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Accurately assessing the color quality of printed products becomes intricate when optical brightening agents (OBAs) are introduced in papers, as diverse interactions occur among different ink pigments and papers containing OBAs due to variations in ink formulation chemistries. Specifically, alkali‐based pigments, commonly used as spot colors, are carefully formulated to ensure consistency across production batches. The presence of OBAs, which absorb ultraviolet light and emit it in the visible spectrum, significantly affects color perception and accuracy on paper when interacting with these inks. This research marks an initial investigation into how OBAs in paper influence the color accuracy of five distinct alkali‐based spot color paste inks using a Little Joe ink proofer. The research examines the physical, optical, and colorimetric characteristics of two paper samples‐one with OBA and one without‐ and analyzes the colorimetric changes occurring during the ink drying process. The results indicate that reflex blue, purple, and violet spot colors achieved acceptable delta E (ΔE00) value of below 3 on non‐OBA paper, with rubine red being on the borderline at 3.1 after 48 h. In contrast, purple, rhodamine red and violet achieved acceptable ΔE00 below 3 on high OBA paper. The distinct behavior exhibited by certain inks led to the conclusion that achieving a consistent proofing procedure across diverse alkali‐based ink formulations is impractical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Returnable packaging systems (RPS) related to consumer products help to reduce problematic plastic and glass waste in supply chains. The purpose of this paper is to investigate distribution and return processes and the related cost drivers and benefits of returnable packaging with a deposit refund system in retail stores. Through the lens of the actor–network theory and based on 30 interviews with store managers, including on‐site observations, we develop a research model that structures key processes of RPS and their input and output factors. By subsequently applying system dynamics modeling, we find that: (1) customers' process satisfaction, (2) price elasticity of demand, and (3) time between repeat purchases are key variables that impact RPS' attractiveness and performance. This research contributes to an in‐depth understanding of processes within RPS as well as interdependencies between cost drivers and benefits for retailers. From a managerial perspective, these insights can enable retailers to take action based on the influencing factors for efficient operations related to RPS. Finally, this research has policy implications as it provides argumentation for the commercial benefits of RPS for retailers aside from the overemphasized cost perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the needs of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR), smart contact lenses (SCL) have become an important platform as a display source in the future consumer market. Accordingly, this paper demonstrates a display device based on contact lenses. This device integrates a 3 × 3 Mini‐LED display array, a micro antenna, and a driver and transmission chip and is packaged in a smart contact lens made of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). It is note that in order to simultaneously meet the goals of wearing comfort, biocompatibility, wireless energy transmission and adjustable display functions, the final package thickness needs to be less than 200 μm. Here, we use heterogeneous packaging technology to connect the driver and transmission chip and the Mini‐LED display array with metal wires on the flexible substrate, and use metal wires on the same conductive layer to design the antenna required for wireless energy transmission. In order to complete the above functions, we use 920 MHz RFID technology as the energy source for wireless energy transmission. When the antenna of the RFID reader is 2 cm away from the smart contact lens, the designed receiving chip can receive 100 μW of energy. After converting this energy to DC 3 V, it can drive Mini‐LED with a current of about 30 μA, and the mini‐LED display array can be instantly controlled to display different contents by transmitting display commands through the RFID protocol. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high gain D‐band hybrid integrated on‐chip antenna (OCA) based on a low‐cost printed circuit board (PCB) packaging technology is analyzed and designed in a standard 40‐nm CMOS process in this paper. The proposed OCA is a hybrid structure of a slotted patch OCA with off‐chip PCB ground and off‐chip dielectric resonator (DR). The proposed OCA exhibits a simulated gain of 3.5 dBi and 53% radiation efficiency at 150 GHz. The simulated impedance bandwidth is 20 GHz. The radiation performance and impedance bandwidth of the OCA are observably improved with the proposed techniques. The proposed OCA occupies 0.52 × 0.56 mm2, and addresses the highly desirable yet challenging overall design of future low‐cost integrated millimeter‐wave (mm‐Wave) and terahertz (THz) systems, which hit the mark on cost and compatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pectin and sodium alginate (SA) composite films were prepared by adding various concentrations of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) via solvent casting using glycerol as a plasticizer. Herein, elephant egesta was turned into cellulose fibers from which MFC was extracted. This paper aims to examine the reinforcing property of MFC on the pectin/SA matrix. Fibrous morphology, qualitative analysis, crystallinity, and thermal stability of MFC were confirmed through SEM, FT‐IR, XRD, and TGA‐DTA analysis, respectively. The impact of various compositions of MFC (0.5%, 1%, 2%, and 5%) on the biopolymeric blend was analyzed based on mechanical and optical properties, hygroscopicity, and hydrophilicity. The outcomes revealed that adding MFC to 5% enhances the film's tensile strength by 51%. The produced film also served as a successful barrier against UV–visible light. Moreover, it exhibits a tremendous increase in contact angle and a decrease in properties such as elongation at break, moisture content (MC) and water solubility (WS). Therefore, MFC can be an excellent reinforcing agent in biodegradable polymer composites, which finds application in the food packaging industry. Highlights: Microfibrillated cellulose was successfully extracted from elephant egesta and characterized.Energy efficient method of extraction.Pectin/SA films were incorporated with the extracted MFC via solvent casting.Prepared films show enhanced tensile strength and UV–visible barrier property which makes them suitable for packaging purposes.Bio‐based polymers reduce environmental pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]