Jiazhao Huang¹, Xiaoying Qi¹, Chu Long Tham¹, Hang Li Seet¹, Sharon Mui Ling Nai¹, David William Rosen^1,2,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.3, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.012040

Abstract The emergence of 4D printing introduces stimuli-responsive, shape-changing capabilities through additive manufacturing (AM) and smart materials, has advanced the field of soft robotics. However, there are currently lack of methods or tools that capable of aiding in the generative design of 4D AM structures. The current generative design procedure for 4D AM structures often lacks transferability among various structures due to limited understanding of shape memory material behaviors for soft robotics. To develop such a digital library, investigation of fundamental elements, such as material properties of shape memory materials, geometry parameters of design primitives, and… More >

Manivasagam Vishwa Rohini^1,#, Sathish Kiruba¹, Danniel Santhanaraj¹, Prakash Priyanka Nair¹, P. Sudhakara^2,*, Jujhar Singh³, Balamurugan Rathinam^4,*, Vanaraj Ramkumar^5,6,#

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.41, No.3, pp. 159-178, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2024.054801 - 30 September 2024

Abstract The Cavendish banana, Musa acuminata, is a climacteric fruit that ripens quickly after harvest. Due to their high perishability and susceptibility to disease, bananas have substantial postharvest losses. After harvesting, it is important to extend the bananas’ shelf life. Unique coating gel solutions based on glycerol and ascorbic acid were developed to accomplish this. Chitosan mixed with glacial acetic acid, lactic acid, and sodium alginate were among the gel solutions in these combinations. The goal was to improve banana preservation while maintaining freshness and quality by implementing innovative formulations and techniques. The fruits are hand-dried and… More >

Selwin Maria Sekar¹, Rajini Nagarajan^1,*, Ponsuriyaprakash Selvakumar², Ismail Sikiru Oluwarotimi³, Kumar Krishnan⁴, Faruq Mohammad⁵, Mohammed Rafi Shaik⁵, Nadir Ayrilmis^6,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.8, pp. 1455-1474, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.052952 - 06 September 2024

Abstract An innovative microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) natural fibre powder-reinforced PLA biocomposite was investigated using the hand lay-up technique. The polymer matrix composite (PMC) samples were prepared by varying the weight percentages (wt.%) of both PLA matrix and MCC reinforcement: pure PLA/100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40 and 50:50 wt.%, respectively. From the results obtained, MCC powder, with its impressive aspect ratio, proved to be an ideal reinforcement for the PLA, exhibiting exceptional mechanical properties. It was evident that the 80:20 wt.% biocomposite sample exhibited the maximum improvement in the tensile, flexural, notched impact, compressive strength and hardness… More >

Ponusa Songtipya^1,2,*, Thummanoon Prodpran^1,2, Ladawan Songtipya^1,2, Theerarat Sengsuk¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.5, pp. 951-967, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.049068 - 17 July 2024

Abstract The synergistic effect of organoclay (OC) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles on the crucial properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposite films was systematically investigated herein. After their incorporation into PLA via the solvent casting technique, the water vapor barrier property of the PLA/OC/ZnO film improved by a maximum of 86% compared to the neat PLA film without the deterioration of Young’s modulus or the tensile strength. Moreover, the film’s self-antibacterial activity against foodborne pathogens, including gram-negative (Escherichia coli, E. coli) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, S. aureus) bacteria, was enhanced by a maximum of approximately 98–99% compared to the neat… More > Graphic Abstract

SAMANEH MOSTAFAVI, ZUHAIR MOHAMMAD HASSAN^*

Oncology Research, Vol.32, No.3, pp. 477-487, 2024, DOI:10.32604/or.2023.043926 - 06 February 2024

Abstract Intracellular communications between breast cancer and fibroblast cells were reported to be involved in cancer proliferation, growth, and therapy resistance. The hallmarks of cancer-fibroblast interactions, consisting of caveolin 1 (Cav1) and mono-carboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4) (metabolic coupling markers), along with IL-6, TGFβ, and lactate secretion, are considered robust biomarkers predicting recurrence and metastasis. In order to promote a novel phenotype in normal fibroblasts, we predicted that breast cancer cells could be able to cause loss of Cav1 and increase of MCT4, as well as elevate IL-6 and TGFβ in nearby normal fibroblasts. We created a… More >

Shuang Zhao¹, Shenglan Chen², Shuan Ren¹, Gang Li³, Ke Song^1,4, Jie Guo^1,4, Shima Liu^1,4, Jian He^1,4, Xianwu Zhou^1,4,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2531-2553, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.026066 - 27 April 2023

Abstract Petroleum-based materials, such as plastic, are characterized by adverse environmental pollution; as a result, researchers have sought alternative degradable plastics that are environmentally friendly, such as polylactic acid (PLA). PLA has shown great potential to replace petroleum-based plastics. In this study, seven different samples of unmodified Pueraria lobata root powder (PRP) with different contents (i.e., 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 wt%) and three different modified PRPs (i.e., treated with NaOH, NaOH-KH-550, and Formic) were used to reinforce polylactic acid (PLA) via solution casting process. These prepared PRP/PLA composite films were characterized using SEM,… More > Graphic Abstract

Penghui Li^1,2, Zhengwei Jiang², Chi Yang², Jianpeng Ren^1,2, Bo Jiang^1,2, Wenjuan Wu^1,2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.5, pp. 2233-2248, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.025279 - 13 February 2023

Abstract Lignin is a natural polymer, second only to cellulose in natural reserves. Degradation is one of the ways to achieve the high-value transformation of lignin. Deep eutectic solvent (DES) thermal degradation of lignin can be used as an excellent green degradation method. This paper introduces the degradation mechanism and effect of the lactic acid-choline chloride DES system in dissolving and degrading alkaline lignin, and the final solvent recovery. It can also be found from the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images that the surface of the degraded solid product is transformed from smooth to disordered. Fourier… More > Graphic Abstract

Yodthong Baimark^*, Theeraphol Phromsopha

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.4, pp. 1881-1894, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.025400 - 01 December 2022

Abstract A poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lactide)(PLLA-PEG-PLLA) block copolymer has great potential for use as a flexible bioplastic. Highly flexible bioplastics are required for flexible packaging applications. In this work, a PEG was incorporated into block copolymer as a plasticizer by solvent casting. PLLA-PEG-PLLA/ PEG blends with different blend ratios were prepared, and the plasticizing effect and miscibility of PEG in block copolymer were intensively investigated compared to PLLA/PEG blends. The results indicated that the PEG was an effective plasticizer for the block copolymer. The blending of PEG decreased glass-transition temperature and accelerated the crystallization of both the PLLA More > Graphic Abstract

Chengtao Gao^1,2, Yang Wu³, Haibo Xie^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.3, pp. 1137-1152, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.021473 - 31 October 2022

Abstract

Due to the increasing demand for modified polylactide (PLA) meeting “double green” criteria, the research on sustainable plasticizers for PLA has attracted broad attentions. This study reported an open-ring polymerization method to fabricate cellulose (MCC)-g-PCL (poly (ε-caprolactone)) copolymers with a fully sustainable and biodegradable component. MCC-g-PCL copolymers were synthesized, characterized, and used as green plasticizers for the PLA toughening. The results indicated that the MCC-g-PCL derivatives play an important role in the compatibility, crystallization, and toughening of the PLA/MCC-g-PCL composites. The mechanical properties of the fully bio-based PLA/MCC-g-PCL composites were optimized by adding 15 wt% MCC-g-PCL,

… More > Graphic Abstract

A. MADHAN KUMAR¹, K. JAYAKUMAR^2,*, M. SHALINI³

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.39, No.3-4, pp. 269-281, 2022, DOI:10.32381/JPM.2022.39.3-4.7

Abstract Polylactic acid (PLA) is the most popular thermoplastic biopolymer providing a stiffness and strength alternative to fossil-based plastics. It is also the most promising biodegradable polymer on the market right now, thus gaining a substitute for conservative artificial polymers. Therefore, the current research focuses on synthesizing and mechanical characterization of particlereinforced PLA composites. The hot compression molding technique was used to fabricate PLA-based composites with 0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 weight % of sawdust, rice husk, and bagasse particle reinforcements to enhance the performance of the PLA. The pellets of PLA matrix were taken with… More >