Chengbao Hu^1,2,3, Shilin Gong^4,*, Bin Chen^1,2,3, Zhongling Zong⁴, Xingwang Bao⁵, Xiaojian Ru⁵

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.140, No.1, pp. 997-1015, 2024, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2024.048640

Abstract Strain localization frequently occurs in cohesive materials with friction (e.g., composites, soils, rocks) and is widely recognized as a fundamental cause of progressive structural failure. Nonetheless, achieving high-fidelity simulation for this issue, particularly concerning strong discontinuities and tension-compression-shear behaviors within localized zones, remains significantly constrained. In response, this study introduces an integrated algorithm within the finite element framework, merging a coupled cohesive zone model (CZM) with the nonlinear augmented finite element method (N-AFEM). The coupled CZM comprehensively describes tension-compression and compression-shear failure behaviors in cohesive, frictional materials, while the N-AFEM allows nonlinear coupled intra-element discontinuities without necessitating extra nodes or… More >

Laima Vevere^*, Beatrise Sture, Vladimir Yakushin, Mikelis Kirpluks, Ugis Cabulis

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 585-602, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.047350

Abstract Cryogenic insulation material rigid polyurethane (PU) foams were developed using bio-based and recycled feedstock. Polyols obtained from tall oil fatty acids produced as a side stream of wood biomass pulping and recycled polyethylene terephthalate were used to develop rigid PU foam formulations. The 4th generation physical blowing agents with low global warming potential and low ozone depletion potential were used to develop rigid PU foam cryogenic insulation with excellent mechanical and thermal properties. Obtained rigid PU foams had a thermal conductivity coefficient as low as 0.0171 W/m·K and an apparent density of 37–40 kg/m³. The developed rigid PU foams had… More > Graphic Abstract

Wenqing Xiao^1,#, Yuhang Liu^2,#, Yuxin He¹, Qiaoguang Li^1,*, Yongquan Li^3,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 615-628, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.046780

Abstract Plasticizers are essential additives in the processing of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), with phthalate plasticizers being widely used. However, these conventional plasticizers have been shown to be harmful to human health and environmentally unfriendly, necessitating the exploration of eco-friendly bio-based alternatives. In this study, Camellia oleifera seed oil, a specialty resource in China, was utilized as a raw material and reacted with 4,4′-Methylenebis(N,N-diglycidylaniline) (AG-80) to synthesize Phenyl Camellia seed Oil Ester (PCSOE). PCSOE was employed as a plasticizer to prepare modified PVC films with varying concentrations, with the conventional plasticizer dioctyl phthalate (DOP) serving as a control. Experimental results demonstrate that… More >

Susi Susi^1,2,*, Makhmudun Ainuri^3,*, Wagiman Wagiman³, Mohammad Affan Fajar Falah³

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 513-537, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.045586

Abstract Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is one of the cellulose derivatives produced as a result of the depolymerization of a part of cellulose to achieve high crystallinity. When implemented in other polymers, high crystallinity correlates with greater strength and stiffnes, but it can reduce the water-holding capacity. The acid concentration and hydrolysis time will affect the acquisition of crystallinity and water absorption capacity, both of which have significance as properties of hydrogel filler. The study aimed to evaluate the properties and select the MCC generated from varying the proportion of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and the appropriate hydrolysis time as a filler for… More > Graphic Abstract

RAID BANAT^1,*, MANAL AL-RAWASHDEH¹, HEBA ALKHLAIFAT¹

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.38, No.1-2, pp. 137-151, 2021, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2021.38.1-2.11

Abstract Composite of oil Shale ash (OSA) filler and high density polyethylene (HDPE) matrix was formulated and studied. OSA mainly composed of Ca, Si, and Fe most of which in oxide forms. OSA-HDPE composite with 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt. % OSA were produced using extrusion and hot press. Mechanical, morphological, and water uptake properties of the composite are discussed herein. While the tensile stress at yield, 47 MPa, restored its value close to the neat HDPE, an increase in the mean values of the tensile stress at rapture from 19 to 33 MPa, the tensile modulus from… More >

KANCHANA M¹, RAJASEKARAN E², KUMAR B¹, USHA ANTONY³

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.38, No.3-4, pp. 309-325, 2021, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2021.38.3-4.11

Abstract The objective of this research work is to investigate the feasibility of fabricating bio-based visual sensor indicators to detect the presence of H₂S using inkjet printing. Myoglobin and chitosan were used as indicating and immobilizing materials respectively. 30 mg of myoglobin dissolved in 1 mL of tris buffer with 10% glycerol gave optimum jettability properties. Similarly, drop formation was optimal for 0.50% m/v chitosan solution diluted to 10 cP viscosity. The samples were fabricated in layer-by-layer approach and indicator with 2 layers of chitosan and 4 layers of myoglobin gave maximum sensitivity with 14.42 for 0.7 mg/L of H₂S. The… More >

SHALINI RUKHAYA^*, NEELAM M. ROSE, SAROJ YADAV

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.38, No.3-4, pp. 179-190, 2021, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2021.38.3-4.1

Abstract The present study was conducted to develop aroma wool fabric using microencapsulated vetiver essential oil without deteriorating the fabric properties. SEM analysis of the treated wool fabric depicted adhesion of numerous microcapsules of spherical shape and FTIR analysis indicated presence of different functional groups on the fabric. The aroma treatment improved most of the tested physical properties of wool fabric. Aroma treated fabric displayed good antimoth efficacy in terms of weight reduction (7.57%) and moth mortality (40%). Treated wool fabric also exhibited antibacterial activity with 63.45 and 61.37 percent reduction in bacterial growth against S. aureus and E.coli, respectively. The… More >

Chun Mao¹, Ji He^1,*, Xuefeng Wen¹, Yangzhou Xiang², Jihong Feng¹, Yingge Shu¹

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.3, pp. 487-502, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.048246

Abstract The contents of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in soil-microorganisms-plant significantly affect tea quality by altering the main quality components of tea, such as tea polyphenols, amino acids, and caffeine. However, few studies have quantified the effects of these factors on the main quality components of tea. The study aimed to explore the interactions of C, N, and P in soil-microorganisms-plants and the effects of these factors on the main quality components of tea by using the path analysis method. The results indicated that (1) The contents of C, N, and P in soil, microorganisms, and tea plants… More >

Xiaojie Liang^1,2, Wei An², Yuekun Li², Yajun Wang², Xiaoya Qin², Yanhong Cui¹, Shuchai Su^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.3, pp. 467-486, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.047628

Abstract

Goji berry (Lycium barbarum L.) is substantially dependent on nitrogen fertilizer application, which can significantly enhance fruit yield and Goji berry industrial development in Ningxia, China. This study aimed to analyze the functions of differential nitrogen application rates including low (N1), medium (N2), and high (N3) levels in soil microbial community structure (bacterial and fungal) at 2 diverse soil depths (0–20, 20–40 cm) through high-throughput sequencing technology by targeting 16S RNA gene and ITS1 & ITS2 regions. All the observed physicochemical parameters exhibited significant improvement (p < 0.05) with increased levels of nitrogen and the highest values for most parameters… More >

Rui Zhang¹, Taixiang Chen¹, Zhenjiang Chen¹, Hao Chen¹, Xuekai Wei¹, Malik Kamran¹, Chunjie Li^1,2,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.3, pp. 567-580, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.047485

Abstract In a greenhouse experiment, the effects of soil microorganisms and extracts of Achnatherum inebrians on the seed germination and seedling growth of Elymus nutans were studied. The results showed that both the extracts from aboveground and belowground parts of A. inebrians significantly inhibited the germination rate, germination potential, germination index, vigor index, seedling height, root length, and fresh weight of E. nutans, but increased malondialdehyde content, catalase, peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity of E. nutans seedlings (p < 0.05). The allelopathy of aqueous extracts of the aboveground parts of A. inebrians was stronger than that of the precipitates. Aqueous extracts… More >