Effect of various kenaf fiber content on the mechanical properties of composites

Kenaf fiber has been cultivated as an industrial crop. In this paper, we present the on-going works of an assessment on the mechanical properties of its fiber composites. Tensile, flexural and impact tests were executed on untreated short kenaf fiber reinforced epoxy composites. Its fiber content is varied from 5% up to 20%, and was compared to neat epoxy (NEAT). Using a hand lay-up technique, a mixture of kenaf fiber and epoxy is poured into a mould and left to dry at room temperature for 24 hours. Seven specimens were cut according to ASTM D3039, ASTM D790 and ASTM D256 for the tensile test, flexural test and impact test, respectively. The results showed that the tensile, flexural and impact strengths of the kenaf fiber are lower compared to NEAT. Samples at 5% kenaf fiber content shows the highest tensile strength, flexural strength and impact strength at 27. 1 MPa and 18.2 MPa and 0.56 kJ/m2, respectively. The 5% fiber content was finalized as the fiber content that can be applied in archery

Peripheral Interface Controller-Based Photovoltaic DC-DC Boost Converter

Fossil-based energy resources used in generating electricity are exhausting and finding alternative energy sources is vital for future energy demand. Photovoltaic (PV) is one of the promising renewable energy sources. However, the inconsistent characteristic of solar irradiation tends to disturb the amount of PV energy extraction. This makes the PV a non-linear power source throughout the daytime. This paper presents the prototype development of a Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC)-based photovoltaic dc-dc boost converter. In order to produce a stable dc output voltage, a closed-loop system is implemented into the converter circuit. The converter circuit was designed and simulated in PROTEUS ISIS Professional Tool and PSpiceOrCAD software environment. The control algorithm of the converter system was developed in the PIC C-Compiler software. The converter utilizes an 18V of 100W capacity PV module to generate a higher voltage for various direct current (dc) applications. With the developed and embedded control algorithm, the PIC microcontroller model PIC16F877A generates an appropriate pulse-width modulation signal to control the switching device MOSFET IRF540. Simulation results show that the controller managed to boost-up the voltage to 58.661V with minimum ripple voltage of 0.488V. The experimental results show that the converter managed to regulate the output voltage at 57.8V which is 1.47% lower than that of simulation. The result signifies the efficacy of the converter system control algorithm

Investigation of Thermal Behavior for Natural Fibres Reinforced Epoxy using Thermogravimetric and Differential Scanning Calorimetric Analysis

This paper presented the research works on the investigation of the thermal behavior of the natural fibres; i.e. pineapple leaf fibre, kenaf fibre and mengkuang fibres reinforced epoxy. The thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric analysis were used to measure the thermal behavior of the treated and untreated pineapple, kenaf and mengkuang fibres reinforced epoxy. The samples for both analysis were subjected to maximum temperature 600°C at the heating rate of 10°C/min. The results showed that the treated fibres show higher maximum peak temperature as compared to the untreated fibres. Additionally, the glass transition temperature showed a lower value for all treated fibre. It can be concluded that investigation of thermal properties of these natural fibres could improve the utilization of natural fibre composites in various applications i.e. sports applications

Investigation of Thermal Behavior for Natural Fibres Reinforced Epoxy using Thermogravimetric and Differential Scanning Calorimetric Analysis

This paper presented the research works on the investigation of the thermal behavior of the natural fibres; i.e. pineapple leaf fibre, kenaf fibre and mengkuang fibres reinforced epoxy. The thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetric analysis were used to measure the thermal behavior of the treated and untreated pineapple, kenaf and mengkuang fibres reinforced epoxy. The samples for both analysis were subjected to maximum temperature 600°C at the heating rate of 10°C/min. The results showed that the treated fibres show higher maximum peak temperature as compared to the untreated fibres. Additionally, the glass transition temperature showed a lower value for all treated fibre. It can be concluded that investigation of thermal properties of these natural fibres could improve the utilization of natural fibre composites in various applications i.e. sports applications

Clinical replicability of rehabilitation interventions in randomized controlled trials reported in main journals is inadequate

Objective: The objective of this study was to study if randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in rehabilitation (a field where complex interventions prevail) published in main journals include all the details needed to replicate the intervention in clinical practice (clinical replicability). Study Design and Setting: Forty-seven rehabilitation clinicians of 5 professions from 7 teams (Belgium, Italy, Malaysia, Pakistan, Poland, Puerto Rico, the USA) reviewed 76 RCTs published by main rehabilitation journals exploring 14 domains chosen through consensus and piloting. Results: The response rate was 99%. Inter-rater agreement was moderate/good. All clinicians considered unanimously 12 (16%) RCTs clinically replicable and none not replicable. At least one \u201cabsent\u201d information was found by all participants in 60 RCTs (79%), and by a minimum of 85% in the remaining 16 (21%). Information considered to be less well described (8\u201319% \u201cperfect\u201d information) included two providers (skills, experience) and two delivery (cautions, relationships) items. The best described (50\u201379% \u201cperfect\u201d) were the classic methodological items included in CONSORT (descending order: participants, materials, procedures, setting, and intervention). Conclusion: Clinical replicability must be considered in RCTs reporting, particularly for complex interventions. Classical methodological checklists such as CONSORT are not enough, and also Template for Intervention Description and Clinical replication do not cover all the requirements. This study supports the need for field-specific checklists