Cantab Research Articles

Crashworthy Performance of Sustainable Filled Structures Using Recycled Beverage Cans and Eco-Friendly Multi-Cell Fillers

The recycling of resources is an important measure to achieve circular economy and sustainable development. In this paper, a sustainable filled structure was proposed and realized by combining recycled empty beverage cans with eco-friendly multi-cell fillers. Quasi-static axial compressions were carried out to characterize the energy absorption performance and synergistic effect of the filled tubes. Experimental results showed that the crashworthiness of sustainable filled structures varied with both filling densities and materials. With the increase in filling density, the specific energy absorption of the filled tubes presented an upward trend. With the variation in filling materials, the filled tubes exhibited different crashworthiness performances. The PLA multi-cell filled tube could withstand larger external force and exhibited higher SEA values, with a maximum value of 9.64 J/g. The PLAS multi-cell filled tube showed excellent loading stability and lower ULC value, with a minimum value of 10%. These findings provided valuable insights for designing novel sustainable energy absorption structures.

Selenium modulates bisphenol A-induced intestinal apoptosis, oxidative stress and autophagy in rats: A biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical study

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a hazardous endocrine disruptor released into the environment during the production of certain plastics used for covering of food and beverage cans. In this work, we examined the protective benefits of selenium (Se) against intestinal damage induced by BPA in male rats. Rats were distributed randomly into four groups. The first group received corn oil and served as the control. The second group was administered Se (1 mg/kg body weight; BW). The third group was given oral BPA (50 mg/kg BW). In the fourth group, Se (1 mg/kg BW) and BPA (50 mg/kg BW) were administered simultaneously. This experiment lasted for eight weeks. Specimens from the large intestine were subjected to biochemical analysis of antioxidants and oxidative stress biomarkers, histological observation under light and transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry to autophagy and apoptosis markers. The BPA-exposed group showed significantly elevated oxidative stress markers associated with significant decline of antioxidants in intestinal tissues. BPA resulted in histological alterations such as severe mucosal necrosis with massive inflammatory cell infiltration. Ultra-structurally, the same group showed severe loss of the cell organelles, shrunken nuclei, and abundant autophagosomes. Immunohistochemistry results demonstrated a strong reactivity of caspase-3 and LC3 in the BPA group in contrast to the reaction to p62, which was markedly diminished. These effects were mitigated in the BPA+Se group. We concluded that BPA’s harmful effects on the large intestine are caused by apoptosis and autophagy. Se may protect intestinal cells from these effects and could be a useful and trustworthy approach for reducing BPA toxicity.

Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Sloshing inside Beverage Cans on a Rotary Filling Machine

Sloshing is a critical issue in many industrial contexts. In the food industry, it becomes particularly relevant during the filling of beverage cans and bottles with automatic rotary machines, when the uncapped filled containers move to the transfer star wheel, suddenly changing direction of motion and potentially causing the spilling of the product. Deep knowledge of the system behavior and the fluid dynamics in the domain is essential to guarantee the safety and quality of the final products and processing environment. In this study, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used to simulate sloshing in beverage cans using two CFD software: commercial ANSYS Fluent and open-source OpenFOAM. Some modeling strategies are explored with the aim of making the simulation more efficient without impacting the results, and an approach for tracking the maximum fluid level in the can is proposed. The modeling methodology was validated by means of an analytical model and by comparing the results calculated by the two software. Finally, operational insights were derived based on the results of a sensitivity analysis carried out by varying the star wheel diameter and the system productivity.

Community Environmental Management to Create Jobs and Generate Income in Krasang District, Buriram Province, Thailand

This research aimed to study the environmental conditions, management and guidelines for community environmental management to create jobs and generate income in the community to solve poverty problems in Krasang District, Buriram Province. The researcher used the sample group according to the Taro Yamane table getting the 400 people. The research instruments were questionnaires. The statistics used for the research were percentage, mean, standard deviation, T-Test and F-Test. The research results found that the most common community environment was the garbage consisting of plastic, coffee or ovaltine bottles and sachets, soft drink cans, wet garbage, dry garbage and electronic waste. The community environmental management to generate income in the community included the waste management for transformation getting the highest mean (4.54). However, when considering the details, it was found that the first rank was the providing of knowledge on making consumer goods from plastic waste as a career. When classified by gender, there were no different opinions. When comparing residents who had lived in the community for a long time, only opinions on waste management were found significantly to have no different opinions at the .05.

Expansion of Classes, Transfer of Function, and Preference Tests in Adult Participants

The purpose of the experiment was to study the effect of transfer of function on preferences on different stimuli conditions in 15 adults. Participants were trained on six conditional discriminations arranged as one-to-many training (AB/AC) and tested for the emergence of three 3-member equivalence classes. Fourteen of 15 participants passed the equivalence test. For the 14 participants, the classes were expanded by training three new stimuli GOOD (D1), NEUTRAL (D2), and BAD (D3), to A1, A2, and A3 and followed by a test equivalence class formation including all relations. The participants were also tested for the preference of the B-stimuli before the conditional discrimination training and after the test for expansion of classes. In the preference test after the expansion test, participants were presented with the three B-stimuli mounted on pictures of identical objects in groups of three (three stimulus conditions). The pictures of objects were three identical soda cans, cars, and mobile phones. The main findings were that 3 of 14 participants picked B1 in the pretest while 8 of 14 participants picked B1 for all stimulus sets in the preference test.

Effect of High-Velocity Impact Loading on Concrete Slabs Reinforced by Metallic Strips from Soft Drink Cans as Fiber

Effect of High-Velocity Impact Loading on Concrete Slabs Reinforced by Metallic Strips from Soft Drink Cans as Fiber

Corrosion study of cola soft drink cans

The study of corrosion in aluminium packaging is fundamental to ensuring the quality and safety of the product. The varnish layer present on metal packaging aims to minimize any interaction between the food or drink and the metal, as well as minimizing the corrosion process. The acidic nature of soft drinks, as well as the ions present in solution, such as phosphates, benzoates or chlorides, play a strong role in the oxidative process of aluminum. This study evaluated the corrosion of the body of aluminum cola cans. The beverage was first characterized and the results obtained were: pH =2.5; 7.5 oBrix; chloride concentration of 0.17g/L, acidity 0.17 %m/m; density 1.04 g/mL and concentration of reducing sugars was 11.3 %m/m. The corrosion of aluminum in model solutions with different concentrations of citric acid and NaCl was studied via linear polarization for samples with and without varnish. The statistical analysis carried out, via factorial design 23 with a triplicate at the center point, showed that the corrosion rate (CR) of the sample with varnish was significantly influenced by temperatures above 45 oC in the range of chlorides studied. On the other hand, the CR of the sample without varnish was strongly influenced by the combination of high temperatures and high chloride concentrations. Removing the varnish resulted in a higher activation energy (AE = 67.48 kJ/mol) when removed with acetone and then polished with sandpaper compared to the sample with varnish (AE = 88.92 kJ/mol). From a kinetic point of view, this showed the protective effect of this layer and its effectiveness against corrosion. The ΔHo and ΔGo activation parameters of the process were positive, showing that corrosion is an endothermic process with increased disorder when the varnish is removed, respectively. It is therefore important to buy the product with the packaging in good condition to guarantee the integrity of the protective layer and its quality, since oxidation of the aluminum can lead to products that compromise the quality of the food or drink.

Innovative recycling and conversion of aluminum waste to hydrogen and aluminum chloride: Enhancing economic feasibility and sustainability in Saudi Arabia

The rapid industrialization and urbanization in Saudi Arabia have led to significant challenges in waste management, particularly in recycling aluminum waste. This study explores an innovative approach for converting aluminum waste, specifically beverage cans, into valuable products such as aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and hydrogen (H2). The process involves the chemical reaction of aluminum with hydrochloric acid (HCl), producing AlCl3 and H2, and is modeled using Aspen Plus software. Two scenarios are evaluated: one without recycling and one incorporating recycling processes. In the first scenario, the direct conversion process yields 355 tons of AlCl3 and 9 tons of H2 per day from 100 metric tons of aluminum waste. The minimum selling price (MSP) of AlCl3 is calculated to be $764 per ton, with an annual profit of $25 million, assuming a market price of $1000 per ton. However, the economic viability of this scenario is highly sensitive to conversion efficiencies and market conditions. The second scenario integrates a recycling loop, processing 90 % of the aluminum waste back into aluminum, significantly enhancing economic stability. This scenario produces 35 tons of AlCl3 and 1 ton of H2 per day, with an MSP of $1068 per ton. Despite the higher MSP, the inclusion of recycled aluminum, sold at $2400 per ton, results in a higher annual profit of $38 million, demonstrating greater economic resilience and sustainability. This study provides a comprehensive techno-economic analysis, highlighting the dual benefits of waste reduction and resource recovery. By optimizing reaction conditions and incorporating recycling, the proposed process aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 sustainability goals, offering a viable pathway for enhancing economic feasibility and environmental sustainability in aluminum waste management.

Mechanical properties of a mortar with aluminum fibers waste of drink cans

The aim of this study is to utilize drink cans as fibers to reinforce mortars production. for this purpose, we cut the cans into various sizes to investigate how the width and length of the fibers affect the mechanical properties of the mortar (2x10, 4x10 and 2x20)mm, as well as using different percentages 0,5%,1%, 1,5%, 2%, and 2,5% by the weight of the cement. The results of this study showed improvement of mechanical strength of the mortar especially the flexural strength. The comperessive strength increased by 14% compared to the control mortar, whereas the flexural strength increased by 14% and 20% compared to the control mortar of the fiber MF1 and MF2, while the addition of 2% of aluminium in fiber MF3 incresed the flexural strength by more than 39% compered to mortar not reinforced. The addition of alimunium fiber have helped in reducing the cracking of the mortar . Consequently, incorporating aluminum fibers from drink cans into the mortar mix will significantly impact the indirect tensile strength, flexural strength, ductility, and post-cracking behavior.

Application of multi draw radius deep draw die for increase in formability of redrawn cylindrical cups

Currently, deep drawing and redrawing are the primary methods used to create beverage cans. Research to increase the efficiency of this procedure is ongoing. This study aimed to improve the formability of redrawn cups by proposing a new technique, wherein a multi-die radius (MDR) die was used as a deep drawing die for producing deep-drawn cups and then redrawn once more to create the redrawn cup. It was found that a more uniformly deformed grain microstructure evolutions and cup wall thickness around the cup were achieved in the case of the MDR deep-drawing process compared with the conventional deep-drawing process. However, using the MDR deep-drawn cups to fabricate redrawn cup, the formability in terms of LDR could not be increased. However the formability in terms of cup wall thickness can be significantly increased by approximately 7% thicker.

Performance of Solar Collector Using Recycled Aluminum Cans for Drying

This study highlights the crucial role of flat plate collectors in solar dryer applications for drying agricultural produce. The aim is to develop a solar collector from discarded aluminium beverage cans, following the IS 1933, 2003 standard. The performance is evaluated at three different mass flow rates to dry 12 kg of green chillies. The cylindrical curved surfaces of the tubes are coated with a mixture of activated charcoal and blackboard paint to meet insulation standards. The total efficiency of the collector is determined by measuring the incoming and outgoing air temperatures at various mass flow rates. Additionally, the weight and moisture content removed from the 12 kg green chillies is monitored every 30 minutes throughout the day. The results show that efficiency decreases with increasing mass flow rates, with the solar collector achieving its highest efficiency of 67.89% at a mass flow rate of 0.005 kg/s, effectively removing 88% of the moisture content from the green chillies. This underscores the importance of optimising mass flow rates to maximize the efficiency of solar dryers using recycled materials. The use of activated charcoal and blackboard paint coatings on the aluminium cans enhances heat absorption and retention, contributing to the overall efficiency of the solar dryer. Future research could explore the application of this technology to other types of agricultural produce and further refine the coating materials to improve thermal performance.

A platform for continuous monitoring of the degradation of aluminum beverage can lids in realistic conditions through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

The coatings on aluminum beverage can lid interiors can be prone to long-term degradation due to the high impact forces during fabrication and the corrosive nature of beverages. Multi-month tests are required to assess their resistance to this degradation. This study aims to present an innovative can lid coating testing method that incorporates in-situ Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) monitoring under real-world conditions and with actual beverages. A robust testing chamber was meticulously engineered to house the 3D-shaped lid and maintain the conditions found in a beverage can. Experiments were conducted at stressed and non-stressed conditions, assessing different coatings and different beverages. The developed method has the potential to mimic the multi-month pack tests and offers a quicker, more insightful, and less laborious alternative for the lid coating degradation assessment. Ultimately, this method could help in improving the longevity and quality of aluminum beverage cans.

An experimental parametric study assessing the effect of a certain initial geometric imperfection on cylinder buckling

Given the sensitivity of axially-loaded cylinder buckling to geometric imperfections, the advent of additive manufacturing provides a compelling platform to assess subtle changes in initial configuration from an experimental perspective. The cylindrical form is ubiquitous in many load-bearing contexts, from soda cans to submarines to rocket fuel tanks. Despite the relative simplicity of the shape, it is striking how the assessment of buckling loads continues to pose strong challenges to the designers of these load-bearing components, often in a situation where weight-saving is a key constraint. Furthermore, this type of buckling typically corresponds to a sudden, severe, catastrophic event, and in addition to posing serious consequences in practice, this also presents challenges for those conducting high-fidelity experiments, especially in terms of repeatability. Any conditions that deviate from a pristine cylindrical shape, and purely axial loading, are the root-cause of the buckling variability. Typically, the slight deviations from the pristine (perfect) conditions are somewhat random and unpredictable in nature. 3D-printing now provides the experimentalist with the ability to produce cylindrical specimens to a very high degree of geometric fidelity, thus allowing a degree of control of the form of subtle geometric imperfections. This paper focuses attention on a specific form of deviation from a pristine cylindrical shape, in which the longitudinal sides follow a mild cosine wave form. The amplitude of this shape is varied (in both directions, i.e., inwards and outwards), and its effect on both the buckling load and buckling mode shape assessed experimentally, using the outcome of finite element analysis as a guide.

Mass Spectrometric Study of the Most Common Potential Migrants Extractible from the Inner Coatings of Metallic Beverage Cans.

Population exposure to endocrine disrupting chemical- bisphenols, which are used commonly in food containers and drinking water pipes in Europe, is above acceptable health and safety levels, according to updated research data. In order to evaluate the most abundant potential migrants in canned sweetened beverages marketed in Poland, we performed the HPLC-MS screening test of the migrants present in the can coating material. The analyzed samples represented the three top-ranked companies of the global soft drink market; it is reasonable to assume that the obtained data are of global validity. The tested can coatings and beverages contained bisphenols conjugates such as five butoxyethanol (BuOEtOH) adducts with bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), one butoxyethanol adduct with bisphenol A monoglycidyl ether (BAMGE), and cyclo-di-BADGE. The performed HPLC-MS/MS analysis in the MRM mode enabled evaluation of the concentrations of the detected conjugates in canned beverages which were found to be very low, namely at the level of 1 µg/L. On the other hand, the high consumption of canned beverages may yield a risk associated with the presence of these compounds in the diet. The subsequent HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS experiments allowed, for the first time, a detailed determination of the fragmentation pathways of the detected migrants as well as detection of the isomers of the two migrants, namely BADGE + BuOEtOH and BADGE + BuOEtOH + HCl.

On the Crush Behavior and Energy Absorption of Sustainable Beverage Cans and Their Polyurethane Foam-Filled Structures: An Experimental Study.

In the pursuit of global energy conservation and emissions reductions, utilizing beverage cans as energy-absorbing components offers potential for a sustainable economy. This study examines the impact of foam filling on the crushing behaviors and energy absorption of various types of beverage cans. Quasi-static compression tests were conducted on five geometrically sized cans filled with three densities of polyurethane foam to study their deformation modes and calculate crashworthiness parameters within the effective stroke. Results show that empty beverage cans have lower energy absorption capacities, and deformation modes become less consistent as can size increases. Higher foam density leads to increased total energy absorption, a slight reduction in the effective compression stroke, and a tendency for specific energy absorption to initially increase and then decrease. Regarding crush behavior, smaller cans transition from a diamond mode to a concertina mode, while larger cans exhibit a columnar bending mode. Next, the coupling effect of energy absorption between foam and cans was analyzed so as to reveal the design method of energy-absorbing components. The specific energy absorption of smaller cans filled with polyurethane foam is superior to that of similar empty cans. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting next-generation sustainable energy absorption structures.

Unlocking Creative Potential: Sustainable Art Practices Through Scrap Art and SCAMPER Design Innovation

Abstract: In today's consumer-centric world, rapid technological progress has led to an alarming increase in discarded items, posing a significant environmental threat. This situation underscores the pressing need for embracing sustainable practices in artistic endeavors. Many contemporary artists are now turning to "Scrap Art" or "Junk Art," creating stunning pieces from discarded materials, not only beautifying their surroundings but also raising awareness about reuse. This paper delves into the detrimental impact of rampant consumerism on the environment and advocates for repurposing and upcycling waste materials in art. It outlines a four-stage design process: selecting waste products, developing concepts, generating ideas, and creating a series of innovative designs. The SCAMPER technique, known for its effectiveness in generating creative ideas, was applied during the concept development and idea generation stages. Through this methodology, the study showcased how waste soft drink cans could be transformed into five distinct products: a desk watch, a picture frame, a spring paper clip, a pencil holder, and a lamp. These creations not only demonstrated the potential of upcycling but also reduced the need for recycling or landfill disposal. The research emphasizes the compatibility of the design process with creative concept generation and highlights the importance of sustainable art practices in mitigating environmental challenges. By unlocking the creative potential of upcycling and addressing environmental concerns, this study aims to contribute to a more sustainable and vibrant artistic landscape, benefiting both artists and the environment.

Role of the MnCoGe alloys to enhance the capacitance of flexible supercapacitors made with electrodes of recycled aluminum and carbon nanotubes

Flexible and sustainable supercapacitors (SCs) were fabricated with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as the anode and recycled aluminium as the cathode (obtained from soda cans). Devices made with the configuration of CNT//Al had maximum energy-densities/capacitances of 97.8 Wh kg−1/313.5 F g−1. Later, MnCoGe (MCG) alloy powders doped with boron (MCG:B) or gallium (MCG:Ga) were incorporated into the SC electrodes and the energy-density/capacitance was enhanced up to 269.5 Wh kg−1/862.3 F g−1. This outstanding increment of the electrochemical performance was caused by the formation of multiple redox centers on the SC electrodes (oxygen vacancies, Mn3+/Mn4+, Co2+/Co3+, and Ge4+/Ge2+/Ge0) as confirmed by XPS and Raman spectroscopies. The SCs made with MCG alloys were immersed in acid (pH=3)/basic (pH=11) aqueous media and electrochemically tested. Surprisingly, the capacitance retention was reduced a maximum of 0.6%, demonstrating their capacity to operate underwater. The tests of bending and charging/discharging cycles demonstrated that the SCs made with the MCG:B powder were the most stable because their capacitance retention was above 95%. In contrast, SCs made with the MCG:Ga alloy had capacitance retentions below 93% after the same tests. Overall, we demonstrated that efficient/flexible/waterproof SCs can be made with low-cost aluminium, which of interest for wearable electronics.

In Case You Haven't Heard…

Yet another state has fallen for the “it's not the pandemic anymore, but hospitality…” argument. Alcohol‐to‐go is now legal in Colorado. Originally approved on a temporary basis four years ago to prevent transmission of COVID (and, unspoken at the time, to help keep restaurants alive), the measure was extended by lawmakers last year. It was due to expire in July 2025. Now, Gov. Jared Polis — the same person who signed the emergency to‐go alcohol rule in 2020 — has signed a bill to make alcohol‐to‐go legal. ADAW isn't objecting to this, any more than we would object to people drinking alcohol in a restaurant or at home. But let's be clear on who wants this: drinkers, perhaps who drive, and alcohol sellers. Meanwhile, there are no masks, no more free COVID tests, and, in Colorado, plenty of marijuana in addition to the alcohol. Maybe we should take a closer look at why alcohol is considered so financially helpful to restaurants and stores (incidentally, the limit for alcohol‐to‐go in Colorado is two bottles of wine, 12 cans of beer, or one liter of spirits, and this is unchanged from the previous COVID‐era rule).

Selection of Crosslinking Agents for Acrylic Resin Used in External Coatings for Aluminum Packaging in the Beverage Industry

Paints and coatings are widely used in various applications such as walls, cars, packaging, and food products. The quality of food packaging is essential due to its direct or indirect contact with food. The demand for high-quality food packaging is increasing due to the higher production and consumption rates. However, containers used in the beverage industry often face problems like scratches and abrasions during transportation. This study aimed to investigate different formulations of external coatings for beverage cans to improve their physical resistance properties and prevent corrosion and surface damage problems. The study involved reacting an acrylic resin with six different amino resins, including methylated melamine, butylated melamine, glycoluril, methylated urea, butylated urea, and benzoguanamine, in various proportions. The results of 25 formulated samples were compared based on properties such as adhesion, durability, and chemical resistance. The outcomes of the study showed significant differences among the crosslinking agents. Among all the crosslinking agents, methylated melamine showed the most favorable results in the analyses, proving to be effective in almost all tests.

UPCYCLING FOR REPURPOSING WASTE INTO CREATIVE PRODUCTS

Upcycling is the process of repurposing non-used materials or products to make them more valuable or usable, with increased quality and value. However, truly little research has been conducted on the design process and/or creative ideation of upcycling in order to produce higher-quality and more valuable products. This study presents the four stages of the design process, consisting of selecting the waste products, emerging conceptions, generating ideas, and rendering a series of creative ideas. SCAMPER (substitute, combine, adjust, modify, put to other uses, eliminate, reverse), one of the practical and effective techniques to create various creative ideas, was applied in the stages of emerging conceptions and generating ideas. With the upcycling concept of waste product design utilizing SCAMPER, the results demonstrated that waste soft drink cans could be converted into five creative products: a desk watch, a picture frame, a spring paper clip, a pencil holder, and a lamp. The five products featured the upcycling of waste soft drink cans, removing the need to recycle or send them to landfills at that point in their lifecycle. Consideration was given to the design process’ compatibility with creative concept generation and design. The study indicated that upcycling should be viewed as an essential component of waste management and repurposing in order to provide an intelligent answer to escalating product waste problems.