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The use of Schering Bridge arrangement in combination with function generator and oscilloscope allows for precise measurement of heat dissipation in plant materials. This study aims to determine and compare the heat dissipation properties of young bitter leaf (YBL) and mature bitter leaf (MBL) samples obtained from two different locations. Measurements were conducted on ten fresh leaf samples per category from each location. Results indicated that for samples from the first location, the dissipation factors for YBL and MBL were (2.076 ± 0.010) and (3.231 ± 0.013) respectively, while from the second location, the values were (3.231 ± 0.013) and (3.233 ± 0.015) respectively. The data suggest that while the geographical location does not significantly influence the heat dissipation of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina), the age of the leaves does, with YBL exhibiting a higher capacity to withstand elevated temperatures compared to MBL under identical storage conditions. This study provides insight into the thermal properties of bitter leaf, contributing to broader research on plant thermoregulation. The novelty of this work lies in its demonstration that leaf age, rather than location, is a determinant factor in heat dissipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to examine the feasibility of recycling cassava effluent, sawdust, and unused paper products to enhance their utilization for beneficial purpose. Waste newspaper paste (WNP), Waste writing – paper paste (WWP), and Waste carton paper paste (WCP) were prepared and then used separately to similarly fabricate composite panels with Sawdust particle (SDP) proportioned at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% by weight. The binder used was cassava starch slurry prepared from the effluent. Bulk density, water absorption, thermal conductivity, specific heat capacity, thermal diffusivity, nailability, and flexural strength were determined for the developed samples. From the results obtained, the samples were found to be light-weight and their thermal insulation performance improved with increasing proportions of the SDP. Though samples containing the WCP exhibited the best satisfactory performance, it was found that all the studied samples could perform more effectively and efficiently as ceilings compared to some of those reported in the literature. From scientific-economic viewpoint, valorizing the above-mentioned wastes as described in this paper could help to protect the environment and also yield value-added insulation ceilings for enhancement of sustainable building construction especially in tropical areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large quantities of waste newspapers and sugarcane bagasse are prevalently discarded by open burning or indiscriminate dumping, thereby posing severe danger to the environment and public health. This study sought to examine the feasibility of managing the wastes by recycling them into value-added products for building construction. Composite panels were fabricated using waste newspaper paste (WNP) with sugarcane bagasse particles (SBP) varied at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 % by weight of the composite mix. Epoxy resin was thoroughly mixed with its hardener and applied as binder. The samples were developed in triplicates per proportion of the SBP adopted and then dried completely before their thermophysical and strength properties were evaluated. It was observed that variations in mean values of water absorption (28.57 – 39.43 %), thickness swelling (6.21 - 8.33 %), specific heat capacity (1232 - 1312Jkg−1K−1) trended positively with increasing proportions of the SBP. Whereas nailability remained 100.0 % in all the cases, bulk density (689.4 - 640.5 kgm−3), thermal conductivity (0.1186 - 0.1163 Wm−1K−1), thermal diffusivity (1.396 - 1.384 x 10−7 m2s−1), and flexural strength (2.572 - 2.280 N/mm2) correlated inversely with the added fractions of the SBP. Generally, it was found that the samples could perform satisfactorily if applied as ceiling or partition elements in building design. Therefore, recycling of sugarcane bagasse and waste newspapers as described in this study could serve as a promising way of solving their disposal problems and also enhance achievement of low-cost and safe buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature is flooded with scientific information on most durability properties except water absorption coefficient of masonry units like sandcrete blocks. Also, while waste papers disposal is a systemic problem due to ineffectiveness of waste management system in developing countries, the price of cement is on the increase. This situation, ultimately, causes a bane in achievement of low-cost housing development considering the fact that sandcrete blocks are predominantly used as walling elements for such undertakings. In this study, solid core sandcrete blocks were produced with waste paper ash (WPA) utilized as partial replacement of cement at 5 % and 10 % volumetric levels. Chemically, the WPA was found to show similarity with cement in terms of SiO2, Al2O3, and CaO contents. Density and water absorption coefficient of the block samples were determined. While density ranged from 1682 to 1872 kg/m3, water absorption coefficient varied from 27.04 to 23.49 kg/m2h0.5. Statistically, no significant difference was revealed at p < 0.05 between experimentally-measured water absorption coefficients and those obtained using the model developed for prediction based on density of the samples. Thus, utilization of WPA as described herein could help to reduce the cost of procuring cement and in turn, enhance low-cost building construction. Also, with the developed model (showing dependence of water absorption coefficient on density), durability of sandcrete blocks exposed to moisture –prone environment could be easily predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coconut husk is generated yearly as waste in large quantities but majorly under-utilized. Also, as a result of high embodied carbon, cement production is one of the largest contributors to construction sector carbon footprint. Since accumulation of unmanaged agro-waste like coconut husk has an increased environmental concern due to its pollution effect, recycling it into sustainable construction materials is a viable solution for future generation. In this study, experiments were performed to investigate the influence of coconut husk ash nanomaterial (CHAN) inclusion on electrical characteristics of plain cement paste (BCP) and mortar (CSM) samples at curing ages of 7 and 28 days. The results showed increase in electrical resistivity, thermal constant, and activation energy with curing duration for heating and cooling cycles of BCP and CSM. With inclusion of CHAN, the developed cement paste (CAP) and mortar (CASM) possessed lower values in all cases compared to their counterparts. Also, during heating at 28 days, both the CAP and CASM exhibited decrease in thermal constant. Though electrical resistance of all the samples varied inversely with temperature, CAP and CASM were found to possess greater potentials to make building structures intrinsically smart. Hence, in addition to solving disposal problems, utilization of coconut husks as described herein could enhance development of safe, inexpensive, and sustainable buildings that have large temperature sensing volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]