Fiber Development Research Articles

Application and Development of Rare Earth Luminescent Fiber in Light Outdoor Garments

Application and Development of Rare Earth Luminescent Fiber in Light Outdoor Garments

Nanoplatelet Orientation and Young’s Modulus of Graphene/Phenoxy Nanocomposites

AbstractWe report on the development of phenoxy-graphene nano-composite fibres for improving the toughness of thermoset composites. In this paper, a systematic experimental investigation into the underlying mechanisms of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) reinforcement of phenoxy nanocomposite fibres prepared via melt spinning is provided. The analysis reveals a tangential orientation of GNP in the outer layer of the fibres, while such orientation is absent in the fibre core region. We show that the relative size of the fibre sheath depends on process variables and exhibits a linear relationship with the modulus of GNP obtained via theoretical analysis using simple rule of mixtures. This is because the area ratio (AR) is proportional to the orientation degree of GNP. This indicates that the enhancement of the Young’s modulus of fibres mainly originates from the increased AR of the fibre sheath layer where the orientation of GNP is more regular.

Development of ceramic hollow fiber from recycled quarry dust: exploring its properties as a support for ZIF-8 membrane in gas separation

Development of ceramic hollow fiber from recycled quarry dust: exploring its properties as a support for ZIF-8 membrane in gas separation

Development of silane-treated corn husk fiber and agro-waste biofiller-reinforced epoxy composite: effects on wear, mechanical, thermal, and water absorption properties

Development of silane-treated corn husk fiber and agro-waste biofiller-reinforced epoxy composite: effects on wear, mechanical, thermal, and water absorption properties

N-Carbamylglutamate in ovo feeding improves carcass yield, muscle fiber development, and meat quality in broiler chickens.

Insufficient endogenous nutrients in the broiler embryo can lead to muscle gluconeogenesis, which ultimately affects the post-hatching performance of chicks. This study investigated the effects of in ovo feeding (IOF) of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on the growth hormones, carcass yield, and meat quality in broilers. Fertile eggs from a 30-week-old Ross 308 breeder flock were divided into three treatment groups: NC (non-injection), SC (100 μL saline-injection), and NCG (2 mg NCG injection). Each group had six replicates, with 70 eggs per replicate during incubation. Injections were administered on the 17.5th day of embryonic development. After hatching, 270 chicks were selected for 42-day rearing for further sampling. Chicks in the NCG group had significantly higher body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) at the growing phase, increased growth and testosterone hormone in both feeding phases (21 and 42 days), and improved average daily gain (ADG) and food conversion ratio (FCR) in both grower and entire feeding phases (P < 0.05). Triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) levels, carcass yield, dressing, drum weight, breast muscle weight, drumstick weights, thighs, pectoralis major, and their part percentage of carcass were improved in the NCG group (P < 0.05), these effects were varied along feeding phases. Moreover, IOF of the NCG also improved pectoralis breast muscle color values at 24 h post mortem (P < 0.05). These results suggest that NCG injection at the late embryonic age of broiler enhances growth performance and meat quality throughout the lifespan and this can probably be attributed to an increase in thyroid and testosterone hormones, indicating potential involvement in metabolic and nutrient partitioning pathway regulation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Optofluidic photonic crystal fiber platform for sensitive and reliable fluorescence based biosensing.

Biosensing plays a pivotal role in various scientific domains, offering significant contributions to medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and biotechnology. Fluorescence biosensing relies on the fluorescence emission from labelled biomolecules to enable sensitive and selective identification and quantification of specific biological targets in various samples. Photonic crystal fibers (PCFs) have led to the development of optofluidic fibers enabling efficient light-liquid interaction within small liquid volume. Herein, we present the development of a user-friendly optofluidic-fiber platform with simple hardware requirements for sensitive and reliable fluorescence biosensing with high measurement repeatability. We demonstrate a sensitivity improvement of the fluorescence emission up to 17 times compared to standard cuvette measurement, with a limit of detection of Cy5 fluorophore as low as 100 pM. The improvement in measurement repeatability is exploited for detecting haptoglobin protein, a relevant biomarker to diagnose several diseases, by using commercially available Cy5 labelled antibodies. The study aims to showcase an optofluidic platform leveraging the benefits provided by optofluidic fibers, which encompass easy light injection, robustness, and high sensitivity.

Ecosystem level carbon and moisture fluxes from a high biomass fibre producing jute crop (Corchorus olitorius L): An eddy covariance-based analysis

ContextJute (Corchorus olitorius L) is the second-largest natural fibre producing crop in the world and plays a key role in the rural economy of South Asia particularly India and Bangladesh. It has diverse use due to its long length, lusture, biodegradability, high tensile strength, heat resistance and bendability. Jute is also fast-growing high biomass crop and quantification of the carbon / moisture exchanges is need of the hour towards its sustainability. ObjectiveThe study aims at quantitative estimation of the ecosystem level CO2 and H2O exchanges at diurnal, daily, and seasonal scales from jute crop cultivated in the alluvial soil of the Gangetic delta under a tropical hot and moist sub-humid climate during the years 2021–23. MethodsAn eddy covariance flux tower with suite of meteorological sensors were established at the jute growing farm to assess the high frequency ecosystem level exchanges of CO2, H2O and biometeorological parameters. Concurrent crop bio-physical parameters were also measured. The flux data were processed, quality checked, gap-filled and partitioned to construct seamless time-series of half-hourly fluxes for further analysis towards its dynamics, driving parameters, photosynthetic response and derived eco-physiological parameters. ResultsThe half-hourly CO2 fluxes exhibited significant variations across different growth stages of the jute crop, reaching peak values during the fibre development to maturity stages [mean Net Ecosystem CO2 Exchange (NEE) ranging from −20 to −22 µmol m−2 s−1; mean Gross Primary Production (GPP) ranging from 25 to 30 µmol m−2 s−1; and mean Ecosystem Respiration (Reco) ranging from 8 to 10 µmol m−2 s−1]. Seasonal GPP values was found to be high (902–1038 gC m−2) with moderate NEE value of −150 to −223 gC m−2. Seasonal mean Ecosystem Water Use Efficiency (EWUE) was high (2.5–2.7 gC kg−1 H2O) compared to other C3 crop. The daily Crop Coefficient (Kc) peaked at 1–1.2 during 90–110 Days After Sowing (DAS), indicative of high physiological activities. ConclusionDespite relatively short crop duration but high biomass (peak Leaf Area Index, LAI ∼6 m2m−2), the jute crop proved to be a robust gross CO2 sink. Due to the rapid growth, the jute crop allocates a significant portion of GPP as Reco (78–84 %), resulting in a relatively lower seasonal NEE. The high EWUE coupled with a net positive CO2 exchange positioned jute as a potential climate-resilient crop. This study provides valuable insights into the ecosystem exchanges of the jute crop, which in turn contribute to the global carbon and moisture budget.

Concentric circular stress region-assisted pseudo-elliptical-ring-core polarization-maintaining few-mode fiber

In this paper, a pseudo-elliptical-ring-core polarization-maintaining few-mode fiber structure assisted by concentric circular stress-applying region is proposed. Numerical simulation results show that the structure can stably support 14 transmission modes. By introducing two elliptical stress regions with low refractive index inside the core, and a circular stress region with concentric core between the fiber core and cladding, the effective refractive index difference between higher-order modes is significantly improved. In the C + L band, the minimum refractive index difference between adjacent modes is not less than 2 × 10−4. At 1550 nm, the effective refractive index difference between the two fundamental modes reaches 4.8 × 10−4. The mode dispersions are less than |-33| ps/nm/km, and the maximum bending loss is in the order of 10−7 dB/m (bending radius ≥2.5 cm). This work may pave the way for the development of short-distance large-capacity optical fibers.

Comprehensive Genome-Wide Investigation and Transcriptional Regulation of the DHHC Gene Family in Cotton Seed and Fiber Development

Protein palmitoylation, the most common and the only reversible post-translational lipid modification following protein translation, plays a pivotal role in the biochemical and physiological processes of both animals and plants. DHHC proteins, enriched with DHHC (Asp-His-His-Cys) domains, serve as catalyst for protein palmitoylation. However, research on DHHC in cotton remains scarce. This study conducted a systematic characterization and bioinformatics analysis on G. arboreum, G. raimondii, G. hirsutum, and G. barbadense, detecting 38, 37, 74, and 74 DHHC genes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis categorized the DHHC gene family into six subgroups, consistent with previous evolutionary studies in Arabidopsis and rice. A further examination of protein structure revealed a correlation between genetic relatedness, structural similarity, and functional identity. Cis-element analysis identified elements predominantly associated with light response, stress, growth and development, and plant hormones. The integration of cotton seed development transcriptome, tissue expression pattern analysis, and population transcriptome data collectively suggests that Ghir_A05G027650 and Ghir_D05G027670 are promising candidate genes influencing seed development in upland cotton. Conversely, Gbar_A04G010750 and Gbar_A12G020520 emerge as potential candidates affecting both seed and fiber development in sea island cotton. These findings lay down a theoretical foundation for delving into the functional diversity of DHHC genes in cotton, thereby paving the way for the development of new breeding strategies and the optimization of cotton seed and fiber production, ultimately contributing to improved crop yield and quality.

Genetic and Molecular Regulation of Cotton Fiber Initiation and Elongation

Cotton fiber, a crucial and sustainable resource for global textile production, undergoes a complex five-stage developmental process, encompassing initiation, elongation, transition, secondary cell wall biosynthesis, and maturation. These elongated single-cell fibers originate from the outer ovule epidermis. The development of cotton fibers involves intricate changes in gene expression and physiological processes, resulting in a nearly pure cellulose product that is vital for the global cotton industry. Decoding the genes associated with fiber development enhances our understanding of cotton fiber mechanisms and facilitates the cultivation of varieties with enhanced quality. In recent decades, advanced omics approaches, including genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics, have played a pivotal role in identifying the genes and gene products linked to cotton fiber development, including the MYB transcription factor family, which coordinates cotton fiber development. Molecular studies have revealed the transcription factors, like MYB, WRKY, Homeodomain Leucine Zipper (HD-ZIP), and basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH), influencing fiber initiation and elongation. The intricate interplay of phytohormones, like auxin, gibberellic acid (GA), brassinosteroids (BRs), jasmonic acid (JA), ethylene, abscisic acid (ABA), and cytokinin, is explored, providing a comprehensive perspective on the shaping of cotton fibers. Numerous candidate genes and cellular processes affecting various aspects of fiber development hold promise for genetic engineering or marker-assisted breeding to improve fiber quality. This review presents a comprehensive overview of key achievements in cotton molecular biology, with a specific emphasis on recent advancements in understanding the transcription factors and phytohormones involved in cotton fiber initiation and elongation.

GhFAD3-4 Promotes Fiber Cell Elongation and Cell Wall Thickness by Increasing PI and IP3 Accumulation in Cotton.

The omega-3 fatty acid desaturase enzyme gene FAD3 is responsible for converting linoleic acid to linolenic acid in plant fatty acid synthesis. Despite limited knowledge of its role in cotton growth, our study focused on GhFAD3-4, a gene within the FAD3 family, which was found to promote fiber elongation and cell wall thickness in cotton. GhFAD3-4 was predominantly expressed in elongating fibers, and its suppression led to shorter fibers with reduced cell wall thickness and phosphoinositide (PI) and inositol triphosphate (IP3) levels. Transcriptome analysis of GhFAD3-4 knock-out mutants revealed significant impacts on genes involved in the phosphoinositol signaling pathway. Experimental evidence demonstrated that GhFAD3-4 positively regulated the expression of the GhBoGH3B and GhPIS genes, influencing cotton fiber development through the inositol signaling pathway. The application of PI and IP6 externally increased fiber length in GhFAD3-4 knock-out plants, while inhibiting PI led to a reduced fiber length in GhFAD3-4 overexpressing plants. These findings suggest that GhFAD3-4 plays a crucial role in enhancing fiber development by promoting PI and IP3 biosynthesis, offering the potential for breeding cotton varieties with superior fiber quality.

Development And Acceptability of Banana (Esp. Damilig-Musa Acuminata) Fiber as Alternative Source of Natural Fabric

Banana fiber yarn is a natural best fiber derived from the inner bark (or phloem) of banana plants. It is a very eco-friendly material, which also has the advantage of being completely biodegradable. This yarn is also known as banana silk, due to the shiny and silky aspect of the most precious fibers, or Musa yarn, from the Musa genre to which the banana plant belongs. The study will focus on the Development and Acceptability of Banana (Esp. Damilig-Musa Acuminata) Fiber as Alternative Source of Natural Fabric. The panel of experts will evaluate the following namely: DOST personnel, Garments instructor, fashion designer/ textile experts and Faculty and garments fashion and design students of Isabela State University – Ilagan Campus. The purpose of this research is to develop and test the effectiveness of banana (Damilig-musa acuminata), specifically its pseudo-stem. The researcher aims to unlock the following queries: 1. What are the processes used in the production of yarn? 2. What will be the outcome of the develop banana (Damilig-musa acuminata) after the process of fiber extraction in terms of texture, appearance and durability. 3. What will be the assessment and acceptability of the banana yarn (Damilig-musa acuminata) after weaving process is completed in terms of colorfastness, crease resistant and fabric shrinkage The descriptive type of research will applied in the study with the set of survey questionnaire as the main instrument in gathering data. The weighted mean will also utilizes to determine the general acceptability of the study. The study will use the five-point Likert rating scale. The process will conduct in accordance to Development and Acceptability of Banana (Esp. Damilig-Musa Acuminata) Fiber as Alternative Source of Natural Fabric. The procedures are harvesting, peeling, retting, and sun drying, grouping, spinning and weaving. Evaluation results will show that the project obtained an overall mean of 4.38 to the development of fiber and 3.45 to the level of acceptability of fabric which means that the Development and Acceptability of Banana (Esp. Damilig-Musa Acuminata) Fiber as Alternative Source of Natural Fabric is Moderately Acceptable to the panel of experts based on the criteria checklist. Based on the results of the experiments, it can be concluded that banana fibers can be used as an alternative source of natural fibers because they have several inherent advantages over cotton fiber. Because of the abundance of raw material in nature each year, banana fiber-based yarns and fabrics are less expensive and more sustainable. Because of the low fiber weight and strength loss, softening banana fibers by boiling in distilled water was found to be a better treatment.

Genome resources for three modern cotton lines guide future breeding efforts

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is the key renewable fibre crop worldwide, yet its yield and fibre quality show high variability due to genotype-specific traits and complex interactions among cultivars, management practices and environmental factors. Modern breeding practices may limit future yield gains due to a narrow founding gene pool. Precision breeding and biotechnological approaches offer potential solutions, contingent on accurate cultivar-specific data. Here we address this need by generating high-quality reference genomes for three modern cotton cultivars (‘UGA230’, ‘UA48’ and ‘CSX8308’) and updating the ‘TM-1’ cotton genetic standard reference. Despite hypothesized genetic uniformity, considerable sequence and structural variation was observed among the four genomes, which overlap with ancient and ongoing genomic introgressions from ‘Pima’ cotton, gene regulatory mechanisms and phenotypic trait divergence. Differentially expressed genes across fibre development correlate with fibre production, potentially contributing to the distinctive fibre quality traits observed in modern cotton cultivars. These genomes and comparative analyses provide a valuable foundation for future genetic endeavours to enhance global cotton yield and sustainability.

High‐modulus glass fiber for wind renewable energy generation: Selective review on the recent research and development

AbstractTo effectively manage turbine blade weight and blade deflection under severe weather conditions, longer and stiffer blades are required, fiber glass producers have devoted significant efforts to developing and commercializing high‐modulus (HM) glass fiber products of the first generation. The current focuses aim at the commercialization of the second generation and the development of the third‐generation products. This article briefly reviews four key areas: (a) the benefit of longer blades on wind energy generation, (b) characteristics of HM glass fibers of various generations, (c) fundamental science and understanding behind HM glass fiber development, and (d) finally statistically based composition (C)–property (P) and structure (S)–property (P) modeling approaches in new glass design.

Nd3+-doped Fiber Laser at 1000-1100nm

Fiber optic amplifiers have revolutionized telecommunications by enabling efficient signal amplification over long distances. Their development stems from the increasing demand for high-speed data transmission and the limitations of traditional electronic amplifiers. Fiber amplifiers utilize rare-earth-doped fibers to boost optical signals, offering advantages in bandwidth, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. Nd3+-doped fiber laser is one of the focal topics of current research. Researchers have found advancements in the application of Nd3+-doped fiber laser at wide wavelengths. However, there still exist uncertainties in applying Nd3+-doped fiber laser at 1000-1100nm. Therefore, this paper aims to design a Nd3+-doped fiber laser at 1000-1100nm. The research methodology of this paper is as follows: using numerical simulation via Matlab. Research finds that Nd3+-doped fiber laser at 1000-1100nm is theoretically applicable. The results of this research will promote the development of optical fiber. Through an in-depth exploration of new materials and application technologies, it will bring breakthroughs in optical fiber communication, optical sensing, laser technology, and other fields. This will promote the improvement of laser performance and provide a more reliable and efficient basis for future scientific research and engineering applications.

Simulation of Bismuth on-doped Fibre Lasers in the 1250-1300 nm Band

Optical fiber transmission has become the predominant mode of transmission in modern communication systems. The extensive bandwidth potential of optical fiber makes it crucial for achieving high-capacity transmission. With the successful development of anhydrous peak fiber, the issue of harmonic absorption caused by OH molecules has been effectively resolved. This novel fiber establishes a low-loss window within the wavelength range from 1280 nm to 1625 nm, thereby providing enhanced transmission capacity for fiber optic communication systems. By increasing WDM density, which involves the simultaneous utilization of multiple light signals with different wavelengths in the fiber, higher transmission capacity can be achieved. This paper presents a comprehensive simulation study on bismuth-doped fiber lasers operating within the 1250-1300nm band. Specifically, this study investigates the numerical relationship between laser power, threshold power, and pump power. The simulation results demonstrate that a threshold power level of approximately 1.5W is required for laser generation; no laser emission occurs below this threshold. Once the pumping power surpasses this threshold value, laser operation commences and output power increases proportionally with further increments in pumping power.

Innovations in spider silk‐inspired artificial gel fibers: Methods, properties, strengthening, functionality, and challenges

AbstractSpider silk, possessing exceptional combination properties, is classified as a bio‐gel fiber. Thereby, it serves as a valuable origin of inspiration for the advancement of various artificial gel fiber materials with distinct functionalities. Gel fibers exhibit promising potential for utilization in diverse fields, including smart textiles, artificial muscle, tissue engineering, and strain sensing. However, there are still numerous challenges in improving the performance and functionalizing applications of spider silk‐inspired artificial gel fibers. Thus, to gain a penetrating insight into bioinspired artificial gel fibers, this review provided a comprehensive overview encompassing three key aspects: the fundamental design concepts and implementing strategies of gel fibers, the properties and strengthening strategies of gel fibers, and the functionalities and application prospects of gel fibers. In particular, multiple strengthening and toughening mechanisms were introduced at micro, nano, and molecular‐level structures of gel fibers. Additionally, the existing challenges of gel fibers are summarized. This review aims to offer significant guidance for the development and application of artificial gel fibers and inspire further research in the field of high‐performance gel fibers.

Insights into genetic diversity and functional significance of the bHLH genes in cotton fiber development

This study investigated the identification and distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) transcription factors (TFs) across diverse cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) accessions, including wild, landrace, and improved varieties. Comprehensive genomic analyses revealed substantial SNP diversity in wild cotton, distinct from that observed in landraces and improved accessions. Comparative analysis showed notable variations in SNP abundance and impact levels across different accessions, with missense SNPs being prevalent. Nucleotide substitution patterns highlighted the dominance of G>A and A>G substitutions. Population genetic analyses unveiled significant genetic diversity within wild accessions and distinct clustering between wild and improved accessions. Temporal expression profiling of bHLH genes during cotton fiber development demonstrated dynamic expression patterns, emphasizing their roles in fiber initiation, elongation, and cellulose biosynthesis. Moreover, association analysis identified SNPs significantly associated within bHLH genes, particularly GhbHLH149, with fiber quality traits, indicating their potential functional significance. Population genetic analyses further revealed evidence of positive selection on GhbHLH149 during cotton improvement. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of SNP diversity, gene expression dynamics, and genetic selection in bHLH genes, offering valuable insights for future cotton breeding efforts aimed at improving fiber quality traits in cotton.

Genome-wide identification and expression-pattern analysis of sulfate transporter (SULTR) gene family in cotton under multiple abiotic stresses and fiber development.

Sulfate transporter (SULTR) proteins are in charge of the transport and absorption on sulfate substances, and have been reported to play vital roles in the biological processes of plant growth and stress response. However, there were few reports of genome-wide identification and expression-pattern analysis of SULTRs in Hibiscus mutabilis. Gossypium genus is a ideal model for studying the allopolyploidy, therefore two diploid species (G. raimondii and G. arboreum) and two tetraploid species (G. hirsutum and G. barbadense) were chosen in this study to perform bioinformatic analyses, identifying 18, 18, 35, and 35 SULTR members, respectively. All the 106 cotton SULTR genes were utilized to construct the phylogenetic tree together with 11 Arabidopsis thaliana, 13 Oryza sativa, and 8 Zea mays ones, which was divided into Group1-Group4. The clustering analyses of gene structures and 10 conserved motifs among the cotton SULTR genes showed the consistent evolutionary relationship with the phylogenetic tree, and the results of gene-duplication identification among the four representative Gossypium species indicated that genome-wide or segment duplication might make main contributions to the expansion of SULTR gene family in cotton. Having conducted the cis-regulatory element analysis in promoter region, we noticed that the existing salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and abscisic acid (ABA) elements could have influences with expression levels of cotton SULTR genes. The expression patterns of GhSULTR genes were also investigated on the 7 different tissues or organs and the developing ovules and fibers, most of which were highly expressed in root, stem, sepal, receptacel, ovule at 10 DPA, and fiber at 20 and 25 DPA. In addition, more active regulatory were observed in GhSULTR genes responding to multiple abiotic stresses, and 12 highly expressed genes showed the similar expression patterns in the quantitative Real-time PCR experiments under cold, heat, salt, and drought treatments. These findings broaden our insight into the evolutionary relationships and expression patterns of the SULTR gene family in cotton, and provide the valuable information for further screening the vital candidate genes on trait improvement.

Comparison of the physico-chemical behavior of two prepregs used for body armor

The development of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers has resulted in continued improvement in ballistic protection, along with reduced weight in body armors. Prepregs from newly developed fibers are constantly available, although prepregs from older brands still remain on the market. In this work, the physicochemical properties of two successive generations of pre-impregnated materials are characterized to compare the two materials in the as-received condition and also after be consolidated in a ballistic plate. The results showed that fibers from the newer brand have a smaller diameter and greater tensile strength. This is an important result because the tensile strength of fibers is one of the variables that influence the ballistic performance of body armors. The smaller diameter of these fibers was associated with a greater degree of stretching during their manufacture, as revealed by the presence of two melting peaks in the DSC analysis.