Volume 20 Issue 3

Recycling of residual biomass in the form of carbonaceous materials is a sustainable and economically viable management option with zero net carbon dioxide emissions. Mesoporous bamboo biochars were produced via microwave-assisted hydrothermal/soft template treatment. Then they were characterized and evaluated for their adsorption capabilities for three organics. The biochars were found to have mesoporous structures with BET surface areas of 13.0 to 288 m²/g, total pore volumes in the range of 0.017 to 0.313 cm³/g, and average pore diameters between 4.0 and 6.7 nm in size. The surface areas and pore volumes were highly related to the hydrothermal treatment conditions. The mesoporous bamboo biochars showed adsorption amounts for 2-naphthol, berberine hydrocholoride, and Congo red in the range of 35.0 to 155.7, 76.1 to 129.6, 57.9 to 114.4 mg/g, respectively, at the adsorbate concentration of 0.5 mg/mL, and their adsorption capabilities depended on both the porosity and the surface groups. The adsorption of the three organics on the selected sample was a spontaneous and exothermic process with physical adsorption as the dominant mechanism. The adsorption could achieve equilibrium within 20, 40, and 60 min for 2-naphthol, berberine hydrochloride, and Congo red, respectively. This study provides a prospective method to produce biomass-derived mesoporous carbon adsorbents for adsorptive separation of organics from water.

Two rolls of PETG filament (1^# and 2^# filament) from the same manufacturer were placed in a constant temperature and humidity test chamber for moisture absorption pre-treatment for 12 h. The 2^# filament was dried in a special dryer for 8 h. The physical and mechanical properties of the printed samples of 1^# filament (without drying treatment) and 2^# filament (with drying treatment) were compared. The R_a and R_z values of the samples printed on 2^# filament were lower than those of the samples printed on 1^# filament, and the samples printed on 2^# filament were less rough. The light transmission of the samples printed on 2^# filament was higher than that of the samples printed on 1^# filament, and the light transmission properties of the samples printed on 2^# filament were better. The tensile strength and elastic modulus of the samples printed on 2^# filament were higher than those of the samples printed on 1^# filament, and the mechanical properties of the samples printed on 2^# filament were better. Therefore, the drying treatment improved the physical and mechanical properties of ME-3DP models, and this method has high application value.

Bamboo is increasingly recognized as a sustainable biomass resource, supporting the global transition toward renewable raw materials for construction, landscaping, pulp and cellulose production, and high-performance bio-composites. However, intensive harvesting and processing leave behind substantial quantities of leaves, branches, and stem tips that are typically left in the field or incinerated, undermining the material’s overall environmental benefits. Valorizing these by-products is therefore essential to closing the bamboo value loop, yet systematic data on their composition and reuse options remain limited. To address this gap, this work examined the chemical compositions of the by-products (i.e., leaves and branches) of three bamboo species  native to Korea —Giant Bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides), Henon Bamboo (P. nigra), and Moso Bamboo (P. edulis)—and characterized the ashes obtained after controlled combustion. All ashes were strongly alkaline (pH 10 to 11) and exceptionally rich in plant-essential nutrients (K, Ca, Mg and P). This is particularly significant, as it is the first study to demonstrate that bamboo by-product ash is a nutrient-dense material with inherent liming properties, making it suitable for use as a fertilizer or soil amendment. These findings lay an important foundation for the future agricultural and industrial utilization of bamboo residues.

In serviceability limit state, one-dimensional approaches are commonly used to estimate the bending stiffness and vertical displacement of cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels, such as the shear analogy method combined with mechanics of materials equations. Despite their simplicity, these equations disregard the orthotropic nature of wood’s elastic properties and the actual dimensions of CLT panels (treated as beams), affecting displacement predictions. In this context, a parametric study was conducted in this paper using the finite element method. Then, symbolic regression was applied to propose a correction factor for adjusting the stiffness of CLT panels obtained using the shear analogy method. The symbolic regression model for the correction factor demonstrated high accuracy (R² = 0.9834). Adjusting the shear analogy stiffness with the proposed correction factor reduced the maximum error from 18% to 2% compared to the original method and numerical results. The model retained its accuracy in additional simulations, with percentage errors ranging from 0 to 1%.

Biological yield and quality are critical indicators for evaluating silage corn (Zea mays). Among these, biological yield is closely associated with multiple traits of the crop. This study recorded data of 10 traits over two years for 37 silage corn varieties cultivated in hilly mountainous regions of China. Multivariate analysis revealed correlations among all 10 traits. Using correlation data, principal component analysis, cluster analysis, and ridge regression were applied to classify the 37 silage corn varieties into six distinct groups. Key findings identified plant height, ear height, greenness retention rate, and dry weight as critical variables for developing a mathematical model to evaluate silage corn yield and estimate its biological fresh weight. Results indicated that when screening for high-biological-fresh-weight silage corn varieties, priority should be given to those with longer growing periods, compact plant types, superior greenness retention, and higher dry weight. Finally, comparative analysis of biological yields of high-yielding silage corn in Sichuan Province, China, provided actionable references for optimizing silage corn cultivation in local hilly regions.

Raw sawmill wood adsorbent (RSWA) and sawmill wood biochar adsorbent (SWBA) were evaluated as eco-friendly materials for removing cadmium ions (Cd²⁺) from aqueous solutions. The sawmill waste was thermally treated, and the resulting biochar was characterized using FT-IR, SEM, and BET analyses, revealing a rough, porous structure comprising functional groups that enhance adsorption. Batch adsorption experiments demonstrated that SWBA exhibited a higher adsorption capacity (85.4 mg/g at 45 °C) compared to RSWA (78.6 mg/g at 40 °C), with equilibrium times of 180 min for SWBA and 150 min for RSWA. Adsorption efficiency was pH-dependent, with optimal removal occurring at pH 6 for SWBA and pH 5 for RSWA. Kinetic modeling confirmed that adsorption followed the pseudo-second-order model, while isotherm studies indicated a stronger correlation with the Freundlich model. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed the process to be endothermic and spontaneous. Desorption studies revealed a decline in adsorption efficiency over multiple cycles, with RSWA exhibiting slightly better desorption performance than SWBA. These findings highlight sawmill wood biochar as a cost-effective and sustainable solution for wastewater treatment, particularly in heavy metal removal.

Bamboo can be engineered for laminate boards and other sustainable construction material. The adhesive type is expected to affect the laminated board’s quality. This study analyzed the physical (density, moisture content, and delamination) and mechanical (bending and shear strength) properties of betung (Dendrocalamus asper) bamboo laminated boards prepared using various adhesives. The most favorable adhesive for enhancing betung bamboo laminated boards was determined. The bamboo lamina was arranged into boards (3 layers) measuring 30 x 15 x 1.5 cm each in length, width, and thickness. The laminated board was glued using isocyanate, epoxy, and polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) adhesives using the double glue spread technique. The laminated board was tested for its physical and mechanical properties, following the JAS 234:2003 standard. Betung bamboo laminated board with isocyanate, epoxy, and PVAc adhesives had densities ranging from 0.89 g/cm³ to 0.95 g/cm³, moisture contents of 7.64% to 24.37%, delamination ranges from 0% to 100%, modulus of elasticities from 109,000 to 178,000 kg/cm², modulus of rupture values ​​range from 709 to 1,570 kg/cm², and shear strength values ​​of 25.0 to 60.0 kg/cm². Isocyanate adhesive was found to have the best quality in physical tests, while epoxy adhesive achieved the best quality in mechanical tests of laminated boards.

Roof tiles come in various forms and are crucial to residential construction. A roof tile composite offers the market a selection of superior roof tile products in terms of strength, low density, and environmental friendliness. This research aimed to improve the surface performance and durability of sorghum bagasse-based roof tile composite (SBRTC) through surface coating with natural polymer. Sorghum bagasse was made into roof tile composite using a mixture of molasses and citric acid adhesives (50:50) with a target density of 0.6 g/cm³. Furthermore, the SBRTC surface was coated with tannin–polyurethane at different concentrations (10%, 20%, and 30%), and the results were compared with both uncoated and polyurethane-coated samples. The parameters tested included physical and mechanical properties, surface characteristics, and durability against termite and brown-rot fungi. The result showed increasing density, dimensional stability, mechanical properties, and durability. At the same time, the moisture content decreased. Surface performance exhibits a decrease in the average surface roughness (R_a) value, indicating a smoother surface of roof tile composite after surface coating. Furthermore, a high contact angle, low K-value, and low wettability were achieved. It indicates a more hydrophobic surface. The optimal tannin concentration in the coating solution was 20%.

In today’s competitive market, meeting consumers’ satisfaction and emotional needs is crucial for business success. However, the cognitive gap between designers and consumers often hinders market recognition for bamboo furniture. Therefore, a research framework based on Kansei Engineering (KE) is proposed in this study. First, the emotional needs and related samples were collected, and the sample form was deconstructed systematically. Then, the attribute reduction algorithm in rough set theory was used to extract the key emotional needs that have significant impact on consumer satisfaction. Finally, an intelligent mapping model between product components and emotional needs was constructed using Genetic Algorithm-Backpropagation Neural Networks (GA-BPNN), which predicts the optimal product design parameters that meet users’ emotional needs. Additionally, we conducted an interpretative analysis of the prediction model using the Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) method. The evaluation results were significantly higher than the average, validating the advanced and effective nature of the method proposed in this study. Compared with previous KE studies, the GA-BPNN model proposed in this study has better prediction efficiency and higher precision, which can more effectively solve the cognitive differences between designers and consumers. Thus, the development efficiency and decision-making accuracy of enterprises’ product design has been improved.

A comprehensive acoustic analysis was carried out for the huhu, a betelwood instrument from the Jin opera. Techniques included an acoustic visualiser and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). The harmonic structure, frequency distribution, and timbre quality of the instrument were investigated, focusing on the effect of the use of leather finger cuff on the sound produced. Spectral analyses revealed complex overtones and distinctive spectral patterns for different playing techniques, ranging from 324.47 to 10,277.08 Hz. Finger cuffs significantly altered the harmonic content and timbre. The study utilised high fidelity equipment to conduct multiple recordings under controlled conditions to capture subtle acoustic changes. Statistical analysis of the frequency data revealed a consistent overtone structure, while an acoustic visualiser examined the relationship between playing technique and sound intensity. The analyses emphasised how traditional playing methods (particularly fretting) affect acoustic output. By documenting the current acoustic characteristics of the huhu, this work provides insight into its musical and cultural significance, contributes to the preservation of traditional musical heritage and provides a scientific basis for understanding the unique acoustic characteristics of betel nut wood.