Fiber Production Research Articles

Isolation of Cellulose Nanofibers From Sunflower Seed Husks via Formic Acid Hydrolysis

ABSTRACTNanocellulose has garnered great interest among researchers because of its biodegradability, renewability, biocompatibility, high strength and versatile functionality. The present study focuses on the development of an eco‐friendly, benign method to extract cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) from waste sunflower husks (SFHs) using formic acid hydrolysis. Both CNFs and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were obtained in high yields from SFHs. The enhanced colloidal stability of CNFs was evident from the ζ potential values, which ranged from −11.8 to −19.6 mV. Varying yields of CNFs were obtained by differing reaction times, though all were found to be thermally stable. SEM and TEM were used for the morphological analysis. The removal of non‐cellulose constituents was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. The enhancement of crystallinity upon treatment was examined using XRD analysis. The thermal stability of the cellulose extracted was checked via TGA. The present method of extraction of CNFs and MCC from waste SFHs using formic acid could open a new way of bulk production of nanocellulose fibers for the manufacture of green, value‐added products in high‐end fields, including electronics, agriculture and biomedicine, among others.

Histopathological Correlation Between High Endothelial Venule Neogenesis and the Tumor Microenvironment in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

The dynamic interplay between cancer cells and the microenvironment involves a wide range of intricate relationships that evolve during different stages of tumor progression. Recent attention has focused on high endothelial venules (HEVs), specialized endothelial cells in tumors with a unique cuboidal shape similar to those in lymph nodes. Previous animal studies have shown that normalization of tumor angiogenesis through anti-VEGFR2 therapy promotes HEV formation. However, few reports exist regarding the relationship between HEVs and preexisting blood vessels or interstitial fibers. In this study, we histologically examined whether tumor vascular structure correlates with HEV neogenesis. A total of 109 patients with pathological stage I lung adenocarcinoma who had undergone curative lung resection at our Institute between 2012 and 2016 were included. HEVs were identified by anti-peripheral node addressin (PNAd) staining. Immunostaining and Elastica-Masson-Goldner staining were performed on tumor sections and quantified. PNAd-positive cells were identified in 102 (93.6%) patients. Nearly all PNAd-positive cells were located within or near immune cell clusters. We investigated the correlation between microvessel structures or interstitial fibers and the number/density of PNAd-positive vessels, but no significant correlation was found. Since PNAd-positive cells were concentrated in immune cell aggregates, we focused our analysis specifically on these regions. Immune cell aggregates with abundant PNAd-positive vessels had a greater microvessel density along with by rich collagen fiber production, and displayed a more mature morphological phenotype of HEVs. The generation of PNAd-positive cells in tumors is governed by an angiogenetic mechanism distinct from that of broader tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, the accumulation of immune cells is associated with increased HEV maturation.

PRODUCTION AND EXPORT PERFORMANCE OF COIR PRODUCTS IN INDIA

The coir sector is an important agro-based industry in India that plays an important role in employment opportunities and economic development. India is the world's largest producer and exporter of coir and coir products, exporting coir and its products to more than a hundred countries. It is the by-product of coconut's outer shell, which is used to produce coir fiber, coir yarn, different mats, mating rugs, non-woven products, non-woven mats, coir geo-textiles, coir pith, garden articles, curled coir, needle felt, hand knotted netting, coir ply articles, coir braid, coir rope, coir tea leaf bags, coir brushes, lunch bags, office bags, chapels, pouches, and many more. It is a 100 percent natural and biodegradable product that helps to store water molecules in soil to improve its fertility. The aim of the study is to determine the trend in production of coir fiber and its products in India and to know the export performance of coir fiber and its products in India during the last ten years. According to the study release, there are good opportunities in the world market for the coir products. KEY WORDS: coir fiber, coir products, production, exports, value, countries etc.

Genetics of Some Wool Traits in Sheep: A Review

Greasy fleece yield, staple length and fibre diameter are complex quantitative traits influenced by various genetic and environmental factors. Among non-genetic factors year of birth, gender of lamb, centre of rearing, parity and type of birth are known to influence wool traits in different sheep genetic resources. To develop effective breeding objectives and accurately evaluate genetic potential, more precise analysis of genetic parameters and correlations between growth traits is essential. However, inconsistent results were observed across breeds and studies, highlighting the need for breed-specific optimization strategies. Greasy fleece yield, fibre diameter and staple length are critical determinants of wool quality and quantity. Wool traits are moderately (20–50%) to highly heritable (≥50%), so improving quality and quantity of a wool clip can happen even after one generation. The significant variations observed among breeds underscore the need for breed-specific optimization strategies. By integrating genetic and environmental factors, sheep breeders and producers can develop effective breeding programs, improve wool production, and enhance profitability. Wool traits are moderately to highly heritable, however, very low and very high estimates have also been reported in different sheep genetic resources. The heritability estimates correspond to the genetic variation in a trait. Gene mapping has identified chromosomal regions influencing fibre quality and production, enabling more efficient selection of superior wool production. Recent studies have employed various techniques to investigate the impact of fibre-related genes, including the candidate gene approach, transcriptome analysis and genome-wide association studies. It is concluded that wool traits being quantitative in nature are governed by different genes and are influenced by genetic and different environmental factors.

A critical review on additive manufacturing of sustainable NFRC’s: processing and applications

In present era researchers and scientists are rapidly acknowledging the importance of environment friendly procedures, goods, and the recycling of agricultural waste. Therefore, the utilization of natural resources and production of natural fiber reinforced composites (NFRC’s), is increasing considerable interest among scientists. Although NFRC’s have promising application potential, certain issues relating to materials and processes must be resolved to attain long-term stability and performance. The current study serves as a first introduction to the many categories and advantages of NFRC’s and additive manufacturing, accompanied by a concise explanation. Furthermore, the present article provided a concise overview of characteristics and types of NFRC’s, processing and recent challenges of implementing NFRC’s in the field of additive manufacturing (AM). Finally, recent challenges encountered in processing NFRCs using additive manufacturing are briefly introduced.

Evaluating storage conditions on the effect of peroxide content in acrylonitrile

AbstractThe content of peroxide in acrylonitrile is critical for the production of polyacrylonitrile‐based carbon fibers. Peroxide‐free acrylonitrile is used as a blank solution for testing the peroxide content of acrylonitrile, which storage conditions are important to the test. Of course, for the change of peroxide content in acrylonitrile stored for a period of time has an effect on the production of carbon fiber. In order to study the effect of storage conditions on peroxide in peroxide‐free acrylonitrile and acrylonitrile, the changes at refrigerator and room temperature were studied, respectively. Studies have shown that storage at temperatures below 20 °C for 3 months hardly affect the use of either peroxide‐free acrylonitrile or acrylonitrile. The experimental results obtained are useful for practical production and testing, which can improve the accuracy of testing and stability of production.

Scalable Production of Functional Fibers with Nanoscale Features for Smart Textiles.

Functional fibers, retaining nanoscale characteristics or nanomaterial properties, represent a significant advance in nanotechnology. Notably, the combination of scalable manufacturing with cutting-edge nanotechnology further expands their utility across numerous disciplines. Manufacturing kilometer-scale functional fibers with nanoscale properties are critical to the evolution of smart textiles, wearable electronics, and beyond. This review discusses their design principles, manufacturing technologies, and key advancements in the mass production of such fibers. In addition, it summarizes the current applications and state of progress in scalable fiber technologies and provides guidance for future advances in multifunctional smart textiles, by highlighting the upcoming impending demands for evolving nanotechnology. Challenges and directions requiring sustained effort are also discussed, including material selection, device design, large-scale manufacturing, and multifunctional integration. With advances in functional fibers and nanotechnology in large-scale production, wearable electronics, and smart textiles could potentially enhance human-machine interaction and healthcare applications.

Micro-extrusion foaming fabricating porous polyester elastomeric fiber for using in radiative cooling fabrics

Climate change has unleashed relentless global heatwaves, posing grave threats to the physical and mental well-being of outdoor laborers and the smooth functioning of society. Porous polymeric fibers exhibit promising potential in personal thermal management for wearable fabrics. Nevertheless, the absence of an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and efficient method for producing the desired porous fibers remains a formidable challenge. Here, we introduce a pioneering micro-extrusion foaming technique for crafting elastic porous fibers endowed with dense longitudinally oriented cell morphologies, remarkable porosity of 69 % and elongation of 668 %. The technique enabled the continuous production of porous fibers exceeding 3000 m in length in a single operation, with fiber diameters controlled to approximately 0.25–0.55 mm. Fabrics woven from the elastic porous fiber offered a soft touch, proficiently reflecting more than 90.0 % of incident solar radiation and emitting 91.9 % of absorbed heat radiation, thereby achieving a theoretical radiant cooling power of 111.46 W/m2 on sunlit days. Leveraging the controllable and scalable attributes of micro-extrusion foaming, the porous fiber is primed for practical deployment and expansion into diverse wearable applications.

Dynamic behavior of melt electrospinning of blended polypropylene

Melt electrospinning is a promising process for fiber production without the need for solvents and with potential applications in various fields. In this study, we investigated the dynamic behavior of melt electrospinning under different blending ratios and process conditions. We used high melt flow index polypropylene and low molecular weight polypropylene, which were blended to lower the melt viscosity, and fibers were successfully manufactured through the melt electrospinning process. The effects of blending ratio and applied voltage on jet and drop formation, as well as fiber morphology, were examined. The results showed that blending low-molecular-weight polypropylene significantly influenced the jet and drop areas, leading to fluctuations in jet morphology. The size of the applied high voltage also had a high effect on the fiber diameter. Additionally, the viscosity reduction achieved through blending allowed for continuous jet formation and improved fiber production. These results provide valuable insights into controlling the process parameters and blending ratios in melt electrospinning, enabling the establishment of stable electrospinning conditions and precise control of fiber diameter.

Are Microfibers a Threat to Marine Invertebrates? A Sea Urchin Toxicity Assessment.

The rise of "fast fashion" has driven up the production of low-cost, short-lived clothing, significantly increasing global textile fiber production and, consequently, exacerbating environmental pollution. This study investigated the ecotoxicological effects of different types of anthropogenic microfibers-cotton, polyester, and mixed fibers (50% cotton: 50% polyester)-on marine organisms, specifically sea urchin embryos. All tested fibers exhibited toxicity, with cotton fibers causing notable effects on embryonic development even at environmentally relevant concentrations. The research also simulated a scenario where microfibers were immersed in seawater for 30 days to assess changes in toxicity over time. The results showed that the toxicity of microfibers increased with both concentration and exposure duration, with polyester being the most toxic among the fibers tested. Although synthetic fibers have been the primary focus of previous research, this study highlights that natural fibers like cotton, which are often overlooked, can also be toxic due to the presence of harmful additives. These natural fibers, despite decomposing faster than synthetic ones, can persist in aquatic environments for extended periods. The findings underline the critical need for further research on both natural and synthetic microfibers to understand their environmental impact and potential threats to marine ecosystems and sea urchin populations.

Preparation of Lyocell Fibers from Solutions of Miscanthus Cellulose.

Both annual (cotton, flax, hemp, etc.) and perennial (trees and grasses) plants can serve as a source of cellulose for fiber production. In recent years, the perennial herbaceous plant miscanthus has attracted particular interest as a popular industrial plant with enormous potential. This industrial crop, which contains up to 57% cellulose, serves as a raw material in the chemical and biotechnology sectors. This study proposes for the first time the utilization of miscanthus, namely Miscanthus Giganteus "KAMIS", to generate spinning solutions in N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide. Miscanthus cellulose's properties were identified using standard methods for determining the constituent composition, including also IR and atomic emission spectroscopy. The dry-jet wet method was used to make fibers from cellulose solutions with an appropriate viscosity/elasticity ratio. The structural characteristics of the fibers were studied using IR and scanning electron microscopy, as well as via X-ray structural analysis. The mechanical and thermal properties of the novel type of hydrated cellulose fibers demonstrated the possibility of producing high-quality fibers from miscanthus.

Fibrous microplastics in the environment: Sources, occurrence, impacts, and mitigation strategies

Fibrous microplastics (FMPs), a unique class of microplastics, are increasingly recognized as a significant environmental threat due to their ubiquitous presence and potential risks to ecological and human health. This review provides a comprehensive overview of FMPs, including their sources, prevalence in various environmental media, and potential impacts. FMPs, which can be found in over 90 % of certain environmental samples, originate from a diverse range of sources, including synthetic textiles, landfill waste, industrial emissions, and atmospheric deposition. These persistent pollutants pose a threat to both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Their insidious presence can lead to ingestion by organisms, potentially disrupting ecosystems and posing risks to human health. Addressing the challenge of FMPs requires a multi-faceted approach. Reducing the production and use of synthetic fibers, implementing effective waste management practices, and developing new technologies to remove FMPs from wastewater and the broader environment are all crucial components of the solution. However, further research is essential to fully understand the long-term implications of FMPs on ecosystems and human health, laying the foundation for the development of robust and effective mitigation strategies.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of the water footprint and virtual water trade in global cotton production and trade

Cotton, the world's most widely cultivated fiber crop, is associated with a multitude of environmental impacts, particularly the intensive use of water resources. While previous studies have assessed cotton's water usage through the water footprint concept, they largely focused on spatial variability, leaving temporal dynamics and the issue of unsustainable water use underexplored. This global study addressed these gaps by examining both the spatial and temporal variability of cotton's water footprint and assessing the unsustainable water footprint over time. Additionally, it explored the potential of flax as a water-efficient alternative for fiber production. Using a global gridded crop model, the study simulated yield and water use of flax and cotton from 1972 to 2018 at 30 arcmin resolution. The results showed that the global average blue, green, and total water footprint of cotton decreased by 37%, 48%, and 43%, respectively, due to yield improvements driven by improved crop cultivars, fertilizers, and better water management practices, with climate playing a minor role in these reductions. Despite this, the total water footprint of cotton production increased by 5%, with the blue water footprint rising by 17%. Additionally, unsustainable blue water usage in cotton cultivation increased from 59.3 km³/y to 70.9 km³/y between 1972-1976 and 2014–2018, with 71.1% of the unsustainable water traded virtually. USA, Pakistan, and India accounted for over 60% of this unsustainable virtual water trade. Flax, with its substantially lower water footprint, emerged as a promising alternative to reduce water consumption in fiber production. These findings offer critical insights for formulating strategies to mitigate unsustainable water use in global fiber production.

Building healthy sandy soils in agricultural landscapes

Building healthy sandy soils in agricultural landscapes Lynette Abbott and Hira Shaukat from The University of Western Australia, provide insights into research on enhancing health in sandy soils. Sandy agricultural soils generally have lower productivity than soils with higher concentrations of finer clay and silt particles, but they are widespread and important worldwide for food and fibre production. For example, in the Mediterranean climatic region of Southwestern Australia, deep sandy soils are common and result from extremely long periods of weathering with little or no opportunity for re-mineralisation.

Petrochemical industry as a source for microplastics; abundance and characteristics of pollution in soil, sewage, and bay

Petrochemical industries can potentially be sources of microplastics. This is the first report that studies the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in different parts of a petrochemical site, and process of changes in microplastics from the place of production to reaching open waters. Samples were taken from 10 points. In order to identify the microplastics, NaCl and ZnCl2 solutions were used for extraction and then H2O2 was used for cleaning and with using different filters, two groups of size were divided. Then, using a stereomicroscope and ATR-FTIR their abundance, color and shape and the type of polymers were determined. The number of microplastics in the soil samples varied from 1483 ± 475 items/Kgdws to 4620 ± 983 items/kgdws, the industrial WWTP sludge, the number of microplastics detected varied from 1233 ± 225 items/L to 1433 ± 372 items/L and in WWTP effluent was determined to be 276 ± 76 items/10 L. on average, 66.38 % and 33.62 % of the detected microplastic particles were in the size range of 0.45μ-20μ and 20μ-2mm, respectively. Also on average, 75.89 % and 24.11 % of the particles were in the density range of 1.2–2 g/cm3 and less than 1.2 g/cm3, respectively. On average, 68.33 %, 14.35 %, 10.55 %, and 6.77 % of the microplastics were in the form of fiber, film, pellet and other, respectively. On average, 29.84 %, 56.27 %, 1.02 %, 2.88 %, 0.97 %, and 8.99 % of the microplastics were black, white, red, blue, green and other respectively. 61 %, 23 %, 8 %, 4 % and 4 % of the investigated particles were classified as PES, PET, PE, PE and unknown, respectively. The results indicate that by moving away from the place of production of PES fibers, microplastics have undergone physical and chemical changes and their nature is changing. Results showed that the petrochemical industries can be potentially a microplastic source. It is a warning that if not taken into consideration will be a serious threat to environmental health.

Magnetic Nanoparticles in Biopolymer Fibers: Fabrication Techniques and Characterization Methods.

Hybrid nanocomposites combining biopolymer fibers incorporated with nanoparticles (NPs) have received increasing attention due to their remarkable characteristics. Inorganic NPs are typically chosen for their properties, such as magnetism and thermal or electrical conductivity, for example. Meanwhile, the biopolymer fiber component is a backbone, and could act as a support structure for the NPs. This shift towards biopolymers over traditional synthetic polymers is motivated by their sustainability, compatibility with biological systems, non-toxic nature, and natural decomposition. This study employed the solution blow spinning (SBS) method to obtain a nanocomposite comprising poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), PVA, and gelatin biodegradable polymer fibers incorporated with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with poly(acrylic acid), PAA2k, coded as γ-Fe2O3-NPs-PAA2k. The fiber production process entailed a preliminary investigation to determine suitable solvents, polymer concentrations, and spinning parameters. γ-Fe2O3-NPs were synthesized via chemical co-precipitation as maghemite and coated with PAA2k through the precipitation-redispersion protocol in order to prepare γ-Fe2O3-NPs-PAA2k. Biopolymeric fibers containing coated NPs with sub-micrometer diameters were obtained, with NP concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 1.7% wt. The synthesized NPs underwent characterization via dynamic light scattering, zeta potential analysis, and infrared spectroscopy, while the biopolymer fibers were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Overall, this study demonstrates the successful implementation of SBS for producing biopolymeric fibers incorporating iron oxide NPs, where the amalgamation of materials demonstrated superior thermal behavior to the plain polymers. The thorough characterization of the NPs and fibers provided valuable insights into their properties, paving the way for their potential applications in various fields such as biomedical engineering, environmental remediation, and functional materials.

Efficient Approximation of Varying Fiber Orientation States in Injection Molded Parts Under Consideration of Multiple Manufacturing Uncertainties

AbstractThe production of high-quality fiber reinforced polymer parts is an important aspect in several industrial areas. However, due to unavoidable uncertainties in material and manufacturing processes, the part quality scatters. One important aspect here is the fiber orientation, being crucial for the thermo-mechanical properties of the part and being influenced by the uncertain material state and process conditions. Process simulations are an important tool for predicting the fiber orientation, but state-of-the-art simulations are normally deterministic and represent only one specific case. Performing enough deterministic simulations to model manufacturing uncertainties requires high numerical effort. Therefore, this work presents methods to quickly and efficiently approximate the fiber orientation under varying material and process parameters, requiring only a few simulations as input. Different schemes for approximation are evaluated and compared with each other and with 3D process simulations.

Intercropping Legumes Improves Long Term Productivity and Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks in Sub‐Saharan Africa

AbstractFood, feed, and fiber production needs to increase to support demands of the growing population in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), while soil fertility continues to decline. Intercropping, the cultivation of two or more crop species on the same field, can provide yield benefits and is suggested to positively affect soil organic carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) stocks. This study uses the biogeochemical model system LandscapeDNDC with the objective to (a) represent maize‐legume intercropping systems in different bioregions in SSA by simultaneously simulating both crops and their interactions and (b) assess long‐term (20 years) impacts of intercropping under varying mineral fertilizer inputs (0–150 kg N ha−1 yr−1) on productivity as well as soil organic C and N stocks. We test LandscapeDNDC on 82 field data sets (site‐year‐treatment combinations) from 18 sites to represent yields and soil C/N dynamics of maize‐legume intercropping systems. Using the model for long‐term scenario simulations showed that intercropping allows to sustain productivity and to improve or maintain SOC stock in low or zero fertilizer systems if all residues are returned to the soil. In contrast, for sole‐cropped maize systems, a decline in SOC stocks was simulated unless a minimum of 35 kg N ha−1 yr−1 of fertilizer was applied at full residue return. We conclude that intercropping using legumes alongside sufficient residue return allows for stabilizing long‐term yields while avoiding SOC losses even with low fertilizer N inputs. Overall, our study confirms the potential of intercropping as a sustainable agricultural practice that could significantly contribute to food security in SSA.

Challenges and Opportunities for Extension in Drought Adaptation: A Case Study of Ranching in New Mexico

Abstract Prolonged drought poses significant challenges for food and fiber production in the U.S. Southwest, where range livestock production has great economic and cultural significance. Sustaining rangeland agriculture in the region necessitates swift and nimble uptake of drought adaptations. While the Cooperative Extension Service serves as a promising resource to drought adaptation among ranchers, how Extension staff perceive their capacity to support ranching clientele in that endeavor is not well understood. We interviewed university Extension professionals across New Mexico to explore their perceptions of drought. We found that their perceived ability to aid in drought adaptation was dependent upon interpersonal, as well as structural, factors. These factors differed across ranching regions in New Mexico. This case study highlights the importance of Extension networks, opportunity for novel Extension training, and a need for heightened attention to structural barriers.

Towards a comprehensive analysis of agricultural land systems in the EU and US: A critical view on publicly available datasets

Understanding agricultural land systems is paramount to preparing for future transitions under climate change. Systematic quantitative, multi-context analyses of agricultural land systems are a promising way of increasing our understanding but rely on the availability of large-scale and commensurable data. The available data, however, are outcomes of political priorities and processes and thus not neutral windows into agricultural realities. We map, describe, and compare publicly available and publicly curated data describing agricultural land systems—those devoted to the production of food, fuel, and fiber—in the United States (US) and European Union (EU) to identify underlying data collection norms and political priorities. We discuss how these priorities shape what we can(not) see in each region and articulate future data needs to support an in-depth understanding of agricultural land systems dynamics. This comprehensive understanding of how and why agricultural land systems change is imperative to promoting sustainable, resilient, and just agriculture futures.