Natural Materials Research Articles

Colorimetric Sensor of Hg(II) Ion from AgNPs-MO Quantified Using DIC with ED Equation Approach

Mercury is one of the heavy metals that has high toxicity, not only for the environment but also for human health. Mercury is found in many cosmetic products; unfortunately, for people who do not understand the dangers of mercury cosmetic ingredients, their skin will become red rashes. The novelty of this article is to use colorimetric sensor for mercury combined with Digital Image Colorimetry (DIC). The image is captured with the the smartphone camera and quantified using the Euclidean Distance (ED) Equation approach. In addition, the synthesized AgNPs also use the green synthesis method with natural materials as reducing agents and stabilizers. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the best synthesis conditions and determine the detection performance of mercury (II) ions. The research began with the synthesis of mercury detection substances, namely silver nanoparticles reduced and stabilized by Moringa oleifera leaf extract (AgNPs-MO). In this study, it was found that silver nanoparticles began to form at 1 hour accompanied by heating at 120°C using a hotplate, while 6 hours when without heating. The optimum pH condition is 10. This mercury detection method has good sensitivity and accuracy values, with RSD values of less than 1% for each analyte in 5 repetitions.

Physicochemical Characteristics of Gum Arabic From Acacia mearnsii Grown in Alahan Panjang, West Sumatera

Acacia gum produced from Acacia mearnsii is a natural material with great potential for various industrial applications due to its unique physicochemical properties. This study aimed to characterize gum acacia from Alahan Panjang, West Sumatra. Characterizatio was done using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. FTIR results revealed the presence of hydroxyl (-OH), carbonyl (-C=O), and glycosidic (C-O-C) groups, indicating the complex polysaccharide structure of the gum. XRF analysis showed the dominance of calcium oxide (CaO) with a concentration of 81.652%, followed by potassium oxide (K₂O) at 10.052% and phosphate (P₂O₅) at 6.341%. Meanwhile, the XRD diffraction pattern identified a near amorphous diffraction with some weak crystalline peaks. This combination of results suggests that gum acacia has chemical and physical properties that support its use as an emulsifier, thickener, and filler in various industries, such as food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics.

Comparative Analysis of Restorative Interior Design Elements: Screen-Based Versus Virtual Reality Evaluations for Future Medical Treatment Prospects.

Given the increasing prevalence of anxiety and depression, this research aims to identify design features that enhance the sense of restoration, with the goal of supporting mental and behavioral healthcare facility design. This study employed both screen-based and virtual reality (VR) stimuli to evaluate the perceived restorativeness of different interior settings. The key variables analyzed included window view access, view content, materiality, and room geometry. Thirty-five undergraduate and graduate students assessed 16 distinct interior environments. Findings indicate that the VR presentations generally produced higher restorativeness scores compared with screen-based presentations, though this effect varied across stimuli. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed that larger windows consistently correlated with higher restorativeness scores in both presentation modes. Views of water were rated as most restorative, followed by wooded areas. Natural materials were perceived as significantly more restorative than other materials, particularly in VR presentations. Varied ceiling designs, especially vaulted ceilings, were associated with evaluations of higher restorativeness compared with flat ceiling designs, with this effect more pronounced in VR. This research underscores the potential of VR technology to simulate and assess interior design interventions, offering insights into creating more effective and personalized restorative environments in mental health treatment facilities. The findings can inform evidence-based design strategies for healthcare spaces, supporting treatment processes and patient well-being.

생성형 AI를 활용한 라이프스타일 호텔 로비 공간 바이오필릭 디자인에 시각화 관한 연구 - 자연의 간접 경험 속성을 중심으로

With the accumulation of data and advancements in algorithms in the 21st century, artificial intelligence has become an essential tool for enhancing creativity and efficiency in architecture and spatial design. The aim of this study is to visualize indirect natural experiences through biophilic design in lifestyle hotel lobbies using artificial intelligence, thereby exploring diverse possibilities during the early stages of the design process to enhance efficiency. This study specifically focuses on lifestyle hotel lobbies that resonate with the MZ generation. It examines methods for expressing indirect natural experience attributes of biophilic design and visualizes these through Stable Diffusion. The research methodology involves a review of academic literature to understand biophilic design and artificial intelligence, followed by the application of Stable Diffusion to visualize biophilic design in hotel lobby spaces. The results generated were analyzed to propose potential application strategies. In the AI-generated visualization of the hotel lobby, biophilic design was studied based on four indirect attributes: natural images, materials, colors, forms, and imitations. It is expected that advanced fine-tuning through Stable Diffusion will improve the visual representation of these natural elements.

Зоологічні експозиції природничих музеїв: класичне виконання та сучасний підхід

Traditional natural history museums display elaborate stuffed animals in showcases or as part of dioramas. Classic diorama displays are three-dimensional images, with a combination of natural objects and artworks depicting a natural setting. The basis of a zoological diorama is a realistic image of the landscape (a photograph or painting depicting a certain landscape), which serves as a background for the main objects of the exhibition. To create a realistic atmosphere, natural materials such as soil, stones, plants, and trees are used, and stuffed animals in dioramas are made in dynamic poses typical of the species. This means of recreating a part of the natural environment helps to demonstrate the peculiarities of the ecosystem and the atmosphere itself in which the represented animal species live. The author, who has been visiting zoological museums in different cities and countries for many years, has had the opportunity to observe the emergence of fundamentally new approaches to exhibition activities in modern museums, and the impetus was his acquaintance with the Grande Galerie de l’Évolution in Paris, which is part of the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle. The Evolution Gallery exhibition is a vivid example of a new approach that skilfully combines the display of stuffed animals and modern technologies to convey information about the principles of evolution, biodiversity, and the role of animals in ecosystems. The Gallery widely uses such technologies as multimedia displays, interactive panels, mobile applications, etc. In fact, the further development of zoological exhibitions is determined by scientific and technological progress, and the development of digital technologies (high-quality cameras, drone technology, and smartphones) has made the process of nature photography more accessible. This provides endless possibilities for involving such materials in exhibition activities, which is facilitated by the variety of social networks and various aggregators of visual and audio information available for exchange and use. Therefore, the production and display of new biogroups and dioramas requires the mandatory use of modern technologies, which increases the attractiveness of the exposition for the modern museum visitor. The most successful examples of the use of new approaches in the design of the exposition are presented and analysed.

Ecoprint as an Environmentally Based Art Learning Innovation at SDN Sukamanah, Mangunjaya Village

Ecoprint is a technique for dyeing fabric and/or batik using natural materials. Ecoprint techniques are introduced to elementary school students because at that age children can train their motor skills independently and are able to think creatively. The purpose of the ecoprint introduction activity is to provide knowledge about ecoprint and skills for students in utilizing natural materials or plants around the school. The methods used are lectures, demonstrations, practices and evaluations. Evaluation uses direct direction and direct observation of Ecoprint products that have been made by students. Students have been able to print motifs and colors from leaves and flowers on fabrics producing Ecoprint products according to their respective creativity, even the results of this Ecoprint can be displayed or sold.

Advance Development in Natural Graphite Material and Its Applications: A Review

Advance Development in Natural Graphite Material and Its Applications: A Review

Deposition of layers of ethanolic extract of waste pineapple crown on mild steel through drop casting and examination of their corrosion behavior

Corrosion causes serious damage to the metals and decreases their usefulness as well as economic values. Inhibitors are generally used to control corrosion of metals. However, synthetic inhibitors are being used in limited conditions due to environment and cost concerns. The waste natural materials (WNM) have become the preference choice of the scientists for corrosion prevention applications. A WNM provide a cost effective, efficient, and economic solution of corrosion of metals. The present work examines the effectiveness of a WNM, pineapple crown (PC), against the mild steel (MS) corrosion in 0.5 M sodium chloride (NaCl). PC has been extracted into ethanol (EEPC) and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy (FS) and UV-visible spectroscopy (US). The EEPC layers (1-3) are coated on MS through drop casting using simple set-up, and coated MS has been tested for corrosion prevention by open circuit potential (OCP), Tafel polarization curves (TC), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results have confirmed that EEPC layers significantly prevent MS in NaCl. However, the best performance is obtained for 2 layers of EEPC (80%, TC). The surface images are clicked by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), which shows that EEPC has covered most of the places on the MS surface after coating and effectively protected MS in NaCl. The similar observations are recorded with atomic force microscope (AFM). Based on the overall results, a mechanism for corrosion prevention has also been introduced.

Silk-Corn Zein Alloy Materials: Influence of Silk Types (Mori, Thai, Muga, Tussah, and Eri) on the Structure, Properties, and Functionality of Insect-Plant Protein Blends.

Biocompatible materials fabricated from natural protein polymers are an attractive alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. They offer a green, sustainable fabrication method while also opening new applications in biomedical sciences. Available from several sources in the wild and on domestic farms, silk is a widely used biopolymer and one of the strongest natural materials. This study aims to compare five different types of silk (Mori, Thai, Muga, Tussah, and Eri) fabricated into thin composite films in conjunction with plant-based proteins. To offer a wider range of morphologies, corn zein, another widely available protein material, was introduced into the silk protein networks to form blended polymers with various ratios of silk to zein. This resulted in the successful alloying of protein from an animal source with protein from a plant source. The material properties were confirmed through structural, morphological, and thermal analyses. FTIR analysis revealed the dominance of intramolecular beta-sheet structures in wild silks, while the domestic silks and zein favored random coil and alpha-helical structures, respectively. Post-treatments using water annealing further refined the structure and morphology of the films, resulting in stable composites with both inter- and intramolecular beta-sheet structures in wild silks. While in domestic silks, the random coils were converted into intermolecular beta-sheets with enhanced beta-sheet crystallinity. This improvement significantly enhanced the thermal and structural properties of the materials. By deciding on the source, ratio, and treatment of these biopolymers, it is possible to tailor protein blends for a wide range of applications in medicine, tissue engineering, food packaging, drug delivery, and bio-optics.

A New Tool for Measuring the Diameter of Hemp Fiber

ABSTRACT Hemp is a versatile and durable natural material with a long history of human use. This plant provides essential materials such as fiber, seeds, and oil. Hemp fiber is among the oldest, strongest, and most durable natural fibers available. Fiber diameter stands out as a key characteristic among the various measurable properties of fibers for determining yarn and fabric quality. Despite advances in fiber analysis, current methods for measuring fiber diameter lack the efficiency required for high-throughput sample evaluation. The Optical Fiber Diameter Analyzer has been identified as a potential tool to measure the diameter of hemp fibers. This study involves three distinct experiments: investigating the stability of the OFDA diameter measurement, measuring hemp fiber diameters, and investigating the effects of different treatments on raw hemp fiber diameter. The instrument demonstrated reliability and precision in short- and long-term use, providing consistent hemp fiber diameter measurements with minimal variation. We observed that both the degumming and cottonization processes improved the hemp fiber quality. The development of such techniques is needed to ensure quality and optimize processes within the expanding industrial hemp fiber sector. The results are encouraging; however, further validation using larger samples of commercial hemp will be required.

Use of Grade 1 Liquid Smoke from Apus Bamboo (Gigantochia apus) Raw Material as A Preservative for Fresh Shrimp by Soaking Method at Different Concentrations

This research is motivated by the lack of optimal use of bamboo, where bamboo is a natural material that is relatively cheap, easy to obtain and is one of the plants whose use in society is less optimized. In its role as a plant, bamboo can also be used as a material for making liquid smoke for various food needs which can be used for preservation. Shrimp is also a food that people really like, but shrimp cannot last long so natural additives are needed so that shrimp can last longer. Therefore, this research aims to determine the effect of providing liquid smoke from bamboo on shrimp quality, including changes in the smell and texture of shrimp. Observations were carried out at the Non-Wood Forest Products Laboratory, Forest Products Processing Study Program, Samarinda State Agricultural Polytechnic. The research method was carried out by observing shrimp without preservation (control), preserving shrimp with different concentrations, namely 5%, 7% and 9%. Observations of changes in the smell and texture of preserved shrimp were carried out for 6 days. The research results showed that preserving shrimp using liquid smoke from grade 1 bamboo material at a concentration of 7% was more effective than the control, liquid smoke concentrations of 5% and 9%.

Recovery of Lithium from Natural Raw Materials. Minireview

This review briefly discusses acidic, basic, and saline methods of lithium salt recovery from mineral spodumene, methods of processing natural chloride brines by alternative removal of attendant elements of the first and second groups as well as the recovery of lithium salts by using DALH-Cl based on Al(OH)3. A suggested hypothesis provides the explanation for some unusual properties of the material by the influence of hydrogen bonds and dissociation of Al(OH)3 in an aqueous medium.

Tensile and Flexural Loads of a Hybrid Natural Animal Bones Composite Material at Various Volume Fractions and Particle Sizes

Tensile and Flexural Loads of a Hybrid Natural Animal Bones Composite Material at Various Volume Fractions and Particle Sizes

Formation Processes and Environments in the Hinojo‐Las Tunas Shallow Lake System, Argentina Pampas: The Laguna Chica Archaeological Locality as a Case Study

ABSTRACTThis work integrates taphonomic (archaeofaunistics and bioarchaeology) and geoarchaeological (geormorphology, pedologic, sedimentological and micromorphological analyses) information to discuss the depositional and postdepositional history of both surface and buried archaeological record related to past hunter–gatherer populations from the Central Pampean Dunefields of Argentina (South America). Radiocarbon and optically stimulated luminescence dating suggest three temporal clusters of occupations in the Laguna Chica locality: one during the middle Holocene (~8050–6535 years cal. B.P.) and two in the late Holocene (~3350–2870 and ~1640–1535 years cal. B.P.). Middle Holocene burials found at the present lake shore are hosted in aeolian sediments that accumulated under arid/semiarid conditions. Modern lacustrine dynamics derived from contraction/expansion cycles have exposed burials, archaeofauna, and stone tools, resulting in displacements, fragmentation and loss. A palimpsest of cultural and natural material spanning ~8000 years resulted from this paleoenvironmental setting. Late Holocene human activities might have been related to a transitional landscape, where aeolian processes took place under an expanding lacustrine scenario (i.e., relatively wetter conditions). Our stratigraphic assessment suggests that human occupations were syndepositional agents with episodes of aeolian sand activity and landscape stability. The taphonomic and geoarchaeological evidence from Laguna Chica locality show that the empirical evidence traditionally used to evaluate hunter–gatherer settlement patterns (e.g., abundance and diversity of archaeological evidence and their spatial association in surface or stratigraphic units) and human diet breadth changes (e.g., Ntaxa) may simply reflect the cumulative action of lacustrine erosion of dunes. While both the Laguna Chica surface and stratigraphic records have complex formation histories, the buried context could be interpreted with greater detail through taphonomic and sedimentological analyses.

ВИХОВНИЙ ПОТЕНЦІАЛ ІНТЕГРАЦІЇ МИСТЕЦТВА В ОСВІТНІЙ ПРОЦЕС

The article demonstrates the possibilities of using the integration of the arts in the educational process for the development of sustainable development thinking skills in students. The peculiarities of the "Creative Partnerships" program, which has become widely used in various countries, are analyzed. The integration of art into other disciplines stimulates creative and critical thinking, enriches the understanding of educational material and makes the educational process more interesting and diverse. This helps students to see the problems of the world around them, understand the connections between different fields of knowledge, and feel their responsibility for building a better future. It was concluded that the involvement of art to increase environmental awareness helps to emotionally interest students, encourages reflection and concrete actions for sustainable development and preservation of the environment. The authors identified STEAM projects as the most effective art integration technology, in which, in addition to scientific knowledge and the use of production and information and communication technologies, a significant share is devoted to the artistic component. Such integrated projects develop the creative abilities of students and contribute to a deeper understanding of educational topics and problems of the modern world. Holding art workshops on recycling secondary materials, creating art objects from natural materials, or organizing ecological exhibitions with the participation of young people contributes to the education of conscious citizens who understand the importance of sustainable development. Therefore, the authors indicate the need to prepare future teachers for this kind of integrated activity and give examples of the integration of arts in the educational activities of students in classes from various educational disciplines.

Wood-Derived Hydrogels for Osteochondral Defect Repair.

Repairing cartilage tissue is a serious global challenge. Herein, we focus on wood skeletal structures that are highly porous for cell penetration yet have load-bearing strength, and aim to synthesize wood-derived hydrogels with the ability to regenerate cartilage tissues. The hydrogels were synthesized by wood delignification and the subsequent intercalation of citric acid (CA), which is involved in tricarboxylic acid cycles and essential for energy production, and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG), which is a cartilage glycosaminoglycan, among cellulose microfibrils. CA and NAG intercalation increased the amorphous region of the cellulose microfibrils and endowed them with flexibility while maintaining the skeletal structure of the wood. Consequently, the CA-NAG-treated wood hydrogels became twistable and bendable, and the acquired stiffness, compressive strength, water content, and cushioning characteristics were similar to those of the cartilage. In rabbit femur cartilage defects, CA-NAG-treated wood hydrogels induced the differentiation of surrounding cells into chondrocytes. Consequently, the CA-NAG-treated wood hydrogels repaired cartilage defects, whereas the collagen scaffolds, delignified wood materials, and CA-treated wood hydrogels did not. The CA-NAG-treated wood hydrogels exhibit superior structural and mechanical characteristics over conventional cellulose-fiber-containing scaffolds. Furthermore, the CA-NAG-treated wood hydrogels can effectively repair cartilage on their own, whereas conventional natural and synthetic polymeric materials need to be combined with cells and growth factors to achieve a sufficient therapeutic effect. Therefore, the CA-NAG-treated wood hydrogels successfully address the limitations of current therapies that either fail to repair articular cartilage or sacrifice healthy cartilage. To our knowledge, this is the pioneer study on the utilization of thinned wood for tissue engineering, which will contribute to solving both global health and environmental problems and to creating a sustainable society.

Heavy Metal Spatial Variation Mechanism and Ecological Health Risk Assessment in Volcanic Island Soils: A Case Study of Weizhou Island, China

Heavy metals in volcanic island soils are key for assessing pollution risks and guiding environmental management strategies. However, research on heavy metals in volcanic island soils remains limited. In this study, the concentrations of heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb, Cr) in surface soil samples from Weizhou Island, China, were determined using ICP-OES, with average concentrations of 59.18 mg/kg, 119.06 mg/kg, 35.63 mg/kg, and 159.78 mg/kg, respectively. The basalt profiles generally exhibit higher heavy metal content and pH values compared to volcaniclastic rock profiles, as basalt accumulates higher concentrations of heavy metals. However, surface soils over volcaniclastic rocks show significantly higher heavy metal concentrations than those over basalt, indicating spatial variability in metal accumulation. Heavy metal concentrations in Weizhou Island soils are notably elevated at both the western wharf and the island’s tail, both characterized by volcaniclastic rock lithology, with human activities further increasing concentrations at the western wharf compared to the island’s tail. Land use types influence heavy metal content, with higher concentrations in abandoned land and lower concentrations in forest land with dense vegetation and organic matter. Principal component analysis reveals that heavy metals are primarily derived from natural parent material, with the first two principal components comprising 59.77% of the variance. Ecological risk assessment indicates that Weizhou Island soil is generally considered relatively clean, but Pb presents an ecological hazard, with 86.54% of the sites at risk. Overall, heavy metals in volcanic island soil mainly come from natural sources but lead contamination and human-impacted areas require attention.

Development of cordierite‐based low‐expansion porcelain tiles with application potential in an underfloor heating system

AbstractThe high coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs; α) of common porcelain tiles result in deformation, cracking and even breakage after prolonged utilization in an underfloor heating system. Cordierite‐based porcelain tiles with low α values have good application potential in underfloor heating systems. Herein, environmentally friendly and low‐cost cordierite‐based porcelain tiles made with desert sand were presented. The bulk density, linear shrinkage, water absorption, CTE, and modulus of rupture were determined to investigate the sintering stage of this desert sand‐based low‐expansion porcelain tiles. Powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses were used to characterize the phase changes and microstructures of the materials. The results revealed that mass ratio of SiO2 to Al2O3 (m[SiO2/Al2O3]), mass ratio of MgO to Al2O3 (m[MgO/Al2O3]), and sintering temperature jointly affected the CTEs of the porcelain tiles. Moreover, the sintering temperature significantly impacted the quantities and morphologies of the cordierite crystals. An increase in the number of columnar‐like cordierite crystals during production resulted in a decreased CTE. The results of this study present an effective technique for preparing low‐CTE porcelain tiles from natural waste materials. These desert sand‐based tiles could be widely applied in underfloor heating systems.

New Plastitar Record for the Mediterranean Sea: Characterization of Plastics and Tar from the Salento Peninsula (Ionian Sea).

The various forms of anthropogenic pollution are regarded as a serious threat to marine coastal areas. The overproduction and mismanagement of petroleum derivatives, such as tar and plastics, have resulted in a significant correlation between these two pollutants. The aggregation of tar, microplastics (MPs), and natural materials can create plastitar blocks, which are common in coastal areas. These raise concern about the undeniable negative impact on the marine ecosystem and the associated biota, and serve as a recognizable and understandable indication of environmental decline. Here, the composition of the 11 plastitar blocks collected on the Ionian side of the Apulia region (Italy) was characterized both in tar and plastics using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, respectively. Of the 250 particles extracted from the tar, 208 were identified as plastics, predominantly Polyethylene. The majority of these were in the form of pellets (90%), with fragments accounting for 5% and films and filaments representing the remaining 5%. This study provides new data that can be used to enhance the understanding of the distribution and baseline information about this novel form of pollution in Italian waters.

Plasmonic and Photonic Modes in Colloidal CuS Nanocrystals

AbstractCopper monosulfide (CuS), also known as covellite, displays exceptional optoelectronic characteristics, exhibiting both plasmonic and photonic absorption in its monolithic nanomaterial form. It is classified as a hybrid metallic‐semiconducting material and a natural hyperbolic material with a distinctive crystal structure. Nanostructured CuS has been demonstrated to support localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) in the near‐infrared spectral range. Here, the phenomenon of near‐infrared (NIR) to visible electromagnetic field localization in ultrathin crystalline quasi‐2D CuS nanocrystals is revealed. This is achieved by mapping LSPRs in a range of CuS structures using high‐resolution electron energy‐loss spectroscopy in combination with cathodoluminescence spectroscopy. In addition to LSPRs, a range of photonic modes in the visible and ultraviolet spectral ranges is identified in colloidally defined single‐crystalline nanostructures, with numerical simulations providing supporting evidence. Finally, CuS nanocrystals exhibit visible NIR light emission within the range of 600–900 nm when excited by an electron beam. Altogether, these properties make CuS nanocrystals highly suitable for applications in telecommunications, sensing, and nanophotonics.