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Abstract This study focuses on the fabrication of a biodegradable dry packaging material for fruits, vegetables, and flowers, with an emphasis on affordability for street vendors. Approximately 55% of waste originates from packaging materials. To address this issue, a biodegradable Polyvinyl alcohol/Pomegranate peel powder (PVA/PPP) composite film was fabricated. The PVA, a water-soluble synthetic biodegradable polymer, served as the matrix, while PPP, an agro-waste product, was used as the filler. The PVA/PPP films were characterized through optical microscopy, FTIR, XRD, TGA, DSC, moisture absorption analysis, water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), water vapour permeability (WVP), and oxygen permeability testing. The inclusion of PPP enhanced the film’s properties via increasing moisture absorption by 85%, reducing PVA crystallinity index from 33.2 to 17.5%, percentage crystallinity reduced from 73.90 to 0.57%, lowering WVTR from 0.063 to 0.042 g/h.m2, low oxygen permeability and improving thermal stability up to 423 °C. Additionally, the pH of PPP (4.5) contributed to microbial resistance. The fabricated PVA/PPP films were fully biodegradable and produced via green synthesis without any hazardous chemicals. The use of PPP as a filler not only improved film performance but also reduced environmental hazard, demonstrating the material’s suitability for sustainable packaging applications.

Mechanical, thermal, and water absorption properties of banana fiber and sisal fiber-reinforced epoxy biocomposites were evaluated with and without cashew nut shell (CNS) filler, either separately, or as hybrid biocomposites. Bidirectional woven mats were used to make composites by compression molding. The CNS filler content was 5% to 10%. Adding CNS filler of up to 5% improved the mechanical and thermal properties. Further increases in filler content above the threshold value diminished their mechanical properties due to poor dispersion and increased porosity. The maximum tensile and flexural strength were found as 43 and 92 MPa. The highest impact strength was obtained with the hybrid biocomposites with 5% filler. This was attributed to the toughening effect of phenolic compounds in the CNS. In addition, the thermal stability of the biocomposites was influenced by filler content. The biocomposites exhibited varying water absorption capacities as the filler content increased with the water uptake. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed the microsurface of the fractured samples and their interfacial bonding, fiber pull-out, and fracture. However, increasing filler content in the biocomposite reduced the filler pull-out and led to fiber breakage.

A novel method for forming composite materials was investigated by incorporating activated carbon powder (ACP) as a reinforcing agent within a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix, utilizing the hand layup fabrication technique. The composite materials were synthesized by varying the weight percentages of the matrix and reinforcements, encompassing pure PLA as well as ratios of 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40, and 50:50. PLA is recognized for its biocompatibility and favorable thermomechanical properties, similar to conventional plastics. The incorporation of activated carbon powder, known for its remarkable aspect ratio, proved highly advantageous, yielding exceptional mechanical properties. Analysis revealed that the composite with a ratio of 90:10 wt% of carbon powder to PLA demonstrated significant improvements in tensile strength (26.8%), flexural strength (26.37%), impact strength (61.1%), compression strength (25%), and hardness (45.8%). Additionally, thermal analysis showed that the 90:10 wt% composite exhibited minimal weight loss and maximum heat flow sustainability at approximately 600 °C compared to other composite combinations. Morphological examination using field emission scanning electron microscopy unveiled a uniform distribution of activated carbon powder reinforcement within the matrix, actively contributing to the enhanced mechanical properties of the composite.

The development of biodegradable hybrid fibre composites is gaining pace in the automotive and construction industries due to their lightweight structural applications, which offer considerable benefits for the environment. In this present investigation, hybrid bio composites were fabricated using a compression molding machine with plain woven jute and aloe vera mats along with polyester resin as the matrix. Six types of hybrid biocomposite laminates were prepared by varying the stacking arrangement of jute and aloe-vera mats to analyse the impact of stacking arrangements on vibration damping and acoustic behaviour of these hybrid bio composites. From the results, it is concluded that the maximum value of natural frequency is obtained from the JJAJ type of composite. i.e., 157, 326, and 370 Hz for Modes I, II, and III respectively, due to good interlacing of fibres in the weft and warp directions. J/J/A/J (AJ3) hybrid bio composite has highest sound absorption coefficient of 0.47 at 3000 Hz, and a better transmission loss i.e 19.84 dB, according to the results of the acoustic research. The comparison of experimental and theoretical analysis was carried out, and found that experimental and theoretical values are closely related to each other.

By leveraging the properties of natural or plant fibers and possibilities through three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, a composite filament was fabricated by incorporating newly isolated Cryptostegia grandiflora fiber (CGF), as a reinforcement with polylactic acid (PLA) by using a twin-screw extruder. The fabricated composite filament and pure PLA filament were 3D-printed, using fused deposition modeling (FDM). This study investigated the mechanical, physical, and thermal properties of the 3D-printed CGF reinforced composite filament samples. The mechanical properties of the samples fabricated with 10 wt% CGF were better than that of samples with pure PLA. In addition, impact, tensile, flexural strengths and hardness were increased by 35.6, 33.6, 14.1, and 1.7%, respectively, when compared with the sample with pure PLA. The fractured surface morphology of tensile samples showed a uniform distribution of CGF within the PLA. The addition of CGF improved the thermal stability of the 3D-printed CGF/PLA composite sample by 15%. Therefore, the printed structure could serve as an alternative material for various uses, considering contemporary concepts of sustainability, availability, environmental friendliness, and cost effectiveness.

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer and carbon fiber reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (CF/ABS) spur gears were 3D-printed using fusion deposition modeling (FDM) with different fillet radii of 0.25, 0.50, and 0.75 mm. The performance of the fabricated gears was studied with the effect of fillet radius on varying load and speed conditions. The thermal properties of the gears were also investigated. The results indicated that 3D-printed CF/ABS spur gear exhibited better performance than the pure ABS. The 3D-printed CF/ABS gear with fillet radius of 0.25 mm recorded the highest wear and thermal stresses. However, the optimum performance was exhibited by the gear sample with highest fillet radius of 0.75 mm. Repeated gear tooth loading during service caused an increase in gear temperature due to the hysteresis and friction. Using optical microscopy, the tooth structures of both 3D-printed ABS and CF/ABS spur gears were analyzed before and after loading conditions to establish their failure mechanism. Evidently, various applications of the FDM 3D-printed spur gears depend on their different performances under loads and operating speeds. The methods and findings of this work can be regarded as helpful for future related work related to cellulosic reinforcing particles in a polymer matrix.

In this work, a novel hybrid scheme that integrates additive manufacturing (AM) with conventional compression moulding is developed to fabricate bamboo-reinforced polylactic acid-based (PLA-based) composite sheets. First, fused deposition moulding (FDM) is employed to deposit PLA into the bamboo woven mats. Second, multiple composite sheets are combined to increase the thickness via compression moulding. Further, the effect of FDM process nozzle temperature on the properties and performance of bamboo-PLA composite material is investigated along with a detailed microstructural characterization. It is found that an increase in nozzle temperature reduces pores in the composite material and improves the tensile, flexural and impact properties. Microstructural analysis of failure surfaces reveals that the damage occurred via PLA-bamboo interface decohesion and bamboo fibre breakage. Based on the microstructural analysis, a failure mechanism for the bamboo-PLA composite material is proposed, along with suggestions for further improvement in the ductility.

Both developed and developing countries around the world are increasingly utilizing biodegradable products and bio-based materials. This is required to curb rampant environmental pollution caused by synthetic materials and their by-products. In this study, banana and bamboo fibers were prepared from agricultural and industrial wastes, respectively. Banana and bamboo fibers were obtained with aid of mechanical and waste extractions, respectively. Both fibers were subjected to a retting process for 24 hours, using normal warm water at a room temperature (27 ± 3 °C) to remove the impurities. Then, a comparative investigation and analysis was conducted concerning their properties and applications. The biomass level, physical, and chemical properties, structure, experimental analysis, and moisture regain behaviors of the plant materials were studied. Additionally, the antibacterial property of the samples was discussed. The biomass level was measured per hectare for banana (36.1 tons) and per plant for bamboo (65%), and the physical and chemical properties were identified via some basic testing techniques. The molecular, crystalline, and morphology structures were observed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. Finally, the industrial applications were elucidated to establish the possibility of using both fibers as promising sustainable, renewable, recyclable, and eco-friendly materials.

Snake grass fiber was used as a supporting material in an epoxy matrix. The goal was to develop a lightweight structural material. To enhance the interfacial bonding between the snake grass (Sansevieria ehrenbergii) fiber and polymer matrices, the fiber underwent chemical treatment with NaOH. Samples were prepared with both neat and treated fibers mixed with epoxy at various volume percentages. The mechanical properties of snake grass fiber exhibited improvement with increasing fiber length and fixation, reaching optimal values at 20 mm length and 20% v/v fixation. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) demonstrated superior energy absorption by the composite up to 140 °C, irrespective of repetition. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated rapid degradation of untreated fiber with a residue level of 0.2%, while the snake grass composite (25% v/v) exhibited stable residue content at 11%. Microscopic evaluation using a scanning electron microscope provided insights into the morphology of the fiber surface.

A sandwich structure of carbon-epoxy laminate with graphene nanoplatelets is used for increasing the AC conductivity, dielectric constant and sensitivity towards moisture. The Quasi Fickian distribution of moisture absorption of epoxy is retained with the inclusion of carbon fibers and graphene nanoplatelets of 1 weight percent. The effect of relative humidity (RH) over a range of 30–90% on AC conductivity and capacitance has been investigated. Use of carbon fibers with graphene nanoplatelets significantly enhances the electrical conductivity and dielectric constant as compared to carbon-epoxy laminate without graphene nanoplatelets. The two parameters reveal linear dependence on humidity in the low frequency range of 100–1000 Hz. The AC conductivity increases at the rate of 2 nSm−1/% RH in laminate with carbon fiber and it increases to 50 nSm−1/%RH with the incorporation of graphene nanoplatelets. The increase in AC conductivity from 100 Hz to 1000 Hz is in the range of 0.1 to 0.2 μS/m with carbon fibers and it increases from 1 to 4 μS/m with the inclusion of graphenenanoplatelets. Increase is AC conductivity from 1 kHz to 10 MHz is by five orders of magnitude, with a steep increase around 5 MHz in both laminates. The incorporation of graphenenanoplatelets helps to increase the dielectric constant by 2.4–2.8 times as compared to epoxy with carbon fiber. The swelling in the laminates estimated after 96 h of exposure to 90% RH is observed to be less than 0.05%. The use of graphenenanoplatelets improves moisture sensitivity of the carbon-epoxy laminate.

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is an extensive network of neurons and glia within the wall of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that regulates many essential GI functions. Consequently, disorders of the ENS due to developmental defects, inflammation, infection, or age-associated neurodegeneration lead to serious neurointestinal diseases. Despite the prevalence and severity of these diseases, effective treatments are lacking as they fail to directly address the underlying pathology. Neuronal stem cell therapy represents a promising approach to treating diseases of the ENS by replacing the absent or injured neurons, and an autologous source of stem cells would be optimal by obviating the need for immunosuppression. We utilized the swine model to address key questions concerning cell isolation, delivery, engraftment, and fate in a large animal relevant to human therapy. We successfully isolated neural stem cells from a segment of small intestine resected from 1-month-old swine. Enteric neuronal stem cells (ENSCs) were expanded as neurospheres that grew optimally in low-oxygen (5%) culture conditions. Enteric neuronal stem cells were labeled by lentiviral green fluorescent protein (GFP) transduction, then transplanted into the same swine from which they had been harvested. Endoscopic ultrasound was then utilized to deliver the ENSCs (10,000–30,000 neurospheres per animal) into the rectal wall. At 10 and 28 days following injection, autologously derived ENSCs were found to have engrafted within rectal wall, with neuroglial differentiation and no evidence of ectopic spreading. These findings strongly support the feasibility of autologous cell isolation and delivery using a clinically useful and minimally invasive technique, bringing us closer to first-in-human ENSC therapy for neurointestinal diseases.

The primary objective of the study was to examine the distribution of various elements, namely Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Nickel (Ni), and Lead (Pb), in the soft tissues, shells, and associated surface sediments of Cerithidea obtusa (C. obtusa) mangrove snails collected from Sungai Besar Sepang. To conduct the analysis, the preferred and most convenient methods employed were Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) and Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The results showed that the mean concentration of elements in the sediments and soft tissues followed the order Fe > Cu > Ni > Pb > Cd, while for the shell of C. obtusa, it was Fe > Ni > Cu > Pb > Cd. • Iron (Fe) showed the highest concentration among all elements monitored in sediments, soft tissues, and shells of C. obtusa. • The PF results indicated higher incorporation of Pb and Ni into shells. • BSAF results showed that C. obtusa shells accumulated more Cu and Cd from sediments, making them effective biomonitors.

Background: A training program for Management of Animal-bite as per NRCP (National Rabies Control Program) guidelines & Snakebite of Medical Officer was conducted in the Tertiary Healthcare Centre. Evaluation of such training has been rarely reported. Objective: The objective of this study was to reflect on the quality of this training program regarding knowledge assessment and feedback. Methodology: A pre-test and post-test cross-sectional assessment of knowledge of medical officers working at health facilities of Bhopal district of Madhya Pradesh government, who attended one-day training program at AIIMS Bhopal in 2023, were conducted through the same questionnaire having 18 single-answer multiple choice questions. Anonymous feedback was also taken through a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using R statistical software. The Chi-square test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the pre-and post-test proportions of correct responses and scores, respectively. Results: Out of a total of 54 participants, 64.8% were males. The median (IQR) age was 41 (31,52) years. The majority of the participants (68.5%) had the qualification of MBBS, 14.8% had PG degree, and the rest, 16.6%, had BAMS degree. Median (IQR) pre and post-test scores were9.0 (9.0, 12.0) and 15 (12, 16.0) respectively. All participants agreed that the training was very useful for the patient care and gave positive feedback related to the management of training. Conclusion: This training was very useful in terms of improvement of knowledge is concerned. More Tertiary Healthcare institutions should take the initiative to conduct such training programs for capacity building of Medical Officers working at community level.