'un masque chirurgical amélioré qui tient compte des besoins d'une population croissante et d'un climat changeant, deux facteurs qui peuvent augmenter la prévalence de la maladie. À cette fin, un matériau de filtration compostable et antiviral est développé qui peut être utilisé pour préparer des masques afin d'améliorer la protection des utilisateurs contre la transmission de virus tout en limitant les déchets associés aux EPI. Ce travail vise à (i) créer un matériau de filtration compostable non-tissé peu coûteux ayant des propriétés de filtration et de circulation d'air comparables aux masques chirurgicaux existants et (ii) fonctionnaliser ce matériau à l'aide d'un polymère cationique pour inactiver les virus. Le poly(acide lactique) est utilisé comme polymère de base pour former les fibres non-tissées car il est relativement peu coûteux et biodégradable. Le chitosane, un autre polymère biodégradable, est utilisé pour accorder une charge au matériau afin d'interagir avec et potentiellement inactiver les virus qui atterrissent sur la surface. La morphologie et la structure des microfibres sont caractérisées. De plus, la filtration et la résistance à l’air de la membrane filtrante sont mesurées et comparées au filtre actuel des masques chirurgicaux. Enfin, l'activité antivirale du matériau filtrant est étudiée contre HCoV-OC43, le virus à l'origine du rhume qui a une configuration similaire au virus SARS-CoV-2.Abstract

Textile recycling plays a vital role in consumer goods industry. Due to increase in world population and advancement of living standard, global fiber consumption has been increased in the past few yearswhich results intoa greateramount of post-industrial and post-consumer fiber waste. The reuse of waste material can contribute to improve the sustainability of materials. The aimof this paper is to review the contributions of the researchers in the field of recycling of textile waste. It is found from the literature about 5.8 million of textile waste is produced every year only 25 percent is recycled. However, recycling of waste is beneficial for both environmental and economic conditions. The major part of recycling involves the conversion of roving waste into usable yarn. With this finding from the literature, the project is undertaken to develop pneumatic roving end opener

Textile recycling plays a vital role in consumer goods industry. Due to increase in world population and advancement of living standard, global fiber consumption has been increased in the past few yearswhich results intoa greateramount of post-industrial and post-consumer fiber waste. The reuse of waste material can contribute to improve the sustainability of materials. The aimof this paper is to review the contributions of the researchers in the field of recycling of textile waste. It is found from the literature about 5.8 million of textile waste is produced every year only 25 percent is recycled. However, recycling of waste is beneficial for both environmental and economic conditions. The major part of recycling involves the conversion of roving waste into usable yarn. With this finding from the literature, the project is undertaken to develop pneumatic roving end opener

Textile recycling plays a vital role in consumer goods industry. Due to increase in world population and advancement of living standard, global fiber consumption has been increased in the past few yearswhich results intoa greateramount of post-industrial and post-consumer fiber waste. The reuse of waste material can contribute to improve the sustainability of materials. The aimof this paper is to review the contributions of the researchers in the field of recycling of textile waste. It is found from the literature about 5.8 million of textile waste is produced every year only 25 percent is recycled. However, recycling of waste is beneficial for both environmental and economic conditions. The major part of recycling involves the conversion of roving waste into usable yarn. With this finding from the literature, the project is undertaken to develop pneumatic roving end opener

Textile recycling plays a vital role in consumer goods industry. Due to increase in world population and advancement of living standard, global fiber consumption has been increased in the past few yearswhich results intoa greateramount of post-industrial and post-consumer fiber waste. The reuse of waste material can contribute to improve the sustainability of materials. The aimof this paper is to review the contributions of the researchers in the field of recycling of textile waste. It is found from the literature about 5.8 million of textile waste is produced every year only 25 percent is recycled. However, recycling of waste is beneficial for both environmental and economic conditions. The major part of recycling involves the conversion of roving waste into usable yarn. With this finding from the literature, the project is undertaken to develop pneumatic roving end opener

Textile recycling plays a vital role in consumer goods industry. Due to increase in world population and advancement of living standard, global fiber consumption has been increased in the past few yearswhich results intoa greateramount of post-industrial and post-consumer fiber waste. The reuse of waste material can contribute to improve the sustainability of materials. The aimof this paper is to review the contributions of the researchers in the field of recycling of textile waste. It is found from the literature about 5.8 million of textile waste is produced every year only 25 percent is recycled. However, recycling of waste is beneficial for both environmental and economic conditions. The major part of recycling involves the conversion of roving waste into usable yarn. With this finding from the literature, the project is undertaken to develop pneumatic roving end opener

Textile recycling plays a vital role in consumer goods industry. Due to increase in world population and advancement of living standard, global fiber consumption has been increased in the past few yearswhich results intoa greateramount of post-industrial and post-consumer fiber waste. The reuse of waste material can contribute to improve the sustainability of materials. The aimof this paper is to review the contributions of the researchers in the field of recycling of textile waste. It is found from the literature about 5.8 million of textile waste is produced every year only 25 percent is recycled. However, recycling of waste is beneficial for both environmental and economic conditions. The major part of recycling involves the conversion of roving waste into usable yarn. With this finding from the literature, the project is undertaken to develop pneumatic roving end opener

Grand challenges facing humanity today are closely linked to the rapid exhaustion of natural resources in conjunction with the massive growth of industrial production that sustains the booming world population. The processing of animal skin waste to create collagen-based materials has the potential to provide an eco-friendly method to develop multifunctional materials such as films, sponges/scaffolds, fibers, gels, etc., that could contribute to technological advancements in different sectors. Hence in this review, we present methods for potential improvements in the development of collagen-based materials from a materials science perspective. We explored different possible approaches for utilizing collagen to generate multifunctional materials that exhibit outstanding properties, in combination with mechanical robustness and chemical stability. In sum, this review will present collagen as an eco-friendly resource that can be used to produce multifunctional, recyclable, biocompatible, and biodegradable materials that are ideal for new technologies in materials science, biomedicine, and environmental remediation., Grand challenges facing humanity today are closely linked to the rapid exhaustion of natural resources in conjunction with the massive growth of industrial production that sustains the booming world population. The processing of animal skin waste to create collagen-based materials has the potential to provide an eco-friendly method to develop multifunctional materials such as films, sponges/scaffolds, fibers, gels, etc., that could contribute to technological advancements in different sectors. Hence in this review, we present methods for potential improvements in the development of collagen-based materials from a materials science perspective. We explored different possible approaches for utilizing collagen to generate multifunctional materials that exhibit outstanding properties, in combination with mechanical robustness and chemical stability. In sum, this review will present collagen as an eco-friendly resource that can be used to produce multifunctional, recyclable, biocompatible, and biodegradable materials that are ideal for new technologies in materials science, biomedicine, and environmental remediation.

The wipes are most commonly used in kitchen purposes like to wash and scour the pans, casseroles, kitchen surfaces like sinks, stove tops and refrigerator. For manual washing of dishes, brushes are dominantly used. Around 29% use brush for cleaning the utensil. For sponge usage, around 50% use it for cleaning utensils. 77% (which is the most number of users) use cloths for utensil cleaning. The wipes have 6 - 9 log CFU of bacterial content in it. When the wipes are checked after usage, they have pathogens like bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter, virus like Eukaryota and Archeae. When the wipes are used to remove the food soils from the utensils, it reduces the bacterial content. But it transfers the pathogens from the wipe to the utensil. Here, the wipe acts as a reservoir to spread the pathogens. The wipes have the ability to absorb larger volume of fluids. They remain wet after use. This makes a suitable condition, for the pathogens to grow. When there is rapid drying of them, the growth of the pathogen is controlled and there will be killing of pathogens. Whereas in humid atmospheric storage of wipes, the wipes won’t dry off soon. The brushes will take less fluid, when compared with wipes.

The wipes are most commonly used in kitchen purposes like to wash and scour the pans, casseroles, kitchen surfaces like sinks, stove tops and refrigerator. For manual washing of dishes, brushes are dominantly used. Around 29% use brush for cleaning the utensil. For sponge usage, around 50% use it for cleaning utensils. 77% (which is the most number of users) use cloths for utensil cleaning. The wipes have 6 - 9 log CFU of bacterial content in it. When the wipes are checked after usage, they have pathogens like bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter, virus like Eukaryota and Archeae. When the wipes are used to remove the food soils from the utensils, it reduces the bacterial content. But it transfers the pathogens from the wipe to the utensil. Here, the wipe acts as a reservoir to spread the pathogens. The wipes have the ability to absorb larger volume of fluids. They remain wet after use. This makes a suitable condition, for the pathogens to grow. When there is rapid drying of them, the growth of the pathogen is controlled and there will be killing of pathogens. Whereas in humid atmospheric storage of wipes, the wipes won’t dry off soon. The brushes will take less fluid, when compared with wipes.

The wipes are most commonly used in kitchen purposes like to wash and scour the pans, casseroles, kitchen surfaces like sinks, stove tops and refrigerator. For manual washing of dishes, brushes are dominantly used. Around 29% use brush for cleaning the utensil. For sponge usage, around 50% use it for cleaning utensils. 77% (which is the most number of users) use cloths for utensil cleaning. The wipes have 6 - 9 log CFU of bacterial content in it. When the wipes are checked after usage, they have pathogens like bacteria like Salmonella and Campylobacter, virus like Eukaryota and Archeae. When the wipes are used to remove the food soils from the utensils, it reduces the bacterial content. But it transfers the pathogens from the wipe to the utensil. Here, the wipe acts as a reservoir to spread the pathogens. The wipes have the ability to absorb larger volume of fluids. They remain wet after use. This makes a suitable condition, for the pathogens to grow. When there is rapid drying of them, the growth of the pathogen is controlled and there will be killing of pathogens. Whereas in humid atmospheric storage of wipes, the wipes won’t dry off soon. The brushes will take less fluid, when compared with wipes.

One of the main interests in commercial methane production is to maximize the gas yield, and it is thus appealing to use material with relative high methane potential. However, such material often results in process instability whereas ammonia inhibition is common. Removal of ammonia through adsorption is a fairly unexplored method in the field of biogas production, and could prove to be cost-effective.The adsorption capacity of pulp fibres from the paper making industry were investigated through batch adsorption experiments. Additionally, the fibres effect on small scale batch digesters in terms of methane production and cellulase activity was explored. Overall, the adsorption capacity of the pulp fibres was low, whereas Kraft hardwood had the highest adsorption capacity in both an aqueous ammonium solution and digester fluid at 11±3 and 60±20 mg g-1, respectively. The initial total ammonium nitrogen concentration had the highest effect on the adsorption capacity with a positive correlation. The pulp fibres seemingly had no effect on the ammonia inhibited anaerobic digestion systems. However, the cellulase activity was higher after day 5 in the anaerobic digestion systems with a high ammonia concentration.In essence, the overall results showed that the adsorption of the fibres was relatively low and most likely not suitable as a material to prevent ammonia inhibition in an AD.

Textile recycling plays a vital role in consumer goods industry. Due to increase in world population and advancement of living standard, global fiber consumption has been increased in the past few yearswhich results intoa greateramount of post-industrial and post-consumer fiber waste. The reuse of waste material can contribute to improve the sustainability of materials. The aimof this paper is to review the contributions of the researchers in the field of recycling of textile waste. It is found from the literature about 5.8 million of textile waste is produced every year only 25 percent is recycled. However, recycling of waste is beneficial for both environmental and economic conditions. The major part of recycling involves the conversion of roving waste into usable yarn. With this finding from the literature, the project is undertaken to develop pneumatic roving end opener

La pandémie de COVID-19 a montré au public l'importance des équipements de protection individuelle (EPI) dans la prévention de la transmission du virus. Cependant, les déchets associés aux EPI ont alerté le public de la pollution qu’ils causent. Les masques chirurgicaux présentement utilisés sont constitués de tissu de polypropylène non tissé, qui est dérivé d’une ressource non-renouvelable – le pétrole. De plus, ces masques sont utilisés qu’une seule fois, ce qui entraine un gaspillage important. Dans ce mémoire, je discute le développement d'un masque chirurgical amélioré qui tient compte des besoins d'une population croissante et d'un climat changeant, deux facteurs qui peuvent augmenter la prévalence de la maladie. À cette fin, un matériau de filtration compostable et antiviral est développé qui peut être utilisé pour préparer des masques afin d'améliorer la protection des utilisateurs contre la transmission de virus tout en limitant les déchets associés aux EPI. Ce travail vise à (i) créer un matériau de filtration compostable non-tissé peu coûteux ayant des propriétés de filtration et de circulation d'air comparables aux masques chirurgicaux existants et (ii) fonctionnaliser ce matériau à l'aide d'un polymère cationique pour inactiver les virus. Le poly(acide lactique) est utilisé comme polymère de base pour former les fibres non-tissées car il est relativement peu coûteux et biodégradable. Le chitosane, un autre polymère biodégradable, est utilisé pour accorder une charge au matériau afin d'interagir avec et potentiellement inactiver les virus qui atterrissent sur la surface. La morphologie et la structure des microfibres sont caractérisées. De plus, la filtration et la résistance à l’air de la membrane filtrante sont mesurées et comparées au filtre actuel des masques chirurgicaux. Enfin, l'activité antivirale du matériau filtrant est étudiée contre HCoV-OC43, le virus à l'origine du rhume qui a une configuration similaire au virus SARS-CoV-2.Abstract

Probabilistic procedures considering the durability with respect to corrosion of reinforcement caused by aggressive substances are widely applied; however, they are based on narrow assumptions. The aspects need to be evaluated both in terms of the search for suitable application of the various experimental results and in terms of their impact on the result of the stochastic assessment itself. In this article, sensitivity analysis was used as an ideal tool to prove how input parameters affect the results of the evaluation, with consideration of different types of concrete (ordinary or self-compacting with and without fibres). These concretes may be used in aggressive environments, as an industrial floor or as a part of the load-bearing bridge structure. An example of a reinforced concrete bridge deck was selected as the solved structure. The results show that in the case of a classic evaluation, a larger amount of fibre reports a lower resistance of concrete, which contradicts the assumptions. The sensitivity analysis then shows that self-compacting concrete is more sensitive to the values of the diffusion coefficient, and with the consideration of fibres, the effect is even greater.