Volume 20 Issue 4

In order to develop high-performance supercapacitor electrode materials, a two-step method of hydrothermal in-situ synthesis and high-temperature activated pore creation was used to realize the highly dispersed loading of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO) on mango kernel-based activated carbon (AC) with a high specific surface area for the preparation of NiO/AC composites. Electrochemical tests showed that the NiO/AC achieved a specific capacitance of 226.5 F g^-1 at a current density of 0.2 A g^-1, demonstrating excellent multiplicative performance and cycling stability (95.8% capacitance retention after 10,000 charge/discharge cycles). This performance stems from the stabilized multilayered pore structure that reduces the particle size of NiO and builds fast ion/electron transport channels to realize the dual advantages of double layer capacitance and pseudocapacitance. The present synthesis strategy is universal (compatible with multifunctional porous carbon precursors and metal oxides) and can provide new ideas for the design of high-performance supercapacitor electrodes.

Ancient Chinese covered bridges are attracting increased attention due to their architectural appearance and manufacturing technique. In this study, an ancient single-arch covered bridge, Yinjia bridge, in Peach Blossom Spring in China has been investigated, mainly in the field of its cultural background, art aesthetics, and mechanical behavior. The methods of field measurement and finite element analysis were combined. First, the structural dimensions and construction of Yinjia bridge are introduced. Then, the historical origin and cultural connotation, the bridge corridor and decoration are considered, and the Chinese culture reflected behind the bridge design are investigated. A finite element model was built to study the mechanical behavior of the bridge. The numerical results indicate that the maximum vertical deflection of 4.32 mm is under but close to the limit of L/600, while no horizontal deflection exists at the foot of the arch crown. The maximum and minimum normal stress of 0.04 MPa and -0.12 MPa in components of bridge corridor are much less than the ultimate values of wood. The maximum compressive stress of 0.05 MPa of the bridge arch is within the limit value of the ultimate compressive strength of stone. This means that the structural safety performance of this ancient bridge is acceptable, and indicates that no significant structural damage has been found yet in the Yuxian bridge.

A bio-based reinforcement strategy was studied as a means to overcome the inherent weaknesses of thermoplastic cassava starch (TPCS), namely its low mechanical strength and high susceptibility to moisture. Candelilla wax, a natural hydrophobic additive, was incorporated into TPCS at different loadings (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt %) and processed via hot-press compression moulding. The fabricated composites were characterised to examine the effects of wax addition on their mechanical, thermal, and moisture-resistance performance. Mechanical tests (tensile, flexural, and impact), with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The incorporation of candelilla wax notably improved the material’s performance, particularly at 5 wt%, where tensile strength and modulus increased 77.4% and 615%, respectively. Flexural and impact strength also increased, indicating enhanced toughness. The SEM micrographs showed rougher fracture surfaces with increasing wax, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed intermolecular hydrogen bonding between starch and wax. Improved thermal stability and reduced water sensitivity were also observed, with the 10 wt % wax composites exhibiting the lowest moisture absorption, solubility, and swelling. Overall, candelilla wax proved effective in strengthening TPCS both structurally and functionally, highlighting its potential for sustainable biodegradable materials in moisture-sensitive applications.

Ultrasonic-assisted extraction was employed to obtain soluble dietary fiber (SDF) from defatted rice bran. Response surface methodology (RSM) was conducted to investigate and optimize the effects of solid-liquid ratio, amplitude, and ultrasonic time on the extraction. The optimal conditions were determined as an ultrasonic time of 19 min, an amplitude of 20%, and a solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:14 (g/mL), achieving an actual extraction yield of 14.3%. Under these conditions, the SDF exhibited enhanced water-holding (3.21±0.03 g/g), oil-holding (1.78±0.02 g/g), swelling (2.03±0.02 mL/g), solubility (0.82±0.02 g/g), glucose adsorption capacity, and cholesterol adsorption capacity properties compared to untreated rice bran dietary fiber, facilitating its processing and utilization. Laser particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction revealed that ultrasonic treatment caused the SDF to expose more chemical groups, strengthen intermolecular hydrogen bonds, and transform into a rough, porous structure with numerous wrinkles. Overall, ultrasound was shown to effectively improve the physicochemical and functional properties of defatted rice bran SDF, offering a theoretical foundation for its extraction and application.

The loss factor of wood material is frequency related, which directly affects the calculation method of dynamic responses for wood structures. In this paper, the relationship between loss factor and damping coefficient was determined based on equal dissipated energy. Combined with the time-domain and frequency-domain methods, a modal superposition method was proposed to calculate the dynamic response of wood structures. Compared with the frequency-domain method, the proposed method can additionally consider the transient vibration responses of wood structures. Compared with the equivalent time-domain method based on constant loss factor, the proposed method can additionally consider the influence of frequency related loss factor. The proposed method should be preferred to calculate dynamic responses of wood structures.

As sustainability and food safety continue to gain more attention, the demand for environmentally friendly packaging materials has increased significantly. This review emphasizes the transformative potential of activated carbon derived from renewable sources in addressing critical challenges in food packaging. Activated carbon is recognized for its outstanding adsorption capacity, large surface area, and porous structure, which enable it to capture gases such as oxygen, moisture, and ethylene, all of which contribute to food deterioration. In addition to these properties, activated carbon exhibits antimicrobial activity and can facilitate the release of nanoparticles, thereby enhancing food safety through the inhibition of microbial growth. Its multifunctional characteristics make it suitable for various uses, including prolonging shelf life and maintaining the sensory attributes of food products. The local production of activated carbon from agricultural residues supports circular economy practices by reducing reliance on fossil-based resources and minimizing environmental impact. This review highlights the important role of activated carbon in the development of sustainable and multifunctional food packaging technologies that support global initiatives aimed at reducing plastic waste and promoting green innovation.

With the development of the wood processing industry toward intelligence, automation, and informatization, Finite Element Analysis(FEA) technology has become increasingly mature in this field. It effectively simulates various aspects, including the properties of wood materials, drying processes, and cutting operations. In material property analysis, FEA technology accurately models the anisotropy and heterogeneity of wood, predicting its mechanical responses under different loading conditions. For drying simulations, it establishes moisture migration models to predict drying stress and reduce defects. In cutting processes, FEA technology analyzes cutting forces, temperature distributions, and surface quality, providing theoretical support for parameter optimization. This review focuses on FEA applications in wood processing, encompassing both solid wood and engineered wood products, simulating and characterizing the drying process of wood products, and modeling cutting operations. It highlights challenges such as model accuracy and algorithm optimization, suggesting that continuous improvements in FEA models and algorithms can further enhance processing efficiency and product quality. Finally, it explores the role of FEA technology in driving innovation and promoting sustainable development in wood processing.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an emerging biopolymer synthesized by specific microbial strains, such as Komagataeibacter xylinus. It is distinguished by its ultrafine nanofibrillar architecture, exceptional mechanical strength, high water-holding capacity, and inherent biocompatibility. Unlike plant-derived cellulose, BC is chemically pure and free from lignin and hemicellulose, making it especially attractive for biomedical use. Recently, BC has gained prominence as a multifunctional platform for applications in wound care, antimicrobial therapies, tissue engineering, and sustainable infection control. Recent advances in bioengineering and materials science have significantly broadened the functional landscape of BC. Through incorporating antibacterial agents, such as silver nanoparticles, chitosan, essential oils, or antibiotics, BC composites demonstrate potent antimicrobial efficacy while maintaining safety and biocompatibility. These hybrid materials address the critical need for novel, biodegradable alternatives to synthetic polymers in the fight against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This brief review critically examines the latest progress in BC production technologies, structural functionalization strategies, and clinical applications, with particular emphasis on its antibacterial properties and regenerative potential. The molecular mechanisms underlying its interaction with microbial cells and host tissues are also explored. Furthermore, the review outlines key challenges, such as large-scale manufacturing, regulatory hurdles, and clinical validation, and presents forward-looking perspectives on how BC could revolutionize healthcare by supporting next-generation biomaterials and sustainable therapeutic solutions.

The increasing global demand for sustainable materials has spurred extensive research into biopolymer-based composites derived from agricultural residue biomass. These materials offer an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based composites, addressing environmental pollution, resource depletion, and the need for low-density materials in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, packaging, and construction. This research focused on low-density bio-based composites as sustainable options for lightweight applications in automotive, aerospace, packaging, and construction. It highlights the use of agricultural residue and discontinuous binder systems to reduce density, as well as manufacturing techniques that improve structural efficiency. It emphasizes critical composite properties such as mechanical strength, thermal behavior, water resistance, biodegradability, and lightweight characteristics. The influence of fiber content and processing parameters on overall performance is also discussed. In addition, the review highlights major challenges, including scalability, cost-effectiveness, and long-term stability and proposes future research directions focused on durability enhancement, production efficiency, and commercial viability. Overall, this work underscores the transformative potential of agricultural residue-derived bio composites in advancing sustainable, high-performance materials for lightweight and eco-conscious construction and industrial applications.

The efficient utilization of lignocellulosic biomass for biofuel production represents a significant challenge. As effective solvents, ionic liquids (ILs) have demonstrated considerable potential in laboratory-scale studies for the pretreatment of biomass, thereby enabling successful enzymatic saccharification. However, critical issues should be resolved, for instance, the remaining tolerance or activity of microorganisms or cellulase in the presence of ILs. This review aims to study the impact of ILs on microorganisms and cellulase during ILs-assisted biomass degradation, to investigate the interactions between ILs and microorganisms/enzymes, and to explore the feasible mechanism of ILs on enzymatic activity. This study emphasizes ILs-assisted enzymatic saccharification systems for the successful biomass degradation. Future research will focus on developing composite catalytic systems of ILs and microorganisms/enzymes and also the recycling and reusing of ionic liquids for industrial applications.