Yosr Laatiri, Habib Sammouda, Fadhel Aloulou^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.4, pp. 771-798, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.047022 - 12 June 2024

Abstract This article aims to present the feasibility of storing thermal energy in buildings for solar water heating while maintaining the comfort environment for residential buildings. Our contribution is the creation of insulating composite panels made of bio-based phase change materials (bio-PCM is all from coconut oil), cement and renewable materials (treated wood fiber and organic clay). The inclusion of wood fibers improved the thermal properties; a simple 2% increase of wood fiber decreased the heat conductivity by approximately 23.42%. The issues of bio-PCM leakage in the cement mortar and a roughly 56.5% reduction in thermal… More > Graphic Abstract

Abdulmoseen Segun Giwa^1,*, Mingqiang Sheng², Ndungutse Jean Maurice³, Xinxin Liu¹, Zelong Wang¹, Fengmin Chang⁴, Bo Huang⁴, Kaijun Wang⁴

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.6, pp. 2593-2629, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.026314 - 27 April 2023

Abstract Globally, fossil fuel dependence has created several environmental challenges and climate change. Hence, creating other alternative renewable and ecologically friendly bio-energy sources is necessary. Lignocellulosic biomass has gained significant attention recently as a renewable material for biofuel production. The large amounts of plantain and banana plant parts wasted after harvesting, as well as the peels generated daily by the fruit market and industries, demonstrate the potential of bioenergy resources. This review briefly assesses plantain and banana plant biomass (PBB) generated in the developing, developed, and underdeveloped countries, the consumable parts, and feasible products yield. It… More > Graphic Abstract

Antonio Aprigio da Silva Curvelo¹, Antonio José Felix Carvalho^2,*, Daniel Pasquini³

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.9, No.4, pp. 599-600, 2021, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2021.015335 - 01 February 2021

Abstract This article has no abstract. More >

Beatrise Sture^1,*, Mikelis Kirpluks¹, Sergejs Gaidukovs², Edgars Vanags¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.8, No.9, pp. 1077-1089, 2020, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2020.09294 - 03 August 2020

Abstract Photocurable systems are more effective, faster and require less energy than conventional thermal curing methods. To facilitate the ongoing transition toward a biobased economy, photoactive compounds were synthesized from tall oil fatty acids (TOFA) which is a by-product from wood pulping. In this study, photoactive monomers were synthesized by two different chemical pathways using oleic acid and TOFA as raw materials. Firstly, double bonds present in TOFA were epoxidized, followed by epoxy ring-opening with acrylic acid which introduced photoactive functional groups into the fatty acid backbone. Intermediates and final products were analysed using titration methods More >

S.H. Hassan^1,2, Lee Hwei Voon^1*, T.S. Velayutham^2*, Lindong Zhai³, Hyun Chan Kim³, Jaehwan Kim³

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.6, No.1, pp. 1-25, 2018, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2017.634173

Abstract Cellulose is a renewable biomass material and natural polymer which is abundantly available on Earth, and includes agricultural wastes, forestry residues, and woody materials. The excellent and smart characteristics of cellulose materials, such as lightweight, biocompatibility, biodegradability, high mechanical strength/stiffness and low thermal expansibility, have made cellulose a high-potential material for various industry applications. Cellulose has recently been discovered as a smart material in the electroactive polymers family which carries the name of cellulose-based electroactive paper (EAPap). The shear piezoelectricity in cellulose polymers is able to induce large displacement output, low actuation voltage, and low… More >

A. Ivdre^1*, G.D. Soto², U. Cabulis¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.4, No.4, pp. 285-293, 2016, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2016.634122

Abstract This study presents the synthesis of novel polyols made from tall oil (TO) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) with different TO/PET molar ratios. Rigid polyurethane foams based on these synthesized polyols were obtained and characterized to evaluate polyols’ suitability for the development of light materials with insulating properties. The effect of TO/PET molar ratios on the physical, morphological and mechanical properties of the obtained foams, as well as their thermal insulation characteristics, were evaluated. Increasing amounts of PET in polyurethane foams resulted in higher compression strength and closed cell content, while water absorption was not affected. More >

Mike Lawrence

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.3, No.3, pp. 163-174, 2015, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2015.634105

Abstract The relative importance of embodied energy and operational energy on the environmental impact of construction are examined in this article. It highlights the fact that the targets set by the Kyoto Protocol are primarily being met by the reduction of in-use energy, and that the implications of that are that the energy embodied in buildings will increase in signifi cance from its current 17% level to 50% by 2050. The article describes how the use of bio-based renewable materials can make a signifi cant contribution to reducing not only the embodied energy of buildings by More >

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.3, No.3, pp. 161-162, 2015, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2015.634113

Abstract This article has no abstract. More >