Roudouane Laouar^1,*, Olaf Wünsch²

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.19, No.4, pp. 1055-1066, 2023, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2022.022677

Abstract In this work, a parametric two-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of a solar chimney power plant (a prototype located in Manzanares, Spain) is presented to illustrate the effects of the solar radiation mode in the collector on the plant performances. The simulations rely on a mathematical model that includes solar radiation within the collector; energy storage; air flow and heat transfer, and a turbine. It is based on the Navier-Stokes equation for turbulent flow formulated according to the standard k-ε model. Moreover, the Boussinesq approach is used to account for the fluid density variations. Different solar radiation modes in… More >

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

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, that is, the elongation… More > Graphic Abstract

Faisal Mahmood¹, Maria Saleem¹, Antonio Ariza-Montes², Heesup Han^3,*

International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, Vol.24, No.6, pp. 917-932, 2022, DOI:10.32604/ijmhp.2022.019452

Abstract This research aims to explore the intricate nature of the association between green attitudes and well-being in the workplace. Based on the basic human value theory, this study attempted to unearth the moderating effects of its two main bipolar segments, namely self-transcendence-self-enhancement and openness to change-conservation. A quantitative approach with a sample of 1,532 hospitality employees from 35 European countries was used. We found that a green attitude contributes to deriving employee well-being. Further, we found empirical support for the influence of human values, in the sense that this relationship is reinforced among the workers who are more altruistic and… More >

Iftikhar Ahmad^1,*, Ambreen Shahnaz², Muhammad Asfand-e-Yar³, Wajeeha Khalil¹, Yasmin Bano¹

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.74, No.1, pp. 279-291, 2023, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2023.031344

Abstract The demand for cloud computing has increased manifold in the recent past. More specifically, on-demand computing has seen a rapid rise as organizations rely mostly on cloud service providers for their day-to-day computing needs. The cloud service provider fulfills different user requirements using virtualization - where a single physical machine can host multiple Virtual Machines. Each virtual machine potentially represents a different user environment such as operating system, programming environment, and applications. However, these cloud services use a large amount of electrical energy and produce greenhouse gases. To reduce the electricity cost and greenhouse gases, energy efficient algorithms must be… More >

Sinto Jacob¹, Manjusri Misra^1,2, Amar Mohanty^1,2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.1, No.2, pp. 154-165, 2013, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2012.634107

Abstract This study investigated the use of potassium persulfate (KPS) as an initiator for the grafting of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto softwood kraft lignin. Ammonium iron (II) sulfate hexahydrate was used as a catalyst to overcome the inherent inhibition of lignin to free radical grafting and to make lignin copolymer under mild conditions using an aqueous medium. The infl uence of temperature, initiator concentration, time of reaction and monomer concentration on percentage of grafting were studied. A maximum of 31% grafting was achieved at 55ο C. Graft copolymer was identifi ed from the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum by the new… More >

Richard C. Ferguson, Sharathkumar K. Mendon, James W. Rawlins^*, Shelby F. Thames

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.2, No.3, pp. 166-172, 2014, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2013.634133

Abstract Commercial particleboards are currently synthesized by blending wood furnish with formaldehyde-based resins and curing them under a combination of heat and pressure. Particleboards manufactured with urea-formaldehyde resin are known to liberate formaldehyde during their service lives. Formaldehyde’s carcinogenicity has prompted the search for environmentally-friendly resins for wood composite manufacture. Soybean protein-based adhesives have been developed as a renewable and formaldehyde-free replacement for urea-formaldehyde resins. Particleboards processed using the soybean protein adhesive matched or exceeded performance criteria of M-2-grade commercial particleboards when evaluated as per American National Standards Institute (ANSI) specifi cations. More >

Houda Saad^1,2,*, Antonio Pizzi^3,4, Bertrand Charrier², Naceur Ayed¹, Karsten Rode⁵, Fatima Charrier - El Bouhtoury²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.3, No.1, pp. 34-43, 2015, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2014.634130

Abstract The possible use of Tunisian pomegranate tannins in wood adhesive formulation was studied for the fi rst time. Colorimetric tests, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-fl ight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry were used to examine pomegranate tannins. Analysis showed that pomegranate peels are rich in hydrolyzable tannins. The Stiasny number tests showed the low reactivity of pomegranate tannin extract to formaldehyde and thus the diffi culty of using it in wood adhesive formulation. Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and strength analysis of pomegranate tannin/hexamine-based resin showed weak bonding properties. More >

John C. Hoiby¹, Anil N. Netravali^2,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.3, No.3, pp. 244-258, 2015, DOI:10.7569/JRM.2015.634110

Abstract This article discusses the construction (virtual model) of a fully green cabin using two types of green composites: those that use natural plant-based fibers with soy protein-based resin which have mechanical properties comparable to wood and wood products, and those that use liquid crystalline cellulose fibers with soy proteinbased resin which have properties comparable to high strength steel. Green composites with moderate strength were used to create molded walls and advanced green composites were used to create the load-bearing framework of the cabin. Construction with molded composites and prefabricated framework can greatly simplify traditional wood construction based on many parts… More >

Junshan Zhao^1,#, Yihan Shi^1,#, Ming Zhang¹, Liu Zhang¹, Xumei Cui¹, Xinghua Zhu², Jitong Su¹, Dandan Jing¹, Dingyu Yang^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 79-91, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2023.022030

Abstract In this paper, the non-polluting, non-toxic, and eco-friendly material-MnO₂ electrodes were deposited on three-dimensional porous nickel (Ni) foam by linear sweep voltammetry, and the entire electrodeposition process did not require sintering of the material, which was fast and convenient while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption and thus was environmentally friendly. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine the surface and microscopic characteristics of each sample (TEM). Chronoamperometry (CA), cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were then used to determine the electrochemical characteristics of the manufactured samples. The result suggests that the… More >

Long Li, Yanan Lu, Yu Chen, Jiayi Bian, Li Wang, Li Li^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.11, No.1, pp. 291-307, 2023, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2022.021456

Abstract Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are an effective antibacterial agent, but their application in food packaging is limited due to their easy agglomeration and oxidation. In this study, antibacterial microcapsules were fabricated using Ginkgo biloba essential oil (GBEO) as core material and chitosan and type B gelatin biopolymer as capsule materials. These antibacterial microcapsules were then modified with green-synthesized Ag NPs, blended into the biopolymer polylactic acid (PLA), and finally formed as films. Physicochemical properties and antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were evaluated. Results showed that the prepared antibacterial PLA films exhibited excellent antibacterial… More > Graphic Abstract