A review on potentiality of nano filler/natural fiber filled polymer hybrid composites

The increasing demand for greener and biodegradable materials leading to the satisfaction of society requires a compelling towards the advancement of nano-materials science. The polymeric matrix materials with suitable and proper filler, better filler/matrix interaction together with advanced and new methods or approaches are able to develop polymeric composites which shows great prospective applications in constructions and buildings, automotive, aerospace and packaging industries. The biodegradability of the natural fibers is considered as the most important and interesting aspects of their utilization in polymeric materials. Nanocomposite shows considerable applications in different fields because of larger surface area, and greater aspect ratio, with fascinating properties. Being environmentally friendly, applications of nanocomposites offer new technology and business opportunities for several sectors, such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, and biotechnology industries. Hybrid bio-based composites that exploit the synergy between natural fibers in a nano-reinforced bio-based polymer can lead to improved properties along with maintaining environmental appeal. This review article intended to present information about diverse classes of natural fibers, nanofiller, cellulosic fiber based composite, nanocomposite, and natural fiber/nanofiller-based hybrid composite with specific concern to their applications. It will also provide summary of the emerging new aspects of nanotechnology for development of hybrid composites for the sustainable and greener environment

Effects of the improvement in thermal conductivity coefficient by nano-wollastonite on physical and mechanical properties in medium-density fiberboard (MDF)

The improving effect of an increase in the thermal conductivity caused by nano-wollastonite (NW) on the physical and mechanical properties of medium-density fiberboard (MDF) was studied. Nanowollastonite was applied at 2, 4, 6, and 8 g/kg, based on the dry weight of wood-chips, and compared with control specimens. The size range of wollastonite nanofibers was 30 to 110 nm. The results show that NW significantly (p < 0.05) increased thermal conductivity. The increased thermal conductivity resulted in a better curing of the resin; consequently, mechanical properties were improved significantly. Furthermore, the formation of bonds between wood fibers and wollastonite contributed to fortifying the MDF. It was concluded that a NW content of 2 g/kg did not significantly improve the overall properties and therefore cannot be recommended to industry. Because the properties of NW-6 and NW-8 were significantly similar, a NW-content of 6 g/kg can be recommended to industry to significantly (p < 0.05) improve the properties of MDF panels

Public mural art installations in an urban cultural district: place identity under scrutiny

Public Mural Art Installation (PMAI) affects tourist perceptions and decision-making on a destination’s features and the manner they enhance a place identity. Despite the intention, many PMAI seems to have a lack of purpose in conveying its message on the place’s identity to tourists. The construction of the PMAI appeared to be haphazardly implemented and does not integrate well with the open public space to provide appropriate meaning to the place. This paper investigates how tourists’ conceive the manner PMAI in Georgetown Cultural District enhances the identity of the place. A non-participant observation on the tourists behaviors during their engagement with the PMAI and descriptive analysis were conducted in the data collection process. The result demonstrates that both the local and international tourists were attracted to the PMAI and support by the local government through maintenance and events including more accessible and integrated approach in the planning and design of urban open spaces are essentially needed to further sustain the attraction. This study contributes to the creation of more effective construction guidelines concerning the PMAI installation in urban setting

Recent advances in epoxy resin, natural fiber-reinforced epoxy composites and their applications

The versatile characteristic of epoxy and its diversity made it suitable for different industrial applications such as laminated circuit board, electronic component encapsulations, surface coatings, potting, fiber reinforcement, and adhesives. However, the pervasive applications in many high-performance field limited the epoxy use because of their delamination, low impact resistance, inherent brittleness, and fracture toughness behavior. The limitations of epoxy can be overcome by incorporation and modification before their industrial applications. Currently, modified epoxy resins are extensively used in fabrication of natural fiber-reinforced composites and in making its different industrial products because of their superior mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Present review article designed to be a comprehensive source of recent literature on epoxy structure, synthesis, modified epoxy, bio-epoxy resin, and its applications. This review article also aims to cover the recent advances in natural fiber-based epoxy composites and nanocomposites research study, including manufacturing techniques and their different industrial applications

Advances in Smart Materials and Applications

This is one of a series of special issues published in Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, focusing on the latest advances of smart materials and their applications. Evolution of engineering materials is strongly depending on the growing transformation of complexity in engineering products. New materials being designed are required to provide specific properties and demonstrate certain functional characteristics by manipulating their dimension, chemistry, and structure through various advanced technologies.Therefore, “smartness” of a material has become the topic of interest. Properties of smart materials may change accordingly to the applied external stimuli. Under the direction of the editorial team, we showcase advances of organic and inorganic based smart materials and their applications in areas of specific interest such as energy, environment, and health. A total of 9 articles are published in this special issue. Six articles are focused on production, synthesis, and optimization of smart materials; and the remaining are dedicated to application of smart materials

2,2'-[2,5-Bis(hexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene]dithiophene

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C26H34O2S2, comprises one half-mol­ecule located on an inversion centre. The thio­phene groups are twisted relative to the benzene ring, making a dihedral angle of 5.30 (7)°, and the n-hexyl groups are in a fully extended conformation. In the crystal, there are short C—H(...)π contacts involving the thio­phene groups

Temperature rise of cold-formed steel built-up back-to-back column under standard fire

Cold-formed steel (CFS) has been used for various applications in building structure. Due to its many advantages, the uses of CFS can be widened to build new or to renovate existing single one or two families private homes. However, the fire resistance of the CFS is a critical issue whereby inclined to lose its vigour when it is exposed to fire, compared to hot-rolled steel member. This study takes the opportunity to investigate the application of this material as column members subjected to the standard fire. Four columns were tested. One column with a static load was tested under the ambient condition, while the three other columns were loaded at different degrees of utilisation under the standard ISO 834 fire conditions. The increases of temperature on the column surface were monitored using thermocouple Type K and the analyses of this thermocouple reading was taken to evaluate the mean temperature of the column. The temperature behaviours of back-to-back column for all degrees of utilisation showed that, the web was a lower temperature compared to the flange due to the greater thickness of the web. Meanwhile, the failure temperature of the CFS could reach up to 651.0 ºC for 30.0 % degree of utilisation with 8.0 minutes of resistant time

Plaintiff\u27s Exhibit 0332: DNA thermal cycler

https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/plaintiff_exhibits_2000/1075/thumbnail.jp

Plaintiff\u27s Exhibit 0329: DNA molecule as demonstrative aid

https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/plaintiff_exhibits_2000/1073/thumbnail.jp