Volume 20 Issue 4

The level of wood consumption is important in particleboard (PB) manufacturing because wood is a natural source. This study aimed to determine the optimum wood consumption in PB manufacture. The study examined how the PB’s surface (SL) and core (CL) layer ratio and sanding tolerance affect the PB surface laminating condition. The optimal manufacturing conditions were determined among different combinations of PB density (520 or 560 kg/m³), SL/CL ratio, and sanding thickness using the multi-criteria decision-making method (MCDM). Grey relational analysis (GRA) was used as MCDM. Samples were characterized according to TS EN 312. The moisture content (MC) increased (30%) as the SL ratio increased. Thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) generally decreased as SL increased. Increasing surface layer density and board density significantly improved internal bond (IB) strength and surface stiffness (SS). Modulus of rupture (MOR) and elasticity (MOE) decreased as the sanding tolerance increased. Surface and edge screw withdrawal (SRy and SRk) resistance were increased as the density, sanding tolerance, and surface density increased. This study is the first comprehensive optimization approach to improve quality in coating low-density particle boards with decorative paper, potentially leading to material savings and production efficiency for the furniture and coating industries.

This study addressed the problem of poor structural toughness of material extrusion-based (MEX) 3D printing polylactic acid (PLA) models and expanded the application of 3D printing technology. A new structural toughness enhancement method was proposed to improve the structural toughness of MEX 3D-printed models by constructing a rigid shell-flexible infill composite structure. Rectangular specimens were designed using SolidWorks software, and the structural toughness of the rigid specimens and rigid shell-flexible infill specimens were tested using three-point bending test and Charpy impact test. The deflection, bending strain energy, and impact strength of the rigid shell-flexible infill specimens were larger than those of the rigid specimens. The enhancement percentages were 103%, 306% and 293%, respectively, indicating that the rigid shell-flexible infill specimens had better structural toughness. In contrast to the conventional material modification methods, the structural toughness enhancement method proposed in this study can maintain the strength and stiffness of 3D-printed models while improving their impact resistance and ductility. The products have unique application value in the fields of smart packaging, sports protective gears, and consumer electronic products.

Aiming at the problem of corn cob damage during the operation of a longitudinal-lying roller corn harvester, based on the method of mechanical modelling, it was determined that the factors leading to cob damage are the diameter of the picking roller, the gap between the two picking rollers, the height of the helical prongs and the rotational speed, and that the main force leading to cob damage is the effect of the camming prongs on the cob. The influence of the main operating parameters on the camber force on the cob was revealed using a one- factor analysis, and the strengths and weaknesses of the influence of the gap and roller speed and camber height on the cob force were analysed using a two-factor orthogonal analysis. This study proposes a method for evaluating losses using the minimum breaking force of corn kernels and the cracking force of corn cobs and stalks as the criteria. The correctness of the loss model was verified by the method of experimental comparison, and the error of the two methods was 0.5%, which verifies the correctness of the evaluation method.

In this study, the usability of kombucha pellicles as a source of bacterial cellulose (BC) in the production of laminated wood was investigated to improve its physical properties. Within this scope, the kombucha culture was produced at room temperature through a fermentation process of approximately 25 days and then dried to obtain BC sheets with a thickness of approximately 1 mm. These sheets were used in the production of laminated wood material, along with wood species of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis L.), and Anatolian chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.), using urea-formaldehyde, polyurethane, and polyvinyl acetate adhesives. To evaluate the physical properties of the manufactured samples, density, thickness swelling, and water absorption tests were performed. Furthermore, the structural and thermal properties of the BC were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis techniques. The findings indicated that BC is a high-performance biomaterial for lamination. The results unveiled BC’s remarkable potential for developing eco-friendly materials, though certain technical challenges remain to be addressed before its full capabilities can be realized.

The performance of the poly(aluminum chloride) (PAC)-nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC)-colloidal silica (SiO₂) system was evaluated relative to the retention and drainage of old corrugated container (OCC) pulp. In this study, OCC pulp was refined to a freeness of 370 ± 10 mL CSF, then different amounts of NFC (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6%) and SiO₂ (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9%) in combination with 1% PAC (constant for all treatments) were added. Finally, from these treatments, standard handsheets were made and their physical and mechanical properties were measured according to TAPPI standards. The results showed that the addition of SiO₂ and NFC in combination with 1% of PAC each separately and independently increased the burst index, tensile index, and Concora medium test (CMT), but the ring crush test (RCT) decreased. The use of different treatments containing PAC, NFC, and SiO₂ also decreased the pulp drainage time and increased their first-pass retention. Also, the use of this system resulted in less water absorption than the control treatment. The use of PAC and NFC in improving the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of OCC fibers can lead to higher first-pass retention, better physical and mechanical properties, while reducing the drainage time.

The dual pathways of historical legacy and contemporary digital perception were explored relative to cultural communication in Chinese furniture. An interactive analytical framework was established, linking material artifacts with evolving audience cognition. Historically, Ming and Qing furniture shaped European styles such as Rococo and Chippendale, serving as cultural emblems in diplomatic exchanges. However, symbolic depth was often lost in translation. The “New Chinese Style” furniture continues this legacy, yet it encounters new challenges in global online markets. Through natural language processing (NLP) of user reviews from Wayfair, consumer perceptions were analyzed in this work across three cultural layers: tangible, behavioral, and intangible. Results revealed a perceptual asymmetry: international users consistently value material authenticity and visual beauty but tend to overlook craftsmanship and cultural narratives. Notably, attention to cultural narrative declined significantly, while emotional resonance and functional attributes increased, reflecting a shift in user priorities toward lifestyle alignment. To reconcile these gaps, a responsive strategy was proposed that includes: (1) dual semantic encoding—preserving traditional design forms while reframing meanings for global relevance; (2) multi-modal visualization—leveraging AR, process videos, and interactive interfaces to convey craftsmanship; and (3) culturally segmented design—to align diverse audience motivations with tailored messaging.

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-yeast, and antioxidant properties of the ethanolic extract of Cleome droserifolia shoot (CDE). Thirteen phenolic compounds were shown in the CDE ethanolic extract using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), with rutin and syringic acid being the predominant components. Rutin and syringic acid were found at elevated levels of 15,900 and 5320 µg//g of extract, respectively, in association with CDE. Additionally, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, and vanillin were quantified at 1150, 987, 2830, and 1425 µg/g of extract, respectively. The ethanolic extract of CDE exhibited detrimental impacts on the species of pathogenic yeast. The CDE demonstrated scavenging activity for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl to visualize an antioxidant action with IC₅₀ 8.95±1.023 µg/mL. CDE inhibited COX-1 and COX-2 to document its anti-inflammatory potential with IC₅₀ 12.91±0.5a µg/mL and 21.63±0.8 µg/mL, respectively. CDE inhibited amylase activity as a marker of diabetic management with IC_{50 of} 14.93±1.87µg/mL. The pathogenic yeasts including C. albicans, C. tropicalis, and C. glabrata were suppressed by CDE with inhibition zones 25±0.2, 20±0.1, and 25±0.1 mm, respectively. The findings suggest the utilization of CDE for the management of numerous health issues.

Six oak species are native to Korea, but a visible cork layer is present only in Quercus variabilis. This study presents a chemical analysis approach—including colorimetric analysis, FT-IR, and Py-GC/MS—to compare the cork composition of six Korean oak species: Quercus acutissima, Q. aliena, Q. dentata, Q. mongolica, Q. serrata, and Q. variabilis. The analysis focuses on suberin and lignin, the main cork components, by identifying their pyrolysis products. Methanolysis with 3% NaOCH₃ extracted suberin monomers, revealing approximately 20% suberin content in all species except Q. variabilis, which showed around 40%. Py-GC/MS differentiated suberin-derived fatty acids—found exclusively in cork tissue—from other fatty acids present in the rhytidome. Q. variabilis exhibited 2–8 times higher levels of suberin-derived fatty acids and abundant lignin monomers, mainly guaiacyl (G) units. In contrast, lignin monomers were undetectable in Q. acutissima, Q. aliena, and Q. dentata, suggesting either very low levels or concentrations below the instrument’s detection limit. Syringyl (S) monomers were also absent in Q. mongolica and Q. serrata. These findings suggest that lignin composition, along with visual cork layer assessment, can help evaluate the cork potential of Korean oak species and identify viable substitutes for commercial cork.

To enhance consumers’ preference for the appearance of cork flooring, this work employed the semantic differential method to explore the relationship between consumers’ visual perceptions and their preferences. First, a collection of cork flooring product images was assembled, and a lexicon of perceptual vocabulary describing the visual characteristics of cork flooring was developed. Subsequently, a survey based on the semantic differential method and preference questionnaires was completed. A regression model was established to analyze the relationship between the scores of perceptual vocabulary and consumer preferences. The results indicated that the perceptual terms “light” and “warm” had a significant positive impact on consumer preferences. Furthermore, the study explored the relationship between the granularity, grain arrangement, and color of cork flooring samples and the perceptual vocabulary, revealing distribution patterns of the samples in terms of “light” and “warm” characteristics. The findings suggest that increasing the saturation and brightness of cork flooring surface colors, reducing granularity, and enhancing the rhythmic arrangement of patterns can improve consumers’ preference for the appearance of cork flooring.

Microporous-structured Poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) spheres were fabricated using a microfluidic shearing method. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH) solution is used as the continuous phase, and an emulsion containing matrix materials (PLLA), stabilizer (polysorbate 80) and pore-forming agents (gelatin) dissolved in dichloromethane (DCM) were emulsified to be dispersed phase for the generation of droplets, which were eventually transformed into microspheres. An ice water bath environment was shown to be necessary to produce stable microspheres. In addition, it was found that the mechanical stirring emulsification method was more conducive to microstructure construction than the ultrasonic emulsification. By regulating the amount of pore-forming agent (2.5 wt%, 5 wt%, and 7.5 wt% gelatin), three types of micro pores (small: 2.9±0.8 µm, middle: 46.9±14.9 µm, and large: 127.3±55.3 µm) on surface with different inner structure were obtained. Finally, it was demonstrated that the proposed method is general enough to prepare various other polymer microspheres such as PNAGA (Poly-N-acryloyl glycinamide) and PCL (Polycaprolactone).