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Topic Review
History of Pleating
Pleating is basically the process of compressing high-quality hardwood along the grain after plasticization by supporting the sides of the wood to avoid buckling. Many treatment variations can be used with a wide range of parameters. Pleated wood can be bent into small curves in any direction. Industrial pleating is still done today in some parts of the world and its success is influenced by many factors, such as wood species, wood quality, moisture content, compression ratio, fixation time, etc. The treatment significantly changes the physical, mechanical and anatomical parameters of the wood. The first written record of the procedure dates back to 1917, and since then many patents, articles, and books on this subject have been published.
  • 1.2K
  • 25 May 2023
Topic Review
Chitosan, Zein and Essential Oil as Bio-Based Coating
Modifications of the packaging paper surface play an important role in a variety of industries, especially in the food sector. Uncoated paper has poor water and oil barrier properties due to its porous structure. Packaging paper could be successfully coated with different coating solutions containing combinations of chitosan, zein and rosemary essential oil. The chitosan and zein were actually coated in two layers; the mixed chitosan–rosemary oil and the mixed zein–rosemary oil were each applied as one layer to the paper. The results showed increased oil barrier properties in the papers coated with mixed zein–rosemary oil and reduced water permeability in the papers coated with the chitosan–rosemary oil coating solution. The result of this two-layer coating showed excellent water and oil barrier properties. All the coated papers showed a high thermal stability, especially those coated with chitosan, zein and rosemary oil layer by layer. Scanning electron microscopy was used to verify the surface di erences of the coated papers, such as the closed structure, pores and smoother surface, especially in the layer-wise coated samples. Due to their good mechanical and chemical properties, coated papers with rosemary oil can be used in many applications, possibly also in the field of repellents.
  • 1.1K
  • 12 Jan 2023
Topic Review
The Psychology Behind Online Casinos
Psychology is the main reason for the growth of online casinos, and much of this has to do with player engagement. Online casinos masterfully bind and keep the player's attention by tapping into well-known behavioral principles. As long as the thrill of uncertainty is kept alive, traditional gambling has always played on psychology.
  • 1.1K
  • 31 Oct 2024
Topic Review
Thermally Modified Wood Exposed to Different Weathering Conditions
Thermally modified wood (TMW) is a material derived from a treatment that combines temperature and moisture, avoiding harmful substances while providing better energy efficiency and drying quality. Such types of processes can considerably improve the performance of timber in several aspects. The treatment is usually achieved at temperatures between 120 °C and 260 °C, depending on the industrial process and desired end-product characteristics.
  • 1.1K
  • 19 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Opportunities of Bio-Based Adhesives for Packaging Applications
Global economy depends on fossil resources, which provide raw materials for the production of a range of chemicals and materials for the manufacture of commercial products such as paper and packaging. Since there is growing environmental awareness and the need to reduce dependence on petroleum-based products, the attention has been paid to the possibilities of synthesizing polymeric materials from bio-based renewable resources. The paper and packaging segment dominates the market and is expected to grow further during the forecast period due to robust growth in demand for packaging materials from food and beverage manufacturers and e-retail companies. In the paper industry, biomass, such as wood and other species, is undergoing constant change due to countries' efforts to decarbonize, the rise of bio-based materials, and so on. The recent shortage of paper for various media, due to the shift from fiber to packaging applications, opens the space for alternative solutions. Recently, interest in the use of agricultural residues has increased. Environmentally friendly packaging, so called green packaging, based on biodegradable, recyclable or compostable materials, is currently attracting a great deal of attention in many disciplines because of its unique properties compared to traditional petrochemical-based plastics. Green packaging materials play an important role in preserving and protecting the product. To fulfil these benefits, the bio-based material for green packaging should be made from materials that enhance the biopolymer properties of the packaging material and meet the requirements of the global market. In addition, to ensure the recyclability or biodegradability of the above packaging, bio-based adhesives should be included in the packaging process. Lately, the adhesive production is still based on by-products of petroleum processing and with increasing concerns about environmental threats and sustainable development, the use of biomass and bio-based materials will play an important role.
  • 1.1K
  • 30 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Enriching WPCs and NFPCs with Carbon Nanomaterials
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene, with their unique mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, and wettability properties, are very effective fillers for many types of composites. Recently, a number of studies have shown that CNTs and graphene may be integrated into wood–plastic composites (WPCs) and natural-fibre-reinforced polymer composites (NFPCs) to improve the existing performance of the WPCs/NFPCs as well as enabling their use in completely new areas of engineering. 
  • 844
  • 02 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Optically Transparent Bamboo
As environmental concerns and the desire to establish a sustainable civilization become more urgent, bamboo has been identified as a potential replacement for materials based on non-renewable resources. There are about 1500 species of bamboo and 36 million hectares of bamboo planting area widely distributed across America, Asia, and Africa. Indeed, bamboo is an important forest resource, having a higher yield, more rapid growth rate, and better mechanical properties than wood, as well as a high aspect ratio and excellent biodegradability. In terms of growth rate, bamboo has a short growth cycle of 3–5 years, whereas wood has a growth cycle of 20–60 years. Furthermore, single bamboo fiber has average tensile strength and modulus of 1.6 GPa and 33 GPa, respectively, which is significantly higher than other known natural fibers, such as cotton, coir, henequen, and ramie. Bamboo has been widely used to fabricate various structural composites, including bamboo scrimber composites, laminated bamboo lumber, and bamboo-fiber-reinforced epoxy composites.
  • 829
  • 23 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Bark in a Biorefineries Context
Bark-based biorefineries are estimated to become a trending topic in the coming years, particularly with their adsorbent applications and antioxidant production. While the potential benefits of bark-based biorefineries are well-recognized, it is not known how to develop a bark-based biorefinery considering different unit operations and the potential end products.
  • 817
  • 06 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Metallogel Science, Approaches, and Applications of Cellulose-Based Metallogels
Metallogels can be derived from ready-made cellulose hydrogels using the diffusion–reduction technique. This convenient and cost-effective approach involves the use of chemical or phyto-chemical reducing agents for the nanoparticles’ formation from the precursor salt solutions.
  • 792
  • 05 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Pellet Production from Pruning and Alternative Forest Biomass
Typically, coniferous sawdust from debarked stems is used to make pellets. Given the high lignin content, which ensures strong binding and high calorific values, this feedstock provides the best quality available. However, finding alternative feedstocks for pellet production is crucial if small-scale pellet production is to be developed and used to support the economy and energy independence of rural communities. These communities have to be able to create pellets devoid of additives and without biomass pre-processing so that the feedstock price remains low. The features of pellets made from other sources of forest biomass, such as different types of waste, broadleaf species, and pruning biomass, have attracted some attention in this context.
  • 754
  • 12 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Wood-Composite for Wastewater Purification and Desalination
The ecosystem has been seriously affected by sewage discharge and oil spill accidents. A series of issues (such as the continuous pollution of the ecological environment and the imminent exhaustion of freshwater resources) are becoming more and more unmanageable, resulting in a crisis of water quality and quantity. Therefore, studies on industrial wastewater purification and solar-driven seawater desalination based on wood composites have been widely considered as an important development direction. Generally, functional nanomaterials are loaded into the wood cell wall, from which lignin and hemicellulose are selectively removed. Alternatively, functional groups are modified on the basis of the molecular structure of the wood microchannels. Due to its three-dimensional (3D) pore structure and low thermal conductivity, wood is an ideal substrate material for industrial wastewater purification and solar-driven seawater desalination.
  • 728
  • 29 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Cellulose-Based Metallogels
Metallogels are a category of materials formed by combining polymer gels with metal ions, creating coordination bonds with the functional groups of the gel. The incorporation of metal phases into hydrogels offers diverse possibilities for functionalization. Cellulose stands out as a preferred choice for producing hydrogels from various standpoints, including economic, ecological, physical, chemical, and biological aspects. It possesses advantages such as cost-effectiveness, renewability, versatility, non-toxicity, remarkable mechanical and thermal stability, a porous structure, a significant number of reactive OH groups, and excellent biocompatibility.
  • 677
  • 21 Jul 2023
Topic Review
Incorporate Plant-Based Biomaterials in Power Generation
Biomass-derived materials have traditionally been used to generate electrical energy through the combustion of their organic components. However, within the past few years, certain common biomass compounds, especially plant-based products such as cellulose and lignin, have drawn attention in the energy field due to their wide availability, low cost, and chemical versatility. In the case of cellulose, the combination of crystalline and amorphous domains, along with the high surface area and abundance of hydroxyl groups, has allowed for its application in multiple devices to harvest energy from the environment. 
  • 642
  • 12 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Improvement of Antibacterial Properties of Wood Surfaces
Wood is a raw material that is renewable and has good mechanical properties, as well as being inexpensive and having abundant reserves. It has been extensively employed in furniture, construction, and other industries. In addition to being a material for furniture and interior decoration, it can have applications in high-tech sectors.
  • 601
  • 21 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Recovery of Phosphorus and Metals from Waste Ashes
Sewage sludge ash (SSA) is a rich source of P, while municipal solid waste incineration fly or bottom ashes (MSWI-FA, MWSI-BA) are rich in metals, especially Zn, Pb, and Cu.
  • 548
  • 24 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Applications of Superhydrophobic Wood Surfaces
Wood is a renewable material that has been widely utilized as indoor and outdoor construction and decoration material in our daily life. Although wood has many advantages (i.e., light weight, high strength, low price and easy machinability), it has some drawbacks that influence dimensional stability, cracking and decay resistance in real practical applications. To mitigate these issues, superhydrophobic surfaces have been introduced to wood substrates, creating superhydrophobic wood surfaces (SHWSs) that can improve stability, water resistance, ultraviolet radiation resistance and flame retardancy. Due to excellent surface superhydrophobicity, SHWSs has been extensively utilized in various fields, including anti-fungi, anti-bacteria, oil/water separation, fire resistance, anti-UV irradiation, photo-response, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding, anti-icing and wood-based devices.
  • 532
  • 19 May 2023
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