Clear Glass Research Articles

Application of Value Engineering (VE) In the CAWANG UKI Corridor Transjakarta Bus Stop Development and Revitalization Project

In the planning process for the construction and revitalization project of Transjakarta bus stops, cost management techniques are needed which aim to streamline unnecessary costs so that costs can be saved for the project without reducing quality and function. In implementing Value Engineering (VE), 7 stages are carried out including the information stage, function analysis stage, creative stage, evaluation stage, development stage, presentation stage and recommendation stage. In the Pareto analysis, we get specific work items, including 6 work items, namely Steel Beam + Gording and Roof, Steel Beam Column, Steel Ring Balk, 1st Floor Acp Nano Lisplank, Clear Glass Wall T=12Mm Mulion Frame, Automatic Sliding Door (Psd) from the Owner's request for work items that can be carried out by Value Engineering (VE) is Automatic Sliding Door (Psd). It is known that at the creative stage, from the original work item, namely Automatic Sliding Door (Psd) with the brand DC40v 97.5W Brushed Dunkenmotoren, several alternative work items were recommended, including Alternative 1 - DC24v 50W Brushless Motor and Alternative 2 - Dekkson Asd-D120b L4.2m. Based on the Value Engineering (VE) results, the 2 best alternatives were obtained, namely Automatic Sliding Door (Psd) with the Dekkson Asd-D120b L4.2m brand. From the acquisition cost of work items which originally had a value of IDR 1,673,942,077.37 after Value Engineering (VE) was carried out to IDR 1,478,157,477.68 with a saving cost of 11.70% of the Work Items for Building Frames, Doors and Windows & Railing Areas Utama Bus Stop (Level 3) while the original value was IDR 1,896,908,742 after Value Engineering (VE) was carried out to IDR 1,709,798,742 with a saving cost of 1.22% of the Total Project Value.

Comparação de métodos para determinação do fator solar de vidros

Abstract Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) is a thermal property of glass and transparent elements, defined as the ratio between the amount of solar energy that passes through the glass and the amount of solar energy that reaches it. SHGC can be determined using mathematical models, computer simulations, or field and laboratory measurements. This paper compares the methods for obtaining the SHGC, which include laboratory measurements using a portable calorimeter, computer simulation using the WINDOW software and calculated according to ISO 9050 standard. Two solar control glasses and one clear glass, used as a reference, were selected. The SHGCs obtained using laboratory measurements were lower than those obtained using the other methods due to the solar simulator and equipment limitations. Despite this, there was a good approximation of the behaviour of the glasses regarding the increase in air velocity. The heat transfer coefficient on the exterior surface was fixed, so the SHGC obtained for each glass based on ISO 9050 remains the same, regardless of the air velocity. The SHGC results based on ISO 9050 were similar to those measured by means of a portable calorimeter under conditions of higher air velocities.

Monitoring the Shelf Life of Hemp Seed Oil Stored at Two Temperatures in Different Materials via Near-Infrared (NIR) Spectroscopy.

Hempseed oil (HSO) is extremely rich in unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic (18:2 n-6) and α-linolenic (18:3 n-3) acids, which determine its high sensitivity to oxidative and photo-oxidative degradations that can lead to rancidity despite the presence of antioxidant compounds. The aim of this work was to evaluate which material/temperature/light solutions better preserve HSO quality during its shelf life and to test NIR as a rapid, non-destructive technique for monitoring oxidation phenomena. Futura 75 hemp seeds were cold-pressed; the oil was packed into 20 mL vials of four different materials (polypropylene, clear glass, amber glass, and amber glass coated with aluminum foil) and stored for 270 days at 25 °C under diffused light and at 10 °C in dark conditions., Peroxides and conjugated dienes and trienes were evaluated at intervals to monitor oil stability. Moreover, NIR spectra were measured in transmission, and the sample dataset was analyzed using ASCA to test the significance of the experimental factors: the model showed the significance of all factors and of all the simple interactions. Our results demonstrate that oil stored in amber glass vials with aluminum foils at refrigerated temperatures receive the highest protection from environmental conditions, mitigating oxidative changes, and that the NIR technique could be used to rapidly monitor HSO oxidation parameters.

Detection of ammonia in aquaculture wastewater using mango leaf extract-immobilized paper sensors and smartphone colorimetric analysis

This study uses smartphones to introduce a simple, sustainable, eco-friendly colorimetric method for rapid ammonia detection in aquaculture wastewater. The device comprises a paper sensor immobilized with a natural indicator and a sample container. An acidic extract from mango leaf was prepared under optimal conditions: water with a pH of 5.0, a mango leaf powder to solvent ratio of 1:20, and extraction at 80 °C for 10 min. This extract was used to prepare paper sensors by immersing pre-cut Whatman filter papers (No. 1) into the solution. A 20 mL clear glass bottle with a black screw cap served as the sample container. The bottle was filled with an ammonium solution and NaOH. Heating this mixture released ammonia gas. A paper sensor was placed on top of the bottle, which changed color when exposed to the gas. A smartphone, positioned 8 cm above, captured images of the sensor after the color change. These images were then analyzed to determine the ammonia concentration in the samples. The optimal conditions for ammonia detection were determined to be a 10:5 ratio of ammonium to 0.50 M NaOH, a temperature of 60 °C, a 10 min sensor response time, and 1 g of sprayed water on the sensor surface. Under these conditions, the LOD was 0.50 mg L−1, with an LDR of 1.70–10.00 mg L−1. The sensor remained stable for up to 45 days. This method has proven to be highly effective in testing aquaculture wastewater samples, achieving recovery rates of 91 % to 101 %.

Encapsulation of ɣ-Aminobutyric Acid Compounds Extracted from Germinated Brown Rice by Freeze-Drying Technique.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) from plants has several bioactivities, such as neurotransmission, anti-cancer cell proliferation, and blood pressure control. Its bioactivities vary when exposed to pH, heat, and ultraviolet. This study analyzed the protective effect of the GABA encapsulation technique using gum arabic (GA) and maltodextrin (MD) and the freeze-drying method. The impact of different ratios of the wall material GA and MD on morphology, GABA content, antioxidant activity, encapsulation efficiency, process yield, and physical properties were analyzed. Results showed that the structure of encapsulated GABA powder was similar to broken glass pieces of various sizes and irregular shapes. The highest GABA content and encapsulation efficiency were, respectively, 90.77 mg/g and 84.36% when using the wall material GA:MD ratio of 2:2. The encapsulated powder's antioxidant activity was 1.09-1.80 g of encapsulation powder for each formula, which showed no significant difference. GA and MD as the wall material in a 2:2 (w/w) ratio showed the lowest bulk density. The high amount of MD showed the highest Hausner ratio (HR), and Carr's index (CI) showed high encapsulation efficiency and process yield. The stability of encapsulated GABA powder can be kept in clear glass with a screw cap at 35 °C for 42 days compared to the non-encapsulated one, which can be preserved for only 18 days under the same condition. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the freeze-drying process for GABA encapsulation preserved GABA component extracts from brown rice while increasing its potential beneficial properties. Using a wall material GA:MD ratio of 2:2 resulted in the maximum GABA content, solubility, and encapsulation efficiency while having the lowest bulk density.

Plastic wine glass mimic improves the perception of quality and aroma of white wines

The impact of surrounding stimuli to the perceptions of foods and beverages is a well-established phenomenon known as psychophysics. Within the context of wines, psychophysics impacts have been demonstrated, with high-end wine glasses impacting sensory perceptions of the contained wines. However, with the commoditisation of white wines, there is a growing consumer base utilizing budget options for receptacles, which have unknown psychophysics impacts to the perceptions of wines. Accordingly, the work herein involved sensory assessment of 3 unlabelled white wines within 2 receptacles; a clear plastic wine glass mimic (‘glass’) and a red plastic beer cup (‘cup’). The results identified that perception of wines within the ‘glass’ was associated with a 1.20-fold increase in assigned wine value (AU$), and increased the perceived strength of floral and fruity aromas: apricot (p = 0.002), cotton candy (p = 0.084), honeysuckle (p = 0.080), lime (p = 0.073), peach (p = 0.084), stone fruit (p = 0.073), and wildflower (p = 0.080). The increased perception of desirable aromas and assigned value appear to be driven by psychophysics phenomena, potentially relating to receptacle shape, weight, style, and tactile experience, which function to prime consumer perceptions.

Preparation and structure of titanium‐containing pyrophosphate glasses prepared using the liquid‐phase method

AbstractPhosphate invert glasses (PIGs) exhibit excellent biocompatibility because of their high chemical durability and controlled ion releasability. PIGs are composed of short phosphate units such as ortho‐ and pyrophosphate. This structure makes it difficult to obtain clear glass using the melt‐quenching method. Our previous work reported that intermediate oxides (such as TiO2 and Nb2O5)‐containing PIGs exhibit good glass‐forming ability and ion dissolution controllability. This work used a liquid‐phase method to prepare PIGs at room temperature and pressure. Furthermore, TiO2 was used to control ion releasability for biomedical applications. Titanium‐containing PIGs were successfully prepared using a liquid‐phase method. Pyrophosphate and titania formed P‐O‐Ti bonds with an increasing TiO2 content in the glass, forming chain‐like structural units such as (‐O‐P‐O‐P‐O‐Ti‐O‐)n. The number of chain‐like structures increased with an increasing TiO2 content in the glass, improving the chemical durability. Hence, the ion releasability of titanium‐containing PIGs prepared using the liquid‐phase method can be controlled by the glass structure. Additionally, the PIGs exhibited good cell viability. Therefore, the PIGs are candidates for carriers of therapeutic inorganic ions for biomedical applications.

Quality assessment of common anti-malarial medicines marketed in Gambella, National Regional State, South Western-Ethiopia

BackgroundOver the past years, there has been a growing concern that a considerable amount of anti-malarial supply in the underdeveloped world particularly in the private sector, is of poor quality. The World Health Organization (WHO) has received about 1500 reports that mentions instances of substandard and falsified products since 2013. The majority of the reports concerned antibiotics and anti-malarials. The majority of reports (42%) originate from the WHO African region.ObjectiveThis study intends to assess the quality of the most widely used anti-malarial medications [artemether-lumefantrine tablets, chloroquine phosphate tablets, primaquine phosphate tablets, artesunate, and artemether injections] in Gambella, South-West, Ethiopia.MethodsA total of 52 samples were collected on June 2022 from Gambella National Regional State, Ethiopia. Half of the districts (six) located in the four zones of the region were chosen using simple random sampling technique. All drug retail outlets available in the selected districts (locally known as woredas) were included. The samples were subjected to visual inspection with a tool adopted from the joint WHO/FIP/ USP checklist. The pharmacopeial tests for identification, uniformity of dosage forms, assay, thickness, diameter, hardness, friability, disintegration test, dissolution, and sterility tests were carried out according to the USP 44-NF 39 and International Pharmacopoeia 11th edition, 2022 monographs.Results and DiscussionOnly 25% of the samples were registered on the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA’s) electronic regulatory/ registration system (ERIS). Besides, 88.8% of artemether injection products were presented in clear glass ampoules. This might expose the products to photochemical degradation that leads to in loss of anti-plasmodial activity. In addition, 50% of the artemether products assessed were not bioequivalent with the comparator product in the in vitro dissolution comparison tests. Overall, the study findings reveal a high prevalence (58.3%) of substandard anti-malarial drugs in the region. The stated percent of the samples had failed in one or more of the quality test parameters assessed in this study.ConclusionThe study findings reveal a high prevalence (58.3%) of substandard anti-malarial drugs in the region. Only a quarter were registered and 38% of the unregistered products failed the quality tests. Hence, the national, regional medicine regulatory bodies and other stake holders should perform the required roles to circumvent presence of Substandard and Falsified (SF) anti-malarial drugs in the study sites.

Utilization of Crushed Waste Glass as a Partial Replacement for Sand in Cement Mortar for a Sustainable Environment

The disposal of non-biodegradable waste glass poses a serious environmental threat as it can cause soil, water, and air pollution when not properly discarded in landfills. The use of glass in construction has shown promising results in enhancing various properties of concrete and improving overall sustainability. This study investigated the mechanical properties of mixed colored glass, comprising green and brown hues, and clear glass in mortar, to explore the feasibility of using colored glass as a replacement for sand and to determine how the addition of color affects the mechanical properties of mortar. The incorporation of waste glass as a partial replacement for sand resulted in a 2.7% increase in flow table values when 5% of Mixed Colored Glass Sand (MCGS) was utilized in place of sand, as compared to the control mix (CM). Conversely, a 5.4% and 4.7% decrease in flow table values were observed when 15% of clear glass (CGS) and MCGS were used as a substitute for sand respectively. When 15% of MCGS and CGS were replaced with sand, compressive strength increased by 60% and 42.6% respectively, compared to the control mix, when 5% MCGS, 10% MCGS, 5 CGS, and 10% CGS were observed. After 28 days of curing, a 10.6% and 10% increase in strength was observed when 10% of MCGS and CGS were replaced. At 7 days, a 3.3% increase in flexural strength was found when 5% of MCGS was replaced with sand was observed. The fire resistance test showed reduced mass and compressive strength of specimens at different temperatures. No significant expansion of ASR was recorded throughout the test period. The use of waste glass as a substitute for sand has shown improvements in environmental sustainability and economics. When 10%WGS and 15%WGS were utilized, 20% and 30% of waste glass sand was replaced with sand, respectively. Incorporating waste glass into construction enhances the mechanical properties of concrete and promotes the conservation of natural resources and environmental sustainability. This study examined the economic advantages of replacing sand with waste glass and found that CM has the highest cost of 90.64 Tl. At replacement of 5%, 10%, and 15% MCGS showed 1.07%, 1.96%, and 2.95% savings compared to the control mix, respectively. Moreover, replacing 5%, and 10% of natural sand with clear glass sand could bring about savings of 1.91%%, and 3.63%, respectively. Replacing 15% CGS showed the highest savings of 5.45% compared to the control mix. The study compared the use of colored and clear glass as a partial replacement for sand and found that there were slight differences in the results, but overall they were similar.

Oh Infectious Diseases 2, and: Since There Is Nothing New Under the Sky, and: The Person Sitting in the Front, and: Rising Every Day Like Clear Glass

Abstract: “Oh Infectious Diseases 2”: A poem on the end of death. “Since There is Nothing New Under the Sky”: A poem on the possibility of language’s originality. “The Person Sitting in the Front”: A poem on the travel of death. “Rising Every Day like Clear Glass”: A poem on special encounters.

Design and modeling of PV-integrated Double Skin Facades and application to retrofit buildings

Double Skin Façade (DSF) system comprises two glazing layers with a ventilated cavity. Integrating photovoltaic (PV) modules within the outer layer of DSFs offers an efficient method for electricity generation. Current tools for modeling and analyzing DSF systems are complex and resource-intensive, lacking the capability to evaluate the performance of innovative PV-DSF systems during the early design stage. This study develops a mathematical model to evaluate the electrical and thermal performance of PV-DSF systems, considering architectural design elements such as PV color and relative orientation. Based on an energy balance approach, the model is particularly suited for designing PV-DSF systems in heritage buildings, which often have color and relative orientation constraints. The model is applied to assess the performance of PV-DSF systems with conventional clear glass PV and colored front glass PV modules under the climatic conditions of Montreal, Canada. Results indicated that conventional clear glass PV module exhibit higher PV cell temperature than colored PV modules due to greater transmissivity, with peak temperature differences at noon of 5.5 °C, 6.2 °C, and 6.5 °C for orange, blue, and gray PV modules, respectively. On the contrary, the influence of PV's color front glass on room air temperature is non-significant. Furthermore, the optimal orientation for maximum energy yield is not always south-facing; it depends on the hourly distribution of the beam, diffuse solar irradiation, and ambient air temperature. For Montreal, west-facing DSFs produce more electrical and thermal energy on a summer design day because the hourly distribution of beam radiation is skewed towards afternoon hours.

ANALYSIS OF THERMAL TRANSFER VALUES IN TEACHING CLASSROOMS

Erratic weather, such as intense heat followed by heavy rain, is causing air pollution in the sky of Jakarta. According to the SNI 03-6389-2011, which deals with energy conservation in building envelopes, the overall thermal transfer value (OTTV) for walls should not exceed 35 W/m2. This study aims to analyze OTTV in Class T and Class S. Class S uses clear glass, while Class T has a shading device in the form of a sunglass sticker. The method used involves calculating the total outer wall area, glass area, window-to-wall ratio (WWR), solar factor value, and then obtaining the OTTV. The results of the study show that the WWR value for Class T was 0.5, while for Class S it was 0.4. The OTTV value in Class T is 58.74 W/m2, whereas the OTTV in Class S is 70.64 W/m2. Despite both classrooms not meeting the SNI requirements, the classrooms using shading devices have OTTV values closer to the SNI standard.

The color systematics of volcanic ashfall samples in estimating eruption sequences: a case study of the 2017–2018 eruption at Shinmoe-dake, Kirishima volcano, Southwest Japan

The color of pyroclasts is fundamental, because it reflects various magma properties and eruption processes, including particle morphology, chemistry, and petrological characteristics. However, deriving the componentry ratio (CR) of pyroclasts for ongoing eruption monitoring remains challenging due to the lack of a robust quantitative standard. The derivation of the CR, as well as other petrological analyses, is too laborious and time-consuming to introduce as a sustainable monitoring method. To address this, we employed spectroscopic colorimetry to rapidly and quantitatively describe eruptive product colors, enabling CR derivation based on clear, objective standards for ash particle classification. Through color spectroscopy of bulk and sieved ash samples, we analyzed the major size fraction for time-series samples during the waxing stage of the 2017–2018 Shinmoe-dake eruption in Kirishima volcano, Southwest Japan. Our findings reveal that the color changes in bulk ash systematically changed with the evolution of componentry. This temporal color change was due to an increase in the amount of vesicular particles with clear glass against dark angular lava particles, as well as a grain size change, which we interpret as an indication of a transition from phreatic/phreatomagmatic to magmatic eruption. Subsequently, the color of the ash changed when the amount of different lava particles increased gradually, coinciding with a shift toward a more dominant effusion of lava. As the lava effusion continued, a slight reddening of the ash, indiscernible to the naked eye, was clearly detected by the spectrometer before the onset of intermittent Vulcanian eruptions. We interpreted this reddening as oxidation resulting from decreased ascent speed and caprock formation, which accumulates overpressure for Vulcanian explosions. These results highlight the potential of rapid, objective color value and componentry derivation for sustainable quasi-real-time monitoring of ongoing eruption materials.Graphical

Research on the virtual design and implementation of colored glass for BIPV

In this study, we proposed a design and implementation method to display various high-saturation colors of Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) modules. The color reproduction results were compared and analyzed through simulations, using two methods, physical thickness and reflectance spectrum to reproduce RGB colors of Fraunhofer ISE’s (Germany) color BIPV module, a leading research institute. To achieve colored glass, a single-layer structure of Nb2O5 was simulated on the glass and deposited by the PVD sputtering method. Through this approach, we successfully produced an array of clear color glass. We performed simulations to attain RGB colors through a multi-layer structure model. We investigated the effects of key factors such as material, thickness, and the number of layers (SiO2, Si3N4, Nb2O5, TiO2) on reflectance and color attainment. Finally, assuming a color module deposited with a triple-layer structure of Nb2O5/SiO2/Nb2O5 was installed in a real building, the expected annual power generation was simulated and compared with the normal BIPV module.

Association Rule Mining To Enhance Sata Bottle Sales

Sales of sata bottles are growing and increasing, However, the results of these sales transactions have not been maximally utilized by shop owners. In fact, by using data mining techniques, the collection of data can generate new information. Association rule mining can find interaction patterns between one or more items in a very large data set. This algorithm is widely used in transaction data for purchasing product items at the same time by customers. research objectives to improve sales strategy, by collecting sales patterns that help related parties make sales strategy decisions, recommend products to customers, and maintain product availability. The research method using apriori algorithm data mining system that aims to determine consumer purchasing patterns. The association rule obtained results in 1 product that is often purchased simultaneously, namely Buy Rabbit Bottle, 420ml Clear Bottle, Buy Rabbit Bottle, Glass Straw, and Buy Rabbit Bottle, Nice Glass with a support value of 10% and a confidence of 80% in three frequent itemset and Rabbit Bottle, 420ml Clear Bottle, Rabbit Bottle, Glass Straw, and Nice Glass, 420ml Clear Bottle with a support value of 15% and a confidence of 83% in two frequent itemset.

Design, fabrication, and physical properties analysis of laminated Low-E coated glass for retrofit window solutions

The ever-growing demand for improved energy efficiency in buildings has stimulated a stream of research focused on innovative retrofit energy solutions. Laminated low emissivity (Low-E) type coated glass components can be used in retrofitting window systems for enhancing energy savings provided by the insulating properties of glass laminates containing these heat-mirror-type coatings. In particular, custom-designed double-silver low-E coatings embedded into the laminate structure (directly facing the polymer interlayers during and after the lamination) are of interest due to being protected from environmental exposure, enabling easy component transportation, storage, and window retrofits. In this study, we provide some details on the design of several reflector-type solar control low-E coatings of high environmental stability and demonstrate the feasibility of their fabrication on 3 mm thick glass substrates, followed by the lamination. We describe the optical properties of laminated structural glass components of potential usefulness for retrofitting window applications in new and existing buildings. Several thin-film coatings of a low-E type are deposited by using the RF magnetron sputtering technique and then subjected to lamination by using transparent epoxy and PVB materials, to be protected by a clear glass cover layer. The optical performance characteristics of these coatings (measured before and after lamination) elucidate the effects these lamination materials and cover glass thickness have on the final optical properties (leading to a slight reduction in the optical transmission in the visible spectral range, by around 8–10 % while retaining low thermal emissivity across the infrared spectral range). The outcomes of this research, if industrialized could contribute significantly to the development of sustainable building components and practices, and to acheiving a reduction in building energy consumption by way of enabling window retrofit operations at potentially reduced costs.

A sustainable utilization approach of waste biomass resources to smart materials for buildings

Resource utilization of solid waste promotes resource conservation, energy transformation and sustainable development. In this study, we developed a synthetic strategy for converting biomass waste, such as waste bamboo powder, into a smart material with thermochromic properties - hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC). The synthesis process includes extraction of cellulose and modification with hydroxypropyl groups. The maximum extraction efficiency of cellulose from raw bamboo powder was up to 48 % by carefully adjusting the reaction conditions including NaOH concentration, reaction time, and treatment temperature. The maximum yield of modification process was achieved to 1.32 g/g by optimizing alkalization temperature, alkalization time, NaOH concentration, propylene oxide concentration, etherification temperature and etherification time. The samples were characterized by a variety of techniques such as FTIR, 1H NMR, XRD, SEM to validate the micro-structure of the extracted cellulose the HPC materials. Moreover, this study explored the potential application of HPC hydrogel in smart window application, and evaluated its building energy saving efficiency under different climate conditions through computational simulation. The corresponding results showed that the HPC hydrogel smart window could have significant energy saving potential compared to ordinary clear glass window. This novel approach of converting waste resources into high valued thermochromic materials for smart windows, not only reduces waste disposal demand for excessive land-use and energy consumption but also shows a positively contributes to sustainable development, environmental protection, as well as energy conservation.

Cosolvent-free sol–gel synthesis of macroporous silica gels from tetramethoxysilane–tetraethoxysilane mixtures

Tetramethoxysilane (TMOS), tetraethoxysilane (TEOS), and their mixtures were used for the cosolvent-free synthesis of macroporous silica gels as precursors for monolithic silica glasses. The liquid-state 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of precursor solutions indicated that cross-transesterification between TMOS and TEOS was completed in a few hours at 20 °C in the presence of an acid catalyst, whereas it was negligible when the catalyst was absent. In the precursor solutions prepared from TMOS, phase separation occurred after gelation, resulting in translucent gels. In contrast, in the solutions prepared from TEOS or a mixture of TMOS and TEOS at a TMOS mole fraction of 0.8, the phase separation can be induced before gelation, and opaque xerogels were easily obtained without fracture. The average size of macroscopic particles and macroporous structures were uniform over opaque xerogels prepared from TEOS. In contrast, in opaque xerogels prepared from the TMOS-rich mixture of TMOS and TEOS, the average particle size and macroscopic porosity inside them were notably smaller than those of the subsurface, probably because of a large exotherm upon gelation and the resulting temperature gradient in the gelling solutions. Such spatial morphology distribution made the sintering of the opaque gels into clear silica glasses difficult. Opaque gels prepared from TEOS and translucent gels prepared from solutions containing TMOS were transformed to clear silica glasses in high yields of ~99% by sintering in a helium atmosphere at 1050–1350 °C.Graphical abstractPhotographs of xerogels prepared from (left) TEOS or (right) a mixture of TMOS and TEOS with a TMOS molar fraction of 0.8, their SEM images taken at the inside (central) and subsurface (edge) parts, and silica glasses derived from these xerogels. The former xerogel was sintered into a clear glass because of the high uniformity of average particle size and macroscopic porosity, whereas the spatial unevenness of macroscopic morphology made the sintering of the latter one difficult.

The effect of islamic ornament as secondary skin on daylight quality

Abstract Islamic ornaments are used extensively in different types of buildings, serving both aesthetic and functional purposes. They are used in mosques, offices and other buildings, serving as both interior and exterior elements. One application is their use as secondary skins to cover window openings. This research investigates the effect of Islamic ornaments as secondary skins on interior lighting. The main question addressed is how Islamic ornaments affect the quality of natural lighting. Using computer simulations, scenarios with clear glass and varying ornament distance from the window were assessed under clear sky conditions at different times of the day. The results show that the presence of Islamic ornaments significantly reduces the average daylighting level on interior surfaces compared to scenarios without ornaments. Visual representations using ray diagrams and computer-generated images illustrate the effects of varying ornamental conditions. This research highlights the potential of Islamic ornaments to improve the quality of daylighting in architecture. The findings emphasise their role in optimising daylight indoors, and encourage careful consideration of the impact of spacing on window openings. In particular, the distribution of daylight varies between rooms orientated to the north and west.

Mechanical performance of cement mortar with clear glass waste powder as a partial sand replacement

Abstract This research addresses Malaysia’s glass waste predicament, primarily stemming from discarded glass bottles in the food and beverage sector. Typically consigned to landfills, these bottles not only occupy valuable space but also deplete essential resources like siliceous sand crucial for glass production. To combat this environmental issue, the study explores the viability of repurposing waste glass as a construction material. By processing the waste glass to match sand’s size distribution, it is incorporated into cement mortar. The investigation assesses the fresh and hardened properties of cement mortar, including density, flow spread diameter, and various strengths. Analysis of parameters, such as the cement/sand/water ratio, and the extent of glass waste replacement, reveals that 100 % replacement of sand with glass waste powder yields the highest strengths, notably in compressive, splitting tensile, and flexural tests. Maintaining a cement/sand/water ratio of 1:5:1.24 achieves a 7 MPa compressive strength at 28 days and a 200 mm spread diameter in the flow table test. The study concludes that increasing glass waste replacement enhances cement mortar strengths, providing a sustainable solution to Malaysia’s glass waste issue and enhancing construction materials like bricks and concrete products.