Non-conventional Materials Research Articles

Optimization of the rice husk ash production process for the manufacture of magnesium silicate hydrate cements

Different types of amorphous, silica-rich materials can be employed as supplemental cementitious materials (SCM) in Portland cement compositions that are more common. SCMs react with Ca(OH)2 in the presence of Portland cement and a water solution to create calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H). When produced under specific circumstances, rice husk ash (RHA) contains a high concentration of amorphous silicon dioxide and is utilized as SCM in Portland cement formulations. Similar to this, materials high in amorphous silica, like RHA, encourage the production of hydrated magnesium silicate gels (M-S-H) in reactive magnesium aqueous solutions. Studies examining RHA's capacity to generate M-S-H under various temperature settings, however, are scarce. For the creation of cellulose-reinforced cementitious composites, M-S-H cements, which have superior mechanical qualities and reduced alkalinity (pH 9–10) as compared to Portland cement, are a suitable option. Because of this, the current study assesses the hydration reaction of magnesium oxide with silica produced from RHA and processed by various heat treatments (500, 550, 600, and 650 °C) to generate M-S-H. There were tests for mechanical stability, electrical conductivity, calorimetry, XRD, TG, pH, and more. As benchmarks, compositions containing MgO and commercially active silica (SF) were employed. The findings demonstrate that, in comparison to previous thermal treatments, RHA generated at 500 °C (RHA500) enabled the creation of an increased M-S-H concentration. The axial compressive strength of this composition (MgO/RHA500) in the initial phases is comparable to that of the reference composition (MgO/SF). Since the paste consisting of MgO/RHA500 had the lowest pH values at 30 days of curing, even when compared to the pH of the reference composition MgO/SF (pH 10.04), the calcination of RHA at 500 °C is also the best treatment to lower the alkalinity of the created system. The MgO/RHA500 composition's decreased alkalinity will enable the RHA generated at lower temperatures to be applied in a new way. The RHA, which is already a by-product of the agro-industrial sector with some added value, serves as a predecessor for the creation of M-S-H cement, which will promote both technical and environmental benefits for non-conventional cementitious materials.

Investigation of resilient modulus and permanent deformation of tropical soil with Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement

By the end of 2020, the mechanistic-empirical method for pavement design had come into effect in Brazil. Several studies have analyzed the use of alternative or non-conventional materials in pavement structures and have shown that local soils can be improved by the incorporation of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP). Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the performance of mixtures of Brazilian lateritic soil with RAP for applications in granular layers of asphalt pavements. Different proportions of the mixture were used: mixture 1 (0 % RAP, 100 % Soil), mixture 2 (25 % RAP, 75 % Soil) and mixture 3 (50 % RAP, 50 % Soil). The study’s methodology involves the characterization of lateritic soil, the mechanical performance analysis of the proposed mixtures by the resilient modulus and permanent deformation tests, and mechanistic-empirical pavement performance simulation, using the specific Brazilian MeDiNa software, which was developed and calibrated for specific Brazilian traffic, climate and material conditions. The results indicated that the addition of RAP to lateritic soil can improve the performance of the material for granular layers of asphalt pavements. In addition, the mixture with 25 % RAP showed the best behavior, in terms of the appearance of a cracked area and a less significant worsening, in terms of deformation, when compared to the soil without the addition of RAP. Thus, this study contributes to knowledge in the transportation infrastructure field, regarding the mechanistic-empirical parameters for composite mixtures of lateritic soils and RAP and enabling the implementation of satisfactory sustainable solutions involving the disposal of waste in pavement construction.

Acoustic Emission-Based Structural Health Prediction and Monitoring: A Comprehensive Review

In this paper, we report a detailed overview of non-destructive techniques, specifically Acoustic emission, for structural health monitoring in engineering applications. The review comprehensively covers the application of the AE technique for data related to damping and attenuation of structural components made from various material types, including conventional and non-conventional materials. Also, this paper systematically emphasizes research related to data collection processes of variable structural elements, such as stress concentration areas, sensor placement, and methodological monitoring. In addition, the analysis discussed in the review encompasses research that has utilized the AE method to examine the performance of metal and concrete building elements in risky situations, such as high temperatures and creep factors, with and without any visible signs of damage. We also examine various solution techniques, such as empirical wavelet transforms, finite element solutions, and differential quadrature for conventional materials’ damage analysis. Furthermore, the review emphasizes using waveform schemes to assess the vulnerability of damages in unconventional materials, such as laminated composite structures with different geometrical shapes. The paper concludes by presenting an overview of the current state of the AE technique in structural health monitoring and discusses potential future developments. This review is a valuable reference for professionals and researchers engaged in engineering applications related to structural health monitoring.

Scheffe's Polynomial Optimisation of Laterite Concrete Incorporating Periwinkle Shells and Coir

Recent emphases on minimising the carbon footprint of concrete have focused on the use of non-conventional materials for the production of low-cost concrete. Such materials include laterite, periwinkle shells and coir which have been reported as suitable for use as fine and coarse aggregate replacements in specified proportions. However, the use of two or more unconventional materials in a concrete mix would require significant experimental effort that is time- and resource-consuming and usually performed by trial and error to determine the optimum mix design. A popular optimisation technique used for concrete mix design is Scheffe's second-degree polynomial modelling. However, the application of a more accurate Scheffe's third-degree polynomial optimisation technique in designing cementitious composites incorporating unconventional aggregates is rare. This study, therefore, presents the use of Scheffe's third-degree model to determine the optimum proportions of coir, laterite and periwinkle shell aggregates in a concrete mix in order to obtain the best mechanical properties of the hardened concrete. The constituents of the concrete were optimised for seven components of water, cement, fine-aggregate, laterite soil, coarse aggregate, periwinkle shell and coir on an N(7, 3) Sheffe's factor space. The optimal mix ratio for compressive and flexural strengths of 11.33 and 1.20 MPa, respectively, was 0.5149, 1.044, 3.009, 0.126, 3.934, 0.054, and 0.0046 for pseudo-components Xi: {∀i = 1, 2 3, 4, 4, 6, 7}. The coefficients of determination (R2) were 98.74% and 98.53% for the compressive and flexural response models, respectively, while the p-values obtained for the response coefficient fit parameters βi, βij, βijk for (i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7) were 96.77% and 91.49% for the compressive and flexural strength models, respectively. The optimised Low-Performance Concrete (LPC) is about 4% cheaper than LPC made from conventional aggregates and is adequate for patio slabs, pedestrian footpaths, kerbs, and floorings in residential buildings. The use of Sheffe's third-degree model eliminates the significant experimental efforts needed in the design of concrete mixes incorporating unconventional aggregates.

Evaluation of the Structural Performance of Lime-Stabilized cubitermes sp Termite Mound Soil as a Sub-Base Layer for Sustainable Pavements

The scarcity of road materials that can be used directly in the sub-base layer of a road without preparation has led to the use of non-conventional materials. This study describes the feasibility of using hydrated lime-treated cubitermes sp termite mound soils for road construction, based on laboratory tests. Tests of Atterberg limits, dry density, CBR, compressive strength, static modulus and measurement of sinking of the material under traffic were carried out with different proportions of lime (0%, 3%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 9%). The results obtained show that the mechanical properties of soil-lime mixtures improve up to the point of lime fixation at 6% and that above 6% lime, the mechanical properties decrease. The traffic simulation at the rut shows that for the 6% lime mix, microcracks appear from 20.000 cycles and that the average settlement is 2 mm. The friction of the grains under the stresses developed by the passage of the wheel reduces the mechanical bonds of the soil-lime mixture. The rigidity of the material leads to the induced slab effect, which gives the material good behavior in hot weather, without strain or rutting. The mechanical connections during the setting of the soil-lime mixture reduce the friction of the grains under the stresses developed by the wheel. Lime welds the fines into much larger, more or less impermeable particles on the surface, which reduces the crumbling of the material by attrition, a major cause of pavement deterioration. The optimal mix can be used as a sub-base layer or wearing course for low-traffic earth roads (T1 < 300) and for the treatment of the upper parts of embankments. All these results are consolidated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses.

Designing Nonconventional Luminescent Materials with Efficient Emission in Dilute Solutions via Modulation of Dynamic Hydrogen Bonds.

Nonconventional luminescent materials (NLMs) which do not contain traditional aromatic chromophores are of great interest due to their unique chemical structures, optical properties, and their potential applications in various areas, such as cellular imaging and chemical sensing. However, most reported NLMs show weak or no emission in dilute solutions, which severely limits their applications. In this work, dynamic hydrogen bonds were utilized to design NLMs with efficient emission in dilute solutions. To further validate the results, polymers P1 and P2 were successfully prepared and investigated. It was found that the luminescence quantum efficiency of P1 and P2 at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL in water solution was 8.9 and 0.6%, respectively. The high efficiency can be attributed to the fact that polymer P1 has more intra- or intermolecular dynamic hydrogen bonds and other short interactions than P2 in dilute solutions, allowing P1 to achieve the through-space conjugation effect to increase the degree of system conjugation, restrict molecular motion, and decrease nonradiative transitions, which can effectively improve luminescence. In addition, polymer P2 exhibits the characteristics of clustering-triggered emission, excitation wavelength-dependent and concentration-dependent fluorescence properties, excellent photobleaching resistance, low cytotoxicity, and selective recognition of Fe3+. The present study investigates the manipulation of luminescence properties of NLMs in dilute solutions through the modulation of dynamic hydrogen bonds. This approach can serve as a semi-empirical technique for designing and building innovative NLMs in the times ahead.

Abordagem cirúrgica em correção de fissura na gnatoteca em um cisne-negro (Cygnus atratus, Latham, 1790) - Primeiro relato de caso

ABSTRACT The black swan (Cygnus atratus, LATHAM, 1790) is a bird kept as an ornamental in zoos. Because of their long beaks they tend to have a reserved prognosis in musculoskeletal disorders such as beak trauma, secondary to skull bone fractures, presenting irreversible lesions. The aim of this report is present a clinical surgical innovation in the repair of a black swan’s gnathotheca fissure with the application of non-conventional materials used. It was observed that one of the swans kept in a zoo display area had difficulty feeding, with associated weight loss. It was observed tissue loss and a lacerative lesion in the caudal sublingual region of its beak. The lesion was corrected by a separate simple suture in the cranial region of the beak and with a x-clamping using steel surgical wire and the application of dental resin in the distal region to perform a sustentation bridge in the beak end-gap. After 12 days, the animal was able to feed again and remained perfectly adapted to the restoration, reestablishing the anatomical and physiological function of its beak.

Advanced materials for triboelectric nanogenerator

Due to the advantages of excellent output power, low cost and easily preparation, triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is developing rapidly in the field of renewable energy. The output performance of TENG is largely dependent on the surface charge density, which is closely related to the ability of the tribo-material to gain or lose electrons. To obtain higher output power, numerous efforts have been done on material modifications of the friction layer and electrodes of TENG with additional fillers or molecular modifications. In this review, advanced materials for the preparation of TENG devices to achieve high output, humidity-resisting and wear-resisting performance are presented and the working mechanisms of performance optimisation are discussed. Moreover, natural materials, recyclable materials and non-conventional electrode materials are mentioned to inspire subsequent research on TENG.

Optimization Method of Whole Wheat Flour, Soybean Flour, Oyster Meat Powder for Nutrient- Dense Composite Flour

Aim: To study the production of Nutrient – Dense Composite Flour from the blends of whole wheat flour, soybean flour (full fat) and oyster meat powder.
 Study Design: The study was design using the D-optimal combination design of Response Surface Methodology (RSM).
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Department of Food, Nutrition and Home Science, University of Port Harcourt (Processing of raw materials) and the Department of Food Technology, Federal Institute of industrial research Oshodi, Lagos (Analysis of raw materials) between October 2021 and August 2022.
 Methodology: The raw materials were each processed to have wholesome flours, and then they were combined according to the matrix generated, which had ranges of 70 – 100%, 0 – 22%, and 0 – 8% for whole wheat flour (WWF), soybean flour (SBF) and oyster meat powder (OMP) respectively.
 Results: The design was used to assess the significance (5% probability) of the moisture, fat, and protein content, which ranged from 8.09 to 11.37%, 1.80 to 8.52% and 9.70 to 19.07% respectively; the water absorption (72.00 - 79.10BU), dough stability (9.3 - 17.5BU) and mixing tolerance index (25 - 50BU); and lightness and yellowness, which ranged from 65.48 - 83.2 and 13.77 - 23.58 respectively, of the flour blends. Protein content, water absorption dough stability, and mixing tolerance index were prioritized while moisture content, fat content, and yellowness were minimized for the numerical optimization of the responses. This study highlights the possibilities of utilizing non-conventional raw materials in the production of composite flour with balance nutritional and baking qualities.
 Conclusion: The best flour combination was 72.51% whole wheat flour, 19.63% soybean flour, and 7.86% oyster meat powder.

RECENT PROGRESS AND EVOLUTION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NON-ASBESTOS BASED AUTOMOTIVE BRAKE PADS- A REVIEW

Asbestos has been a significant reinforcement material in producing automobile friction components due to its physical and mechanical properties. However, the replacement of asbestos and other toxic metals employed in producing conventional friction components has been called for due to health and environmental concerns. Research in this area has led to the development of more efficient non-asbestos-based organic friction materials for automobiles. In this study, recent progress in the manufacture of non-asbestos-based, eco-friendly automotive brake pads is reviewed. A thorough classification of conventional and non-conventional friction materials used in the development of brake pads is presented, and the production method and the roles of friction materials in the mechanical and tribological properties of the manufactured pads are discussed. The study shows that the performance of brake pads manufactured from plants, animals, or plants and animal materials (hybrid) varies depending on the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of the plants and animals.

Emerging Contaminants and Their Removal from Aqueous Media Using Conventional/Non-Conventional Adsorbents: A Glance at the Relationship between Materials, Processes, and Technologies

Emerging contaminants (ECs) are causing negative effects on the environment and even on people, so their removal has become a priority worldwide. Adsorption and the associated technologies where this process occurs (filtration/biofiltration) have gained great interest, due to its low cost, easy operation, and effectiveness mainly in the removal (up to 100%) of lipophilic ECs (log Kow > 4). Activated carbon continues to be the most efficient material in the removal of ECs (>850 mg/g). However, other conventional materials (activated carbon, clays, zeolites) and non-conventional materials (agro-industrial/forestry/industrial residues, nanomaterials, among others) have shown efficiencies greater than 90%. Adsorption depends on the physicochemical properties of the materials and ECs. Thus, physical/chemical/thermal modifications and nanomaterial synthesis are the most used procedures to improve adsorption capacity. A material with good adsorptive properties could be used efficiently in filtration/biofiltration technologies. Agro-industrial residues are promising alternatives to be used in these technologies, due to their high availability, low toxicity, and adsorption capacities (up to 350 mg/g). In filtration/biofiltration technologies, the material, in addition to acting as adsorbent, plays a fundamental role in operation and hydraulics. Therefore, selecting the appropriate material improves the efficiency/useful life of the filter/biofilter.

Performance evaluation of nano-material stabilized pond ash as subbase layer material for roadway pavement

The power capacity of India is heavily coal based. In the session 2021–22 the overall country’s coal production has been 777.31 million tons, with 8.55% positive growth. However, the Indian coal is of lower grade with higher ash content of 24–63%. This results in the generation of 240.27 million tons of Coal Combustion Ash (CCA) during 2021–22. This huge quantity of industrial byproduct mixed with water and stored in ash lagoons in the form of Pond Ash (PA). From this stored ash deposit only 79.18% finds utilization, which by far falls short of the 100% utilization target as strictly recommended by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF & CC). This high volume generation compounded with lower utilization of PA has been consuming about 65,000 acres of valuable land. Moreover the prolonged disposal of PA in ash lagoons causes serious environmental and health hazards. Besides, the extensive use of Conventional Granular Material (CGM) has been alarming, thus necessitating it to be condemned and strict regulations imposed in construction. Emphasis being laid on the utilization of Non-Conventional Granular Materials (NCGM) like CCA. On the basis of the above mentioned circumstances the PA can be converted into a meaningful wealth for the subbase construction of pavement foundation. Therefore, this paper primarily addresses the potential of PA as subbase layer material for roadway pavement foundation. This study utilizes virgin PA as well as in partial replacement of CGM 10%-100% by weight, being stabilized with lime 0%-14% by weight and Nano-Material (NM) 1:1:150–1:1:400 by dosage as a subbase material for the foundation of pavement. Experimental work was carried out in stages to determine the chemical composition of PA, Lime and NM, characterize the PA samples by FTIR and FESEM followed by understanding the behavior of PA with and without any addition of additives as stabilizers. The c and φ ranges 0.88–40.02 kg/cm2 and 32°-53° The soaked CBR is of 19% to as high as 79% for optimum stabilized PA mix. Terrasil and Zycobond whose pH showed alkalinity, were used as nanomaterial, which provided little to zero permeability for the mix. Slake durability test provided medium to high to very high durability for the optimum mix. A comparative analysis was performed to determine the optimum mix providing the best stability. Light Falling weight Deflectometer (LFWD) showed satisfactory deflection. The values obtained satisfied the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India.

Zinc removal from synthetic waters using magnetite/graphene oxide composites

AbstractThe removal of heavy metals from wastewater has become a global challenge, which demands the continuous study of efficient and low‐cost treatment alternatives such as adsorption. In this research, the removal of zinc was evaluated using batch adsorption processes with nonconventional materials such as graphene oxide (GO), magnetite (MG), and their composites (GO:MG), formulated with three weight ratios (2:1, 1:1, and 1:2). Graphene was synthesized by the modified Marcano method, using pencil lead graphite as a precursor. MG and the composites were synthesized by chemical coprecipitation of ferrous sulfate and ferric chloride. The materials were characterized by Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method to determine the functional groups, microstructural and morphological characteristics, and specific surface area. Batch adsorption tests were carried out to optimize the adsorbent dose and contact time with zinc solutions of 10 ppm. Zinc adsorption reached equilibrium at 2 h, with an optimal dose between 0.25 and 1.0 g/L. The maximum zinc removal efficiencies/adsorption capacities were 98.6%/165.6, 83.4%/47.6, 83.5%/21.9, 72.8%/19.9, and 82.2%/9.25 mg/g using GO, 2GO:1MG, 1GO:1MG, 1GO:2MG, and MG, respectively. Furthermore, the analysis of the isotherm and adsorption kinetics models determined that the adsorption processes using MG and the composites fit the Sips and pseudo‐second‐order models.

A review of fresh and hardened properties of concrete reinforced with waste materials

The worlds demand on aggregates in construction is rapidly increasing from last few years, reason is mainly due to drastic economic growth of the Nations like Brazil, China, and India. Basically, this growth inspires the construction development and destruction activities. This study expresses the state of art of review on research of the industrial wastes which are polluting the environment. During the process of manufacture of several proportions and grades of concrete, non-conventional materials such as foundry sand from metal forging industry and tile dust produced by the tile industries were used to replace fine aggregate partial replacement of 10% - 50%, by weight of fine aggregate. It is found that compressive strength and flexural strength were increased up to 20% replacement of used foundry sand and 10% replacement of tiles dust with natural sand. Since the thickness of pavement slab is reduced, the cost of pavement construction is reduced almost 15% and 22% respectively for both type of alternative concrete mixes. Reuse of waste materials as a partial replacement of fine aggregate in concrete helps to achieve eco-friendly and sustainable development. Quarry dust is a flowable material used for ecofriendly waste for where the grade of conventional concrete is prepared. The mix of nano silica and GGBS with concrete (50 % GGBS, 46% OPC, and 4 % Nano Silica). The effects of reactive silicate and process variables like sodium content and molarity on the alkaline activation of various Nano clays and GGBS are investigated. Considering all the properties and materials partial substitution of 40% copper slag with fine aggregate is nearly equal to the strength of the conventional concrete. Among all other findings foundry sand and quarry dust of 20% and 10% proportions are used as a substitutional material in concrete got achieved adaptable strengths. In porous dam structures bentonite with high water cement ratio with aggregates produces flexible material used as a permeable layer.

Prospects of using natural non-conventional raw materials and secondary raw materials in the production of bread of specific purpose

One of the most important directions in solving the problem of ensuring the food security of the population and improving the environmental situation in the country is the rational use of its own raw materials, including secondary ones, that is, waste from various sectors of the food industry. Their use in the composition of model composite mixtures will significantly expand the range of targeted bakery products, in this case, intended for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The purpose of the study is the selection and study of the chemical composition and biotechnological potential of raw materials for the production of bakery products for medical and preventive purposes. The objects of the study were germinated wheat grain, sesame seeds and grape pomace. The authors consider it possible to use bioactivated wheat grain and secondary raw materials in the production of this type of product, which will enrich it with the missing essential nutrients, reduce the cost, and also significantly improve the ecological situation of the environment.

Correlation of non-destructive and destructive testing of concrete modified with rice husk ash and brick aggregate

Concrete structures may deteriorate over a period of time. Nowadays, to determine the extent of damage, various tests are being performed that are non-destructive by nature. A proper correlation between destructive testing (DT) and non-destructive testing (NDT) may enhance the use of NDT applications in the field of concrete structures. Although several correlations have been suggested by other authors for standard concrete, the correlation may change with the use of non-conventional materials such as rice husk ash (RHA) and brick aggregate (BA) in concrete. In this paper, NDT methods such as ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) testing and rebound hammer testing, as well as DT methods such as compressive strength testing, were performed on a special type of concrete in which BA was used as coarse aggregate and RHA was used as the partial replacement of cement. This modified concrete has been abbreviated as RHA-BA concrete. Material-specific prediction models based on linear regression and artificial neural network (ANN) were established after using the data from concrete specimens. A strong correlation was observed between NDT and DT when the RHA percentage was low. The best correlation between NDT and DT was found at 5% RHA. An RHA percentage beyond this yields a weaker correlation between NDT and DT. The linear regression model along with the k-fold validation technique and the ANN model have both proven to be efficient in predicting the compressive strength of RHA-BA concrete; however, the ANN model has proven to be more efficient than the linear regression model with a lower mean squared error (MSE) and higher R-square values.

Auxetic Materials for Personal Protection: A Review

Life‐changing illnesses and fatalities caused by inefficient personal protective clothing and equipment are increasing day by day. The discrepancy between the test standards, environmental conditions, and infield collision is the reason why personal protection equipment and clothing have not yet decreased the number of injuries in various fields such as military and sports. To further increase the efficiency of personal protection materials, auxetic materials are suggested because of their high energy absorption, good permeability, form‐fitting ability, and high indentation resistance. Auxetic materials are nonconventional materials with a negative Poisson's ratio and can shrink under compression and expand when subjected to stretching. In comparison to nonauxetic conventional materials, auxetic materials have improved properties that can be useful for personal protection applications. This review focuses on the importance of auxetic materials for personal protection, focusing on reducing the chances of injury and what possible ideas can further benefit the protection products. The first part of the review discusses the auxetic structures and their protection applications followed by the fabrication of auxetic structures. The review will conclude with limitations, economic prospects, and what possible work can further improve the potential use of auxetic materials in personal protection.

Comparative Lifecycle Analysis of Sri Lankan Non-Conventional Roofing Materials

Building materials, especially roofing products, play a major role as they are essential for any building construction. Knowledge of the environmental performance of building materials is vital when building life cycle assessment. However, only a few studies have been conducted in Sri Lanka in this regard. The present study focuses on the environmental life cycle assessment of two different non conventional roofing materials used in Sri Lanka. Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate roofing sheets and Calicut-type clay roofing tiles have been selected for the study. In order to measure and calculate environmental impacts of both types of roofing materials, field data was collected quantitatively and noted as per ISO14040 and ISO14044. Using the Cradle-to-Gate LCA technique and OpenLCA software, the environmental impacts as midpoint and endpoint categories were evaluated. As the main output of the study, environmental performance of these two roofing materials were compared, the hotspots of the manufacturing process and the causes were also identified. . Accordingly, the global warming potential of Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate roofing sheets and Calicut-type clay roofing tiles is 13.5 kgs of CO2 eq. and 8.95 kgs of CO2 eq. respectively. Further, comparison of the endpoint categories showed the resource depletion was most impactful, indicating 0.814012 points and0.65305 points, respectively for the two roofing material types. Further, kiln firing was identified as the environmental hotspot contributing most to the endpoint and midpoint impact categories for clay roofing tiles, while mixing materials by hot mixer was the hotspot for Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate roofing sheets. In addition, the overall results demonstrated how the production process of clay tile influences more than the Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate roofing sheet on both the midpoint as well as the endpoint impact categories. KEYWORDS: Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate, Calicut tiles, Cradle-to-Gate, End-pint impacts, Mid-point impacts

Intrinsically fluorescent polyureas toward conformation-assisted metamorphosis, discoloration and intracellular drug delivery

Peptidomimetic polymers have attracted increasing interest because of the advantages of facile synthesis, high molecular tunability, resistance to degradation, and low immunogenicity. However, the presence of non-native linkages compromises their ability to form higher ordered structures and protein-inspired functions. Here we report a class of amino acid-constructed polyureas with molecular weight- and solvent-dependent helical and sheet-like conformations as well as green fluorescent protein-mimic autofluorescence with aggregation-induced emission characteristics. The copolymers self-assemble into vesicles and nanotubes and exhibit H-bonding-mediated metamorphosis and discoloration behaviors. We show that these polymeric vehicles with ultrahigh stability, superfast responsivity and conformation-assisted cell internalization efficiency could act as an “on-off” switchable nanocarrier for specific intracellular drug delivery and effective cancer theranosis in vitro and in vivo. This work provides insights into the folding and hierarchical assembly of biomacromolecules, and a new generation of bioresponsive polymers and nonconventional luminescent aliphatic materials for diverse applications.

FEED INTAKE AND GROWTH RATE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS FED DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS OF RUMEN WASTE, POULTRY WASTE AND CASSAVA PEEL WASTE

Purpose: Rumen waste, poultry waste and cassava peel waste are sources of environmental pollution but could serve as feed resources for ruminant animals. This study was undertaken to ascertain the nutritive value of composite diets with varied proportions of these waste in West African dwarf goats.
 Methodology: Four experimental diets were formulated in which diet 1 was a standard (control) diet. Diets 2, 3 and 4 contained the wastes in varied proportions of 5, 15, and 25%. The goats where offered a basal diet of concentrate containing Brewer’s dried grain (BDG), vitamin/mineral salts mixtures and Panicum maximum. A feeding trial was conducted using sixteen (16) West African dwarf (WAD) goats in a completely randomized design (CRD). Feed intake and weight changes were determined. Chemical composition of the experimental diets was analyzed. 
 Findings: Results of chemical composition of the diets showed absence of significant (P > 0.05) variation in nutritional composition except diet 3, which had greater (P < 0.05) value of Crude Protein (21.00 %) and NDF (61.00 %). Also, diets 2 and 3 had the least (P < 0.05) metabolizable energy of 3.91 and 5.65 MJ/Kg DM respectively. Results of feeding trial showed significantly (P < 0.05) low nutrient intakesfor composite diets 2, 3 and 4 compared to the control (diet 1). Growth performance result showed that goats on diet 1 and 4 significantly (P < 0.05) gained weight (1.07kg and 0.97kg respectively), while goats on diet 2 and 3 significantly (P < 0.05) lost weight (-1.63kg and -0.56kg respectively). Feed conversion efficiency followed a similar trend. Results shows that the goats on diet 1(control) and diet 4 (25% RW, 5% PW and 15% CP) were better utilized by the WAD goats during the feeding trial. This difference can be attributed to poor palatability and acceptability of diets 2 and 3 as well as nutrient imbalance as required for proper rumen function. Therefore, an appropriate combination of these non-conventional feed materials or wastes, as indicated by diet 4, can be fed successfully to small ruminant animals.