Renewable Natural Materials Research Articles

Deformability of Glued Laminated Beams with Combined Reinforcement

Wood is one of the most popular renewable natural materials. Nowadays, raw wood is hardly ever used in the construction industry. It has been substituted by glued laminated wood that is processed with the use of high-tech methods, thus eliminating the principal flaws and defects of the natural material. The deformability of glued laminated beams with combined reinforcement has been studied, under which the steel reinforcement of the periodic profile was placed in the dappings of the upper compressed zone, while ribbon-reinforced composite was glued to the bottom of the stretched zone. The graphical charts for the layer change of the deformations of wood, steel, and composite reinforcement from the beginning of the loading application to the moment of destruction are presented.

Spark Plasma Sintering of SiC Ceramics Based on Natural Renewable Raw Materials

The paper presents the results of obtaining silicon carbide SiC ceramic from organic raw materials by the reaction spark plasma sintering (SPS). Annealed rice husks are used as an organic raw material. A feature of the batch preparation for sintering is annealing in an inert atmosphere. Thus, the carbon source C for further reaction with silicon dioxide SiO2 to form SiC is the organic part of the rice husk. This way let to achieve the most uniform reacting components mixing directly at the stage of annealing the husks and to exclude the mixing stage from the technological process. The reaction SPS method was used for the first time for the production of ceramic material from such a raw material. The results of a comprehensive study of the obtained material by various methods are presented in the article: scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray phase analysis, strength analysis, and others.

Evaluation of mechanical properties of biodegradable coconut shell/rice husk Powder polymer composites for light weight applications

The technological fashion concerning waste utilization and cost reduction in industrial processing has been certainly attracted to the use of natural fiber composites in present as well as the future of engineering. This research work has been carried out to investigate the potential uses of bio-degradable wastage from the environmental plant-based fiber-reinforced composites. In this concern, the renewable natural materials are collected and the machining process such as a planetary ball milling process is carried out for attaining a homogeneous size distribution of reinforcement materials. A diverse volume fraction of combinations is carried out in the preparation of composite materials comprising of renewable natural materials. The manufacturing of composite materials is carried out with the volume fraction of 40%, 30%, 20% reinforcement material of Coconut Shell Powder (CSP), Rice Husk Powder (RHP) and 60%, 70%, 80% matrix material of Vinyl Ester (VE) and Super Vinyl Ester (SVE). Manufacturing is carried out by using the hand layup method. Mechanical Properties such as tensile strength and flexural strength has been evaluated for the manufactured composites to establish the possibility of using it as a new material for engineering application. In this framework, the scope of the composite materials market is projected to develop at a promising compound annual growth rate of 12.94 percent during the forecast period of 2015 to 2020 to reach USD 11.26 billion by 2020. Composite materials made of natural biodegradable materials are making rapid inroads into India’s traditional markets for building materials, households, and automobile parts (load free areas).

Brain-inspired biodegradable pectin based proton conductor gated electronic synapse

Abstract Mimicking synaptic activities on solid-state electrolyte gated oxide transistors can lay a concrete foundation for the future of artificial intelligence. Renewable natural materials have the advantages of being abundant, inexpensive, biodegradable and ecologically benign. In the present work, we have proposed a biodegradable pectin electrolyte based proton conductor gated “green” electronic synapse. With the unique proton gating activities, the pectin gated transistor exhibits good electrical performances at low operation voltage. Thus, a low-voltage driven resistor-loaded inverter is fabricated. The devices exhibit neuromorphic functions including excitatory post-synaptic current (EPSC), adjustable synaptic weights and transitions from short-term plasticity (STP) to long-term plasticity (LTP). Interestingly, BCM learning rules have also been mimicked on the proposed synaptic transistor, including spike-rate-dependent plasticity (SRDP) and a sliding frequency threshold (fθ). Bio-realistic implementation of important synaptic plasticities with BCM learning acitivites would improve the efficiency of hardware based neural network for the artificial intelligent system.

ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ АДАПТИВНОЙ АРХИТЕКТУРЫ НА ОСНОВЕ КОНСТРУКЦИЙ С ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕМ БАМБУКА

The article is devoted to brief historical excerpts about the types of adaptability of architectural objects based on structures using bamboo. The main methods of forming adaptive architecture on flooded territories, on water spaces and on the ground surface in forests on supports are considered. The traditional experience of building an object with a clay basement of the Paetses Indians is studied to protect the building and property of residents from rising groundwater during prolonged rains. Architectural objects are adapted to local natural and climatic conditions using local renewable natural materials. For countries with a hot-humid climate, bamboo trunks are the main quick-renewable and easy processed material. The durability and strength of this material allow to reliably place various buildings and structures in the flooded and coastal areas. The structural elements of these objects have retained their operational qualities for many years. The coastal territories attracted the ancient settlers with rich coastal vegetation, the diversity of the animal world and the ease of hunting and fishing, as well as the ability to use water for technical and hygienic needs. These factors serve as the main reason for choosing construction sites in areas with adverse climatic conditions.

Sustainable Development of Human Society in Terms of Natural Depleting Resources Preservation Using Natural Renewable Raw Materials in a Novel Ecological Material Production

In the last few years, the building industry experienced a significant development as a response to the demographic growth of human society and to the increasing demand for housing. Their construction involves the traditional use of concrete as a material that provides added strength to the finished building. This is manufactured respecting standard recipes depending on the way of its use. Anyway, all concrete recipes involve the use of mineral aggregates extracted from the riverbed, as is happening in Romania, or rock blocks crushing, as reported in other countries. Under these conditions, the rationalization of the use of natural mineral resources and the identification of new possibilities to reduce their consumption through their replacement with vegetal waste has become an important research issue. In this study, two types of vegetal waste—namely, shredded corn cobs and sunflower stalks—were used to manufacture novel ecological concretes. The vegetal wastes, both in untreated and treated forms (with 20% and 40% of sodium silicate solution), were used to replace 50% of the river (mineral) aggregate volume. The obtained concretes were tested, and the values of some important parameters in the concrete characterization (such as bulk density, water adsorption capacity, compressive strength and splitting tensile strength) were compared with the concrete contains cement CEM II/A-LL 42.5R. The obtained results show that these vegetal wastes have the potential to be used in the manufacturing of new ecological concrete. In addition, this alternative material meets the requirements for the sustainable and healthy development of the environment, offering low-polluting solutions in the context of an increasing demand for constructions.

Evaluation of the hygroscopicity and dimensional stability of silicone oil treated wood

Abstract Wood is a renewable natural lignocellulosic material. However, its hygroexpansion characteristics dramatically shorten its service life, and limit its application. In this study, wood was treated in a silicone oil bath at different temperatures to improve its dimensional stability. Results demonstrated that the silicone oil treatment decreased the tangential swelling coefficient by 13% when treated at 80 °C and by 34% when treated at 160 °C and the radial swelling coefficient by 12% when treated at 80 °C and by 49% when treated at 160 °C. Also, the moisture absorption was reduced by the treatment.

Ethnomedicine, phytochemical, and toxicity activity of several alleged medicinal plants from Sebangau National Park, Central Borneo

Indonesia is a country endowed with its abundant biodiversity; and therefore potential in providing future drugs derived from renewable natural materials (e.g. plants). Relevantly, this study aimed to identify and analyze the ethnomedicine, phytochemical, toxicity, and active compounds of several alleged medicinal plant species from Borneo. Results showed local people used those plants to cure various diseases or other human physiological disorders, such as antidote, varices, liver medicine, tonsil medicine, stomachache, diarrhea, sprue medicine, itching, ulcers antihypertension and malaria. Those plants as examined generally contained tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and triterpenoids. Some of them contained alkaloids. Toxicity tests, as represented by LC50 values, exhibited their range from 126.70 to 883.34 ppm. Further, various chemical compounds such as trans-caryophyllene and veridiflorol effectively inflicted a significant effect as antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibiotics. Fatty acids such as hexadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, octadecadienoic acid, and stearic acid could inhibit the growth of microbes. Phenolic compounds could acts as an antioxidant and antidiabetic. Judging from all the varying LC50 values, ethnobotany-related explorations, and other biomedical/biochemical tests, those analyzed species could be strongly judged as efficacious medicinal plants; and therefore potentially developed as raw material for herbal drugs.

Production of Acetyl Cellulose from Agricultural Waste of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches

In Indonesia especially in Lampung Province, there are a lot of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) as an organic material waste. OPEFB is relatively inexpensive lignocellulose material as raw material of cellulose acetate or acetyl cellulose. In a business to bigger added value out of these natural renewable materials, the production of the acetyl cellulose was performed well by the acetylation of cellulose from OPEFB using different methods. These were extensively characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results indicated that the acetyl cellulose resulted showed similar properties to cotton acetyl cellulose. Degree of substitution of the resultant acetyl cellulose from different methods was improved from 1.86 to 2.60.

Natural Polymer Additives for Strengthening Packaging Materials

A natural polymeric material, cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), that can replace structural additives made of synthetic polymers was studied and characterized. The use of CNFs as a structural additive and the effect of adding them on the basic mechanical parameters of laboratory samples of packaging materials (corrugated sheet, i.e., the intermediate layer of corrugated cardboard) were studied. Addition of a structural additive made of natural renewable raw material to the recycled paper composite for corrugation was shown to increase the key paper quality indicators.

Graphene oxide enhanced aqueous epoxy composite coating derived from sustainable cardanol resource for corrosion protection

Conventional self-emulsified curing agent mainly focus on its stability, yet the contamination of raw materials are scarcely noted. Herein, a waterborne cardanol-based epoxy resin curing agent with emulsifying function was prepared by using the natural renewable biological material cardanol, and a waterborne biological epoxy resin coating was obtained by curing epoxy resin E51. The dual-functional product was synthesized by a two-process reaction (Mannich reaction and ring-opening reaction), as proved via FTIR and NMR techniques. In the curing process, the long alkyl chain in the curing agent molecule can shield the hydrophilic chain, thus improving the hydrophobicity and corrosion resistance of waterborne epoxy resin coating. With the help of this curing agent, graphene oxide (GO) is further used to improve the barrier effect of waterborne epoxy resin coating. The electrostatic interaction among curing agent, epoxy resin and GO improve the stacking dispersion and compatibility of GO in the coating. When the addition amount was 0.5 wt%, the thermal stability of the coating improved and the defects also reduced. The excellent corrosion resistance of the composite coating was verified by EIS. The results suggest that it is a potential candidate low-volatile organic compounds coatings for extending service life of metallic materials.

Circular and Flexible Indoor Partitioning—A Design Conceptualization of Innovative Materials and Value Chains

This article sheds light on the materialization and operation of residential partitioning wall components in relation to circular and flexible performance. The hypothesis is twofold: (1) A stronger integration of materialization and operation aspects is indispensable in establishing sustainable value-models, and (2) recent innovations, concerning the reversibility of material connections, will help disrupting the status-quo in that respect. Attention is drawn to renewable natural fibre composites (NFC), reversible adhesives, and biodegradable insulation materials. After a background sketch regarding the notion of time, change, and material circularity in design and planning, the housing challenge in the Amsterdam metropolitan area (AMA, the Netherlands) is described. Next, a design conceptualization stage is introduced, informed by two methods and tools in particular: Circ-Flex assessment, and activity-based spatial material flow analysis. Results of the conceptualization stage are presented regarding materialization and operation, culminating in Circ-Flex partitioning components, more specifically: Side panels and insulation. It was found that NFC can tackle current issues relating, most prominently, to circularity performance. Associated modifications in the value-chain occur, above all, in raw material sourcing, manufacturing, reutilization logistics, and data-sharing. The outcomes are valid for multiple building components other than indoor partitioning, such as kitchens and furniture, but also insulation—and interior side-sheeting—of walls and roofs in energy-renovations.

Perspectives of Using Alternative Binders in the Preparation of Composites with Natural Filler

This paper reports on the possibility of using natural renewable materials as hemp fibers in the preparation of composites. The design and preparation of durable composites also requires the selection of suitable alternative binders, in order to reduce the production of carbon dioxide in the production of cement. The paper will present the results of composites with partial replacement of cement with natural clay, which was used in the traditional building in the past as classical binder. Experimental verification of mechanical, thermal and humidity parameters of composites was performed. The results confirmed some prospects for the use of experimental composites in terms of the compressive strengths values obtained after 28 days of maturing. Highest compressive strengths were measured for a reference set with 100% cement content and of course composites with increasing percentage cement replacement exhibited lower strengths. The results showed that replacing cement with natural clay does not create a new stronger material, but there is some potential for its use in the form of non-load-bearing elements. Experimental composites exhibited a relatively lower density compared to normal concrete, but the thermal conductivity values indicate the potential for their use as insulating materials.

Study of liquid-phase catalytic oxidation of natural renewable raw materials in alkaline media

The present study is devoted to liquid-phase catalytic oxidation of natural raw materials (polysaccharides, lignin) with the aim of their utilization, obtaining valuable chemical products and development of environmentally friendly intumescent flame retardants for wood. For this purpose, a method of oxidation of raw materials: polysaccharides and lignin, by oxygen in the presence of catalyst is proposed. The main oxidation products of catalytic oxidation (salts of polyoxy- and polyphenoxy acids) are analyzed using the data acquired with the aid of GC-MS experiments.

Solvability and thermal response of cellulose with different crystal configurations

Cellulose is a biodegradable and renewable natural material that it is naturally resistant to breaking and modification. Moreover, the crystalline structure of cellulose is a major factor restricting its industrial utilization. In this study, cellulose polymorphs were prepared from natural cellulose, and their solvability and thermal response were investigated. Using liquid- and solid-state NMR signals, the distinct types and dissolving states of cellulose polymorphs were identified. The thermal behavior of the polymorphic forms of cellulose-d was also evaluated, and cellulose II exhibited the poorest thermal stability and a unique exothermic reaction.

Removal of Textile Dyes Present in Effluents by Adsorption in Polyurethane Foams Derived from Vegetable Oil

Large amounts of effluents, some even untreated, used in the dyeing in-dustries are dumped into natural water provoking a huge environmental impact daily. The Analytical Chemistry and Polymer Technology Group from the University of Sao Paulo in Sao Carlos, Brazil developed the polyurethane foam. It is a unique type of foam produced from vegetable oil—a renewable natural raw material. The objective of the research was to verify the effectiveness of adsorption of textile dyes in effluents through the polyurethane foam derived from vegetable oil. The dye samples collected from an industry in the dying segment in the city of Passos, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, were prepared in various predetermined concentrations. The percolation in thermostatic glass column containing polyurethane foam derived from vegetable oil was used as analytical method, with known mass, pressed in the form of powder between two solid foam disks containing two millimeters of thickness.

Investigation of Waste Paper Cellulosic Fibers Utilization into Cement Based Building Materials

Recently, the utilization of renewable natural cellulosic materials, such as wood, plants, and waste paper in the preparation of building materials has attracted significant interest. This is due to their advantageous properties, low environmental impact and low cost. The objective of this paper is to investigate the influence of recycled cellulosic fibers (in the amount 0.5 wt % of the filler and binder weight) and superplasticizer (in the amount 0.5 wt % of the cement weight) on the resulting properties of cement composites (consistency of fresh mixture, density, thermal conductivity, and compressive and flexural strength) for hardening times of 1, 3, 7, 28, and 90 days. Plasticizer use improved the workability of fresh cement mixture. In comparison to the reference sample, the results revealed a decrease in density of 6.8% and in the thermal conductivity of composites with cellulosic fibers of 34%. The highest values of compressive (48.4 MPa) and flexural (up to 7 MPa) strength were achieved for hardened fiber cement specimens with plasticizer due to their significantly better dispersion of cement particles and improved bond strength between fibers and matrix.

Facile synthesis of porous nitrogen-doped carbon for aerobic oxidation of amines to imines

A nitrogen-doped carbon material with developed porous structure was prepared by the simple single-step pyrolysis of sodium alginate and 1, 6-hexanediamine. Nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts were optimized and characterized, and their catalytic activities were investigated using the self-oxidative coupling of amine as model reaction. N2 adsorption-desorption exhibited that the introduction of 1, 6-hexanediamine could observably increase the specific surface area and pore volume of the carbon material. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed N was incorporated successfully into the carbon. Benefiting from these, nitrogen-doped carbon material exhibited high catalytic performance for the oxidation of amines to imines under solvent-free, air atmospheric conditions. And the nitrogen-doped carbon possessed good reusability and applicability. Meanwhile, the nitrogen-doped carbon material was available, low cost and environment-friendly owing to the use of cheap, renewable natural starting materials and simple synthetic procedure.

The Timber-Precast UHPC Composite Connection

This paper deals with the connection of timber beams and precast concrete slabs. The connection of timber and concrete has many advantages associated with the efficient use of both materials, not only in terms of their stress. Timber is a natural renewable material. It can be achieved some savings of volume of the concrete by its application and thereby also reducing of the environmental burden. By the combining of the timber and ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), it can be designed very subtle, bearable, aesthetic and durable structures. The conventional timber-concrete composite structures are most often realized by joining of the timber beams and the cast in-situ reinforced concrete slabs. However, the cast in-situ slab is not very suitable for UHPC application and it has some structural disadvantages, in particular the need to protect the timber beams against moisture penetration from the fresh concrete mix, the need for formwork, etc. The prefabrication eliminates some disadvantages of the cast in-situ design, increases the quality of the structure and speeds up the construction process. In the case of the timber-concrete composite structures, the prefabrication has a positive impact on the reduction of the concrete shrinkage projections as the development of deflections and the redistribution of internal forces between the connected parts of the cross-section. Some special coupling elements must be used for connection in the case of precast slabs. This paper summarizes the research findings in the field of development of special coupling elements for composite timber-precast concrete structures. The development of the new coupling elements for pedestrian and cyclist timber-UHPC composite footbridges is presented.

Short-Term Plasticity and Long-Term Potentiation in Artificial Biosynapses with Diffusive Dynamics.

The development of electronic devices possessing the functionality of biological synapses is a crucial step toward replicating the capabilities of the human brain. Of the various materials that have been used to realize artificial synapses, renewable natural materials have the advantages of being abundant, inexpensive, biodegradable, and ecologically benign. In this study, we report a biocompatible artificial synapse based on a matrix of the biopolymer ι-carrageenan (ι-car), which exploits Ag dynamics. This artificial synapse emulates the short-term plasticity (STP), paired-pulse facilitation (PPF), and transition from STP to long-term potentiation (LTP) of a biological synapse. The above-mentioned characteristics are realized by exploiting the similarities between the Ag dynamics in the ι-car matrix and the Ca2+ dynamics in a biological synapse. By demonstrating a method that uses biomaterials and Ag dynamics to emulate synaptic functions, this study confirms that ι-car has the potential for constructing neuromorphic systems that use biocompatible artificial synapses.