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Rising demand for paper has resulted in increased number of trees being chopped around the world. The loss of forest lands due to rampant tree cutting has caused a steady increase in the earth's temperature, changed the weather pattern and ultimately threatened the world's ecosystems. One way to mitigate these problems is through efficient paper recycling. To ensure that maximum recycling is achieved, proper mixing of different types of paper of different fiber contents should be considered. This work presents a new generic graphical method for simultaneous targeting and designing of a maximum paper recycling network. The first step is to establish the maximum paper recycling target using a graphical approach called the source–sink composite curves. Next, source–sink allocation curve and network allocation diagram are constructed to design the maximum paper recovery network. The graphical tool allows a designer to graphically visualize, explore, evolve and systematically select the best paper recycling network. Application of the method in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia campus yields a new fresh fiber target of 1464 tons/year. This is a potential reduction in 43.7% fresh fiber and translates into an annual reduction in 38 622 chopped trees and a potential savings of up to 4.5 GWh of electricity and 30.1 × 103 m3 of water.

Kraft paper was coated with chitosan emulsion film. The novelty of this paper is the formation of a packaging bilayer system in only one drying step, which combines a biodegradable polymer emulsion (chitosan and palmitic acid) with Kraft paper. This system is described in detail and characterized for barrier properties (water vapor permeability rate (WVPR), air permeability and water absorption capacity (Cobb test)), mechanical properties (tensile properties, Taber stiffness and tear strength) and structural properties. The application of chitosan coating (3.5 g m ―2 , wet basis) on Kraft paper sheets provides a significantly lower WVPR (by ca 43%) and water absorption capacity (by ca 35%) as compared to uncoated Kraft paper. The incorporation of palmitic acid into the chitosan film solutions at 1.8 g m ―2 improves the properties of Kraft paper even more by further reducing the WVPR and water absorption capacity by 51 and 41 %, respectively. The air resistance of the coated Kraft systems is lower by 8- and 11-fold compared to uncoated Kraft paper, which could be associated with the chitosan film acting as a gas barrier and as a coating agent that fills the pores between cellulose fibers.

Laboratory handsheets made from lightly beaten hardwood kraft pulp containing various amounts of cationic-type polyacrylamide (PAM) dry-strength resin were prepared by both internal and external application methods. We performed the internal application by adding a dilute aqueous PAM solution to a pulp fiber suspension, whereas we performed the external application by dipping a dry paper (handsheet) into an aqueous PAM solution and further squeezing it out with or without the standard wet press. Attenuated total reflection/Fourier transform infrared analysis combined with a gradual etching method was used to clarify the difference in the depth profiles of PAM within a fiber wall between these application methods. For the internal application method, PAM existed, on the whole, mainly close to the fiber surface and slightly distributed from the fiber surface toward the center of the fiber wall. On the other hand, for the external application method, PAM existed mainly on the fiber surface and around the fiber-to-fiber bonds. Dynamic mechanical properties of the papers containing PAM were measured at temperatures ranging from 100 to 300°C and at the various frequencies. In case of addition by the internal method, no characteristic viscoelasticity of PAM appeared. On the other hand, external method addition at the nearly same retention level of PAM gave the characteristic viscoelasticity. These findings suggest following things: when cationic-type PAM dry-strength resin was applied by the internal method, the PAM distributes within the fiber wall in a molecularly dispersed state. The induced state of PAM within the fiber wall, with no existence of a phase of PAM, led to the disappearance of the viscoelasticity of the PAM. On the other hand, the external application method brought about the PAM distribution around the fiber-to-fiber bonds and over the fiber surface. The induced state of PAM, the existence of a kind of PAM phase, led to the appearance of the viscoelasticity of the PAM itself. Dynamic mechanical analysis may be a good method for examining whether PAM is molecularly distributed or making aggregates in paper and other polymer composites. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008

We report on an anisotropic actuation of electroactive papers with a PEDOT/PSS coating in ambient air. PEDOT/PSS-coated papers were prepared by wetting Manila papers with a concentrated PEDOT/PSS aqueous dispersion and subsequent drying. The electroactive papers displayed a contractile stress when an external voltage was applied, the magnitude and direction of the stress depending on the relative orientation of paper fibers and the loading direction of the coating. We also demonstrated that a butterfly-like reversible bending motion of the PEDOT/PSS coated paper occurred when the voltage switching between on and off.

The whole corn plant was successfully used for the production of pulp and paper by employing comparatively simple procedures of atmospheric pressure digestion followed by multi-stage bleaching. Water pre-treatment was found necessary to remove the dust particles. However, the use of boiling water was not recommended. The effects of the amount of active chlorine in the hypochlorite step on the optical and the physical-strength properties of paper were investigated. One-and two-stage pulping were compared and the effect of depithing after the first stage was studied.

The major processes of the pulp and paper industry are overviewed with particular emphasis given to existing chemical requirements; processing trends are identified which may affect future chemical requirements. The pulp and paper industry represents a vast market for chemicals. On the papermaking side, overall chemical usage will probably increase due to ever greater product sophistication and emphasis on value-added grades. On the pulping side, the pressing needs for fibre conservation and more effective utilization of fibre sources can only be achieved through continuing exploitation of chemical developments.

This paper deals with the study of volatile compounds released by recycled paper and board. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the feasibility of headspace procedure coupled to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) applied to complex paper-based samples together with a chemometric procedure as a powerful method for screening potential volatile contaminants released by the recycled and virgin paper samples. Using this procedure, the identification of virgin or recycled paper could be achieved based on the identification on specific markers of the recycled pulp. Fifteen different samples within virgin and recycled paper were studied. After equilibration, the vapour phase of the samples was analysed by automatic headspace coupled online to GC/MS. The analytical approach for volatile compounds, their identification and the selection of some compounds as markers for recycled pulp are shown and discussed. A discriminate analysis applied to the set of results obtained allows classification of the samples into four different groups according to the content of recycled pulp (0, 10–30 and > 80% of recycled pulp), the surface treatment of the paper (no surface treatment, clay coating and plastic coating), the grammage (from 300 g/m2) and the sample thickness (from 600 µm). The matrix effect on the volatilization of some compounds from the paper samples and the analytical behaviour are also discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Novel core-shell latices with a partially crosslinked hydrophilic polymer core and a hard hydrophobic shell of polystyrene were prepared to improve optical properties of coated paper such as gloss and brightness. These core-shell latices were prepared by sequential addition of a monomer mixture of styrene, n-butylacrylate and methacrylic acid. Different crosslinkers were used to form the polymer core and in the second stage styrene to form the hard shell component. In addition, attempts were made to further improve optical properties by introducing a new polymerizable optical brightener, i.e., 1-[(4-vinylphenoxy)methyl]-4-(2-phenylethylenyl)benzene during polymerization either into the core or into the shell. The prepared core-shell latex particles were used as specialty plastic pigments for paper coating together with kaolin as the primary pigment. The runability of paper coating formulation by either using a laboratory scale Helicoater or pilot scale JET-coating machine was very good. The produced coated papers were printed on both sides employing a heat set web offset (HSWO) printer to study the quality of image reproduction in terms of print gloss, print mottle, print through, etc. The core-shell latices improved the overall print quality. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that by optimizing polymer composition one can significantly enhance the optical properties and surface smoothness of coated paper. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009

Deterioration of paper materials is mainly due to the degradation of cellulose caused by a lot of factors such as chemical attack due to acidic hydrolysis, oxidative agent, light, air pollution and biological attack due to presence of microorganisms like bacteria and fungi. Various technologies exist to limit the degradation of the paper materials but in a few cases are unsuited or produce no good results. Plasma technology is an innovative process which can be an alternative to the conventional methods. The plasma treatment produces a synergetic result of sterilization and coating of the paper. This technology is environmentally friendly and can be used for industrial applications. The aim of this project is the increasing of the paper tensile strength and paper conservation by means of several different plasma treatments.

The objective of this study was to identify the reduced sulphur compounds (RSCs) present in waste gas from a specific deaerator at a pulp and paper mill in northern Sweden, and to investigate the feasibility of a multi-stage biofilter to treat these compounds in an industrial setting. Two filter media, rockwool mats and an organic peat and compost mixture, were used as biofilter media. A mixed population of heterotrophs and a strain of Hypomicrobium were examined for DMS and DMDS degradation. Two experimental periods were performed for 45 days each, in the fall and winter in cold climate. Process parameters as well as the number of viable cells of the filter were monitored during operation. Results were inconsistent due to the fluctuations of the system, and a number of operational problems were identified, differing from those developed under controlled, laboratory set-ups. Process conditions varied greatly, that is, fluctuating temperatures, pollutant concentrations, and airflows that led to insufficient residence times. Both biological and mass transfer limitations are possible explanations for the poor treatment results. This study can contribute to assessing the feasibility of biofilters in the pulp and paper industry, and help reduce the knowledge gap between laboratory studies and field conditions. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2006

Summary The surface characteristics of a large set of commercial lightweight coated paper grades are explored. The quantification of the 3D structure is revealed by atomic force microscopy, laser profilometry and X-ray microtomography. This comprehensive study demonstrates the suitability of different and modern methods for assessing critical coating layer properties, thus identifying the right tools for specific structural analyses. Based on the assessment of the top and bottom surfaces of 25 commercial lightweight coated samples, three main conclusions can be drawn: (1) the facet orientation polar angle is a function of roughness, (2) skewness did not describe the surface details affecting the gloss of the commercial lightweight coated samples assessed in this study and (3) surface roughness at wavelengths below approximately 1.0 μm does not affect the paper gloss significantly. This is important knowledge for the understanding of lightweight coated paper surface structure and its properties.

This paper presents ongoing work at Australia's largest paper recycler, Visy Pulp & Paper, involving experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) studies to understand paper pulp mixing processes, aimed at identifying means of reducing the large power consumption of the agitators currently used. The key focus of this paper is on the modelling of a pseudo-plastic fluid and the determination of means by which adequate flow circulation can be maintained in such a system. We look at reducing the present agitator speed, at using a larger impeller, and examine the performance of a completely different design. Power consumption reductions of 50%, and perhaps 75–80%, from present levels, appear feasible and could be implemented economically. Copyright © 2008 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The hemicellulose content of pulp is dependent on different factors, such as the wood species, the conditions with cooking and bleaching harmonised with the application. In addition to the hemicellulose content, a special interest for the valuation of pulp and the decision of arrangements of the production process is the hemicellulose distribution across the cell wall layers and the influence of several process stages on the hemicellulose distribution across the cell wall layers. The investigations were carried out on dissolving pulp and paper grade pulp. For paper grade pulp, the influence of separate bleaching steps and several bleaching sequences on the distribution of hemicellulose across the cell wall were investigated. Regarding the selected dissolving pulps which were produced according to an acid bisulphite process and a pre-hydrolysis sulphate process the influence of the cooking process on the hemicellulose distribution across the cell wall layers was of a special interest.

Recent advances in HMI are playing a key role in revolutionizing the automotive aftermarket industry. In this paper, we present several latest innovations on wearable Augmented Reality (AR) and big data Visual Analytics that address real-world HMI challenges for easy repair assistance and predictive maintenance.

Previous studies showed that the use of haptic feedback can improve user’s experience. However, quantitative data on driver performance are missing. This paper examines potential benefits of various feedbacks on driving performance and user’s preference: Visual feedback M, Visual and Auditory feedback (VA), and Visual, Auditory and Haptic feedback (VAH). 24 participants completed a dual-task approach, using the Lane Change Test (LCT) as a driving task and two use cases of touchscreen tasks (Slide or Push task). Moreover, in a given condition participants had to performed a third task to increase mental workload. Results showed that the presence of the trimodal feedback VAH significantly improved driving performances compared to other feedbacks. This was observed through a decrease in standard deviations of lateral. Haptic feedbacks reduce error rates in the dual-task, and that participants significantly preferred this trimodal haptic feedback Therefore, haptic feedback use have an objective positive effect on driver performance and on subjective user’s experience while interacting with a touchscreen interface for both Slide and Push tasks conditions.

This paper collates design concepts of low-power gate driver circuits, and our related work is reviewed. Many approaches to power consumption amelioration have been developed and focus on different parts of circuit structures. Recently, low-frequency clock signals are adopted to further reduce both power consumption and thin-film transistor (TFT) threshold voltage shifts (ΔVTH).

AMOLED displays are still facing the two major challenges after one decade of intensive researches. They are low yield particularly for large panels and modest lifetime due to image sticking. The low yield issue is caused by the analog driving scheme and the image sticking issue is due to the active emitting nature of OLED. With digital driving scheme, the yield of AMOLEDs can be lifted to the level of LCDs. On the other hand, the image sticking issue is getting even severer. It is caused by both, OLED I–V drift and its efficiency loss. In this paper, a method based on aging model is shown which compensates the reduced efficiency of aged OLED pixels. Image sticking artifacts can be deferred and the lifetime of an AMOLED display can significantly be extended. It may ease the penetration of AMOLEDs in TVs and automotive displays performing the high image quality of AMOLEDs with even longer lifetime.

SUMMARY Digital books have become popular as electronic media has become more common. An evaluation that includes not only a subjective assessment of readability or usability, but also an objective assessment of psychometric health impact is needed. The goal of this study is an objective assessment of the physiological and psychological effects of reading books using electronic or paper media. This paper focuses on hemodynamic parameters. The measurement items include VAS and POMS as a psychological index and hemodynamic parameters as a physiological index. As a result, low levels of vigor and limited readability were recognized as significant (p < 0.05) when reading a book using electronic media as compared to paper media. The cardiovascular system was actively engaged in coping because of sympathetic hyperactivity in the hemodynamic reaction. By contrast, using electronic media was not seen to involve stress coping. We also found that the parasympathetic nervous system activity was enhanced by the illegibility of sentences and fatigue due to using electronic media. Based on all of these results, we identified a difference in how people react physiologically when reading a book using electronic and paper media.

Bleaching of rice straw soda pulp was investigated under various conditions. The rate of the chlorination and hypochlorite reactions were studied; the best properties were attained by shortening the chlorination time to about 20 min. The extraction efficiency of ammonium hydroxide on chlorinated soda pulp was also investigated. The effectiveness of extraction can be deduced from the reduction of the kappa number, cuprammonium viscosity and the brightness obtained after the hypochlorite step. Extraction can be carried out with ammonium hydroxide instead of sodium hydroxide used in the conventional method. The strengths of unbleached and fully bleached pulps were evaluated. The fully bleached ammonium hydroxide extracted pulps were beaten faster and were usually stronger than the corresponding pulps extracted with sodium hydroxide.

One of the most interesting and important problems, met during the development of non-pressurized impregnated paper cables for high voltage direct current, arose from the introduction of a long-duration type test at thermal cycles under a DC steady voltage of twice the working voltage. DC cables manufactured according to a traditional paper insulating technique showed during the cooling phase of a thermal cycle a catastrophic fall of the dielectric strength of the order of 50 %. The reason for this fall is analysed both theoretically and experimentally and the way to overcome the obstacle is explained and discussed.

Bagasse-based paper mills in developing countries do not have sophisticated waste water treatment technology to combat water pollution released by these mills. This paper presents an overview of bagasse handling and sources of waste generation, the seriousness of pollution discharge, and treatment options available to tackle the waste water derived from bagasse-based paper mills. Extensive laboratory treatability studies indicate that anaerobic digestion for biogas generation is a viable method for handling bagasse-based paper mill wastes. The waste water was treated at an organic loading of 0.8 kg BOD m−3 day−1 and 1.6 kg COD m−3 day−1 and a detention time of 10 days, achieving 90% reduction in BOD and COD without supplementation of any nutrients. With a yield coefficient of 0.5, the average quantity of cells produced per day was calculated to be 1.683 kg day−1 or 0.25 kg cells produced kg−1 BOD removed. Intermittent checking on excess alkalinity in the anerobic system is necessary for achieving maximum treatment efficiency.

The potential of white rot fungi, namely, Polyporus versicolor FRI 165, Polyporus hirsutus FRI 534, Polyporus hirsutus FRI 2862, Phanerochaete chrysosporium BKMF 1767 and Sporotrichum pulverulentum for the reduction of colour of pretreated pulp and paper mill effluents under sterilised and unsterilised conditions has been evaluated. Of these, P. chrysosporium BKMF 1767 cultured under sterilised conditions supported maximum colour reduction after 7 days of growth. The optimisation of the process parameters showed that the addition of nutrient sails in selective combination marginally improved the colour reduction. The 7-day-old growth of culture at 20% (v/v) inoculum concentration resulted in maximum decolourisation (69.6%) of the effluent with pH adjusted to 4.5 at 40°C along with more than 50% reduction in biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The irradiation of the effluent with UV light had apparently no effect on the colour, BOD and COD reduction by P. chrysosporium.

Wood fiber-synthetic polymer composites are being studied with a view to using, in building or packaging, residues from the production of sawlogs and wood resources which are unsuitable for timber, pulp, or paper production. The structure of wood fibers and the properties required in a fiber intended for use as a reinforcing agent are described briefly. Laminates comprising 67% by weight of cellulose fibers have been produced by hot-pressing sheets of paper coated with low-density polyethylene. Mechanical properties of the laminates have been studied with particular attention to the effects of exposure to moisture. The flexural properties of the laminates at low relative humidities compared favorably with those of glass-filled high-density polyethylene and of paper-phenolic resin laminates but declined more at high relative humidities.

Layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly was used to form polymer/clay complexes on paper to enhance its wet strength properties. Initially, alternating layers of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and Kaolin clay were sequentially deposited on quartz substrate and characterized by UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy as a model system. The same procedure was then applied to a paper test sheet to form multilayered coatings, which were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The wettability of the LBL coated paper test sheet was shown to change from hydrophilic to hydrophobic with increased number of multilayers and if the terminating layer was Kaolin clay. The wet strength of the coated test sheet was improved by more than 270% over the uncoated test sheet with 16 bilayers of PAH/kaolin complex on the surface. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2007

SUMMARY In the late years, personal information must be protected at the agency in the field of insurance. We develop an agency contract system that protects personal information of the contractor and information to confirm intention to contract by background texture watermarks. When the contractor carries an application form, it may be folded, rumpled, or waved little. In this case, contractor's information must be recognized from background watermarks printed on the application form. But it cannot be recognized surely folded, rumpled, or waved application form by the conventional method. In this paper, we propose a new recognition of watermark dot information from folded, rumpled, or waved application form. The new recognition is composed of crooked point sequence recognition expressing character borders by searching around calculated point, and dot recognition by shading folded, rumpled, or waved paper and emphasizing dot in luminosity from this paper. As a result, we got correct recognition ratio of more than 99% from folded, rumpled, or waved paper.

Paper sludge composted or stored in static piles for six months was compared to raw and lime-stabilized sludge in a three-year pot experiment (loam) and a four-year field experiment (silt loam) at rates of up to 40 t DM ha -1 . The original sludge contained equal amounts of fibre sludge and biological sludge, mixed with bark in 1:1 ratio to improve the structure. The N content in composted sludge (1.30%) was markedly lower than that of the uncomposted piles (1.98%), indicating significant loss during composting. The yield results were generally inversely proportionate to the C:N ratios of the sludges applied. Sludge from the uncomposted piles gave significant grain yield increases in the year following sludge application, while the other sludge types gave variable results. In the residual years there was, generally, a small but positive effect on yield from all the sludge types. The N and P content in grain generally increased with sludge application, but only the higher rates gave statistically significant increases. Sludge application also increased the Zn content in grain, while Mn, B and Cu was less affected. The increase in Cd content was very small. The 40 t ha -1 sludge rate tended to increase the residual mineral N in soil at the field site and thus the risk of nitrate leaching.

This paper describes the applicability and limitations of time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS) for the analysis of paper samples based on studies related to fine papers used in the cigarette industry. The focus was on imaging and appropriate ways of image processing and image analysis. Paper cross-sections were prepared in different ways to analyse the distribution of individual fillers in a paper sheet and to characterise the distribution of the adhesive between paper layers after further processing. As filler distribution in the z-direction influences important paper properties like opacity or printability, the first part of the study should help paper manufacturers to optimise pigment distribution for a proper control of the desired paper characteristics. In the second part, the impact of various parameters (paper sizing, glue viscosity, machine settings) on the distribution of adhesives between paper layers in the finished product is investigated after further processing by cigarette makers. Statistical analysis of the data reveals some of the complex interactions of these parameters and confirms and quantifies many facts known only from experience in paper making, paper processing and cigarette manufacture.

Surface properties of a polymeric coating system have a strong influence on its performance and service life. However, the surface of a polymer coating may have different chemical, physical, and mechanical properties from the bulk. Significant progress has been made during the last three decades in the improvement of coating on materials. It has been established that polymeric blends have great potential in replacing economically many conventional materials because of their high specific strength. It is needed today, constantly, to improve the surface finish of any material for efficiency and shiny appearance in the severity of working environment. In packaging, materials having longer service lives and those are less corrosive are highly used. The effect of polymer based coating on the paper material improves its mechanical properties and flame resistance. Effect of flame retardant polymer coating illuminates the surface of the sheet. Important application of the material sheets will be for corrosion receptivity and humidity resistance of this material will certainly improve. Blends of PMM/PVDF are mainly used to improve piezoelectric properties of PVDF. In the present study we report the measurement of surface properties of thin layer of polymer blend coated on the cardboard sheet substrate material. Polymer blend solutions of PMMA/PVDF was prepared at 90/10 (w/w) proportions in miscible solvent of toluene and DMF. Thin film was prepared on the surface of cardboard by dipping the cardboard material in the solution. Thickness of the dried polymer coated paper sheet was measured to see uniformity of coating and for different concentrations. Surface properties such as flexibility index, yellowness, and gloss reflectance were also measured. The study on these polymer coated paper will help in improving the surface property of paper as well as its use in packaging. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 4167–4171, 2006

In this study membrane filtration, ultrafiltration, and nanofiltration alone and as part of hybrid processes are considered as means to purify pulp and paper mill process waters suitable for reuse. Thermophilic aerobic biological treatment, pH adjustment, flocculation, and ozonation were tested as pretreatment methods on pilot or on laboratory scale. The aim was to increase flux and reduce fouling by various pretreatment steps and, thus, increase the competitiveness of the membrane process. The results were also evaluated by comparing the benefits obtained against the costs. It was discovered that benefits could be obtained with all the pretreatments tried. Thermophilic aerobic biology assisted in the removal of organic material and increased flux significantly, but the costs were the highest. The most cost-effective processes, however, seem to be pH-adjusted nanofiltration and flocculation nanofiltration hybrid processes, which is understandable because of their significantly lower investment costs compared to, for example, those of biological process. The pH adjustment increased the electrostatic repulsion between negatively charged solutes and membrane, thereby increasing the flux. Flocculation removed the foulants effectively from the feed and it both increased flux and reduced fouling. Yet, many noteworthy benefits were obtained also with ultrafiltration and ozonation. All of the hybrid processes tested could be applied at various points of the water circuit of an integrated pulp and paper mill for purification purposes. The eventual superiority and cost-effectiveness of the applied process remains to be determined case by case.

In order to improve the strength properties of high filler filled papers, a new technique of coating starch on the clay surface was developed. The stability of the coated starch and its effects on paper properties were studied. It was found that the starch coated on the clay surface swelled in water. This swelled starch film on the filler surface contributes significantly to the filler–filler bonding. The strength properties of handsheets made from starch coated clay, even with unmodified corn starch, could be increased by more than 15% versus those from the traditional method of adding cationic or amphoteric potato starch directly to 50% bleached softwood pulp/50% bleached hardwood pulp. This research suggests that the starch coated filler can be used to make high filler content paper products. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 44–50, 2005

A comparative analysis of different bioassays was carried out using as an example black liquor solutions, simulating wastewaters of the Kraft process for the digestion of cellulose. Alongside the analysis of products of lipid peroxidation (LPO) in blood plasma and the liver of mice in vivo, the most sensitive assays were based on the analysis of Ceriodaphnia reproduction, the analysis of LPO intensity in vitro, the mixed function oxygenase (MFO) assay in fish liver, and the population growth test of Tetrahymena pyriformis. The toxicological analysis of pulp and paper mill effluents at different stages of their formation and treatment has demonstrated two relationships, as follows: (i) a correlation between toxicity and the presence of reductive substances (as titrated by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a catalyst), and (ii) a correlation between the content of these reductive substances in wastewater and the reduced sulfur compounds formed during cellulose digestion. Using the MFO induction assay and the LPO intensity assay in the model test system has demonstrated that the addition of hydrogen peroxide into solutions of black liquor results in their detoxification. It is concluded that the reduced sulfur compounds play a significant role in the toxicity of pulp and paper mill effluents. Mogliche Rolle reduzierter Schwefelverbindungen fur die toxischen Eigenschaften der Abwasser von Zellstoff- und Papierfabriken Durchgefuhrt wird eine vergleichende Analyse unterschiedlicher Toxizitatstests am Beispiel des Schwarzwassers, einem Abwasserteilstrom der Sulfat-Zellstoffproduktion. Am empfindlichsten erweisen sich neben der liposomalen Peroxidation von Lipiden in vitro als auch in vivo (Nachweis in Blutplasma und Leber von Mausen) die Reproduktion von Ceriodaphnia (Crustacea, Cladocera), die Oxygenase-Aktivitat in Regenbogenforellen und das Populationswachstum von Tetrahymena (Protozoa, Ciliata). Aus der toxikologischen Untersuchung der Zellstoffabwasser in verschiedenen Stationen ihrer Entstehung und der Abwasserreinigung werden Korrelationen festgestellt zwischen der Toxizitat und der Anwesenheit reduzierender, mittels H2O2 tritrierbarer Stoffe als auch zwischen letzteren und den bei der Zelluloseherstellung gebildeten reduzierten Schwefelverbindungen. An Hand der Tests zur Oxygenase-Aktivitat und der liposomalen Lipidperoxidation wird nachgewiesen, dass die Zugabe von Wasserstoffperoxid zum Abwasser die Toxizitat des Abwassers drastisch reduziert. Demnach kann vorausgesetzt werden, dass der Gehalt an reduzierten Schwefelverbindungen die Toxizitat von Abwassern der Zellstoff- und Papierproduktion wesentlich bestimmt.

Basic operation mechanisms of newly proposed reflective display mode using metal coated ball were investigated for novel electronic-paper displays, named as Floating Metal Ball Actuator (FMBA) mode. Most appropriate structures and driving conditions were simulated by Poisson's equation solver, and the optimized cell design and driving voltage can be determined. To confirm the conducting property of floating metal ball (FMB), electrical potential of FMB directly contacted on electrode was measured by non-contact Kelvin probe microscopy and identical with that of the contact electrode. These are useful results to apply the FMBA mode to electrical-paper displays.

Three lignin-degrading bacterial strains, identified as Paenibacillus sp., Aneurinibacillus aneurinilyticus and Bacillus sp. have been examined for the treatment of pulp and paper mill effluent. The results of this study revealed that all three bacterial strains effectively reduced colour (39–61%), lignin (28–53%), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (65–82%), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (52–78%) and total phenol (64–77%) within six days of incubation. However, the highest reduction in colour (61%), lignin (53%), BOD (82%) and COD (78%) was recorded by Bacillus sp. while, maximum reduction in total phenol (77%) was recorded with Paenibacillus sp. treatment. Significant reduction in colour and lignin content by these bacterial strains was observed after two days of incubation, indicating that bacterium initially utilized growth supportive substrates and subsequently chromophoric compounds thereby reducing lignin content and colour in the effluent. The total ion chromatograph (TIC) of compounds present in the ethyl acetate extract of control and bacterial treated samples revealed the formation of several lignin-related aromatic compounds. The compounds identified in extracts of treated samples by Paenibacillus sp were t-cinnamic acid and ferulic acid, while 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenol, vanillic acid and vanillin acid by A. aneurinilyticus and gallic acid and ferulic acid by Bacillus sp. respectively indicating the degradation of lignin present in the effluent. The identified compounds obtained after different bacterial treatments were found to be strain-specific. Among these identified compounds, ferulic acid, vanillic acid and vanillin could have immense value for their use in preservatives and in the food flavour industry. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry

Pulp and paper mill effluents were examined for in vitro androgenicity using a recombinant yeast-based androgen receptor assay. Low levels of androgenic effects were detected in extracts of some effluents after activated sludge treatment. Yeast cell growth cell was inhibited in some samples, and this interfered with the androgenic response. Solid-phase fractionation revealed androgenicity after partial separation of components in the effluents. Comparison of levels in untreated effluent and in effluent treated in an aerated lagoon showed that this treatment had only a marginal effect on androgenicity. An assay of the fractions eluted with increasing concentrations of methanol showed that androgenic compounds were low to moderately lipophilic. In an attempt to identify these compounds, a number of wood-related compounds (guaiacol, vanillin, β-sitosterol, betulin, pinosylvin-O-methyl ether, and a wood extract enriched in lignans) were examined but were found not to be androgenic. Raw process water was not androgenic, but water from a highly humified lake and process water from the production of pulp from partly decayed wood had low androgenicity. It therefore can be plausibly suggested that the androgens originated in decaying wood. An assay of androgenicity in the bile of juvenile rainbow trout exposed to effluents for 3 weeks showed increased dose-dependent levels of androgens after enzymatic hydrolysis of hormone conjugates. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 19: 510–517, 2004.

Solid-state lighting has enabled configurable and tunable white-light sources. The available specification criteria, such as CCT, ΔuV, and CRI, are insufficient to characterize the color quality properties for these emerging technologies. An overview of new characterization methods will be presented with their potential for successful adoption by the lighting industry.

Perspective-correct occlusion-capable augmented reality displays are generalized using an optical cloak constraint for ray transfer analysis or simulations; any ray entering the optical system exits at the height and angle as if it passed through empty space. We analyze several systems with two-, three-, and four-lens groups in inline, folded, and looped configurations. We design and demonstrate a four-lens folded optical cloak and a three-lens inverted cloak with an erecting prism.

High pixel per inch (PPI) and high resolution micro-LED (μLED) displays are attracting more and more attentions. The increasing pixel number requires a large amount of bonding pads and brings huge difficulties to micro-LED system design and lowers power efficiency as well. It is urgent to integrate row and column driving circuits onto the micro-LED panel. Here we report a fully integrated active matrix programmable micro-LED system on panel (SoP) with ultraviolent (UV) and blue emission wavelengths. The micro-LED SoP has a resolution of 60x60 and pixel pitch of 70μm. The micro-LED SoP was achieved by integrating micro-LED arrays with silicon-based PMOS driving panel using fine-toned flip-chip bonding technology. With fully integrated scan and data circuits, the number of bonding pads was greatly reduced from 136 to 28 and large amount of metal interconnection lines were saved. The micro-LED SoP panel was mounted on a periphery driving board and representative characters were displayed successfully.

Physics based continuous Technology Computer Aided Design (TCAD) models and organic/oxide TFT compact models are key for technology innovation. The encapsulated underlying physics produce predictive models that empower designers to explore all available design space. To achieve this, a number of challenges must be met. These include stable and reproducible fabrication with quantified material parameters. A seamless software flow from TCAD to SPICE opens significant opportunities for future technology designers.