Consumption Of Non-renewable Resources Research Articles

Avaliação tecnológica de argamassa de revestimento produzida com vermiculita expandida

The construction industry is associated with a high consumption of non-renewable resources, such as sand, in addition to the energy demand involved in the construction processes and the use of buildings. In the search for new technologies for traditional building materials, cement mortars have been modified by replacing sand with lightweight aggregates, such as expanded vermiculite. The aim of the present study is, therefore, to analyze the flexural tensile strength of rendering mortars produced with a 1:1:6 mix ratio by volume, with 10% and 20% substitution of natural aggregate by expanded vermiculite, comparing them with a reference mixture. The experimental phase consisted of the characterization of aggregates, preparation of mortars, tests in the fresh state, and flexural tensile strength tests. Overall, the replacement of sand with expanded vermiculite increased the flexural tensile strength, enhanced the fresh-state bulk density, and reduced the consistency index. Known for contributing to improvements in thermal and acoustic insulation, reducing structural weight, among other effects, the use of vermiculite in mortars demonstrated potential based on the results, as it did not significantly impair the mechanical behavior of the mixtures.

Fabricating High Strength Bio-Based Dynamic Networks from Epoxidized Soybean Oil and Poly(Butylene Adipate-co-Terephthalate).

Amid the rapid development of modern society, the widespread use of plastic products has led to significant environmental issues, including the accumulation of non-degradable waste and extensive consumption of non-renewable resources. Developing healable, recyclable, bio-based materials from abundant renewable resources using diverse dynamic interactions attracts increasing global attention. However, achieving a good balance between the self-healing capacity and mechanical performance, such as strength and toughness, remains challenging. In our study, we address this challenge by developing a new type of dynamic network from epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) with good strength and toughness. For the synthetic strategy, a thiol-epoxy click reaction was conducted to functionalize ESO with thiol and hydroxyl groups. Subsequently, a curing reaction with isocyanates generated dynamic thiourethane and urethane bonds with different bonding energies in the dynamic networks to reach a trade-off between dynamic features and mechanical properties; amongst these, the thiourethane bonds with a lower bonding energy provide good dynamic features, while the urethane bonds with a higher bonding energy ensure good mechanical properties. The incorporation of flexible PBAT segments to form the rational multi-phase structure with crystalline domains further enhanced the products. A typical sample, OTSO100-PBAT100, exhibited a tensile strength of 33.2 MPa and an elongation at break of 1238%, demonstrating good healing capacity and desirable mechanical performance. This study provides a promising solution to contemporary environmental and energy challenges by developing materials that combine mechanical and repair properties. It addresses the specific gap of achieving a trade-off between tensile strength and elongation at break in bio-based self-healing materials, promising a wide range of applications.

Superior Activity of Carbon Felt Coated with PEDOT and Titanium Oxide Double Layers Towards V(II)/(VIII) Reaction in Redox Flow Batteries

Energy consumption has become a great problem in the last few decades due to the dramatic increment in population and solo dependence on fossil fuels to fulfill energy requirements. The intense consumption of these limited non-renewable resources had harmful effects on humanity, making the adoption of renewable energy resources compulsory. High-efficiency storage systems are necessary for the integration of renewable energy sources into the electrical grid and for the provision of that energy when needed. For this application, all-vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) hold great promise because of their high energy storage capacity, extended operational life, and long-life reusable solutions1. The enhancement of RFBs should be taken from many perspectives such as the enhancement of electrodes, membranes, or even the design of the cell. Enhancing the electrode performance is one of the important challenges that attracted the attention of researchers, with a variety of electrode modifications that have been studied such as using carbon, metals, and metal oxide materials2,3. Over a large number of metal oxides, TiO2 possesses interesting catalytic properties as it has been used in sensors, Li-ion batteries, and electrocatalysis, in addition to its ability to suppress the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) which was a stumbling block for the negative side of VRFBs4.The goals of this work are to suppress the parasitic reaction of hydrogen evolution and improve the kinetics of the VRFBs' negative half-cell reaction (V(II)/V(III)). To achieve this goal, coating carbon felt (CF) with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and Titanium Oxide double layers was proposed. The underlayer of PEDOT is expected to enhance the TiOx conductivity, and hence its electrocatalytic activity, but without enhancing the parasitic HER5. The PEDOT layer was formed using chronopotentiometric electropolymerization method, followed by the deposition of a TiOx layer using a solvothermal method. To understand the effect of the PEDOT and TiOx layers on the final electrode activity towards V(II)/V(III) redox reaction, several electrodes (CF\\PEDOT, CF\\G-PEDOT, CF\\TiOx CF\\PEDOT\\TiOx, and CF\\G-PEDOT\\TiOx) were fabricated. The physical and chemical properties of the synthesized electrodes were characterized using XRD, FESEM, EDX, UV-vis DRS, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, contact angle measurements, and XPS. The performance of the fabricated electrodes towards V(II)/V(III) redox reaction was evaluated in 3-electrode and 2-electrode setups, using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and charging/discharging methods. The addition of an underlayer of PEDOT is found to generally enhance the TiO2 activity as a negative electrode in VRFB. References R. K. Sankaralingam, S. Seshadri, J. Sunarso, A. I. Bhatt, and A. Kapoor, J. Energy Storage, 41, 102857 (2021).Z. Huang, A. Mu, L. Wu, and H. Wang, J. Energy Storage, 45, 103526 (2022).Y. Lv et al., J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 75, 96–109 (2021).J. Vázquez-Galván et al., ChemSusChem, 10, 2089–2098 (2017).M. Heydari Gharahcheshmeh et al., Adv. Mater. Interfaces, 7, 2000855 (2020).

A novel environmentally-friendly filler of the asphalt mastic: Organic modified waste shells

The shell farming industry generates significant waste shells annually, often improperly disposed of, causing environmental pollution. Concurrently, pavement engineering faces a shortage of limestone resources. Utilizing waste shells as a substitute for limestone fillers could simultaneously address both environmental and resource challenges. To analyze the feasibility of this strategy, this work collected the mussel, pectinid, oncomelania and oyster as the raw materials, and the method of organic modification was adopted on these shells to enhance the compatibility between the filler and asphalt. Asphalt. The physical and rheological properties of the prepared asphalt mastics were evaluated, and the modification effect was determined by the contact angle test and the surface energy parameters. Results indicated that the asphalt mastics with modified shells had higher penetration and ductility while lower softening point compared to the mastics with unmodified shells. Moreover, the modification with aluminate coupling agent had more significant impact on the physical properties of the asphalt mastics than that using amino silicone oil. For the rheological properties, shell asphalt mastics exhibited an extremely complex rheological behavior due to the various polarity and the organic content of the shell fillers. Besides, the contact angle of the shells increased after the modification, implying a better compatibility with asphalt. Moreover, the results of the surface energy parameters indicated that the non-polar component of the shells increased obvious after modification. In comparison with the conventional limestone, it can be found that the modified shells enhanced the adhesion between the aggregates and the asphalt mastics, which can improve the resistance of asphalt mixture to water damage. This work verifies the feasibility to replace the conventional mineral filler with modified shell filler, which was beneficial to recycling the waste shell and reducing the consumption of non-renewable mineral resources.

Examining the non-linear impact of fossil and renewable energy consumption on Vietnam’s ecological footprint: insights from the asymmetric ARDL approach

Vietnam’s economy is rapidly growing, marked by an increasing reliance on fossil fuels and renewable energy sources, resulting in unsustainable consumption patterns. The primary objective is to investigate the implications of renewable and non-renewable resource consumption on the overall resource availability over the long term, as indicated by the ecological footprint. Furthermore, the study incorporates economic growth to examine the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis in Vietnam. Methodologically, the study adopts the asymmetric Autoregressive Distributed Lag model, utilizing time-series data ranging from 1986 to 2022. The findings highlight that Vietnam’s economic growth still use more natural resources while compromising the overall ecological reserve. Furthermore, the research findings suggest that the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis does not hold in the context of Vietnam. Specifically, the increasing share of primary energy sourced from fossil fuels is observed to coincide with an increase in demand in ecological footprint. In contrast, an increase in primary energy consumption from renewable sources demonstrates a marked reduction in natural resource demand over the long term. Several strategies are recommended to enhance the resilience of environmental resources, such as adopting new and energy-efficient technologies is necessary within the industrial sector, promote the utilization of renewable energy sources, enhance waste management systems, transition from conventional energy to renewable sources in both production and consumption and the formulation of legislation on renewable energy usage.

Enhancing self-healing of asphalt mixtures containing recycled concrete aggregates and reclaimed asphalt pavement using induction heating

Given the growing demand for sustainable road construction materials, this research aims to evaluate the synergistic effects of incorporating recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in asphalt mixtures. Induction heating was also utilized to enhance the self-healing ability of asphalt mixtures, with the intention of prolonging their lifespan and mitigating environmental impacts. This research assessed the pavement performance of recycled asphalt mixtures (RAM) with different RCA and RAP dosages. The induction heating performance, cooling performance, and effective heating depth of RAM were tested. Lastly, the cumulative healing efficiency of the RAM was evaluated under multiple "fracture-healing" conditions. Findings indicated that the inclusion of RCA and RAP negatively influenced the water stability, high-temperature deformation resistance, and crack resistance at low temperatures of the RAM. However, when the RCA content was 20 % and the RAP content did not exceed 20 %, the road performance of the RAM met the requirements. The contents of the RCA and RAP had no discernible effect on the RAM's induction heating capability. Moreover, when the RCA content was 20 % and the RAP content did not exceed 10 %, the effective heating depth of the RAM could reach 50 mm. Using fracture energy recovery rate as the healing index, after three cycles of "fracture-healing", the RAM with 20 % RCA achieved the highest cumulative healing efficiency of 291 %. The cumulative healing efficiency of recycled asphalt mixtures with 20 % RCA and 10 % RAP was close to that of normal asphalt mixtures. This research contributes to reducing the consumption of non-renewable resources, minimizing environmental impact, and maintaining or even improving the performance of asphalt pavements by optimizing the use of RCA and RAP.

Influence of molybdenum tailings replacing river sand on mechanical properties and concrete microstructure

Many tailings are piled up, occupying land and polluting the environment. Tailings replace river sand to prepare concrete. It can reduce the tailings stockpile and slow the consumption of non-renewable resources. This study discussed the feasibility of molybdenum tailings (MTs) replacing river sand in preparing concrete. Firstly, the influence of the MTs addition amount on concrete strength was analyzed. Secondly, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric (TG-DTG), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to characterize the microscopic characteristics of concrete with different MTs contents. The results showed that good gradation of fine aggregate could improve the strength of concrete. The optimum replacement rate of MTs was 20 %, and the 28-day compressive strength and tensile strength of concrete increased by 10.9 % and 14.9 %, respectively, compared with the control group. It cannot be considered that the greater the total porosity, the greater the strength of concrete, which was mainly determined by the proportion of pores with different pore sizes in the total pores. When the amount of MTs added was 20 %, the MTs played a role in dilution, promoting cement hydration. The hydration products can not only effectively fill the internal pores of the concrete but also improve the bond strength between the tailings and the hardened slurry, thus improving the strength of the concrete. When the content of tailings added was 50 % and 100 %, cement hydration was blocked, increasing concrete porosity, and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) became looser, thus weakening the strength of concrete.

Development of Green Alkali-Activated Mortar Based on Biomass Wood Ash

Portland cement (PC) is the most commonly used binder material for producing concrete. Nonetheless, increasing concerns have been attached to its manufacture which is highly energy-intensive and generates a large quantity of greenhouse gases. Developing cement-free alkali-activated materials as eco-binders is a sustainable replacement for PC, especially the possibility to utilize industrial by-products as precursors significantly reduces the environmental burden due to waste disposal. Many investigations have been reported successfully using coal fly ash, slag, and metakaolin as precursors. However, owing to the low reactivity, studies regarding biomass wood ashes (BWA) in the field of alkali-activated materials are still limited. To produce a green cementless alkali-activated mortar material, in this study, biomass fuel by-products -biomass wood bottom ash (BWBA) at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% as well as biomass wood fly ash (BWFA) at 100, 75, 50, 25 and 0%- were binarily used as precursors. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 10 mol/L and calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2)at 0 and 20% by binder mass were applied together as alkali activators. Recycled sand, substituting natural sand, was adopted as fine aggregate at an aggregate/binder ratio of 2 to reduce the consumption of non-renewable natural resources. The objective is to investigate the influence of various mix ratios of BWFA and BWBA on the produced alkali-activated mortar, and identify the effects of Ca(OH)2. Compressive and flexural strength were tested to evaluate the evolution of mechanical performance. A cradle-to-gate lifecycle assessment was conducted to analyze the environmental impacts. The results reveal that the alkali-activated mortar has less environmental impact compared to the traditional PC mortar. NaOH solution is the primary source of environmental influence and BWA only contributes to very limited impacts. When 50% BWFA and 50% BWBA are binarily used, the greatest mechanical properties are achieved. The usage of Ca(OH)2 effectively improves the mechanical strength by a maximal 350% (flexural strength) and 320% (compressive strength), but meanwhile increases environmental burdens.

Development of recyclable bio-based epoxy/acrylate blends for liquid crystal display 3D printing

AbstractBio-based epoxy resins are widely utilized in various application fields such as adhesives, coatings, composites, and electrical components, offering comparable performance characteristics to conventional epoxy resins, including high strength, durability, and chemical resistance. The use of bio-based materials in 3D printing has been receiving increasing attention as a means of reducing the environmental impact of this technology, because most formulations available for stereolithography and digital light processing are generally non-renewable. This study aimed to explore the potential of blending a bio-based epoxy resin with a commercial daylight-curable resin at various msss percentages to enhance the thermomechanical properties of 3D-printed parts while adhering to the working principle of liquid crystal display (LCD) printers. The prepared formulations were initially characterized in terms of their thermo-mechanical properties both before and after post-treatments like photo- and thermal-curing. This procedure facilitated a comparison of the various blends based on their mechanical strength, glass transition temperature, and other pertinent properties. Upon identifying the optimal formulation, 3D-printed samples were produced using LCD printing technology. Calorimetric and morphological tests were then carried out to evaluate the thermal stability and microstructure of the printed parts. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that blending recyclable bio-based epoxy resins with commercial ones can lead to enhanced properties in additive manufactured parts. This approach has the potential to promote sustainability in 3D printing by reducing the consumption of non-renewable resources, while still meeting the standard performance required for numerous applications.

Study on the synergistic effects and eco-friendly performance of red mud-based quaternary cementitious materials

Red mud, as the primary byproduct of processing bauxite into aluminum, raises environmental concerns due to its significant alkalinity and substantial heavy metal content. Addressing the limitations of traditional methods, this study proposes an innovative solution to utilize red mud, steel slag, fly ash, and phosphogypsum together to produce a new type of low-carbon, environmentally friendly cementitious material. Utilizing advanced techniques such as X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy, this study conducted a comprehensive evaluation of cementitious materials, revealing their synergistic mechanisms. Furthermore, artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms were employed to optimize the mix ratio of the quaternary binder, aiming to predict and enhance the material's mechanical strength. Research shows that quaternary cementitious materials outperform traditional binary and ternary materials in compressive strength, hydration properties, microstructure, and environmental performance. Particularly, the increased content of calcium-aluminate-silicate-hydrate and sodium-calcium-silicate-aluminate-hydrate gels and a denser matrix structure highlight the synergistic effect in the hydration reaction of the quaternary system. Through mix proportion optimization, a significant enhancement in compressive strength up to 21.4 MPa is achieved. Environmental assessment shows that the composite material effectively solidifies Na+, with non-renewable resource and energy consumption reduced by 84.7% and 83.8%, respectively, compared to traditional cement, highlighting its environmental and energy-saving advantages. This approach addresses red mud storage, produces green building materials that meet standards, and fulfills resource and environmental goals.

Toward green production practices: empirical evidence from Thai manufacturers' technical efficiency

PurposeThe development of green manufacturing has become essential to achieve sustainable development and modernize the nation’s manufacturing and production capacity without increasing nonrenewable resource consumption and pollution. This study investigates the effect of green industrial practices on technical efficiency for Thai manufacturers.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) to estimate the stochastic frontier production function (SFPF) and inefficiency effects model, as pioneered by Battese and Coelli (1995).FindingsThis study shows that, on average, Thai manufacturing firms have experienced declining returns-to-scale production and relatively low technical efficiency. However, it is estimated that Thai manufacturing firms with a green commitment obtained the highest technical efficiency, followed by those with green activity, green systems and green culture levels, compared to those without any commitment to green manufacturing practices. Finally, internationalization and skill development can significantly improve technical efficiency.Practical implicationsGreen industry policy mixes will be vital for driving structural reforms toward a more environmentally friendly and sustainable economic system. Furthermore, circular economy processes can promote firms' production efficiency and resource use.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the effect of green industry practices on the technical efficiency of Thai manufacturing enterprises. This study also encompasses analyses of the roles of internationalization, innovation and skill development.

"Revolutionizing Lawn Care: AI-Driven Solar-Powered Humorless Grassland Mower With IoT Integration"

The primary objective of an AI-driven solar-powered humorless grassland mower with IoT integration is to provide an innovative, sustainable, and efficient solution for grassland maintenance, addressing the challenges of traditional lawn care methods while promoting environmental stewardship and technological advancement. Methods: Developing an AI-driven solar-powered humorless grassland mower with IoT integration involves integrating various technologies and methodologies such as AI Algorithm, Solar Power System Design, Robotics and Automation, IoT Integration, User Interface and Control System. Findings: It can vary depending on the specific objectives, implementation, and testing conducted. It can provide valuable insights into its performance, sustainability, reliability, and user acceptance, helping to inform further development and optimization efforts. Novelty: By introducing novel features and approaches in these areas, an AI-driven solar-powered grassland mower with IoT integration can offer unique capabilities and benefits that set it apart from conventional lawn care equipment and contribute to advancements in sustainable landscaping practices. This paper proposes an innovative AI-Driven Solar-Powered Humorless Grassland Mower with IoT Integration. Traditional manual lawn mowing not only demands labor but also contributes to environmental pollution through nonrenewable resource consumption. To address these challenges, our solution leverages advanced technologies to transform grassland upkeep. The mower is equipped with a range of IoT sensors including ultrasonic, proximity, GPS, and cameras. These sensors enable real-time data collection and decision-making, allowing the mower to adjust its mowing schedule based on forecasted data and navigate around obstacles. Furthermore, during periods of poor sunlight or low battery levels, the mower autonomously returns to its self-charging station for recharging. Data collected by the mower can be sent to the cloud for further analysis and storage. Users have the convenience of remotely controlling the mower through a smartphone app or web interface, enabling initiation, termination, or scheduling of mowing sessions from anywhere. Our AI-integrated IoT solution offers a sustainable and efficient approach to grassland maintenance, reducing labuor requirements and environmental impact while maximizing operational autonomy.

A Lean Management Framework for Achieving Sustainability Through Reducing Risks During the Design Process

The building sector is a substantial global industry that plays a significant role in the social and economic advancement of nations. The construction industry has been criticized for its unsustainable practices, including waste generation, pollution, and the consumption of non-renewable resources and energy. Due to the dynamic nature of the construction industry and the involvement of multiple parties with diverse goals, knowledge, and skills, the industry is susceptible tovarious risks that can undermine the sustainability of projects. This research aims to develop a Lean Management (LM) framework to deliver sustainable construction projects through reducing risks during the design process. A research methodology consisting of literature review, case studies and survey questionnaire was designed to achieve the research aim. Firstly, literature review was used to investigate the concepts of sustainability, risks in the design process and LM. Secondly, two case studies were presented and analysed to investigate the role of LM in achieving sustainability in construction projects through reducing the risks of the design process. Thirdly, a survey questionnaire was conducted with a representative sample of Architecture Design Firms (ADFs) in Egypt to investigate their perception and application of LM towards delivering sustainable projects by reducing the risks during the design process. A framework is developed to facilitate integrating LM within the design process to reduce risks during the design process as an approach for achieving sustainability goals. The research identifies 18 design risk factors, their causes and impacts on delivering sustainable project. In addition, it correlated LM tools and techniques that could be used to reduce risks during the design process. Case studies showed that ADFs that adopted LM approach succeeded in achieving sustainability objectives and reducing associated risks. Moreover, data analysis of the survey questionnaire helped ranking the presented risks by the ADFs along with investigating their perception towards using LM within the design process. These findings necessitated acting towards developing a framework to reduce these risks towards achieving sustainability objectives in construction projects.

Biochar, Clay, Zeolites, and Microorganism-based Methods for Remediation of Heavy Metals

Abstract: The modern world of chemistry needs to find a sustainable solution for the remediation of heavy metals. The method of solving heavy metal problems using abundant and easily available ways is an integral part of green chemistry. This approach stimulates innovation among scientists. These procedures increase performance and decrease the consumption of non-renewable resources, minimizing negative impacts on the environment and less use of harmful chemicals. In this review, we have included some natural ways for the remediation of heavy metals such as Biochar, Clay, Zeolites, and Microorganismbased methods. We have also incorporated the mechanism of action of each of these procedures for the betterment of the reader.

Plant Fiber Reinforced Polymeric Composites for Engineering Applications: A Review

Purpose: Scientists are looking for unconventional materials to achieve sustainable goals and reduce the consumption of non-renewable resources. This review focuses on polymeric composite materials with improved properties and low cost, synthesized from plant fibres and their potential fields of application. Theoretical Framework: Natural fibers, which are globally accessible, play a crucial role in improving thermal and mechanical properties when incorporated into polymers. With remarkable stiffness-density, strength and lightness, fibers stand out as promising, low-cost composite materials for applications in various areas of engineering. The plant diversity of the Amazon makes Brazil one of the largest global producers of natural fibers, providing an opportunity to develop new sustainable technologies. Method/Design/approach: Systematic literature review addressing potential applications of polymeric materials with plant fibers, fiber extraction methods, influence of fiber surface treatments and composite processing, and mechanical properties of polymeric composites with fibers. Results: Polymer composites reinforced with natural fibers are emerging as sustainable alternatives to synthetic materials, driven by their ecological nature, easy availability, low cost and biodegradability. A systematic review of the literature revealed that the mechanical properties of these composites are intrinsically linked to various factors, such as fibre orientation and length, which require careful optimization. In addition, it was observed that surface treatments, such as chemical acetylation and alkaline treatments, play a crucial role in improving the properties of plant fiber reinforced materials. These processes are responsible for removing impurities present in the cell walls of the fibers, such as lignins, waxes and hemicellulose, among others. Given Brazil's significant potential in the production of natural fibers, their application in industrial contexts is promising, offering an environmentally friendly solution for waste management. Thus, it is believed that, in the future, plant fibers will gain even more prominence, possibly effectively replacing the synthetic fibers widely used in the market. Research implications: This work contributes to the development of innovative, low-cost, sustainable materials, capable of minimizing the consumption of non-renewable resources and with potential applicability. Originality/value: The results are promising for the development of environmentally sustainable polymer composites with plant fibers, with wide applications in engineering.

Optimization of prepreg compression molding process for production of structures with recycled carbon fibers

Carbon fibers are widely used in a growing number of industrial sectors. Their high strength to weight ratio makes carbon fibers suitable for high-value-added applications. However, significant environmental and economic problems are related to composite waste disposal and consumption of non-renewable resources for their production. European legislation has imposed more controls on composite materials waste management. Consequently, development of processes for the recovery of the added value of wastes, instead of its simple disposal, is crucial to promoting the application of EU requirements and the realization of a circular economy model. Currently, thermal processes represent the most promising technology in this direction. Thermal processes include pyrolysis, fluidized bed pyrolysis, and microwave-assisted pyrolysis, but only pyrolysis is implemented on an industrial scale in Europe because of its economic viability and technical feasibility. Although the recovery of carbon fibers has reduced cost, compared to virgin fibers, length, orientation, and sizing of the fibers are lost. In this context the challenge is to realize composites reinforced with reclaimed fibers that can compete economically and in terms of mechanical performance with composite with virgin fibers. In this work, prepreg compression molding technique was used to produce a window frame with non-woven fabrics of recycled carbon fibers impregnated with a fast-curing resin. The fibers were coated with a sizing developed by CETMA and compatible with fast-curing epoxy resin.

Bacteria for Bioplastics: Progress, Applications, and Challenges.

Bioplastics are one of the answers that can point society toward a sustainable future. Under this premise, the synthesis of polymers with competitive properties using low-cost starting materials is a highly desired factor in the industry. Also, tackling environmental issues such as nonbiodegradable waste generation, high carbon footprint, and consumption of nonrenewable resources are some of the current concerns worldwide. The scientific community has been placing efforts into the biosynthesis of polymers using bacteria and other microbes. These microorganisms can be convenient reactors to consume food and agricultural wastes and convert them into biopolymers with inherently attractive properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, and appreciable mechanical and chemical properties. Such biopolymers can be applied to several fields such as packing, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, medical, biomedical, and agricultural. Thus, intending to elucidate the science of microbes to produce polymers, this review starts with a brief introduction to bioplastics by describing their importance and the methods for their production. The second section dives into the importance of bacteria regarding the biochemical routes for the synthesis of polymers along with their advantages and disadvantages. The third section covers some of the main parameters that influence biopolymers' production. Some of the main applications of biopolymers along with a comparison between the polymers obtained from microorganisms and the petrochemical-based ones are presented. Finally, some discussion about the future aspects and main challenges in this field is provided to elucidate the main issues that should be tackled for the wide application of microorganisms for the preparation of bioplastics.

Encapsulating Green Infrastructure in Modern Urban Landscape

The growing urbanisation has casted various challenges in building a resilient infrastructure supporting sustainable landscape. The present urbanisation challenges faced around the globe is related to the waste management and mindful consumption of renewable and non-renewable resources. The traditional urban landscape had used the grey infrastructure that in the present scenario is aging and showing incapability of handing disasters. The modern landscapes require advanced technological involvement in a planned manner to have a sustainable future. This review paper considered various studies of economies of rebuilding their landscapes with modern green infrastructural approach with the use of solid waste management, waster management, Government Interventions and the use of AI for a better tomorrow.

Empirical analysis of renewable and non-renewable energy resources consumption impact on economic development in Uzbekistan

In this paper the association among renewable, non-renewable energy consumption and GDP growth is analyzed by using the secondary date of The World Bank and International Energy Agency for the period 1990-2021 of Uzbekistan. The paper employs the Autoregressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) model to estimate the long-run and short-run dynamic multipliers of energy consumption variables. Empirical results show that hydropower energy consumption (renewable energy) has a positive effect on GDP growth in the long term. Also, consumption of non-renewable energy resources (coal, natural gas, oil) has a positive effect on GDP growth in the short and long term. In addition, the increase in the consumption of non-renewable energy resources has a positive effect on CO2 emissions, which in turn means that the government should take measures to increase the share of renewable energy resources.

Mechanical Properties and Lifecycle Assessment of a Green Alkali-Activated Mortar Based on Biomass Wood Ash

Abstract Portland cement (PC) is the most commonly used binder material for producing concrete. Nonetheless, increasing concerns have been attached to its manufacture which is highly energy-intensive and generates a large quantity of greenhouse gases. Developing alkali-activated materials as eco-binders is a sustainable replacement for PC and many investigations have been reported successfully utilizing industrial wastes as precursors. However, owing to the low reactivity, studies regarding biomass wood ashes (BWA) are still limited. To produce a green cementless alkali-activated mortar material, in this study, biomass fuel by-products – biomass wood bottom ash and biomass wood fly ash – were binarily used as precursors. Sodium hydroxide NaOH at 10 mol/L and calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)2 at 20 % by binder mass were applied as alkali activators. Recycled sand, substituting natural sand, was adopted as fine aggregate with an aggregate/binder ratio of 2 to reduce the consumption of non-renewable natural resources. Compressive and flexural strength were tested to evaluate the mechanical performance. A cradle-to-gate lifecycle assessment was conducted to analyse the environmental impacts. The results reveal that the alkali-activated mortar has less environmental impact compared to the traditional PC mortar. NaOH solution is the primary source of environmental influence and BWA only contributes to very limited impacts. The usage of Ca(OH)2 effectively improves the mechanical strength and compared to NaOH, it leads to decreased energy demand, requires fewer preparation steps and is less dangerous for operation.