Research Articles

Bamboo has gained increasing recognition as a sustainable structural material; however, the development of reliable connection systems remains a critical challenge for its broader application in construction. This study investigated a tensile connection for bamboo culms based on the principles of internal expansion and lateral friction while addressing the material’s inherent dimensional heterogeneity. The system was designed to facilitate installation, reduce costs, and require only minimal skilled labor, thereby improving the technical and practical feasibility of bamboo construction. An experimental program was conducted to evaluate the structural performance of the connection under tensile loading. The results demonstrated consistent mechanical behavior and significant load-bearing capacity, confirming the effectiveness of the internal expansion mechanism in accommodating geometric variability along the culm. Three main groups were tested, differing in the additives incorporated into the wood expander: sandpaper and polyurethane resin. The configuration incorporating polyurethane resin achieved the highest average ultimate tensile load (4.47 kN). The findings indicate that the proposed connection has strong structural potential and may contribute to the development of more reliable, scalable, and sustainable bamboo construction systems.

Although much is known about the properties of fiberboard and its constituents as a composite material, their dependency on morphological properties of the fibers within remains relatively unstudied. Regardless of the exact defibration method used on wood, a certain range of fiber aspect ratios are produced. The influence of aspect ratio distribution on fiberboard performance has been studied in conjunction with its dependence on hardwood/softwood content. Fiber samples with a range of hardwood content were imaged using a digital microscope and measured using image analysis. Thin fiberboard made from the sampled wood fiber was subjected to a variety of performance tests. Testing of fiberboard was done according to ASTM Standard D1037-12 (2020). No significant difference in flexural performance was found between the samples, with strain at break being the only exception. It is concluded that while longer, softwood fibers may have more favorable properties in standard applications of fiberboard, shorter, hardwood fibers have comparable mechanical properties when made into thin fiberboard while exhibiting significantly higher performance in internal bonding and water resistance.

An amphoteric modification strategy was proposed to enhance the adsorption performance of biomass-based magnetic aerogels. Using sugarcane bagasse as the precursor, bagasse cellulose (BC) was extracted using a deep eutectic solvent at ambient temperature. Magnetic aerogels were fabricated by sequential cationization with 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride and anionization with 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and amphiprotic BC/TiO₂ (AP-BC/TiO₂). These aerogels combined TiO₂ (a photocatalytic component) and Fe₃O₄ (a magnetic component) through an energy-efficient atmospheric pressure foaming process. The adsorption capacity for methylene blue (MB) was optimized using response surface methodology, with the mass concentrations of Fe₃O₄, AP-BC, and TiO₂ and initial concentration of MB as independent variables and the MB adsorption capacity as the response. A quadratic regression model was used to determine the optimal conditions. The AP-BC/TiO₂ magnetic aerogels exhibited an exceptional MB adsorption capacity of 1070 mg⋅g⁻¹. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms were modeled, and the structural/ physicochemical properties of the magnetic aerogels were characterized. The results confirmed the formation of a three-dimensional interconnected porous structure with uniform Fe₃O₄/TiO₂ loading and a saturation magnetization of 17.2 emu⋅g⁻¹. This enabled rapid magnetic separation and confirmed the potential application of amphiprotic biomass-based magnetic aerogels as eco-friendly and cost-effective adsorbents for MB.

The unique imidazole group of histidine endows materials containing it with pH responsiveness, metal-coordination capability, and π–π stacking interactions. However, the development of fully bio-based nanostructured supports that enable efficient histidine immobilization while maintaining abundant accessible surface functional groups remains largely unexplored. In this study, regenerated cellulose nanospheres (RCNs) with an average particle size of 88.8 ± 2.1 nm were prepared through a dissolution–regeneration process and subsequently oxidized to introduce reactive aldehyde groups. Histidine was then covalently grafted onto the RCN surface via a Schiff base reaction, yielding fully bio-based histidine/regenerated cellulose composite nanospheres (His-RCNs) with an average particle size of 39.3 ± 1.1 nm. The reduced particle size after grafting is expected to provide greater accessible surface area for interfacial interactions and subsequent functionalization. Morphological, structural, and thermal analyses confirmed the successful grafting of histidine while preserving the regenerated cellulose framework and spherical morphology. Quantitative analysis revealed that regenerated cellulose and grafted histidine accounted for 79.2 wt% and 20.8 wt% of the final product, respectively. By integrating the renewable regenerated cellulose nanosphere platform with multifunctional imidazole groups, this work provides a fully bio-based strategy for constructing histidine-functionalized cellulose nanomaterials.

Advances in microtechnology have progressively improved cultivation methods, providing significant benefit through hydrogel immobilization, which enables more controlled nutrient delivery and a conducive environment.  In this work, Chlorella vulgaris, a microalgal species, was used to investigate the cell cultivation and optimal growth conditions within cellulose-based bioinks composed of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). C. vulgaris immobilization serves as a bioprinted living cell model focused on a plant-based system, enhancing the understanding of a modern and simplified cultivation techniques. The growth rates of C. vulgaris cells in CNF/CMC hydrogels were evaluated using colorimetric analysis with different cell cultivation techniques. The morphological structure was analyzed within the CNF/CMC hydrogel, C. vulgaris culture, and the immobilized C. vulgaris in the hydrogel. The optimal conditions at room temperature for C. vulgaris growth were established by preparing the hydrogels with varying CNF and CMC concentration ratios for subsequent 3D bioprinting processes. Remarkably, the 3D-bioprinted hydrogel with a concentration ratio of 5 wt% CNF and 5 wt% CMC demonstrated superior structural integrity, with capability for 3D printing and exceptional C. vulgaris cell growth rates. A green and comprehensive method of nanocellulose-based bioinks showed great properties for the application of other cells’ culture with 3D bioprinting.

Aiming at the problems of strong subjectivity in Taishan wood-based cultural and creative design, low added value of bio-based materials, and superficial cultural translation, this paper proposes a systematic design framework coupling Grounded Theory with the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP). A three-dimensional evaluation system covering culture, function, and emotion is constructed, based on which three Taishan wood-based cultural and creative products are developed. A multi-criteria evaluation framework is established using a Likert-type five-point scale for efficacy verification. The results indicate that this quantitative path mitigates wood anisotropy and accurately restores complex contours. It enhances the added value of wood-based materials while preserving high recognizability of authentic cultural imagery. This method facilitates the shift of cultural and creative development from empirical judgment to data-driven decision-making, and provides solid theoretical support and a universal research direction for the high-value sustainable development of mountain-type cultural heritage.

Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek) is a medicinal and culinary plant valued for its rich phytochemical composition and diverse biological activities. This study investigated the phytochemical profile and in vitro biological activities of an ethanolic fenugreek seed extract using chromatographic and biological assays. GC–MS analysis tentatively identified nineteen volatile constituents, with 2-methyl-2-butenal (36.65%) and p-cymene (17.96%) as the major compounds, while HPLC revealed a phenolic-rich extract. The extract exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, reaching 85.75 ± 1.73% and 71.79 ± 1.95% scavenging in the DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively, at 1000 µg/mL. MTT evaluation demonstrated preferential cytotoxicity toward HepG2 and Caco-2 cancer cells, with IC₅₀ values of 124.65 and 164.39 µg/mL, respectively, compared with 480.8 µg/mL for normal WI-38 cells. The extract also showed moderate pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 116.74 µg/mL) compared with orlistat (IC₅₀ = 17.83 µg/mL) and dose-dependently inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the extract’s in vitro antioxidant activity, preferential cytotoxicity toward the tested cancer cell lines, and inhibitory effects on pancreatic lipase and carbohydrate-digesting enzymes.

Static and modal performances of kenaf fiber reinforced epoxy composites and their hybrid laminates were numerically evaluated for first-person view (FPV) drones. Seven laminate configurations were investigated, including full kenaf, carbon, and glass fiber composites, as well as kenaf–carbon and kenaf–glass hybrid systems with varying ply placements. Each ply contained a fiber weight fraction of ~30 wt.%. Finite element-based static structural and modal analyses were performed. Static analysis under realistic hover-loading conditions showed that the fully kenaf/epoxy frame exhibited a maximum von Mises stress of 1.20 MPa and a maximum displacement of 0.00352 mm, remaining well within safe structural limits while achieving the lowest mass (570 g). The carbon-skinned kenaf hybrid (C/K/K/C) reduced maximum stress and displacement by approximately 63% and 81%, respectively, compared to the full kenaf laminate, while maintaining a ~5% lower mass than the full carbon frame. Modal analysis revealed that the fundamental natural frequency increased from 11.9 Hz for the kenaf laminate to 13.6 Hz for the carbon–kenaf hybrid, approaching the carbon/epoxy frame value of 15.2 Hz. All kenaf-based and hybrid configurations exhibited natural frequencies well above dominant motor excitation ranges, indicating low resonance risk during FPV operation.

The applicability of a torrefied wood flour/cationic polyacrylamide (TWF/C-PAM) treatment agent for pilot-scale wastewater treatment and the reutilization potential of the generated sewage sludge as an agricultural soil amendment were evaluated. The TWF/C-PAM treatment agent showed high removal efficiencies for turbidity 91.8%, suspended solids 96.4%, total phosphorus 90.0%, chemical oxygen demand 67.3%, and biochemical oxygen demand 61.2%. The treatment performance was comparable to that of conventional 10% polyaluminum chloride, although relatively low total nitrogen removal efficiency 10.3% was observed. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was cultivated in sewage sludge-amended soil presented with sludge addition ratios of 1%, 5%, 10%, and 30%. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents increased up to the 5% treatment level, indicating the potential applicability of sewage sludge as an agricultural soil amendment. These findings demonstrate the potential of the TWF/C-PAM treatment process for simultaneous wastewater treatment and sewage sludge reutilization.

The environmental impact of long-lasting conventional plastics and related microplastic pollution have created an urgent need for sustainable packaging alternatives. Multifunctional green packaging films were developed by incorporating calcium lignosulfonate (CaLS) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) essential oil emulsion (SAEO) into a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) matrix. Films were prepared by the aqueous solution casting method at different SAEO concentrations. The chemical profile of the essential oil was determined by GC-MS analysis, confirming eugenol as the major component (86.9%). The structural, thermal, mechanical, color, and selected functional properties of the films were characterized. CaLS incorporation increased tensile strength by approximately 9% compared to neat HPMC. The addition of SAEO reduced tensile strength while enhancing flexibility. CaLS remarkably enhanced UV-blocking performance of HPMC from 55% to 98%, which was slightly decreased to 94% following SAEO addition. Antibacterial activity increased with essential oil concentration, particularly the film containing 6 wt.%. SAEO achieving approximately 99% reduction against Escherichia coli and 70% against Staphylococcus aureus. The findings suggest that the combined use of cellulose and lignin derivatives with clove essential oil offers an integrated approach for the development of multifunctional food packaging materials, as well as providing a field of application for non-wood forest products.