Puncture Test Research Articles

The Effects of Emulsifier Addition on the Functionalization of a High-Oleic Palm Oil-Based Oleogel.

Alternatives to oils with high saturated fatty acid content are often liquid oils (high in unsaturated fatty acids) that have a modified structure created either through additives or processing. Emulsifiers are additives that can be used as structuring agents of liquid fats; this process results in products such as oleogels, which can broaden the applications of these oils. This study assessed and compared the effects of mono- and diglycerides at 3%, 5%, 7% and 10% w/w on the mechanical and thermal properties of high-oleic palm oil (HOPO) oleogels. HOPO was heated to 75 °C and mixed with mono- or diglycerides at those four concentrations. The thermomechanical properties of the melted oleogels were assessed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The melted oleogels were cooled to final temperatures of 5 °C, 10 °C and 15 °C under identical cooling rates, after which a puncture test (via a texture analyzer) was used to assess their textures. Finally, polarized light microscopy was used to assess the mechanical changes induced through emulsifier addition. The results showed that the use of mono- and diglycerides significantly modified the thermal and mechanical properties of the oleogels. The addition of saturated monoglycerides promoted a higher-temperature nucleation stage that did not previously occur in HOPO. The onset crystallization temperature increased with the addition of diglycerides, promoting crystallization at higher temperatures of the high-melting fraction of HOPO. The hardness of the oleogel generally increased with emulsifier addition and a reduction of the temperature. The effect of the temperature on the hardness was significantly greater in the diglyceride oleogel than in the monoglyceride oleogel. This study shows that the addition of mono- and diglycerides allows companies to customize their formulations to achieve desired results that may not previously have been possible, thereby facilitating novel uses for these oils within the industry.

Automated Brain Tumor Detection from MRI Scans using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks

The brain, as the central nervous system's most critical part, can develop abnormal growths of cells known as tumors. Cancer is the term used to describe malignant tumors. Medical imaging modalities, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are commonly used to detect cancerous regions in the brain. Other techniques, such as positron emission tomography (PET), cerebral arteriography, lumbar puncture, and molecular testing, are also utilized for brain tumor detection. MRI scans provide detailed information concerning delicate tissue, which aids in diagnosing brain tumors. MRI scan images are analyzed to assess the disease condition objectively. The proposed system aims to identify abnormal brain images from MRI scans accurately. The segmented mask can estimate the tumor's density, which is helpful in therapy. Deep learning techniques are employed to automatically extract features and detect abnormalities from MRI images. The proposed system utilizes a convolutional neural network (CNN), a popular deep learning technique, to analyze MRI images and identify abnormal brain scans with high accuracy. The system's training process involves feeding the CNN with large datasets of normal and abnormal MRI images to learn how to differentiate between the two. During testing, the system classifies MRI images as either normal or abnormal based on the learned features. The system's ability to accurately identify abnormal brain scans can aid medical practitioners in making informed decisions and providing better patient care. Additionally, the system's ability to estimate tumor density from the segmented mask provides additional information to guide therapy. The proposed system offers a promising solution for improving the accuracy and efficiency of brain tumor detection from MRI images, which is critical for early detection and treatment.

P12: Mechanical Characterization of Synthetic Tissues for Cardiac Surgical Training

Background: Synthetic heart models are commonly used for surgical training, especially for complex procedures. However, current models are expensive and poorly mimic heart tissue mechanics and anatomy. 3D printing unconventional materials can produce more realistic models at a more affordable price; therefore, this study investigates the potential of several 3D printed materials as a synthetic tissue for surgical heart models. Methods: Three synthetic cardiac tissues were fabricated: hydrogel samples (3Dresyn SAE1) on a Form2 laser printer, soft polymer samples (3Dresyn SEA10) on a Form2 laser printer, and silicone samples (Dragon Skin Fast 10A) on an Eazao Zero liquid deposition printer. Synthetic tissues were compared to fresh bovine cardiac tissues in terms of puncture resistance, suture retention, and tensile strength using an AEL universal testing machine and 20N PCE Instruments force gauge. Results: There are no significant differences between the mechanical properties of cardiac tissue and the hydrogel-printed SAE1 samples according to ANOVA with a Tukey’s HSD test (Fig1A). There are significant differences between the SEA10 soft polymer sample and cardiac tissue for the puncture and tension tests, but not for the suture retention test (Fig1A). All mechanical test results are significantly different between the 10A silicone and cardiac samples (Fig1A). An example heart is printed with the hydrogel material to demonstrate usability (Fig1B). Conclusion: The 3D printed hydrogel samples better matched the mechanical properties of cardiac tissue than the other printed samples. Although the hydrogel material proved adequate for surgical simulation, other synthetic tissues should be explored to reduce the cost and time of printing, and to better mimic cardiac tissue.

Self-healing polymers for space: A study on autonomous repair performance and response to space radiation

One of the main challenges of space exploration is to properly protect astronauts from the hazards of the space environment. Space suits were hence created to protect crewmembers during extravehicular activities, but they are currently unable to properly withstand damage after, for example, impacts with micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD), and they would depressurize and collapse if punctured, with catastrophic consequences. In this context, the possibility of integrating self-healing materials into spacesuits has drawn the attention of the scientific community, as it would lead to autonomous damage restoration and subsequently increased safety and operational life. Nevertheless, the effects of space environment on these materials are still to be determined and could lead to a significant decrease of their overall performance.The here presented study focuses on a first example of application to a space suit, analyzing the healing performance of a set of candidate self-healing polymers before and after exposure to simulated space radiation. A comparison of bilayers and nanocomposites having these polymers as matrices is also made in the non-irradiated case. This research also aims at filling the gap between standard characterization of self-healing materials (e.g.: scratch, impact, and puncture tests) and assessment of the effects of space radiation on them by combining these two aspects. Understanding if and how radiation can affect damage recovery performance is in fact fundamental to determine whether a given self-healing material can actually be used for space applications.The self-healing response is assessed through in-situ flow rate measurements after puncture damage. Maximum and minimum flow rate, the time between them and the air volume lost within the 3 min following puncture are collected as healing performance parameters. For the neat materials, the same tests are then repeated on gamma-ray irradiated samples to study the variation in self-repairing performance after exposure to simulated space radiation. Results show that the healing performance is higher in systems with lower viscous response and that it decreases after irradiation. A further analysis of the effects of space environment on the presented materials is hence required.The NASA HZETRN2015 (High Z and Energy TRaNsport, 2015 version) software is also used to simulate the action of galactic cosmic rays on the space suit during extravehicular activity. The classic suit multilayer is compared with configurations in which the standard bladder is replaced with a layer of each analyzed material to identify the most promising candidates and determine whether the addition of nanofillers significantly increases the shielding ability.

Li-Ion Transfer Mechanism of Gel Polymer Electrolyte with Sole Fluoroethylene Carbonate Solvent.

Although gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) represent a promising candidate to address the individual limitations of liquid and solid electrolytes, their extensive development is still hindered due to the veiled Li-ion conduction mechanism. Herein, the related mechanism in GPEs is extensively studied by developing an in situ polymerized GPE comprising fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) solvent and carbonate ester segments (F-GPE). Practically, although with high dielectric constant, FEC fails to effectively transport Li ions when acting as the sole solvent. By sharp contrast, F-GPE demonstrates superior electrochemical performances, and the related Li-ion transfer mechanism is investigated using molecular dynamics simulations and 7 Li/6 Li solid-state nNMR spectroscopy. The polymer segments are extended with the swelling of FEC, then an electron-delocalization interface layer is generated between abundant electron-rich groups of FEC and the polymer ingredients, which works as an electron-rich "Milky Way" and facilitates the rapid transfer of Li ions by lowering the diffusion barrier dramatically, resulting in a high conductivity of 2.47× 10-4 Scm-1 and a small polarization of about 20mV for Li//Li symmetric cell after 8000h. Remarkably, FEC provides high flame-retardancy and makes F-GPE remains stable under ignition and puncture tests.

穴盘苗基质块仿真粘结参数标定与试验

To accurately simulate the interactions between the plug seedlings and the planter during the planting process and explore the damage mechanism of the plug seedling substrate block, the bonding parameters of plug seedlings substrate block were calibrated by the discrete element method. The physical puncture test showed that the average of maximum force of the cone indenter on substrate block measured by texture analyzer was 4.633 N. A Hertz-Mindlin with the bonding model was established for the substrate block in EDEM software. A virtual calibration experiment was designed with the puncture force of substrate block as the evaluation index. The two-level factorial test and the steepest climbing test were used to screen out the significant parameters and the optimal interval. Then, the Box-Behnken test and the optimization solution were used to obtain the optimal bonding parameter combination of the substrate block particles. Finally, the optimal parameter combination was simulated and verified. The relative error of the maximum puncture force between the simulated value and the measured value was 1.88 %, which indicated that the bonding parameters of the substrate block obtained by calibration were accurate and reliable.

Optimizing the Anti-stab Performance of Fiber Composites by Using Ceramic Particle Reinforcements

Fiber reinforced composite is widely used in current stab-proof equipment, the high performance and light weight have always been pursued for a long time. The present study optimizes the anti-stab performance of fiber composites by using silica and silicon carbide ceramic particle reinforcements. The anti-stab performance of different composite processes and composite structures were characterized. Silica particle reinforcements were added to the fiber fabric in the form of a shear thickening fluid (STF). Quasi-static puncture tests results revealed that the puncture force of the fiber composite prepared by STF dilution process was significantly higher than that of the sample prepared without dilution. Under the same areal density, the puncture force of the sample with a dilution ratio of 1:2 had been improved by 79.9% higher than that of pure fiber fabrics. Silicon carbide particle reinforcements were added to the fiber fabric in the form of particles/epoxy resin coating. After coated with SiC particles, the aramid fiber fabric not only greatly improves the puncture force, but also significantly increases the wear of the tool. The dynamic puncture test results further showed that the SiC coated / STF aramid plain weave fabrics exhibited excellent stab-resistant performance.

Effect of Vacuum Packaging on the Biochemical, Viscoelastic, and Sensory Properties of a Spanish Cheese during Chilled Storage

The unique qualities of Spanish cheeses, such as the San Simón da Costa (SSC) cheese, are protected by the Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status. The technological importance of chilled storage at 4 °C of vacuum-packaged (V) and natural (N) (unpackaged) cheeses was examined. For this purpose, the physico-chemical, biochemical, mechanical (puncture tests), viscoelastic (oscillatory and transient tests) and sensory properties of V and N cheeses were compared and analysed. During chilled storage, the caseins in V cheeses did not undergo proteolytic reactions. Low temperature maintained a low intensity of proteolytic phenomena for up to 6 months. Lipolysis was more intense in the N than in the V samples. The moisture content decreased in the N cheeses during chilled storage, and thus, the casein matrix concentration and ionic strength increased, resulting in an increase in the gel strength (S) parameter and complex modulus (G*), and the conformational stability-high stress amplitude (σmax). The low and similar values of the n' and n'' exponents (mechanical spectra) and the n parameter (transient tests) indicated the high degree of the temporal stability of the cheese network in both the N and V samples, irrespective of storage time. Likewise, the similar values of the phase angle (δ) for the N and V cheeses during storage indicate energy-stable bonds in the SSC cheese matrix. The attributes of the oral tactile phase (firmness, friability, gumminess, and microstructure perception), mechanical parameters and viscoelastic moduli enabled the discrimination of the packaged and unpackaged cheeses. Cheeses chilled and stored without packaging were awarded the highest scores for sensory attributes (preference) by trained panellists.

Young-onset dementia diagnosis, management and care: a narrative review.

Young-onset dementia comprises a heterogeneous range of dementias, with onset at less than 65 years of age. These include primary dementias such as Alzheimer disease, frontotemporal and vascular dementias; genetic/familial dementias; metabolic disorders; and secondary dementias such as those that result from alcohol use disorder, traumatic brain injury, and infections. The presentation of young-onset dementia is varied and may include cognitive, psychiatric and neurological symptoms. Diagnostic delay is common, with a frequent diagnostic conundrum being, "Is this young-onset dementia or is this psychiatric?". For assessment and accurate diagnosis, a thorough screen is recommended, such as collateral history and investigations such as neuroimaging, lumbar puncture, neuropsychology, and genetic testing. The management of young-onset dementia needs to be age-appropriate and multidisciplinary, with timely access to services and consideration of the family (including children).

The influence of high molecular weight polyethylene and basalt content on the mechanical risks of protective three-dimensional weft-knitted fabrics designed to wear next to skin

This study examines the resistance of three-dimensional (3D) weft-knitted fabrics to mechanical risks to determine the influence of varying percentage contents of high molecular weight polyethylene and basalt on cut, puncture, abrasion, and tear resistance. The three-dimensional weft-knitted fabrics are designed by separating functional layers: the outer (protective) layer contains varying percentage contents of high molecular weight polyethylene and basalt; the inner layer (suitable for contact with the skin) contains polyester; both layers are connected using polyamide. The strength properties of knits in response to mechanical impact were evaluated by performing cut, puncture, abrasion, and tear resistance tests. Basalt was found to improve the cut resistance of knits significantly, even with its content as low as 5% in the outer layer. The knit with the highest high molecular weight polyethylene content in the outer layer demonstrated the best puncture and tear resistance. No correlation was established between the varying percentage contents of high molecular weight polyethylene and basalt and the maximum number of abrasion cycles, as the three-dimensional weft-knitted fabrics showed no noticeable wear. The test results show that the structure of three-dimensional weft-knitted fabric with the outer layer designed to withstand mechanical impact and the inner layer suitable for direct contact with the skin protects against a wide range of mechanical impacts. This applies even when varying percentage contents of high molecular weight polyethylene and basalt are used only in the outer layer.

Optimisation for the synthesis of uniformly dispersed antimicrobial Ag/GO nanohybrid latex film

The combination of silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) and graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets can be an advanced solution for an effective antimicrobial polymer film without agglomeration effect to reduce healthcare-associated infections. This study aims to develop an optimum formulation of Ag/GO nanohybrid latex film with the integration of antimicrobial property and mechanical reliability. A statistical approach using response surface methodology was employed to determine the optimum formulation. The concentrations of Ag/GO nanohybrid, A (0.0–1.0 wt%) and sulphur level, B (0–3 phr) were selected as the variables. Nine responses, killing ratio of E. coli, S. aureus, MRSA, K. pneumoniae, S. pyogenes, E. faecalis, E. faecium, tensile strength and puncture test were chosen to determine the optimum formulation. The optimised Ag/GO nanohybrid concentration and sulphur level are 1.21 wt% and 1.70 phr, respectively. These optimised variables are predicted to have killing ratios of 94.3367 %, 71.2997 %, 85.2221 %, 86.8940 %, 88.4657 %, 65.1685 % and 71.7915 % for E. coli, S. aureus, MRSA, S. pyogenes, K. pneumoniae, E. faecalis and E. faecium, respectively, together with tensile strength at 130.838 cm and puncture test at 91.0230 mm at 0.8862 desirability. No toxic effects and no sensitisation effects were detected on the skin applied with Ag/GO nanohybrid latex film.

Impact of IVIG in the Management of Guillain-Barre Syndrome: A Case Series from South India

In Guillain-Barré syndrome, the body's immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. We present a case series of four cases with different variants. Three cases have been diagnosed with nerve conduction studies, one case with positive lumbar puncture test with albumino-cytological dissociation. Each patient was treated with Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) and improved clinically. This series is being delivered in order to clinically inform individuals on the early diagnosis of GBS and its management.
 Keywords: GBS, IVIG, Lower limb, Lumbar puncture test, Nerve conduction studies, Radiating pain.

Texture analysis as a method for grape berry characterization

The marketability of table grapes is mainly characterized by berry size, color, taste and texture. Mechanical measurements of table grape berries could provide objective information on the textural qualities of grape berries. In addition, this method might be suitable to study the effects of phytotechnical methods (such as girdling) on table grape quality. The aim of this preliminary work was to demonstrate how instrumental testing could be used to examine the effects of girdling on berry grape texture and define the textural characteristics of table grape berries. Cane girdling was carried out at veraison in two table grape varieties. Texture analysis was performed several times during the maturity. Besides this examination another five varieties were analyzed to assess their berry mechanical properties. Double compression test was used to determine berry hardness and its derived parameters. Puncture test was applied to evaluate skin hardness, skin elasticity and skin break energy. Skin thickness was also investigated. Berry hardness, skin hardness and skin thickness of the girdled grapevines were significantly affected by this technique. Most of the textural parameters showed differences among the seven cultivars.

Subjective Cognitive Decline Interacts with Sex and Education on CSF β‐Amyloid.

AbstractBackgroundSubjective cognitive decline (SCD) may be an early risk factor for dementia, particularly in highly educated individuals and women. This study examined the effect of education and sex on the association between SCD and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers in non‐demented older adults.MethodVanderbilt Memory and Aging Project participants free of clinical dementia or stroke (n = 129, 73±7 years, 33% mild cognitive impairment, 28% female) completed fasting lumbar puncture, SCD assessment, and Wide Range Achievement Test 3rd edition Reading subtest to assess reading level at baseline. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for AD (β‐amyloid42 (Aβ42), Aβ42/40 ratio, phosphorylated tau, tau, neurofilament light) were analyzed in batch. Linear mixed effects models related SCD to CSF AD biomarkers adjusting for baseline age, sex, education, race/ethnicity, apolipoprotein E (APOE)‐e4 status, cognitive diagnosis, and Geriatric Depression Scale scores (minus points for cognition). Follow‐up models assessed SCD x reading level, SCD x education, and SCD x sex interactions on AD biomarkers.ResultIn main effect models, higher SCD was associated with lower Aβ42 and Aβ42/40 ratio (p‐values<0.005) but not associated with tau, p‐tau, or NfL levels (p‐values>0.38). SCD score interacted with education on Aβ42 and Aβ42/40 ratio (p‐values<0.005), such that associations were stronger in individuals with higher education. In stratified models, no significant associations were observed in any individual educational tertile (p‐values>0.07). SCD score interacted with sex on Aβ42/40 ratio (p = 0.03). In stratified models, higher SCD was associated with lower Aβ42/40 ratio in men (p = 0.002) but not in women (p = 0.89). Reading level did not interact with SCD score on any biomarker (p‐values>0.19), though significant associations between SCD score and Aβ42 and Aβ42/40 ratio were observed in the higher reading level (p‐values<0.005), but not the lower reading level group (p‐values>0.11).ConclusionAmong community‐dwelling older adults free of clinical dementia, higher SCD was associated with greater cerebral amyloid accumulation, one of the earliest pathological AD changes. SCD may be most useful in detecting early AD pathology in individuals of higher education and men. SCD was not associated with CSF markers of tau or neurodegeneration. These findings suggest that considering sex and education is important when assessing SCD in older adults.

Cane Girdling Influence on the Berry Texture Properties of Three Table Grape Varieties

The effects of cane girdling on the berry texture characteristics were studied in three table grape cultivars. The application was carried out at véraison. The total soluble solids (TSS, °Bx) of berry must and berry weight were measured. The berry mechanical properties were investigated by a texture analyser. A double compression test was used to determine berry hardness and its derived parameters. A puncture test was also applied to assess skin hardness, skin elasticity and skin break energy. Skin thickness was also investigated. The sugar concentration of the must and the berry weight after the girdling treatment were significantly higher compared to those of the control. Berry hardness, skin hardness and skin thickness were significantly affected by this technique. The changes in berry mechanical and quality parameters with this application did not show the same pattern as those observed during control ripening. Notably, in our experiment, after the girdling treatments, the higher berry hardness was accompanied with a higher sugar concentration compared to the control. The skin hardness showed lower values as a result of girdling. However, skin thickness was significantly higher in the girdled berries compared to the non-treated vines.

Effect of Hybrid Weave Patterns on the Mechanical Performance of Woven Fabrics

ABSTRACT Improvement in mechanical properties of the natural fiber reinforcement for potential use in the composite for mechanical performance is a key focus of researchers in recent years. However, few studies are available in the literature on the mechanical performance of hybrid-woven fabrics. In this article, the effect of the weave structure of reinforcing fabric on mechanical performance has been investigated. Jute-based woven fabrics having four different weave structures (matt, sateen, and hybrid-weave A/B) were developed in the in-house lab using a shuttle dobby weaving machine. The tensile test and puncture tests were performed to evaluate the mechanical performance by varying the weave architecture. The sateen weave exhibited maximum penetration load during a puncture test. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in the tensile strength by using a hybrid weave in the warp direction. However, sateen woven fabric demonstrated enhancement in the tensile attributes in the weft-wise direction. Similarly, a hybrid weave consisting of a combination of sateen and matt weave exhibited a maximum stiffness value. To check the statistical significance of the results, ANOVA analysis was performed. The findings of ANOVA suggest that the results are statistically significant. This research will open a new avenue in the field of reinforcement composite material.

The influence of calcium carbonate and its modifications on the extrusion process and selected functional properties of polypropylene cast films

The purpose of the article was to determine the influence of calcium carbonate and its modification (with stearic acid) on selected properties of composite polypropylene films and their processing. Polypropylene composites containing, respectively, 5, 10, 20 and 30 wt% filler, were made in twin-screw extrusion process with cold granulation. Films, on the other hand, were produced in single-screw extrusion process (an extruder with a screw with diameter d = 20 mm and ratio l/d = 24) using a flat head (so-called cast films) and a chill roll type cooling and pull-back device. The pull-back rotational speed was selected so as to obtain films of a thickness of approx. 120 µm, irrespectively of the composite being processed. The assessment of the effect of the addition of applied fillers on the magnitude of the melt volume-flow rate (MVR) of polypropylene and the processing characteristic of extrusion process was made (the flow resistance and the variations in volumetric flow rate were determined). It was demonstrated how variations in the processability of polymeric material determined the correction of extrusion process setup parameters (pull-back system speed). The processability of composite films under extensional flow conditions was also determined by evaluating the extensional viscosity (ηE) of the composites. The strength values of composite films were determined under static tension conditions and in puncture tests. The effect of the content and modification of CaCO3 on the film haze and gloss was also assessed. The investigation carried out has demonstrated a direct effect of the addition of calcium carbonate and its modification on the processability and selected functional properties of composite films. The study has also proved that stearic acid is an effective modifier of processing properties, not only in shear flow conditions, but also under extensional flow conditions – smaller ηE values are exhibited by films containing modified calcium carbonate.

Stress and Strain Characteristics under the Large Deformation of Surimi Gel during Penetration and Extension Tests Using Digital Image Correlation and the Numerical Simulation Method.

The stress and strain properties of surimi gels (72.49% moisture content) under large deformation were analyzed during penetration (cylindrical, conical, and spherical puncture) and extension (ring tensile) tests. Mechanical measurements were compared and validated using digital image correlation (DIC) and numerical simulations. The DIC and the finite element method reflected the influence of the probe shape and the surface area in contact with the gel during the measurements. In puncture tests, a larger probe surface increased the strain concentration at the puncture point. In the extension test, the strain distribution was symmetrical. The strain values observed during penetration tests were comparable in both the DIC and numerical simulation. The tensile failure characteristics observed in DIC and numerical simulations are similar to those found in the experiment. The study demonstrated that the extension method with the ring tensile device did not show a stress concentration during the measurement, and DIC and numerical simulation can be effective tools in analyzing the textural properties of surimi gel during the puncture and ring tensile tests.

Elevated Strain Rate Characterization of Compression Molded Direct/In-Line Compounded Carbon Fibre/Polyamide 66 Long Fibre Thermoplastic.

Compression molded direct compounded carbon fibre D-LFT was evaluated at quasi-static strain rates through uniaxial tension tests (including a specimen size study) and a variation of the ISO 6603-2 puncture test. No significant size effects were observed for the modulus or strength obtained from tensile specimens with four gauge lengths (6.25 mm to 57 mm). Failure strain decreased by 27.5%/29.9%, respectively, across the gauge length range for the 0°/90° directions. Intermediate strain rate (10 s-1 to 200 s-1) characterization was completed through uniaxial tension tests on a novel apparatus and ISO 6603-2 puncture tests. Intermediate rate tensile tests showed minimal rate sensitivity for the 0°/90° directions. Initial stiffness was 50% higher for ISO 6603-2 impact tests compared to quasi-static tests. Displacement at the onset of fracture was 95% lower for impact tests compared to quasi-static loading. The peak force/displacement at peak force were reduced for impact tests (21% and 20%, respectively) compared to quasi-static testing.

A needle-punched nonwoven experiment using cotton and polyester scraps to wrap preserved fruit

This study investigates the use of cotton and polyester scraps to produce nonwoven fabrics via the needle-punching method in order to create packaging to preserve fruit. Firstly, the fiber properties were investigated. The needle-punching approach was then used to produce nonwovens, which underwent testing to determine their properties. The nonwovens were then used to create open-ended bags of two fabric types: perforated and non-perforated. These bags were used to wrap three different fruit types: Kimju guava, pear, and tomato. A color meter spectrophotometer was used to obtain the systematic color values for the fruits using C.I.E. LAB (L∗a∗b∗). The color values were obtained and used to compare color change (ΔE). The testing results for the effective length of the cotton and polyester fibers showed respective values of 20 mm and 33.7 mm, while the cotton fiber resolution was 1.21 denier. Three nonwoven fabrics were produced for analysis: cotton fibers, poly-cotton blends, and polyester fibers. Their respective weights per unit area were 82 g/m2, 96 g/m2, and 90 g/m2. It could be determined that the polyester nonwovens provided the most suitable physical properties, including thickness of 1.49 mm and air permeability of 160 cm3/s/cm2. The force required to rear the fabric in the longitudinal direction was 29.44 N, while in the transverse direction it was 24.532 N. The longitudinal and transverse breaks measured 236.844 and 220.448 mm, respectively. It was not possible to obtain results for the puncture test because the nonwoven fabric was too thin and weak. Testing of the fruit preservation qualities of the nonwoven protective wrappings over a ten-day duration revealed that perforated cotton was best for Kimju guava and tomato preservation, with the recorded color change (ΔE) indicating the superiority of this nonwoven fabric over the alternatives.