Board Production Research Articles

GAME BOARD TO IMPROVE CHILDREN'S DENTAL AND ORAL HEALTH KNOWLEDGE

Background: The five-year period in the stage of child development is the golden age, which is a golden period in the period of growth and development of children. During this period, everything that is poured out and absorbed in the child will become the basis and sharp memory in the child, including the maintenance of dental health. The growth of 3 to 5-year-olds has some skills such as color naming. Children do tend to prefer to play. Children's activities while playing while learning can support growth and development and absorb learning optimally. Games that can be played while learning are putting together simple puzzles, drawing and coloring, composing and stacking block games, playing sand, clay or toy candles, singing, role-playing, playing music and board games. Objectives: To develop dental and oral health game boards for kindergarten children aged 3-5 years in kindergartens in the Kersamenak sub-district, Kawalu Tasikamalaya District. Methods: The research method is carried out by research and development (R&D) methods and Quasi experiments with non-equivalent pre and post test designs. The research was conducted by conducting FGD with kindergarten teachers in the Kersamenak sub-district area, Kawalu District, Tasikmalaya City using a total sampling technique of 30 teachers. Results: The description of the conclusion to the respondents' answers is the development of dental and oral health game boards for kindergarten children aged 3-5 years in kindergartens in the Kersamenak sub-district, Kawalu Tasikamalaya District. Conclusion: Production of dental and oral health game boards and game board manuals.

Optimization of mixing ratio for the production of particle board from bamboo leaves, saw dust and urea formaldehyde

This study investigated the best mix sawdust, bamboo leaves, and urea formaldehyde to create particleboard by optimizing the mixing ratio. Finding the optimal ratio of sawdust, urea formaldehyde, and bamboo leaves for the binders used in particle board production was the aim of this study. The particle boards' mechanical and physical tests were investigated. The surface morphology of particleboards and its elemental compositions were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS). The result observed from mechanical and physical tests conducted particle boards showed that best particleboard of composition 100 % sawdust, 50 % bamboo leaves and 2.5 g urea had the highest density of 675.643 kg/m3, modulus rupture of 3.84 N/mm2 and modulus elasticity of 2756 N/mm2. The optimal level generated by the experimental design of composition 50 % sawdust, 50 % bamboo leaves and 2.0 g urea were validated. MOR of 13.02 N/mm2 and MOE observed were 881.39 N/mm2. The SEM and EDS results revealed that optimal particleboard of validated experiment had surface with more fibrous network structures than particle board of the best process level. The particleboard that was produced from validated experiment complied with the American National Standard ANSI/A208.1–999.

Exploring the potential of Gigantochloa levis and Gigantochloa scortechinii bamboo species for plybamboo production

Gigantochloa levis and G. scortechinii bamboo species were evaluated as material for plybamboo production. Plybamboo was composed of three layers with 12 mm thickness and used phenol formaldehyde (PF) as their binder. Representative samples were cut and tested for bonding, physical, mechanical, and finishing properties. Results indicated that G. levis plybamboo exhibited higher bending strength property compared to G. scortechinii plybamboo, as indicated by its higher modulus of rupture (121 N/mm2) and modulus of elasticity (16300 N/mm2). The G. levis plybamboo also displayed higher bond shear strength and was dimensionally stable compared to G. scortechinii plybamboo. The finishing properties revealed that all coatings performed well in the cross-cut tape and pull-off tests. Notably, plybamboo from both bamboo species showed excellent coating film adhesion. Based on minimum standard requirement, results revealed that both bamboo species were suitable to be used in plybamboo production for general use. The findings showed that those species are valuable renewable natural resources for plybamboo production and had potential to be utilized as a substitute for wood in board production.

Integrated sustainability assessment of wood building products: The case of larch and chestnut cascading systems in Northern Italy

Wood is increasingly being appreciated in construction due to its valuable environmental attributes. This paper explores the environmental and market performance of two wood supply chains in Northern Italy. Larch and chestnut wood are extracted and processed to obtain beams, planks, MDF panels and energy. LCA is performed to evaluate the environmental impacts of 1m3 of extracted wood through a cradle-to-gate approach. Then, a biogenic carbon analysis is carried out using the EN 16449:2014 standard including a comparison of different end-of-life treatments. Also, OSB is proposed as an alternative path for wood chips and contrasted to the current energy scenario. Moreover, solid wood beams and planks are compared with engineered wood products (EWPs). Lastly, a market analysis is conducted to assess the market trends of the different wood products studied.The LCA shows similar results for both wood species across most impact categories, with slightly higher values for the chestnut system. Most impacts are related to the production of MDF boards and the energy valorization of wood chips. Biogenic carbon analysis shows a negative balance of emissions with −314 and −205 kg of CO2 eq for larch and chestnut, respectively. It also suggests that OSB manufacturing can be a valuable alternative to the energy use of wood chips and that the end-of-life treatment with better results is recycling. The comparison of beams and planks with engineered wood products supports that solid wood poses a better environmental alternative in similar applications. Market analysis shows stagnation in the apparent consumption of wood products in the European market and a slight growth in the Italian one between 2018 and 2022. Overall, the systems studied suggest that the potential environmental benefits of using wood in construction are not being matched by current market trends.

Effects of Harvest Date and Ensiling Additives on the Optimized Ensiling of Silphium Perfoliatum to Prevent Faulty Fermentation

Silphium perfoliatum, an energy crop with a high fiber content but low concentrations of fermentable carbohydrates, presents challenges for complete fermentation in biogas production. To overcome this, a bioeconomic approach proposes the use of the fibers for paper and board production, which requires high-quality silage with minimal butyric acid, which affects the marketability of the fibers. This study aims to optimize the silaging process of Silphium perfoliatum by investigating the effects of harvest date, bacterial cultures and additives on fermentation results. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of three harvest dates on fermentation acid composition, with a focus on increasing lactic acid production to inhibit butyric acid formation. Results indicate that an early harvest date (early September) is critical for achieving stable fermentation and minimizing ensiling losses. The addition of sugar-rich additives, such as syrup, was found to be essential, especially for later harvest dates. Despite these interventions, a late harvest (early November) consistently resulted in suboptimal fermentation. The results suggest that optimizing harvest timing and incorporating appropriate additives are key strategies for producing high quality silage and ensuring the suitability of Silphium perfoliatum fibers for industrial applications.

Recovering Low-Density Polyethylene Waste for Gypsum Board Production: A Mechanical and Hygrothermal Study.

In recent decades, plastic waste management has become one of the main environmental challenges for today's society. The excessive consumption of so-called single-use plastics causes continuous damage to ecosystems, and it is necessary to find alternatives to recycle these products. In this work, a mechanical and hygrothermal characterisation of novel plaster composites incorporating LDPE waste in their interior was carried out. Thus, prefabricated plasterboards have been designed with a partial replacement of the original raw material with recycled LDPE in percentages of 5-10-15% by volume. The results show how these new composites exceeded the 0.18 kN minimum breaking load in panels in all cases, while decreases in density and thermal conductivity of up to 15% and 21%, respectively, were obtained. In addition, an increase of 3.8%in thermal resistance was obtained by incorporating these new gypsum boards in lightweight façade walls through simulations. In this way, a new pathway was explored for the recovery of these wastes and their subsequent application in the construction sector.

Global Financial Dynamics: Crisis, Ethics, and Market Impacts: Insights from the June 2023 Issue

With the collaborative support of the editorial board members, authors, reviewers, section editors, technical editors, and production editor, we successfully launched the June 2023 issue of the International Journal of Accounting, Business, and Finance (IJABF). Volume 2, Issue 2 of IJABF features five articles addressing contemporary issues. The authors explore these research questions through empirical results, providing insights and directions for future studies. We extend our gratitude to all contributors to this issue.

Enhancing eco-efficiency in hemp-based construction boards: environmental and economic strategies for sustainability

ABSTRACT Hemp-based construction materials have increasingly captured attention in recent years as viable alternatives to carbon-intensive materials. A benefit of using hemp (Cannabis sativa L) in construction is its ability to sequester carbon dioxide during plant growth, thereby providing the potential to create carbon-negative materials. However, hemp production can contribute to other environmental impacts such as acidification and eutrophication. Additionally, hemp-based materials usually involve higher costs compared to traditional materials. This study presented an application of an eco-efficiency framework to explore options for improving the environmental and economic performance of non-load-bearing hemp-based construction boards at the production stage in Australia. The study integrated environmental life cycle assessment, multi-criteria analysis, environmental mitigation strategies, life cycle costing and eco-efficiency portfolio analysis in order to identify eco-efficiency improvement opportunities for non-structural hemp-based construction boards and to compare them with conventional alternatives. The analysis showed that the use of solar electricity during the post-farm stage of hemp-based board production can reduce their environmental impact by 26 per cent and production costs by 0.4 per cent. The proposed framework can assist hemp growers and hemp-based composite manufacturers in Australia in developing cost-effective environmental mitigation strategies to assist sustainability in the construction sector.

Using shredded fibre cement recyclate to produce new innovative fibre cement boards

Abstract The study investigated the effect of the addition of crushed recyclate on the final properties of fibre cement boards. In some fibre cement board production technologies, waste in the form of solid trimmings accounts for up to 7% of total production, which is not an insignificant amount. The research aims to maximise the use of the waste generated and its effective reintegration into the production of new fibre cement boards. In the experimental work, shredded recyclate was used in varying quantities to replace expanded perlite. The results obtained show that the reuse of shredded recyclate has a minimal impact on the observed physical and mechanical properties. A similar trend was found when evaluating the durability tests. The proposed solution for the reuse of recyclate can be considered successful both in terms of production technology and the properties of the fibre cement boards achieved.

Utilization of coconut fiber waste as a filling material for list profile

Abstract List profile is a mineral board product that is increasingly in demand by the wider public. One of the advantages of list profiles is that they are cheap, quick to obtain, resistant to attacks by wood-destroying organisms, and can be obtained in the form of attractive ornaments. From an economic perspective, list profile with rofing filler is more expensive. Coconut fiber can be used as a type of filler that has the same strength at a low price. This research aims to determine the type and level of gypsum adhesive, white cement, and their mixtures on the properties of the coconut fiber list profile. The research design used a completely randomized design with Tukey’s follow-up test. The factors used were the type of adhesive (gypsum, white cement, and a mixture of gypsum with white cement), and the amount of adhesive (600 g, 690 g, and 780 g). The parameters observed were water content, density, thickness expansion, and fracture toughness. The research results showed that the type of adhesive had a significant effect on water content and thickness development, the amount of adhesive had a significant effect on density and the adhesive type had a significant effect on water content, while the amount of adhesive had a significant effect on density and thickness development. The average value of water content is 15.90 - 18.85 %, density 0.67 - 0.92 g/cm3, thickness expansion 0.37 - 2.54 % and strength at fracture 3.88 - 35.90 kg/cm2.

Non-food use of solid residues from the dairy industry as a binder in dryformed fiberboard technolog

Non-food use of solid residues from the dairy industry as a binder in dry-formed fiberboard technology. The research investigated the possibility of using solid residues from the dairy industry as a binder in dry-formed fiberboard technology. The scope of work included the production of boards with a mass content of milk powder of 0%, 10%, 12%, 15%, and 20% (concerning the totally dry mass of wood fibers) and studying their selected physical and mechanical properties. The results show that the properties of the produced boards are related to the mass amount of the binder, and that is, using the right amount of binder makes it possible to obtain values that meet the requirements of the relevant European standards.

Understanding the potential of bamboo fibers in the USA: A comprehensive techno‐economic comparison of bamboo fiber production through mechanical and chemical processes

AbstractThe growing interest in bamboo fibers for pulp, paper, and board production in the USA necessitates a comprehensive financial viability assessment. This study conducts a detailed technoeconomic analysis (TEA) of bamboo fiber production, primarily for the consumer hygiene tissue market although it is also applicable to other industrial uses. The economic viability of two pulping methods – alkaline peroxide mechanical pulping (APMP) and ammonium bisulfite chemical pulping (ABS) – was explored within three different pulp mill settings to supply pulp to two nonintegrated tissue and towel mills in South Carolina, USA. The target was to produce wet lap bamboo bleached pulp at 50% consistency and 70% ISO brightness. Despite higher initial capital invesment and operating costs, ABS achieved a lower minimum required selling price – USD 544 to 686 per bone dry metric ton (BDt = 1000 BDkg) – in comparison with USD 766 to 899 BDt−1 for APMP. This price advantage is partly due to an additional revenue stream (lignosulfonate byproduct), which not only boosts revenue but also circumvents the need for expensive chemical recovery systems. When compared with traditional kraft pulping, both methods require significantly lower capital investments, with minimum required selling prices (estimated to achieve 16% IRR) below current market rates for extensively used bleached kraft pulps in the USA tissue industry. The economic benefits derive from several factors: the low cost of bamboo as raw material, reduced capital needs for new pulping technologies, lower transportation costs from the pulp mill to tissue and towel manufacturing facilities, and the high market price of bleached kraft pulp.

Assessment of the Furniture Board Ecological Footprint: Case Study of a Woodworking Enterprise in the Carpathian Region of Ukraine

Understanding a product's ecological footprint has become incredibly important, as its assessment supports efforts to promote sustainable practices. However, there is limited knowledge about the specific environmental impacts of woodworking enterprises and their products. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the ecological footprint of a typical product from a woodworking enterprise in the Carpathian Economic Region of Ukraine. A middle-sized wood-processing enterprise was used as a case study. To achieve this objective, the study quantified the land area directly involved in producing 1 m3 of furniture board. Also, the concept of a "virtual area" of land, essential for CO2 absorption resulting from the transportation of raw materials for the production of 1 m³ of furniture board, was applied. Then the methodological approach to determine the "virtual area" of land necessary for the absorption of CO2 generated during the production of electricity which is spent on the operation of the main technological equipment and electricity consumption to produce 1 m3 of furniture panel is considered. The overall ecological footprint of producing 1 m3 of furniture board at the studied woodworking company is estimated as equivalent to 0.492 ha of forested area, from which only 3% of area is represented by direct land use - area used to produce wood for furniture board production.

Biomass waste-assisted micro(nano)plastics capture, utilization, and storage for sustainable water remediation

Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) have become a significant environmental concern due to their widespread presence in the biosphere and potential harm to ecosystems and human health. Here, we propose for the first time a MNPs capture, utilization, and storage (PCUS) concept to achieve MNPs remediation from water while meeting economically productive upcycling and environmentally sustainable plastic waste management. A highly efficient capturing material derived from surface-modified woody biomass waste (M-Basswood) is developed to remove a broad spectrum of multidimensional and compositional MNPs from water. The M-Basswood delivered a high and stable capture efficiency of >99.1% at different pH or salinity levels. This exceptional capture performance is driven by multiscale interactions between M-Basswood and MNPs, involving physical trapping, strong electrostatic attractions, and triggered MNPs cluster-like aggregation sedimentation. Additionally, the invivo biodistribution of MNPs shows low ingestion and accumulation of MNPs in the mice organs. After MNPs remediation from water, the M-Basswood, together with captured MNPs, is further processed into a high-performance composite board product where MNPs serve as the glue for utilization and storage. Furthermore, the life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) results demonstrate the environmental friendliness and economic viability of our proposed full-chain PCUS strategy, promising to drive positive change in plastic pollution and foster a circular economy.

The Power Board of the KM3NeT Digital Optical Module: Design, Upgrade, and Production

The KM3NeT Collaboration is building an underwater neutrino observatory at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, consisting of two neutrino telescopes, both composed of a three-dimensional array of light detectors, known as digital optical modules. Each digital optical module contains a set of 31 three-inch photomultiplier tubes distributed over the surface of a 0.44 m diameter pressure-resistant glass sphere. The module also includes calibration instruments and electronics for power, readout, and data acquisition. The power board was developed to supply power to all the elements of the digital optical module. The design of the power board began in 2013, and ten prototypes were produced and tested. After an exhaustive validation process in various laboratories within the KM3NeT Collaboration, a mass production batch began, resulting in the construction of over 1200 power boards so far. These boards were integrated in the digital optical modules that have already been produced and deployed, which total 828 as of October 2023. In 2017, an upgrade of the power board, to increase reliability and efficiency, was initiated. The validation of a pre-production series has been completed, and a production batch of 800 upgraded boards is currently underway. This paper describes the design, architecture, upgrade, validation, and production of the power board, including the reliability studies and tests conducted to ensure safe operation at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea throughout the observatory’s lifespan.

Sustainable utilization of sugarcane bagasse for wood-based panels: A promising approach for waste management in Egypt

One method to sustainable development is to reduce waste generation and recycle it in a way that contributes to the economic, social, and environmental goals of sustainable development. The study focuses on particle board production from Sugar Cane Bagasse (SCB). Various fiber-matrix combinations were used to create composites using SCB and epoxy resin matrix. Mechanical testing and water absorbance tests were employed to assess the effects of the epoxy content (0–25 wt%). The outcomes demonstrated that the optimal tensile strength of bio composites was attained by the 25 wt% of epoxy with SCB (18.49 Mpa). The water resistance duration property was improved in this study to reach 120 hours by mixing SCB with 25% epoxy. The results show that sugarcane bagasse-epoxy composites demonstrated acceptable mechanical and multifunctional properties. This portrays the effectiveness of Sugarcane bagasse and it a potential competitor to wood-based structural panels. The study uses the open LCA program to conduct a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of binder-less particleboard from sugarcane waste manufacturing. Additionally, the study provided an overview of the cost estimation involved in utilizing bagasse as a substitute for MDF particle boards. Furthermore, the influence of pressing temperature on the properties of the particle boards is investigated.

Development of bentonite-based organo-geopolymer hybrid wood binder

The study addresses concerns associated with formaldehyde-based adhesives in wood panel board production by proposing geopolymer-based wood binders as promising, formaldehyde-free alternatives. Using bentonite, the research delves into the development and performance properties of this geopolymer wood binder. The BET method was employed for the surface characterization of precursor raw materials for binder preparation. Si and Al elements identified through XRF analysis were correlated with characteristic bands in the FTIR spectrum. Alkaline activation solutions, employing sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide with a molar ratio range of 0.5 to 2.5 (SiO2:Na2O), revealed that binders with a molar ratio of 2.5 exhibited lower pH and higher adhesion strength. Different geopolymer formulations at solution to powder ratios (s/p) of 1.33, 3, and 3.5 determined s/p 3.5 as optimal for bentonite-based organo-geopolymer binders. Viscosity, gel time, pH, and solids content were examined, showing the effectiveness of substituting 10% silica fume to enhance the geopolymerization process and improve adhesion. Modifications using citric acid, sucrose, paraffin, pMDI, triacetin, and resorcinol demonstrated wet bonding strength comparable to urea formaldehyde adhesive. Analytical techniques, including FTIR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, and SEM EDX analysis, provided insights into functional groups, crystallographic properties, and microstructural characteristics. The concentration of Si and Al compounds on the bonding line, coupled with Na element diffusion, was observed through these analyses. Light microscopy of lap shear samples revealed a thinner bonding line, affirming effective binder penetration into wood cell lumens in bentonite-based organo-geopolymer binder formulations.

Comparison of the Economic and Environmental Sustainability for Different Peatland Strategies

Previous studies of the literature show that there are great uncertainties regarding costs and gains for peatland restoration strategies and that the monetary estimation of peatland restoration and possible alternatives can be complicated. The research aims to compare the economic costs and benefits of existing peatland restoration strategies and alternative use of peat and peatlands. A core method for the evaluation of the economic aspects of each strategy used is the composite index method. Information for constructing the composite index is based on data from the scientific literature, reports, and local project studies. In the study, peatland strategies, peat extraction, and alternative use in products were mutually compared with existing strategies. The highest composite index among strategies was for the production of insulation boards and cultivation of paludicultures using cattail or sphagnum farming. Cultivation of paludicultures can be an economically viable strategy if costs and gains are evaluated. Cultivation of cattail or sphagnum can make economic gains for landowners and farmers, and solutions for the reduction in necessary initial investments should be sought. Harvested biomass can be used for high-added-value products, in this case, insulation boards from cattail (Typha). Therefore, peat biomass can be used as an economically valuable resource, and raw material for insulation board production is obtained without the extraction of peat. Also, ecosystem services and potential income are not reduced.

Universal test system for boards hosting bPOL12V DC-DC converters

The ECAL Barrel and MTD Barrel Timing Layer subdetectors of CMS are approaching series production of electronic boards, including voltage conditioning PCBs: LVRs and PCCs respectively. 2448 LVRs and 864 PCCs will be installed during LS3 of the LHC. These boards are hosting radiation-tolerant bPOL12V ASICs which convert a broad input voltage range into required voltage levels for microelectronics between 1.2–2.5 V. Each card must be tested multiple times at various production stages to ensure its conformity. This contribution describes a methodology of testing bPOL12V conversion quality including the detection of instability regions at certain load levels.

Utilizing Alkali Pre- Treated Banana Waste in Sustainable Particleboard Manufacturing

Banana (Musa acuminata) cultivation and trade are widespread across various regions and countries globally. Nonetheless, substantial quantities of waste, primarily comprising leaves and stems of the banana plant, are annually disposed of into the environment post-harvest. This study aims to highlight this issue and propose an alternative solution in response to the escalating demand for raw materials. To this end, alkaline pretreatment was administered to particles derived from banana waste leaves and stems using NaOH solutions at concentrations of 1%, 3%, and 5%, followed by board production. Results indicate that water absorption (WA) and thickness swelling (TS) values of the produced boards increased with alkaline treatment. However, the mechanical properties stipulated in the TS-EN 312 (2012) standard were satisfactorily achieved with 1% NaOH treatment, while higher concentrations adversely affected internal bond strength (IB), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and modulus of rupture (MOR). In the surface properties tests of the boards, increasing the alkali concentration decreased values of the surface roughness and the contact angle. Overall, the findings suggest the viability of utilizing banana waste as an alternative resource.