Non-woven Tissue Research Articles

Different Weed Managements Influence the Seasonal Floristic Composition in a Super High-Density Olive Orchard.

Weed management is not yet environmentally, agronomically, economically and socially sustainable in olive orchards. It is necessary to study appropriate integrated weed management systems (IWMSs) based on the knowledge of weed population and effects of weeding practices over time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different weed managements on seasonal floristic composition of a super high-density olive orchard, also exploiting the essential principles of an IWMS. Five weeding techniques were compared: chemical control (CHI), mowing (MEC), plastic (nonwoven tissue, TNT and polyethylene, PEN) and organic (with de-oiled olive pomace, DOP) mulching. Weed monitoring was carried out on six dates in a three-year period. The infestation of each of the main 18 weed species recorded (%) and the total infestation (%) on each monitoring date were determined. Results underlined that all weeding practices investigated in this multi-year study affected the floristic composition, weed characteristics (hemicryptophytes, cryptophytes and therophytes) and seed bank. TNT and PEN were the most effective methods for weed management. Particularly, total infestation coefficient was significantly lowest when plots were managed with TNT (13.91%) and PEN (14.38%) and highest for MEC (141.29%). However, DOP also significantly reduced infestation compared to CHI and MEC. Therefore, DOP could constitute an excellent strategy for weed management in super high-density olive groves, since it also has the possibility of distributing mulching materials in a mechanized way in field and can result in improvement of soil fertility and the possibility of valorizing waste. Further studies should be carried out to investigate the mechanism of action (physical and allelochemical) of de-oiled pomace or other organic agro-industrial materials and the recovery time of these mulching materials in super high-density olive orchards.

Active Ingredients and Carriers in Nutritional Eco-Cosmetics

Beauty and personal care became a significant part of the global economy for two reasons: (1) The elderly growing in the global population and (2) the desire of women and men to appear younger and more attractive. Thus, both young and old people are looking for revolutionary nutritional eco-cosmetics (combined use of cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals) manufactured by natural active ingredients, using biopolymers as substrates, and made by innovative and sustainable technologies. Consequently, the market of both cosmetics and diet supplements is continually growing together with the request of natural active ingredients, including bio-peptides and biological macromolecules such as chitin and lignin. Therefore, both consumers and industry need to recover innovative active ingredients and carriers (vehicles), naturally derived and supported by advanced methods for controlling their effectiveness and safeness on skin and mucous membrane layers. The use of selected bio-ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and bio-mimetic peptides, obtained by advanced, innovative and sustainable bio nanotechnologies, will be of interest to develop smart cosmeceutical and nutraceutical formulations. Innovation is considered the key business strategy to drive sustainable economic growth. For trying to reduce waste and produce sustainable, biodegradable and innovative products, the realization of new non-woven tissues, used as carriers for making innovative cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals was considered. Both carriers and active ingredients have been obtained from food waste to reduce loss and pollution. This review will report a brief description of the skin functions, trying also to focus and discuss some of the active ingredients and carriers used in nutritional eco-cosmetics to clarify the supposed mechanism of action, effectiveness and safeness of both active ingredients and carriers, as well as the supposed activity of beauty and personal care products.

Effect of Non-Woven Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Tissue on Fresh and Hardened Properties of Concrete.

This study will investigate the effect of non-woven PET plastic tissue on the fresh, physical, mechanical, acoustic, thermal, and microstructural behaviors of concrete. Including reference specimens, non-woven fabrics were considered in two ways: (a) as a layer with four various configurations of 1-layer, 2-sides, 3-sides, and full wrapping (4-sides) to strengthen specimens, and (b) as (10 × 10) mm cut pieces with three different incorporated percentages of 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75%. Based on the experimental results, mechanical properties (compressive, split tensile, and flexural strengths) were remarkably improved by applying non-woven sheets as a layer. For instance, the cylindrical compressive and split tensile strengths were improved by 13.40% and 15.12% for the strengthened specimens compared to the reference specimens, respectively. Moreover, control specimens were damaged to many fragments after mechanical testing, but the samples strengthened by such fabrics or containing cut pieces were maintained and not separated into many small parts. The acoustic behavior and thermal conductivity declined by 9.83% and 19.67% with the attachment of tissue on one side and 2-sides, respectively. Acoustic behaviors decreased by 10.0%, 17.60%, and 26.30% and thermal conductivity decreased by 6.60%, 12.10%, and 15.50%, with the incorporation of 0.25%, 0.50%, and 0.75% of cut pieces, respectively. Finally, it was discovered that non-woven tissue is advised to enhance particular properties of concrete.

Nanochitin and Nanolignin: Activity and Effectiveness

Worldwide consumers are considering the need to change their daily habits for having a more positive effect on the environment, boosting both health and economy. Thus they are seeking for natural- based, biodegradable, skin- and environmentallyfriendly products ,producing zero waste and being able to maintain the declared efficacy. Consumers became aware of waste and specifically of plastics by-products that, when discarded, are no more sustainable for land and the oceans ‘equilibrium. Microplastics, in fact, consumed as food from fishes, marine birds and mammals are entering into human food together with their content of toxic compounds. Thus the necessity to produce and use biodegradable goods and tissues made by natural, sugar-like polymers, such as chitin and lignin. These polymers, obtainable from fishery's and agro-forestry biomass respectively, are biodegradable, nontoxic, having a low cost also. Thus on the one the physicochemical characteristics and the relative market of both chitin and lignin have been reported, while on the other hand the method to produce some of their complexes at the nanosize has been described. Chitin nanofibrils, in fact, covered by electropositive charges, are easily complexed with the nano lignin' nano-fibers negatively charged, to obtain micro/nanoparticles which may encapsulate various active ingredients, such as nicotinamide, glycyrretyc acid, nanosilver, etc. Different obtained nanoparticles, therefore, have been bound to natural biodegradable fibers for characterizing and making non-woven tissues to be used in the medical and cosmetic field, as innovative products.

Non-Woven Tissues as Novel Cosmetic Carriers for a Green Beauty

Approximately 75% of textile waste is generated annually worldwide, as there is a dearth of viable recycling strategies. It has been estimated that textile industries can be responsible for approximately 20% of global water pollution. As a consequence, if not properly managed, the cost of waste management of textile waste will be trillions of dollars annually. Moreover, the generated wastes are detrimental to the environment and public health. On the other hand, there is a possibility that the majority of the waste can be recycled to obtain, for example, natural polysaccharides that can be used to produce biodegradable tissues, films, and goods. These innovative tissues, constituted by chitin nanofibrils (CN) complexed with nanolignin (LG) bound to natural polysaccharide-based polymers, may be used as innovative cosmetic green carriers and novel biodegradable food packaging in line with the consumers requests. Consumers, in fact, are looking for biodegradable apparel, footwear, and natural cosmetics for the betterment of health and the environment, and thus, there is a demand for green cosmetics.

Food Loss and Food Waste for Green Cosmetics and Medical Devices for a Cleaner Planet

To stay wealthy in a world where all can live in prosperity and wellbeing, it is necessary to develop sustainable growth at net zero emissions to stop climate change, neutralizing both risks and diseases such as the COVID-19 pandemic and inequalities. Changing the worldwide use of the great quantity of food loss and waste can help to move in this direction. At this purpose, it seems useful to transform food waste into richness, extracting and using its content in natural ingredients and biopolymers to make new sustainable products and goods, including cosmetics and medical devices. Many of these ingredients are not only bioactive molecules considered of interest to produce these consumer products but are also useful in reducing the environmental footprint. The active agents may be obtained, for example, from waste material such as grapes or olive pomace, which include, among others natural polymers, phythosterols, vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fatty acids. Among the polymers, chitin and lignin have shown particular interest because biodegradable, nontoxic, skin- and environmentally friendly ingredients can be obtained at low cost from food and forestry waste, respectively. According to our experience, these polymers may be used to make nanocomposites and micro-nanoparticles that encapsulate different active ingredients, and which may be embedded into gel and non-woven tissues to realize advanced medications and smart cosmeceuticals. However, to utilize food waste in the best possible way, a better education of both industry and the consumer is considered necessary, introducing all to change the ways of production and living. The consumer has to understand the need to privilege, food, cosmetics and goods by selecting products known to be effective that also have a low release of carbon dioxide. Thus, they must pay heed to purchasing cosmetics and medical devices made by natural ingredients and packaged by biodegradable and/or reusable containers that are possibly plastic free. Conversely, the industry must try to use natural raw materials obtained from waste by changing their actual production methods. Therefore, both industry and the consumer should depart from the linear economy, which is based on taking, making, and producing waste, to move into a circular economy, which is based on redesigning, reducing, reusing and recycling. Some examples will report on the possibility to use natural polymers, including chitin and lignin, to produce new cosmeceutical tissues. These innovative tissues, to be used as biodegradable carriers for making smart cosmetics and medical devices, may be produced at zero waste to save our health and the planet biodiversity.

From Cosmetics to Innovative Cosmeceuticals—Non-Woven Tissues as New Biodegradable Carriers

Due to pollution and climate-change fear, further increased by the COVID19 pandemic, consumers are looking for body and mind health by the request of more effective and safe products, including the anti-aging skincare cosmeceuticals.. The term “cosmeceuticals” was coined in 1962 as a fusion of cosmetic and pharmaceutical to cover a new class of products able to achieve aesthetic and drug-like benefits. They not only improve the skin’s appearance, but also treat different dermatological conditions, through a physiological activity, shown by in vitro and in vivo studies. This new category of cosmetics should contain no recognized drugs, but nonetheless have medicinal value. Consumers, in fact, are looking for products able to regenerate the skin and maintain not only a youthful appearance together with well-ness and well-being, but preserving the environment also. Consequently, they are searching for cosmetics and food made with high-quality natural ingredients, packaged with biodegradable materials and realized by sustainable technologies, possibly at zero waste. Consumers, in fact, are afraid of the pollution and plastics invading lands and oceans, causing many frequent disasters on our planet. New and smart tissues and films, made by polysaccharides and natural active ingredients, are proposed as innovative cosmeceuticals. These non-woven tissues, embedded by micro/nano complexes of chitin and lignin encapsulating different active ingredients, could represent a new category of vehicles that are characterized for their high effectiveness and safeness. Moreover, they do not induce allergic nor sensitizing phenomena, being biodegradable; skin- and environmentally friendly; and free of preservatives, emulsifiers, colors, fragrances and any kind of chemicals. Last but not least, polysaccharides, chitin and lignin may be obtained from industrial and agro-forestry waste, safeguarding the natural raw materials for the future generations.

Effect of support on PVDF membranes for distillation process

Flat sheet membranes made of polyvinyldene fluoride (PVDF) were prepared via nonsolvent induced phase separation (NIPS). The focus of this work was concentrated on the effect of the support structure and material on the morphology and on the distillation performance of the final membranes. To this end, various membranes were prepared casting a uniform polymer solution film on six commercial non-woven tissues and on three thin nets, characterized by different materials and morphologies, and then immersing them in an ethanol coagulation bath.FE-SEM analysis was widely exploited to evaluate both the surface and cross section structure of membranes. The different interactions between the dope solution and the support materials as well as the different extent of mutual entanglement were found to be key parameters in the membrane preparation, governing both the overall porosity and pore size.

Withdrawal Notice: Beauty and Wellness Turn Towards a Green Economy

: Beauty and wellness remain for both women and men an important target also because global attractiveness is considered a cue indicating the ability to maintain beauty and wellness. Consequently neuromarketing has occurred as an innovative mean to interact with consumer's trend, actually looking for high-quality and natural cosmetics and food. By the biometric studies, in fact, it seems possible to verify the consumers’ willingness to buy the right products they are looking for. On the other hand, customers are requesting cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals acting positively on the superficial appearance of face and body, seem to be able to boost the immune system also, limiting the stress conditions. This general disease is induced by the actual way of living on a planet invaded by a great quantity of waste released from human’s activities. The consequent pollution alters the ecological balance of the body, influencing negatively the life of animals and plants also. Thus, the induced stress, further increased by the COVID-19 spread, could change the human brain' neural conditions. Consequently, in humans the production of both neurons' stem cells and cortisol could decrease, while in plants, the patterns of growth could affect the leaf cuticle and stomatal conductance. Thus brain, under psychosocial stress, actively demands energy from the body, eliciting a marked increase in eating by a major carbohydrate intake which sacrifices the requirements of other organs. In any way, pollution has wide-ranging adverse health and social effects, further worsened by an increased worldwide aged population who, requiring more food and goods, increases the waste production. What the proposed solution? To change the way of consuming and producing, it is necessary to optimize the material resource, minimizing waste that should be recycled and reused by a green economy approach. So doing, it could be possible to realize a new industrial Renaissance reducing consumption of water, energy and natural raw materials. Thus the necessity to use sustainable technologies and materials for maintaining human wellbeing in an environment in which the species' biodiversity could be assured. At this purpose, chitin nanofibrils(CN), nano-lignin (NL) and their derived compounds have been proposed to make nanoparticles (NPs) by the use of water as solvent. These NPs, loaded with different active ingredients, may be embedded into innovative natural or man-made polymers and used to make biodegradable carriers in the form of non-woven tissues and films. Depending on the polymers and on the actives loaded into the fibers, these new vehicles may be used to produce smart cosmeceuticals, nutraceuticals or advanced medications. It is interesting to underline that all these innovative NPs and tissue/films can be produced by natural polymers and ingredients, obtained from waste materials and produced by sustainable technologies at low consumption of water and energy, according to the new green economy.

Smart and Sustainable Hair Products Based on Chitin-Derived Compounds

According to previous research studies, consumers worldwide are searching for new natural-oriented hair products that are both skin and environmentally friendly. Worldwide waste and air pollution, with the consequent environmental disasters, represent the greatest risk to human health and economy, further increased by the COVID-19 pandemic. Among others, non-biodegradable molecules are present in hair products (fossil-based additives, surfactants, etc.) and macromolecules (plastics). Plastics waste is considered the most serious problem, representing a forecast amount of 460 million tons per year by 2030, 12% of which is reused or recycled. Most plastics consumed, therefore, go to landfills and incineration, also if their recycling is considered an important driver of industrial profitability. Thus, the use of biopolymers represents an interesting alternative to produce biodegradable goods and tissues. After an introduction to the worldwide waste problem and the hair structure, the present review proposes the possibility to make biodegradable tissues that, realized by chitin nanofibrils and nano-lignin as natural polymers, may be used to produce an innovative and smart cosmetic hairline. Chitin-derived compounds are considered interesting polymers to produce non-woven tissues able to repair the hair damages provoked by the aggressiveness of both the environment and some aggressive cosmetic treatments, such as setting, bleaching, permanent waving, and oxidative coloring. The possible activity, that positively charged polymers such as chitin could have, has been speculated, interfering with the constitution and organization of the hair fibrils’ structure, which is negatively charged. The possibility of selecting biopolymers for their packaging is also discussed. Moreover, the use of these biopolymers, obtained from forestry-agro-food waste, may be of help to safeguard the further consumption of natural raw materials, necessary for future generations, also maintaining the earth’s biodiversity.

Biofunctional Textiles for Aging Skin.

The skin is the largest organ in the human body, acting as the first protective barrier against the external environment aggression, such as UV rays and atmospheric nanoparticulate pollutants. On the one hand, the skin employs different antioxidant agents to protect its natural oxidative balance. On the other hand, ageing phenomena are the main cause of skin barrier damages, leading to a disequilibrium in the physiological redox system. Thus, the necessity to find new innovative cosmetic means, such as biodegradable non-woven tissues able to load, carry and release active ingredients in the right skin layers. These innovative cosmetic tissues can not only protect the skin from toxic environmental agents, but may balance the natural skin barrier, also acting as anti-aging agents when their fibers are bound to the right ingredients. The proposed tissues, consisting of polysaccharide natural fibers made of chitin nanofibrils and nanochitin, seem to be an ideal candidate for the production of new and effective biofunctional textiles, also because they are able to mimic the skin’s extra cellular matrix (ECM) when electrospun. These innovative cosmeceuticals have shown the possibility of being used for food formulations as well as for topic anti-aging agents, having shown an interesting repairing effectiveness on skin and also on hair. Thus, they could be used both as active ingredient and as skin smart active carriers in substitution of normal emulsions, being also biodegradable, free of chemicals, and obtainable from waste material.

A New Carrier for Advanced Cosmeceuticals

Cosmetic products are generally formulated as emulsions, ointments, solutions or powders containing active ingredients. According to EU legislation, a cosmetic product is “any substance or preparation intended to be placed in contact with the various external parts of the human body with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning, perfuming them, changing their appearance, and/or correcting body odors and/or protecting them or keeping them in good conditions”. However, science advancement in both active carriers and ingredients has streamlined the process through which many cosmetic products by their delivery systems can induce modifications on the skin physiology. This is the reason why Reed and Kligman redefined these products as “cosmeceuticals”, which refers to the combination of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Until recently, the term of cosmeceuticals has not had legal significance. The so-called cosmeceuticals, in fact, may induce modifications on the skin physiology, modifying, for example, transepidermal water loss, keratinocytes cohesion and turnover, modulating the inflammatory cascade, and/or altering the surface microbiota by the activity of the preservatives content. For these reasons, they are claimed to have medical or drug-like benefits. Naturally, their effectiveness on minor skin disorders or mild skin abnormalities has to be shown by in vitro and in vivo studies. On the other hand, their formulations contain emulsifiers, preservatives, and other chemicals which, by their cumulative use, may provoke side effects, such as allergic and/or sensitization phenomena. Moreover, many ingredients and packaging for such products are not biodegradable. In this study, we would like to introduce an innovative category of cosmeceuticals made by biodegradable nonwoven tissues. These cosmeceutical tissues, produced through the use of natural fibers, may bind different active ingredients and therefore become effective as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, sun-protective, whitening, or anti-aging products, depending on the ingredient(s) used. Differently from the usual cosmetics, they do not contain preservatives, emulsifiers, colors, and other chemicals. They can be applied as dried tissue on wet skin, remaining in loco for around 30 min, slowly releasing the active ingredients entrapped into the fibers. It is interesting to underline that the tissue, acting as a carrier, has its own effectiveness via chitin and lignin polymers with an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. When hydrolyzed by the human microbiota enzymes, they give rise to ingredients used as cell nourishment or energy. This paper will review part of the scientific research results, supporting this new category of biodegradable cosmetic products known as facial mask sheets.

The influence of incorporation of silica and carbon nanoparticles on the mechanical properties of hybrid glass fiber reinforced epoxy

Recently, the study of hybrid nanocomposites has attracted much attention because they are highly expected for being used in many applications. In this context, there is an insisting need to investigate the effect of incorporation of silica and carbon particulates nanofillers into epoxy reinforced with woven and nonwoven tissue glass fiber. The influence of incorporation of silica (SiO2) and carbon black nanoparticles (C) with different weight fractions on the tensile properties, impact strength and fatigue performance of epoxy matrix reinforced with two types of E-glass fiber was investigated. The results showed an improvement in tensile properties, impact strength and fatigue life with addition of almost all nanoparticles contents considerably with respect to that of the neat glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites (NGFRE). Hybrid composites filled with 0.5 wt.% C exhibited the highest tensile strength and fatigue performance with an enhancement of 19% and 60% compared to NGFRE, respectively. An increase of 57% and 28% in tensile modulus and impact strength over NGFRE was obtained respectively with hybrid composites filled with 1 wt.% C. Adding 0.25 wt.% SiO2 and 0.25 wt.% C simultaneously showed an improvement in mechanical properties. SEM images of tensile and impact fracture surfaces are presented for CS 0.5 specimens which in turn reveal weak fiber/matrix interface.

On the specificity of different methods for neutral detergent fiber and related problems

We compared alternative methods for analyzing Neutral Detergent Fiber with the reference AOAC 2002.04 method for specificity. We reported the chemical composition of major nutrients for the matrixes of 19 feeds and one non-feed (sawdust). Two independent matrixes were from animal origin: meat and bone meal, and milk powder. All fiber residues were ash and blank-corrected to yield values comparable to the reference aNDFom obtained with the reflux in crucibles (Fibertec, method 1) or in Berzelius beakers without spouts (method 2). The alternative fiber methods were as follow: reflux in Berzelius beakers with spouts (method 3), the ANKOM pressurized filter bag system (method 4), a non-pressurized filter bags (nonwoven tissue) immersion system (TECNAL, method 5), and micro-NDF digestion in crimp-sealed penicillin flasks deposited in an autoclave (method 6). The major nutrients were fractional mass proportions described as Beta-distributed variables. Assuming aNDFom as normally distributed because of negative fiber values recorded, an information-theoretic approach identified the relevance of the random effects of analyst (three analysts of the same laboratory) and their interactions with matrix, method, and matrix-method interaction as fixed effects. We also challenged the traditional homoscedastic assumption. The GLIMMIX procedure of SAS was used to fit the models. In sequence, we chose the model without all random effects except for the analyst-method-matrix interaction defined as the subject and a complete heteroscedastic structure with one variance estimate for each method-matrix group. We removed milk powder from the dataset to fit the same model by assuming that aNDFom/1000 was Beta-distributed, and Pearson residuals demonstrated a comparable fit to the normal assumption. Within the limits of the experimental error, the ADFom was entirely formed by Lignin (sa) for meat and bone meal and for powdered milk. We observed a significant method-matrix interaction for aNDFom. Therefore, effect slices for methods within matrix and vice-versa revealed several significant contrasts between reference and alternative methods for aNDFom. Methods 1 and 2 were not different. With powdered milk removed from the analysis, the fit under Beta-distributed aNDFom resulted in an increased number of significant contrasts; however, contrasts between methods 1 and 2 remained non-significant, regardless of the matrix analyzed. Significant contrasts demonstrated the lack of specificity of the alternative methods used to measure insoluble fiber compared with the reference methods. In terms of variability, within-laboratory variance for aNDFom corresponded to the method-matrix-analyst component, and the variation introduced by different analysts in the same laboratory was negligible.

Chitin and lignin to produce biocompatible tissues

The artificial matrices made by biomaterials, also known as scaffolds, are used as structural support for cells to develop tissues. Among the biomaterials, chitin and lignin could be considered the right polymers to make natural-like scaffolds as they are biocompatible and eco-compatible. Moreover, they may be easily electro spun to produce non-woven tissues with a structure similar to the natural extracellular matrix (ECM). In fact, for the particular organization of its fibers, these tissues are able to support appropriate cellular activity, optimizing tissue regeneration without eliciting undesirable local or systemic responses. On the other hand, the necessity to realize biomaterials with the right biochemical and mechanical properties have became a must of our society, due to the increase in the aging population with a consequential enlargement of the global market for the tissue engineering and regeneration, estimated to reach around USD 60 billion in 2019. At this purpose, it is necessary to understand the delicate orchestration of the biological, physicochemical and environmental aspects involving the cell migration and proliferation as well as to exploit the both natural molecules to be used, obtainable today from renewable sources and the green processes routes. The use of natural polymers in substitution to the petrol-derived ones seems the best way to produce skin-friendly healthy tissues and, slowing down the increased plastics production and waste, to try to save the Earth's environment equilibrium and biodiversity. The paper will report some general data to support the use of chitin and lignin as natural biomaterials for tissue engineering in regenerative medicine.

Anti-Inflammatory, Immunomodulatory, and Tissue Repair Activity on Human Keratinocytes by Green Innovative Nanocomposites.

The use of raw materials obtained by waste and processed through innovative industrial methodologies has generated an industry of about a trillion dollars in a short time, and in the near future will provide resources and services for the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in order to ensure a better and fairer welfare for the human race. The production of nano-fiber chitin non-woven tissue is in accordance with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and European Union (EU) bio-economic programs: 100% biodegradable, ecological, and therefore useful in decreasing dependence on fossil fuel resources. The aim of our study is the evaluation of different formulations of a non-woven tissue obtained from electrospinning of a mixture of nanochitin fibrils, lignin, and poly (ethylene) oxide (PEO) on the restoration of damaged tissues. Wound repair is a complex process that involves epithelial and immune cells and includes the induction of metalloproteinases, inflammatory mediators, and angiogenic factors. Our in vitro results have shown that all of the realized chitin nanofibrils-bio-lignin non-woven tissues tested as nontoxic for human keratinocytes (HaCat) cells. Furthermore, the bio-composites that included bio-lignin at 0.1% have been able to modulate the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Tumor Necrosis Factor-α, IL-1α, and IL8), lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and human beta-defensin 2 (HBD-2) expression in HaCat cells, suggesting an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory role. Taken together, our results suggest that our chitin nanofibrils-bio-lignin non-woven tissue represents a skin-friendly tool that is able to favor a correct and fast wound repair.

Improvement of Hardness and Wear Resistance of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites by the Incorporation of Silica/Carbon Hybrid Nanofillers

ABSTRACTThe tribological performance of hybrid composite (epoxy reinforced with woven, nonwoven tissue glass fibers, silica and carbon black nanoparticles) was investigated. Two methods were used to ensure good dispersion of nanoparticles in epoxy resin which were ultrasonic processor and magnetic stirrer. The effect of silica and/or carbon black nanoparticle content on microindentation hardness and wear properties of the neat glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites was investigated. The results from the wear test indicated that, under all applied loads, incorporation of silica and carbon black nanoparticles either single or combined significantly improved the wear resistance of neat glass fiber reinforced epoxy. A significant increase in hardness of the hybrid nanocomposite laminates was achieved. Analysis of variance was developed to study the optimal wear testing parameters on composite samples. The most significant parameter is the time, followed by nanoparticle (silica and carbon black) content.

Enhancement of water barrier properties and tribological performance of hybrid glass fiber/epoxy composites with inclusions of carbon and silica nanoparticles

Water barrier properties and tribological performance (hardness and wear behavior) of new hybrid nanocomposites under dry and wet conditions were investigated. The new fabricated hybrid nanocomposite laminates consist of epoxy reinforced with woven and nonwoven tissue glass fibers and two different types of nanoparticles, silica (SiO2) and carbon black nanoparticles (C). These nanoparticles were incorporated into epoxy resin as a single nanoparticle (either SiO2 or C) or combining SiO2 and C nanoparticles simultaneously with different weight fractions. The results showed that addition of carbon nanoparticles with 0.5 and 1 wt% resulted in maximum reduction in water uptake by 28.55% and 21.66%, respectively, as compared with neat glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites. Addition of all studied types and contents of nanoparticles improves hardness in dry and wet conditions over unfilled fiber composites. Under dry conditions, maximum reduction of 47.26% in weight loss was obtained with specimens containing 1 wt% carbon nanoparticles; however, in wet conditions, weight loss was reduced by 17.525% for specimens containing 0.5 wt% carbon nanoparticles as compared with unfilled fiber composites. Diffusion coefficients for different types of the hybrid nanocomposites were computed using Fickian and Langmuir models of diffusion. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Green Nanotechnology Serving the Bioeconomy: Natural Beauty Masks to Save the Environment

According to United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), ensuring a clean and healthy environment will provide multiple benefits to society and economy. Sustainable production, followed by appropriate management of industrial and agricultural waste, will protect and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services. To achieve this objective, specific policies must be put in place and specific actions performed for making a low-carbon and resource-efficient economy with reduced production of petrol-derived goods. The aim of the study has been to produce effective and safe anti-age beauty masks made of non-woven tissues based on the use of chitin nanofibril (CN) and nanolignin (LG), obtained from crustaceans and plant biomass, respectively. To this purpose, nanoparticles and electrospun fibres have been characterized by Dynamic Light Scattering and SEM, while the safeness and effectiveness of the obtained tissues was verified in vitro on a culture of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and controlled in vivo by expert dermatologists on 30 volunteer photo-aged women, by subjective and objective bioengineered methods. The in vitro results have shown that the beauty masks have no toxic effects on the viability of keratinocytes and fibroblasts treated by the Dimethyl Tetrazole (MTT) method, and exhibit a decreased expression of cytokines, playing a central role in the regulation of immune and inflammatory responses in premature aging and environmental assaults. The reparative and antiaging effectiveness of these innovative beauty masks have been also verified on the release of Metallo Proteinase I (MMP-1) and the increased synthesis of collagen type I, reduced in skin aging. The first preliminary in vivo results, obtained by engineering methods, have confirmed the protective and rejuvenating activity shown by the in vitro study conducted on 30 voluntary women exhibiting signs of photoaging. The raw materials used are of natural origin being also respectful of the environment, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (EOCD) and EU programmes.

Investigation of Effective Parameters on Thermal conductivity of Needle Punched Nonwovens Using Multiple Regression

Investigation of Effective Parameters on Thermal conductivity of Needle Punched Nonwovens Using Multiple Regression Optimization of thermal properties of textiles in the face of high energy cost important. Nonwoven tissues include fibrous materials can be used for thermal insulation application. Internal pores of these materials determine their thermal properties, which is affected by many factors. The purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of structural parameters on heat transfer properties of needled nonwovens. In this study, the effect of mean fiber orientation and porosity of nonwoven fabric on thermal conductivity were studied.