67 research outputs found

    Bio-Based Materials: Contribution to Advancing Circular Economy

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    This reprint focuses on studies dealing with bio-based materials and its contribution to a circular economy. Research dealing with recycling, waste conversion to bio-based products, the development of bio-based composites, and surface treatments on cellulose fibres have been included in this reprint

    DEFINITION OF AN ADVANCED PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LOW ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT CONTAINERS AS POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVE TO PLASTICS

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    For decades, petroleum-based synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics, have become one of the most appealing materials used for a wide variety of applications. Nevertheless, currently, conventional petroleum-based plastics represent a serious problem for global pollution because remain for hundreds of years in the environment when discarded. In order to reduce dependence on fossil resources, bioplastic materials are being proposed as safer and more sustainable alternatives. Bioplastics are bio-based and/or biodegradable materials, typically derived from renewable sources. Among different resources, food waste is attracting more and more attention in the research field of bioplastics’ production. The sources of food waste include household, commercial, industrial and agricultural residues. In fact, every year, around one-third of all food resources produced for human consumption are lost or wasted. Although European Union guidelines stated that food waste should preferentially be used as animal feed, in some cases, it became illegal because of disease control concerns and other times its nutritional value is very poor. On the other hand, the production of bioplastics from food waste is a renewable, sustainable process, in which materials are fabricated from carbon neutral resources, thus aligning itself with the principles of the circular bioeconomy. However, the conversion of fruit and vegetable by-products into eco-friendly materials with mechanical and hydrodynamic performances comparable to those of fuel-based plastics still remains a challenge. In this thesis, different approaches have been investigated for the valorization of fruit and vegetable wastes to produce low environmental impact materials, as a potential alternative to plastics with application in the field of food packaging. In the first section, apple waste and tomato peel by-products have been used as fillers to fabricate starch-based biocomposites. The mechanical characterization of the samples showed their suitability for covering purposes, since a ductile and soft behaviour was exhibited. In the second section, an avocado by-product extract has been incorporated to an ethyl cellulose matrix for the production of impregnated paper with enhanced durability. Since fruit wastes can contain potential pathogens and physical and chemical contaminants which can be released when used as additive for active packaging, a preliminary untargeted metabolomic characterization of the extract was conducted by LC-ESI(-)-Q Exactive-Orbitrap- MS/MS. The lipid components detected in the extract proved to be useful additives to improve paper hydrophobicity, preventing food browning and moisture loss. In general, the addition of all tested wastes (apple waste, tomato peel and avocado by-products) has proved to be useful to increase the biodegradability of the fabricated biomaterials. Hence, the environmental benefits associated with their recovery are proposed as a driving force to expand their further use for these purposes. The upcycling of food waste through the production of value-added products is an ideal and practical end use, allowing to save huge economic and energy losses

    Chapter 34 - Biocompatibility of nanocellulose: Emerging biomedical applications

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    Nanocellulose already proved to be a highly relevant material for biomedical applications, ensued by its outstanding mechanical properties and, more importantly, its biocompatibility. Nevertheless, despite their previous intensive research, a notable number of emerging applications are still being developed. Interestingly, this drive is not solely based on the nanocellulose features, but also heavily dependent on sustainability. The three core nanocelluloses encompass cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs), and bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). All these different types of nanocellulose display highly interesting biomedical properties per se, after modification and when used in composite formulations. Novel applications that use nanocellulose includewell-known areas, namely, wound dressings, implants, indwelling medical devices, scaffolds, and novel printed scaffolds. Their cytotoxicity and biocompatibility using recent methodologies are thoroughly analyzed to reinforce their near future applicability. By analyzing the pristine core nanocellulose, none display cytotoxicity. However, CNF has the highest potential to fail long-term biocompatibility since it tends to trigger inflammation. On the other hand, neverdried BNC displays a remarkable biocompatibility. Despite this, all nanocelluloses clearly represent a flag bearer of future superior biomaterials, being elite materials in the urgent replacement of our petrochemical dependence

    INTER-ENG 2020

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    These proceedings contain research papers that were accepted for presentation at the 14th International Conference Inter-Eng 2020 ,Interdisciplinarity in Engineering, which was held on 8–9 October 2020, in Târgu Mureș, Romania. It is a leading international professional and scientific forum for engineers and scientists to present research works, contributions, and recent developments, as well as current practices in engineering, which is falling into a tradition of important scientific events occurring at Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology in the George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy Science, and Technology of Târgu Mures, Romania. The Inter-Eng conference started from the observation that in the 21st century, the era of high technology, without new approaches in research, we cannot speak of a harmonious society. The theme of the conference, proposing a new approach related to Industry 4.0, was the development of a new generation of smart factories based on the manufacturing and assembly process digitalization, related to advanced manufacturing technology, lean manufacturing, sustainable manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and manufacturing tools and equipment. The conference slogan was “Europe’s future is digital: a broad vision of the Industry 4.0 concept beyond direct manufacturing in the company”

    Genetic Glass Ceilings

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    As the world’s population rises to an expected ten billion in the next few generations, the challenges of feeding humanity and maintaining an ecological balance will dramatically increase. Today we rely on just four crops for 80 percent of all consumed calories: wheat, rice, corn, and soybeans. Indeed, reliance on these four crops may also mean we are one global plant disease outbreak away from major famine. In this revolutionary and controversial book, Jonathan Gressel argues that alternative plant crops lack the genetic diversity necessary for wider domestication and that even the Big Four have reached a “genetic glass ceiling”: no matter how much they are bred, there is simply not enough genetic diversity available to significantly improve their agricultural value. Gressel points the way through the glass ceiling by advocating transgenics—a technique where genes from one species are transferred to another. He maintains that with simple safeguards the technique is a safe solution to the genetic glass ceiling conundrum. Analyzing alternative crops—including palm oil, papaya, buckwheat, tef, and sorghum—Gressel demonstrates how gene manipulation could enhance their potential for widespread domestication and reduce our dependency on the Big Four. He also describes a number of ecological benefits that could be derived with the aid of transgenics. A compelling synthesis of ideas from agronomy, medicine, breeding, physiology, population genetics, molecular biology, and biotechnology, Genetic Glass Ceilings presents transgenics as an inevitable and desperately necessary approach to securing and diversifying the world's food supply

    Polymer Films for Photovoltaic Applications

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    Reprints of Polymers Special Issue entitled "Polymer films for photovoltaic applications", which covers all fields related to polymer films for photovoltaic applications, but special attention will be given to the following aspects:- The synthesis and suitable modification of polymer structure, to obtain polymer thin films for PV devices;- The influence of film deposition (thermal vacuum evaporation (TVE), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), spin coating, spray, etc.) on the properties of polymer films;- The thermo-optical properties of polymer thin films and blends of polymer films, as potential parts of PV systems;- The influence of doping or protonation of polymer thin films and blend polymer films on their properties;- Polymer thin films as active layers in PV solar cells—correlation of chemical structure and PV properties;- BHJ solar cells with polymer blends films—the choice of blend film composition to obtain the best PV parameters

    CIVIL ENGINEERING, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CHALLENGES : STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

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    The book is based on scientific and technological advances in various Structural Engineering and Construction Materials areas of Civil Engineering. It nurtures therefore the exchange of discoveries among research workforces worldwide including those focusing on the vast variety of facets of the fundamentals and applications within the Structural Engineering and Construction Materials arena. To offer novel and rapid developments, this book contains original contributions covering theoretical, physical experimental, and/or field works that incite and promote new understandings while elevating advancement in the Structural Engineering and Construction Materials fields. Works in closing the gap between the theories and applications, which are beneficial to both academicians and practicing engineers, are mainly of interest to this book that paves the intellectual route to navigate new areas and frontiers of scholarly studies in Structural Engineering and Construction Materials

    Nanocellulose and Nanocarbons Based Hybrid Materials

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    This highly informative and carefully presented book discusses the preparation, processing, characterization and applications of different types of hybrid nanomaterials based on nanocellulose and/or nanocarbons. It gives an overview of recent advances of outstanding classes of hybrid materials applied in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, and materials science, among others. The content of this book is relevant to researchers in academia and industry professionals working on the development of advanced hybrid nanomaterials and their applications

    Request for proposals final with addendum 5 : Carolina Crossroads Phase 1 – Colonial Life Blvd. at I-126 Interchange design - build project project ID P039718 Richland and Lexington clounties Sept. 1, 2020

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    The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to select a Proposer to construct a new exit ramp to US 378 from I-26 eastbound and associated interstate widening in Lexington County and a full access interchange at Colonial Life Boulevard at I-126 in Richland County
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