Search

We have executed a cost-effective approach to produce a high-performance multifunctional human–machine interface (HMI) humidity sensor. The designed sensors were ecofriendly, flexible, and highly sensitive to variability in relative humidity (%RH) in the surroundings. In this study, we have introduced a humidity sensor by using carbon paper (as both a substrate and sensing material) and a silver (Ag) conductive ink pen. The carbon paper-based humidity sensor was developed by using a simple handwriting approach and the resulting devices exhibited excellent results including fast response/recovery times (12/24 s), a wide sensing range (30 to 85%), small hysteresis (1.1%), high stability (1 month), and repeatability. This high-performance humidity response could be attributed to the highly porous, hydrophilic, and permeable nature of carbon paper. Besides these features, the sensor offered high flexibility (100 bending cycles across different radii) and adaptability for uses like breath monitoring (through mouth and nose), proximity sensing (from multiple distances ranging from 1 to 10 cm), and depicting Morse code. This research work is a significant step forward in humidity sensing technology and the sustainable future of electronic devices by using a cost-effective, fast, and simple fabrication technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical and dielectric properties of transformer insulating paper are key factors that require close attention to ensure optimal operation. In this study, a novel approach of enhancing properties by nanocellulose modification was proposed. To investigate the effect of doping, insulating paper with different doping mass fractions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) was prepared, and multiple properties of the sample were characterized. By applying a doping concentration gradient, the non-monotonic trend in performance with doping levels was revealed, and the impact of doping concentration on the data variability was investigated. The effects of CNC doping on the surface pore size of the samples were analyzed by SEM (scanning electron microscopy) and a mercury intrusion method, and the regularity of CNC dispersion uniformity with doping concentration was investigated. The Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller model was employed to fit the water vapor adsorption isotherm data, providing an analysis of the impact of doping on hydrogen bond connections and the moisture adsorption properties. Tensile strength and Young's modulus were measured and analyzed using the Page model and the Halpin–Kardos model. The tensile strength of the 6 wt. % CNC-modified paper was increased by 6.91%. 10 wt. % CNC-modified paper had a Young's modulus increase of 11.98%. 3 wt. % CNC-modified paper has a 28.53% increase in the AC breakdown field strength and an 8.72% increase in the DC breakdown field strength. The influence of CNC on the dielectric properties of the insulating paper was discussed using the Havriliak–Negami (H–N) model. The results indicate that the introduction of CNC can effectively enhance the comprehensive performance of oil-immersed insulating paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sulfuric acid-doping polyaniline (H-PANI-HSO4) are applied to conduct the electrochemical measurement and simulation calculation to investigate the capacitance, electronic structure and energy band properties. The H-PANI-HSO4 growing on graphite carbon paper (H-PANI-HSO4/GCP) is applied as an electroactive electrode to investigate electrochemical properties. The Faradaic capacitance of H-PANI-HSO4/GCP electrode is ascribed to the reversible redox reaction of bisulfate anion doping/dedoping protonated PANI (H-PANI). Cyclic voltammetry measurement at a scan rate of 5 mV s − 1 determines an equivalent mean response current of 0.64 A g − 1 and a capacitance of 128.35 F g − 1 . Galvanostatic charge–discharge measurement determines specific capacitance from 129.06 to 116.88 F g − 1 at current densities from 0.5 to 2.5 A g − 1 . Cyclic voltammetry-based capacitance at equivalent current density of 0.64 A g − 1 is in accordance with galvanostatic charge–discharge-based capacitance at the current density of 0.57 A g − 1 . Electrochemical impedance spectrum measurements indicate that H-PANI-HSO4/GCP exhibits lower charge-transfer resistance, much lower Warburg resistance, higher quasicapacitance than H-PANI-HSO4 to approaching ideal capacitor. Density functional theory calculations indicate that H-PANI-HSO4 has a higher density of states (10.6 electron/eV) and lower bandgap energy (0.481 eV) than H-PANI (5.24 electron/eV, 1.449 eV), indicating its enhanced electronic conductivity. The electronic bandgap energy is accordingly decreased from 0.263 eV for H-PANI-HSO4/GCP to 0 for H-PANI-HSO4/GCP. Electrochemical measurement and simulation calculation investigation proves that H-PANI-HSO4/GCP electrode with anion-doped and protonated state exhibits higher electronic conductivity and capacitance performance to act as superior electroactive material. The LiClO4-interacted oxygen-containing carbon paper is designed to act as electroactive supercapacitor electrode substrates for energy storage application, which involves the polarized electrostatic force-induced interfacial adsorption between LiClO4 and hydroxyl and epoxy groups of OCP substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine mould resistance of the plaster made from waste paper. To study the plaster quality, two laboratory tests were conducted. First, mould resistance of a dry plaster was studied, and second, mould resistance of a wet plaster was tested. Since wet plaster mix must be used for plastering, the resulting surfaces are extremely wet. The plaster placed on the wall would dry for at least two weeks under favourable conditions (sufficient ventilation and temperature). During this period, there is a great risk that the plaster might become mouldy. Another risk of becoming mouldy occurs when an already plastered wall receives moisture (e.g., water damage). The experiments carried out under laboratory conditions showed that in an environment with high relative humidity the plaster did not become mouldy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the implementation of Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices in managing paper waste within Indonesian higher education institutions, focusing on the influence of recycling infrastructure, subjective norms, and recycling awareness on campus sustainability. Employing a quantitative approach with data from 224 students, the study utilized Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to evaluate relationships among key variables: Paper Waste Capacity (PWC), Subjective Norms (SN), Recycling Awareness (RA), and Ecosystem Sustainability (ES). Findings indicate that enhanced paper waste capacity significantly affects subjective norms around recycling, while subjective norms positively influence individual recycling awareness. Both subjective norms and recycling awareness significantly contribute to ecosystem sustainability, suggesting that GSCM practices, supported by accessible recycling infrastructure and normative reinforcement, can foster a culture of sustainability within universities. This study also highlights the importance of creating a recycling-supportive environment through social campaigns and peer initiatives. The results underscore the broader potential of GSCM as a model for promoting environmentally responsible behaviours in educational settings and beyond. While limited by its specific context, the study calls for further research across diverse institutions and regions to expand understanding of GSCM's impact on sustainability practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the properties of paper coated with nanocelluloses and nanocellulose-enhanced recycled paper derived from diverse waste paper sources. The grammages and thicknesses of both coated and recycled paper increased proportionally with the number of coating layers and the concentration of added cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). While the tensile index and modulus of elasticity of coated paper decreased post-coating, these properties of recycled paper improved with higher CNF concentrations, with minimal changes observed with CNC. The burst strength of coated paper increased with additional coating layers, regardless of whether CNF or CNC was used. The tear index of coated paper surpassed that of the base paper, while the burst strength of recycled paper with CNF exceeded that of CNC. Recycled paper with added nanocellulose exhibited higher tear index values than control paper, with CNF addition notably enhancing tear index compared to CNC. The types of nanocellulose significantly influenced the optical and barrier properties of both coated and recycled paper. In conclusion, this study suggests that leveraging CNF and CNC can enhance the quality of low-grade and recycled paper, potentially opening new avenues for their applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, four different experimental assessment approaches, namely, the Tissue Softness Analyzer (TSA), a Subjective Evaluation (SUB), the Kawabata Evaluation System (KES), and an Optical System (OPT), were used for the evaluation of softness on a set of 29 different tissue paper products. After processing and the interpretation of the results given by each one of the used methods, a procedure was implemented in the current work to make a comparison between them. The procedure consists in tracking the position of the tissue paper products on a ranking table, regardless of what values were obtained through each one of the four used methods independently. This comparison revealed to be very useful in determining the differences verified between methods allowing to conclude which ones were the least and the most concordant, and, at the same time, enabling us to identify interesting cases of tissue paper products on the set that caught our attention for their distinctive characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, office waste paper was employed as feedstock for bioethanol production. Lignocellulosic material was pre-treated with dilute sulphuric acid (5 %) to release monomeric sugars. Acid pretreatment of waste papers was carried out at different ratios of 10, 15, and 20 ml for each 1 gm of raw material to obtain the best yield of hydrolysate. After the pH adjustment of each paper hydrolysate, the hydrolysate was subjected to fermentation and distillation processes respectively. The fermentation process was performed using Saccharomyces Cerevisiae to convert the released sugars to bio-ethanol as a main product. The highest bio-ethanol yield (28.3%) was obtained at a high concentration from the yeast fermentation using waste paper pretreated with acid at a ratio of 10:1 ml/gm (liquid to solid). Economically, office waste paper is a suitable raw material for sustainable bio-ethanol production. Furthermore, bioethanol obtained was blended with pure gasoline at increasingly higher concentrations. A gasohol was homogenously mixed with four formulated fuels such as gasoline blend (E0), gasoline–5% bio-ethanol blend (E5), gasoline–10% bio-ethanol blend (E10), and gasoline–15% bio-ethanol blend (E15). It is critical to investigate the effect of various bio-ethanol blends on the characteristics and performance of internal combustion fuel. These binary mixtures were tested using density, Ried vapor pressure (RVP), and Research Octane Number (RON) tester according to the ASTM-D4052, ASTM-D6378, and ASTM-D2699 respectively under selected operating conditions. The results obtained revealed that the addition of gasoline–bioethanol blend decreases the RVP value of the fuel blend, whereas the RON and density increase because bioethanol has a high octane rating compared to conventional gasoline, resulting in enhanced gasoline’s performance in internal combustion engines. Overall, the RON of gasohol was enhanced remarkably with the increase in ethanol ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the feasibility of extracting cellulose from tissue paper wastes (TPW's) using several methods: sonication (SC), subcritical (SU), microwave (MC), and microwave with diluted acid (MA). The chemical characterisation and morphological properties of nanocrystal cellulose were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-Ray analysis (SEM-EDX). TPW's have a relatively high crystallinity index (CrI = 61.02%). It was found to be lower than that for cellulose extracted using SU and SC MC, MA methods, where CrI to 65.65%, 68.07%, 69.21% and 73.42%, respectively. The MA method yielded cellulose with the highest CrI and altered surface morphology. This cellulose was selected for cellulose acetate synthesis. After acetylation, the CrI decreased to 61.45%, and the morphological aspect was changed. In conclusion, nanocrystal cellulose was successfully extracted from TPW's and effectively changed to its esterified form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of combining stratified paper forming with pulp fractionation was investigated to improve the balance between low density, which enhances water absorbency and softness, and the dry strength of tissue papers. The selected fractionation approaches allowed us to separate especially stiff, low-fibrillated fibers (A fractions) from flexible, fibrillated fibers containing fines (detached segments of fibers, fibrils, or lamellae fragments) (B fractions). After characterizing the morphological properties of each fiber fraction, 20 g/m2 model papers were produced with and without wet pressing to tune the paper density. At a density of 0.3 g/cm³, the tensile breaking stress of B papers was at least three times higher than that of A papers. The strain at break of B papers was also close to two times higher than that of A papers. Interestingly, bilayer papers A/B exhibited breaking stress values intermediate between those of A and B papers, while native pulp papers, i.e., without fractionation and stratified forming, followed the trend of A papers. Notably, bi-layering the paper improved the breaking stress by up to twice as much without increasing the paper density, which could be highly beneficial in improving the balance of properties in tissue paper grades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Chemical profiling of different paper grades was performed along the recycling chain. • Untargeted analysis of semi-volatiles and non-volatiles using GC- and LC-MS. • Chemometrics application to identify specific features by paper grade and site. • Exploration of the possible sources of detected compounds in the paper recycling chain. • Numerous chemical compounds associated with plastics have been detected. Paper packaging made with recycled paperboard is used to pack various consumer goods that can include amongst others, electronics, toys, food, cosmetics, and stationery. Chemical profiling of the various paper recycling grades used in the manufacture of recycled paperboard was undertaken to investigate possible sources of contaminants and their propagation in the paper recycling chain. Pre-consumer, retail and post-consumer paper-based materials were collected at papermills, corrugators, grocery stores, household waste, solid waste disposal sites and recycling facilities. In the GC-MS analysis, phthalates, long-chain aliphatic compounds, and fatty acids were the most commonly detected compounds whilst phthalates and bisphenols featured most prevalently in the LC-MS analysis. The factors that were identified as likely contributors to the detection of the different chemical compounds included the presence of wood derivatives, the use of certain chemical additives during manufacturing, and exposure of paper to contaminants from consumers, other goods and the environment. Waste mingling, recovery, sorting and reprocessing into recycled paper were also shown to influence the chemical profile of paper materials. Sparse partial least squares-discriminate analysis indicated that newspaper and office paper had unique chemical constituents, whilst cartons were shown to have higher variability. By looking at key stages of paper recycling, this study showed that the possible persistence and transformation of chemical compounds in additives must be evaluated when considering the recyclability of paper-based materials. Further, it highlighted that different separation approaches may be required to reduce contaminant exposure opportunities in post-consumer paper materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Evaluated paper mill sludge waste conversion into value added packaging materials. • Enzymatic pretreatment enhanced micro- and nanofibrillated cellulose (MNFC) production. • Enzymatic hydrolysis and mechanical centrifugation showed a synergistic effect. • The presence of inorganics improves MNFC preparation and composite formation. • Sludge MNFC-derived packaging films showed high mechanical strength. The production of micro- and nano-fibrillated cellulose (MNFC) from paper mill sludge (PS) using simple enzymatic and mechanical treatments has been evaluated for their performance as value-added materials in packaging and other applications. Sludge from a US paper mill was analyzed for the viability of this conversion process. The enzymatic treatment was conducted at variable concentrations using an enzyme cocktail of exoglucanase and endoglucanase, followed by mechanical dual asymmetric centrifugation (DAC) treatment. The presence of inorganics and lignin facilitated the mechanical defibrillation of the fibers, making the MNFC production more energy-efficient. The prepared MNFC was characterized for fibrillation, charge, crystallinity, and surface morphology. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images show the highly fibrillated MNFC and the distribution of inorganic nanoparticles on the fiber surface. The X-ray diffractometric (XRD) analysis shows 44–65 % crystallinity. Furthermore, MNFC-based films derived from PS demonstrated excellent strength and flexibility, making them suitable for packaging and other applications. Overall, this conversion approach can save the paper industry millions of dollars in disposal costs while upcycling waste and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with waste streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nairobi's land digitisation programme presents continuous challenges to the Kenyan state's aspirations of reforming land administration. By drawing upon insights from archival sciences and digital geographies, this paper argues that digitisation of Kenya's land administration records presents us with an opportunity to pay attention to how information flows from paper to digital systems, and the nature of human condition that makes it possible. Based on research of land digitisation initiatives in Nairobi and its peripheral counties, this paper explores first, how digitisation initiates a large‐scale state exercise of sorting paper in the land records departments that constitutes the archival apparatus of the state; and second, how the archival labour of state officials in this process is at the same time significant, invisible and devalued. Through interviews of state officials in county and state departments, we argue that the digitisation process is far more complex and messier than the rhetoric of seamless transition to automated land administration in Kenya. Digitisation involves a slow embodied labour in sorting paper by state officials who have little power in shaping the design of the platform that they are expected to use. The devaluation of the archival labour of state officials who are not professionally trained in 'archival practice' and are seemingly voiceless in the production of national land information platforms leads to subversion and non‐cooperation with the platform itself. The paper concludes that an expansive lens of seeing digital platforms through the tools and technologies of archiving practices enables us to understand why platforms fail, why and how paper increases value within digital systems and how archival labour is central to the politics of digitisation and platformisation in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to synthesize and characterize hybrid nanocomposites of powder celluloses (PCs) derived from waste newsprint and cardboard, incorporating silver nanoparticles. The focus was on the mechanism of nanoparticle formation and stabilization within the cellulose matrix during the reduction process. Methods: Hybrid nanocomposites were prepared using the diffusion-reduction method, with trisodium citrate serving as the reducing agent for silver salt solutions under heterogeneous conditions. The PC/silver molar ratio was varied from 20 to 40. Structural and morphological characterization of the nanocomposites was conducted using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, high-resolution solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray scattering, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). Results and Discussion: The study demonstrated that silver nanoparticles with a spherical shape and sizes mostly below 100 nm formed on the PC surface. The silver content in the nanocomposites ranged from 1.2 to 7.3 wt %. Structural analysis revealed that the cellulose retained its crystalline modification (cellulose I) after the reaction. The cellulose matrix participated in a redox process during nanoparticle formation, leading to the establishment of new intermolecular bonds between the nanoparticles and the cellulose matrix. Conclusions: The developed method provides a simple and efficient approach for producing powder cellulose/silver nanocomposites with potential applications as antibacterial materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The examination of the lead–lag effect between different publication types, incorporating a temporal dimension, is very significant for assessing research. In this article, we introduce a novel framework to quantify the lead–lag effect between the research topics of conference papers and journal papers. We first identify research topics via the text‐embedding‐based topic modeling technique BERTopic, then extract the research topics of each time slice, construct and visualize the similarity matrix of topics to reveal the time‐lag direction and finally quantify the lead–lag effect by four proposed indicators, as well as by average influence topic similarity comparison maps. We conduct a detailed analysis of 19,166 bibliographic data for top conference papers and journal papers from 2015 to 2019 in the data mining field, calculate the similarity of topics obtained by BERTopic between each time slice divided by quarters. The results show that journal paper topics lag behind conference paper topics in the data mining field. The most significant lead–lag effect is 2.5 years, with approximately 33.45% of topics affected by this lag. The methodology presented here holds potential for broader application in the analysis of lead–lag effects across diverse research areas, offering valuable insights into the state of research development and informing policy decisions. This article is categorized under:Application Areas > Science and Technology [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon paper, as a key component in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), had attracted much attention due to its corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity and mechanical strength as well as gas permeability. The incorporation of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) into carbon paper can further enhance its electrical conductivity and other properties. Herein, prepared carbon paper precursors (CPP) via wet papermaking and optimized the process through resin impregnation and hot pressing. The addition of CNFs, particularly at 10 %, significantly improved electrical conductivity and mechanical properties, reducing resistivity by 23.9 % and maximizing tensile strength of 36.97 N·m/g. The sequence of CNFs application and resin impregnation, specifically the spray-after-impregnation (S-I) method, was crucial for achieving these enhancements. Our findings offer a strategy for fabricating high-performance carbon paper, crucial for PEMFC efficiency and durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes a novel technique for the measurement of inorganic arsenic in water by generating arsine gas and detecting the conductivity of moving protons, H+ (aqueous or aq), produced by the reaction: Ag+ (aq) + AsH3 (gas, g) → AgAsH2 (solid, s) + H+ (aq). The detection is based on an electrochemical gradient of protons in a confined porous substrate (filter paper) and measures the change in the conductance due to the higher mobility of H+ compared to other ions. The conductance was measured with a pair of silver electrodes attached to opposite sides of the substrate with a bipolar pulse conductance technique. The method is established in theory and in practice. The theoretical equation for conductance change shows that a constant increase in conductance is directly proportional to the As(total) concentration. The method is validated with a standard reference material and applied to the measurement of the groundwater sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the scarcity of wood in some countries, it is necessary to replace it with other raw materials and at the same time use the waste material. The aim of this research is to use poppy waste straw for the efficient conversion of possible lignocellulosic materials – pulps and particleboards. Their suitability for the production of composites is assessed on the basis of selected physical or mechanical properties. Tensile strength index, burst strength index and air permeability by Gurley have been identified as critical properties of pulp made from poppy straw through two delignification methods. The better mechanical properties, i.e., tensile strength index, were achieved at 52.7 N·m/g for the sodium pulp, but the nitrate-alkali method also showed corresponding values at 45.9 N·m/g. Similar parameters to those of bagasse or similar fast-growing plants were achieved in particleboard production. The results of this research are used to evaluate poppy straw as an alternative raw material to produce biocomposites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, carbon fiber paper (CFP) was prepared by adding carboxyl nitrile latex (XNBRL) and phenolic resin (PF) into the carbon fibers suspension instead of the immersion method. It was found that XNBRL and PF adsorbed and flocculated on the surface of the carbon fibers as cationic agent was used. And with the increase of XNBRL addition, the retention rate of the pulp and the size of the flocs gradually increased. Due to the low residual carbon rate of XNBRL, most of it was decomposed into small molecular gases during carbonization, with the increase of XNBRL addition, the CFP became fluffy gradually, and its thickness, resistivity and air permeability increased, while the density and tensile strength decreased, and the basis weight was basically unchanged. Owing to the high residual carbon rate of PF, the basis weight, density and tensile strength of the CFP gradually increased with the increase of PF addition, while the thickness, resistivity and air permeability gradually decreased. Therefore, XNBRL could promote the retention of PF during paper forming, when the XNBRL dosage was 60 wt% and PF was 300 wt%, the basis weight of CFP was 74.55 g/m2, the thickness was 0.22 mm, the tensile strength was 10.85 MPa, the resistivity was 0.0284 Ω·cm, and the air permeability was 2005.34 mL·mm/ (cm2·h·mmHg). • Carbon fiber paper was prepared using carboxyl nitrile latex and phenolic resin in-pulp addition method. • The retention rate of the pulp and the flocs size gradually increased with the increase of carboxyl nitrile latex content. • Carbon fiber paper exhibited excellent comprehensive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a hygiene paper such as tissue and towel, strength, softness, and absorbency are known as attributes that a user is looking for. It is proposed here that purchasing decisions are likely to be influenced by in-use experiences, which may be quite different from the physical properties measured with current standardized tests. There have been continuous efforts on developing physical test methods to replace subjective in-use tests because the benefits of the former are too significant to be overlooked. This paper considered some in-use test methods for paper towel products that can be carried out by panel members quickly in the course of sensory panel testing. In addition, laboratory tests were developed in an attempt to quantify such input. The sensory panel testing showed that (wet) strength and absorbency were the key contributions to the performance of paper towels. Softness did not show any significant contribution to it. Wet strength showed a high correlation with absorbency. The (wet) ball burst strength had the highest correlation with the in-use strength. Although both the tensile strength and the ball burst strength had a high correlation with preference, the ball burst tester is preferred because more reproducible and simpler to operate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of pulp and paper from recycled paper generates significant quantities of deinking paper sludge (DPS). This sludge contains a significant amount of organic matter (36%) as well as heavy metals such as Pb, Zn, and Cr. In this work, the incorporation of DPS (0%, 8%, 10%, and 12%) in the manufacture of clay bricks leads to valorization of this waste by showing that two of its contents considered problematic (organic matter and heavy metals) have several positive effects. It was found that the organic parts were transformed into pores after brick firing (850°C), which improved thermal insulation while keeping mechanical resistance in conformity with usual standards. For the heavy metals, which make DPS a hazardous waste, a leaching test was employed. The results show that these metals were trapped in the ceramic matrix after the firing of bricks at a high temperature, resulting in a final product that was not dangerous. Other tests were carried out on bricks with DPS to evaluate density, water absorption, shrinkage, loss on ignition, porosity, and microstructure in order to characterize this new product. It was concluded that DPS can be used in clay bricks as an asset for the formation of pores to enhance thermal insulation. The addition of DPS can be optimized at 10% to comply with the standard and not exceed the required values for shrinkage, water absorption, and loss on ignition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As is well known, Laser print paper is usually produced with high‐quality chemical wood pulp. The laser print waste paper fiber (LPWF) is a high‐quality secondary fiber, and the research and development of high‐value utilization technology for laser print waste paper has attracted much attention in the field of renewable resource recycling. In this study, LPWF was used to reinforce poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites in the field, and the composites were modified with bioenzyme, cationic polyacrylamide (CPAM), and nano‐silicon carbide (Nano‐SiC) to enhance the interfacial compatibility of LPWF/PLA composites. The study systematically investigated the effects of various modification methods on the characteristics and degradability of composites made from laser print waste paper fiber reinforced PLA resin matrix. The results showed that the mechanical properties of the composites treated with CPAM and Nano‐SiC were significantly improved, with tensile strengths of 54.3 and 59.5 MPa, and flexural strengths of 85.1 and 91.5 MPa, respectively, and the water absorption of the composites was reduced after the modification treatment, while the thermal stability was improved. The degradation performance of the composites in various water environments indicated that the inclusion of LPWF accelerated the water degradation rate of the composites, with the maximum degradation rate of the composite reaching 1.26% in 30 days. Highlights: Laser print waste paper is an excellent quality recyclable fiber resource.Four modifiers were used to modify LPWF/PLA composites.Characteristics and degradability of the composites were investigated.Significantly improved properties of CPAM and Nano‐SiC modified composites.The degradation rate of composites is increased by the addition of LPWF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The provided text is an investigation into the process of transferring value from the TIMOs operating in the eucalyptus, pulp and paper agribusiness in eastern Mato Grosso do Sul. The article is guided by the theoretical and methodological frameworks of Marxist Dependency Theory and Geography. In terms of methodological procedures, we analyzed bibliographic and documentary material, especially information provided by the companies Suzano and Eldorado, or by representatives of the sector. The focus, however, was on analyzing the information and data obtained from the documents of the companies TTG Brasil, Lacan Florestal and Valor Florestal, which helped shed light on the hypothesis that the financialization of the eucalyptus, pulp and paper agribusiness in Mato Grosso do Sul involves the process of value transfer seen from TIMO's strategies. Among the results, the tracking and identification of TIMO's that are present in Mato Grosso do Sul stands out, as well as the municipalities where they operate, area under control, financial operations and objective links that connect, with certain mediations, foreign capital and national/local in the process of appropriation and transfer of value from the pulp and paper sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The provided text is an investigation into the process of transferring value from the TIMOs operating in the eucalyptus, pulp and paper agribusiness in eastern Mato Grosso do Sul. The article is guided by the theoretical and methodological frameworks of Marxist Dependency Theory and Geography. In terms of methodological procedures, we analyzed bibliographic and documentary material, especially information provided by the companies Suzano and Eldorado, or by representatives of the sector. The focus, however, was on analyzing the information and data obtained from the documents of the companies TTG Brasil, Lacan Florestal and Valor Florestal, which helped shed light on the hypothesis that the financialization of the eucalyptus, pulp and paper agribusiness in Mato Grosso do Sul involves the process of value transfer seen from TIMO's strategies. Among the results, the tracking and identification of TIMO's that are present in Mato Grosso do Sul stands out, as well as the municipalities where they operate, area under control, financial operations and objective links that connect, with certain mediations, foreign capital and national/local in the process of appropriation and transfer of value from the pulp and paper sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article from World Pumps discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by manufacturers in the pulp and paper market in Latin America. Despite challenges such as declining demand for traditional paper products and environmental concerns, the industry continues to thrive, with Latin America leading in kraft pulp production. The region's favorable climate, abundant resources, and infrastructure have contributed to rapid growth, with new plants being developed to meet increasing demand. Pump manufacturers play a crucial role in the production process, with digitalization and automation enhancing efficiency and performance in the industry. [Extracted from the article]

This study explored using ultrafiltration (UF) membranes to treat pulp and paper mill wastewater, implementing a novel Taguchi experimental design to optimize operating conditions for pollutant removal and minimal membrane fouling. Researchers examined four factors: pH, temperature, transmembrane pressure, and volume reduction factor (VRF), each at three levels. Optimal conditions (pH 10, 25°C, 6 bar, VRF 3) led to a 35% reduction in flux due to fouling and high pollutant rejections: total hardness (83%), sulfate (97%), spectral absorption coefficient (SAC254) (95%), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) (89%). Conductivity had a lower rejection rate of 50%. Advanced imaging techniques like atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed reduced membrane fouling under these conditions. The Taguchi method effectively identified optimal conditions, significantly improving wastewater treatment efficiency and promoting environmental sustainability in the pulp and paper industry. Practitioner Points: This study optimized UF membrane conditions for pulp and paper mill wastewater, reducing fouling and enhancing pollutant removal, offering practical strategies for industrial treatment.AFM and SEM provided key insights into membrane fouling and mitigation, promoting real‐time diagnosis and optimization for enhanced treatment efficiency.Prioritizing anaerobic fixed‐bed systems in wastewater treatment is beneficial for achieving high COD removal efficiency. Optimizing hydraulic retention time (HRT) in these systems can further improve their overall effectiveness and sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative adsorption study was carried out for methylene blue (MB) and its 3,7-bis(N,N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amino)-phenothiazinium dye analog (MBI). Batch experiments employed aqueous solutions and commercial filter paper. Out of seven kinetic models tested by means of four quality statistical indicators, the pseudo-second-order, the double-exponential, and the bi-linear Weber–Morris equations were best fits. For both dyes, the process was described as a succession of two diffusion-controlled steps. The Freundlich isotherm was chosen from 11 models describing a variety of mechanism assumptions. Physisorption was considered responsible for the dye removal from liquid. Adsorption of MB is thermodynamically favored, whereas that of MBI is sterically hindered. Both processes are exothermic and exhibit reduced randomness at the S-L interface. The paper was found suitable for retaining MB but served rather filtration/purification purposes for MBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a spatial equilibrium problem for a pulp and paper supply chain network under the Emission Trading System (ETS) and the circular economy principles. The developed closed-loop supply chain model, based on the variational inequality theory, accounts for the forest deployment and the production of paper using both virgin pulp and recyclable paper waste in an area that is subject to the ETS. In addition, it considers the exchanges of virgin pulp, paper, recyclable and not-recyclable paper waste between this regulated area and geographical zones where no environmental policies apply. The aim of this paper is to investigate the ETS impacts on the pulp and paper industries located in an environmentally regulated area in terms of operating costs, production and trading volumes of the aforementioned commodities, and emissions generated. The case study focuses on the European pulp and paper companies, which are among the energy-intensive industries deemed to be exposed to the carbon leakage risk as a consequence of the ETS application. Sensitivity analyses on the carbon price value and on the trade flexibility are conducted. Our results show that the ETS implies additional costs for the European pulp and paper companies and induces them to resort more on imports of virgin pulp and paper from not-regulated zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to compare and analyze the impact of the commonly used takeout packing (Kraft paper bowl and plastic bowl) through life cycle assessment, then certain suggestions for the development of green packaging could be provided. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, Simapro software was used to calculate and analyze the whole life cycle of takeout packaging from the stage of raw materials, production and processing and waste disposal. Findings: Twelve environmental categories were used to quantitatively analyze the environmental impact of the two different bowls. The results showed that the impact of Kraft paper bowl on the environment was less than that of plastic bowl, regardless of raw material, processing or waste stage. Kraft paper bowl was better than plastic bowl. Research limitations/implications: This study compared and analyzed the progress of 750-mL bowls made with different materials and specific specifications. Practical implications: Green packaging is the development trend of the future packaging and follows the principle of reduce, resue, recycle, degradable. According to the calculation results, corresponding suggestions can be put forward from production, processing, use, waste and other aspects, and make corresponding contributions to the development of green packaging. Originality/value: The contribution and impact of each stage of the product on the environment can be studied. The environmental impacts, such as global warming potential and water scarcity, can be reduced through different solutions, such as the use of green materials, good processing techniques and higher recycling rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ultra-sensitive paper-based sensor for the rapid and specific detection of apigenin in Scutellaria barbata D. Don was developed. The construction process of the proposed apigenin sensor was to grow ZIF-8 in situ with MXene as a template on carbon paper (CP) electrode. The MXene with excellent conductivity and ZIF-8 with porous structure showed synergistic effect in promoting electron transfer and increasing the number of binding sites, thus providing a highly sensitive detection for apigenin. Under optimal conditions, the sensor showed an excellent linear relationship in the range of 0.01 to 10 µM, with a detection limit of 2.6 nM. This study not only constructed a new sensing platform for sensitive detection of apigenin, but also provided a new method for the detection of apigenin in Scutellaria barbata D. Don, which was of great significance for promoting the construction of an electrochemical sensor for apigenin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomes as new biomarkers for cancer diagnosis have attracted attention because they are highly released by tumor cells in various biological fluids. In this study, an electrochemical paper-based immunosensor device (Exo-sensing paper) is introduced for the detection of exosome in the serum. The Exo-sensing paper is a three-electrode system that is prepared using pattern paper and carbon and silver inks. The sensor part of this immunosensor contains a three-dimensional porous nanocomposite of nickel nanofoam coupled with graphene oxide and gold nanoparticles. The high specific surface area of this nanocomposite increases the antibody loading on the sensor surface significantly and consequently leads to obtaining a wide linear range of 500–1 × 107 Exospore µL−1 with a detection limit of 110 Exosome µL−1. Due to some advantages of this constructed Exo-sensing paper such as easy storage, simple application, low cost and good selectivity in the real samples, this system has a good potential to be used as a point of care testing for in situ detection of the exosomes and is a promising strategy for minimally invasive liquid biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of mineral-based fillers tends to reduce the mechanical properties of paper, which can limit their application. The filler surface modification is a significant treatment to overcome this limitation. This research aims to offer a novel modified mineral-based filler to provide its industrial application. The surface of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) was modified with xylan (XS), which is a type of hemicellulose, a polysaccharide consisting mainly of xylose residues. It is used as a filler at different filler dosage levels in paper pulp. Modified PCC(MPCC) was characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Field-emission scanning electron microscopy analyses. The analysis demonstrated that the MPCC filler surface was coated with XS successfully. The effect of PCC and MPCC-filled hand-sheet paper physical, chemical and optical properties were studied. The experimental results showed that the mechanical (tensile, burst, tear strength) and optical (brightness, opacity) of hand-sheet paper filled with MPCC were significantly improved compared with unmodified PCC-filled paper at the same ash content. The filler retention of PCC and MPCC fillers in paper was investigated, and the MPCC filler showed better filler retention properties in paper stock than the PCC filler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop special insulating paper is of great significance to promote the service life of transformers. Using molecular simulation to guide the development of special insulating paper can greatly reduce the trial-and-error rate and waste of resources in traditional experiments. The effect of different types of polysilsesquioxane (POSS) on cellulose insulating paper was investigated by using molecular simulation. This paper investigated the thermal stability and mechanical properties and electrical characteristics of caged POSS, semi-caged POSS, and ladder-like POSS doped cellulose insulating paper. The results show that POSS with all types can enhance the performance of cellulose insulating paper, and ladder-like POSS possess the best modification effect. The glass transition temperature was increased by 58 K, and the bulk modulus, shear modulus, and elastic modulus of cellulose insulating paper doped with ladder-like POSS can improve up to 27.07%, 45.67%, and 41.28%, respectively. Meanwhile, the dielectric properties of ladder-like POSS modified insulating paper are also significantly improved. The findings of this paper propose a method for the preparation of ladder-like POSS modified insulating paper, which provides theoretical guidance for the experimental preparation of special insulating paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper sludge (PS) from paper mills has a significant potential for bioethanol production. In this study, waste-paper-containing PS is used as the raw material for bioethanol production because the annual waste paper utilization rate has increased globally. Although PS does not require delignification, the antiseptics and deinking agents in waste paper-containing PS inhibit enzymatic reactions such as saccharification and fermentation. Their removal is important, but it has not yet been reported. Using subcritical water pretreatment, the selective decomposition of enzyme inhibitors in PS is examined without the generation of other enzyme inhibitors. The optimum pretreatment conditions are identified as 240 °C, 3.3 MPa, 3 min, and pH 4.5. Glucose was obtained in 71% yield from pretreated 5 wt% PS using cellulase, which is 5.5 times higher than that from unpretreated PS. This is because the reactivity of the pretreated PS increases with increasing surface area of the cellulose fibers, and the cellulase inhibitors are decomposed by subcritical water. Next, semi-simultaneous saccharification and fermentation treatments are performed to produce bioethanol from waste-paper-containing PS. The bioethanol yield based on cellulose after 96 h is 68% for PS pretreated with subcritical water, whereas the bioethanol yield is 6% for unpretreated PS. Therefore, subcritical water pretreatment increases the bioethanol yield by 11 times. The proposed method may enable the use of large amounts of PS as ethanol feedstock in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay charts the way that ideas of nature, life and disease generated new approaches to Europe's documentary culture between roughly 1650 and 1950. Training its focus on the medium of paper, specifically the essay, reveals conceptual intersections between caretakers of libraries and archives and naturalists or physicians whose focus was the entomology or bacteriology. The recognition of the fundamentally organic nature of books (animal, vegetable, mineral, in a Linnaean sense) invited fresh vocabularies and practices of care and preservation. The essay first explores how book lovers—often encouraged by learned societies or state agencies in the eighteenth century—campaigned against insects whose habitat lay between the covers of precious tomes. It then traces how nineteenth-century microscopy and bacteriology informed notions of sickness or 'pathology' in books. It ends by describing the efforts to remediate these impairments in the twentieth century: to deploy chemistry and medicine as therapies for bringing imperilled papers back to health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arts of cutting and joining paper (katʿı and vas·s·¯ale) were much prized at the early-modern Ottoman court in Istanbul. This essay takes a single folio of katʿı prepared by the Ottoman paper joinery master (vas·s·¯al) Kalender Efendi (d. 1616) as a starting point from which to explore the essential role of paper in the administration and unification of the Ottoman Empire, shaping the state's relationships with its subjects, and making possible the environment in which Kalender was educated and rose to prominence. Through his skillful manipulation of paper, Kalender created intricate artworks that served as resting place for the eye and mind, astonishing viewers with his skills, and encouraging them to engage in insightful looking. Paper thus served as the locus of intellectual, artistic, and economic encounters, and gave shape to relationships both in the moment and over time [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special issue examines paper as it became the definitive material for both artistic practice and jurisprudence. European paper made from pulped rags and linens to create the mythic white empty grounds for design was foundational to early modern European ideas about both sovereignty and the creative act. The materiality of paper—as a surface created from refuse—also introduced a form of ecological thinking into both artistic practice and political theory that recognised the value and revolutionary potential of the material world to create from the detritus of failed projects and revolutions. Surveying artistic production across the European continent and into the Ottoman empire, this series of essays examines paper as both a material force that redefined the limits of the creative act while also being inseparable from the consolidation of new political regimes emerging from the rise of early modern colonialism. Paper was both the tool of dispossession and also the grounds on which the potential of artistic practice was reimagined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper comes in the context of the European International Business Academy (EIBA) History project, and the long period analysed was broken down in six time windows (1975–1981, 1982–1988, 1989–1995, 1996–2002, 2003–2012; and 2013–2020), in line with the periodisation followed in writing such history. The main purpose was to identify the key themes of the papers presented at EIBA conferences between 1975 and 2020. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis was carried out drawing on topic modelling, a machine-learning statistical solution that is capable of processing large volumes of text data. Findings: A set of 5,296 Competitive and Workshop papers was processed with the use of topic modelling. The method enabled to identify 24 underlying research topics. These were then grouped into nine higher-level categories. The results show a consistent growth in the number of papers presented, especially in the periods going from 1989–2012. This is a sign of an increasing attractiveness, openness and attendance in EIBA's annual conferences. Overall, the topics with the highest probabilities were topic 22 (Measuring and Assessing IB performance), followed ex-aequo by topics 13 (Evolutionary Approaches, Matrix Structures and Managerial Challenges) and 20 (Comparative Management Education and Behaviour) and then by topic 4 (Born Globals and International New Ventures). A key finding was the change in methodological approaches over time, with a significant increase in the use of sound quantitative and qualitative methods, instead of broad narratives mostly based on descriptive statistics. Research limitations/implications: Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), as a quantitative approach to analyse text data, has some limitations. LDA, along with other distributional models, may identify degrees of semantic relations between words, but is not able by itself to specify the kind of relation, entailing a possible loss of contextual information which might have been able to further assist in the study. Another limitation stems from the use of very old paper proceedings, whose quality was sometimes low, making reading difficult. Practical implications: This research provides a longitudinal perspective of the evolution of the key research topics in international business over about 45 years. Its findings are very important for all those who are interested on the evolution of the IB field. Social implications: The research provides an interesting perspective of the development of a scientific field as well as of a scientific community. Originality/value: The main contributions of this research are fourfold. Firstly, to the best of the authors' knowledge, it provides the most complete longitudinal analysis about the evolution of IB research topics published so far. Secondly, it extracts relevant information about the evolution of the IB research issues addressed at EIBA's annual conferences, enabling a 46-year longitudinal perspective on research interests as they emerged. Thirdly, it provides a successful application of topic modelling for the analysis of large volumes of textual data. Fourthly, it addresses the entirety of the text documents, as opposed to specific sections or keywords only, ensuring increased analytical depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An all‐flexible self‐powering unit, combining a flexible perovskite solar mini‐module for energy conversion and ultra‐flexible screen‐printed interdigitated carbon supercapacitors on paper for energy storage, is designed and developed. Through a hybrid bifurcated structure, the supercapacitors are connected in series and neatly layered on a paper substrate with the perovskite solar mini‐module strategically placed on top for seamless integration. The photosupercapacitor quickly reaches saturated voltage under various light intensities (1 sun, 1000 lx, 500 lx, and 200 lx) and displays a self‐discharge time of over 2 minutes. It delivers peak overall and storage efficiencies of 2.8% and 23%, respectively, and exhibits an extensive potential window of 3.8 V, making it a prominent choice for real time applications in electronic systems. In a nutshell, the inherent flexibility of both the solar module and the storage system, coupled with the space‐saving design, and the extensive potential window of the hybrid photosupercapacitor paves the way for implementation in portable and wearable electronics operating in indoor environments, ushering a new era of more versatile and adaptable energy solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today's world, the use of paper and cardboard increasing but the availability of raw materials and the environmental impact on the paper industry is a big concern. To address these concerns, researchers are exploring the potential of agricultural waste products as raw materials for pulp production. This study uses morphological, chemical composition, FTIR, XRD, and thermogravimetric analysis to examine the potential of banana pseudo-stem as a raw material for paper pulp to address environmental concerns and raw material shortages in the paper industry. The study reveals favorable characteristics for papermaking, including long fiber length (1750 μm), thin cell wall thickness (9.7 μm), and large lumen diameter (22.15 μm). The chemical composition of banana pseudo-stem contains cellulose (44.93 %), hemicellulose (23.7 %), and Klason lignin (11.1) showing its suitability for pulp production. FTIR analysis highlights the functional groups present on the banana pseudo-stem. The XRD analysis shows that it has a similar cellulosic peak and crystallinity index with common raw materials used in pulp production. The thermogravimetric analysis shows that the banana pseudo-stem has high thermal stability. The findings demonstrate that banana pseudo-stem, both by itself and in combination with other raw materials, might be a potential raw material for the pulp production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research paper mills are covert organizations that provide low-quality or fabricated manuscripts to paying clients. As members of the United2Act Research Working Group, we propose 5 key research questions on paper mills that require resourcing and support. Research paper mills are covert organizations that provide low quality or fabricated manuscripts to paying clients. This Perspective, written by members of the United2Act Research Working Group, proposes five key research questions on paper mills that require resourcing and support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing prevalence of fake publications created by paper mills poses a significant challenge to maintaining scientific integrity. While integrity analysts typically rely on textual and visual clues to identify fake articles, determining which papers merit further investigation can be akin to searching for a needle in a haystack, as these fake publications have non-related authors and are published on non-related venues. To address this challenge, we developed a new methodology for provenance analysis, which automatically tracks and groups suspicious figures and documents. Our approach groups manuscripts from the same paper mill by analyzing their figures and identifying duplicated and manipulated regions. These regions are linked and organized in a provenance graph, providing evidence of systematic production. We tested our solution on a paper mill dataset of hundreds of documents and also on a larger version of the dataset that deliberately included thousands of documents intentionally selected to distract our method. Our approach successfully identified and linked systematically produced articles on both datasets by pinpointing the figures they reused and manipulated from one another. The technique herein proposed offers a promising solution to identify fraudulent manuscripts, and it could be a valuable tool for supporting scientific integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new materials composed of TiFe particles stabilized onto a carbon support is described. The carbon support is derived from a waste from the paper industry called Kraft Black liquor. The particles are generated through an impregnation/reduction process of a mixture of titanium ethoxide and iron nitrate followed by a thermal treatment. The generated particles have been investigated through XPS, XRD and SEM analysis as well as tested for hydrogen storage. The hydrogen storage at 25 °C leads to a capacity of up to 0.5 wt% while at 150 °C, free of the carbon absorption, leads to a capacity of 0.2 wt% without any prior activation process. Novel TiF@carbo(HIPE) materials have been synthesized while employing Kraft black liquor as carbonaceous source. A specific carbo-reduction thermal treatment allows a synergetic TiFe particles external shell reduction concomitant with the surrounding carbonaceous backbone oxidation enhancing thereby the materials specific surface area and associated microporosity. Pre-activation free, TiFe@Carbo(HIPE) can achieve a capacity up to 0.5 wt% at 25 °C where TiFe particles and the carbonaceous host support are acting cooperatively. [Display omitted] • Generation and characterization of carbon from a waste from the paper industry. • Generation of TiFe nanoparticles on the carbon. • Characterization of the TiFe nanoparticles. • Use of the hybrid composite TiFe@Carbon for hydrogen storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a conventional packaging material. Its modification has attracted immense attention in the industry and academia. Here, office waste paper, white cardboard waste, and waste corrugated paper were first employed as raw materials for cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) extraction by acid hydrolysis. Thereafter, CNC/PET composite films with various CNC additions were prepared via a self‐assembly technique. The results revealed that the CNCs formed a self‐assembled film on the PET surface via the synergistic effect of the complex interactions among the CNCs as well as between the CNCs and PET. Moreover, the CNCs improved the barrier property of PET and decreased the oxygen and water vapor transmittances of CNC/PET by 30.7% and 21.7%, respectively. Additionally, the coating of the PET surface with 0.2 wt.% CNCs extracted from the waste paper decreased the surface wettability of PET, exhibiting application potentials in the hydrophobic modification of polymers. This study realized waste paper recycling and provided a basis for constructing self‐assembled functional films on PET surfaces. The findings and insights of this study could exhibit application potentials in the fields of waste recycling and packaging materials. Highlights: A functional cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) film is prepared from waste paper.Self‐assembled CNC is coated on a PET surface to form a CNC/PET composite film.The synergistic interactions among CNCs and between CNC and PET modified PET.The low addition of CNCs realized the efficiency modification of PET.The study achieves waste paper recycling and high‐value utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the microstructure of carbon fiber paper is modified through H 3 PO 4 etching to enhance the electrolyzer performance. The effects of different H 3 PO 4 concentrations and different soaking times on the hydrogen evolution reaction are firstly investigated. The electrochemical test results show that the best performance of etched electrodes is achieved at a H 3 PO 4 concentration of 1 M and a soaking time of 12 h, with a significant reduction in charge transfer resistance and overpotential. Subsequently, to explore the change mechanism in electrochemical properties, the microstructure of the carbon paper is investigated using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP) tests, which show uniformly distributed micropores appear on the surface of the carbon fibers after etching, and the porosity increases from 0.74 to 0.8. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) tests show that the specific surface area of the carbon paper increases from 0.72 m2/g to 4.06 m2/g, which effectively increases the interfacial contact area between the catalyst layer and the liquid gas diffusion layer. Furthermore, a 3D multi-physics model is established to further elucidate the impact mechanism of changes in porosity, conductivity, and active specific surface area on the performance of anion exchange membrane electrolyzer, with changes in active specific surface area having the greatest effect. • Microporous structure of the carbon paper LGDL is modified by etching. • The etching method effectively improves the performance of AEMEL. • The increase in specific surface area and porosity greatly reduces the resistance. • Numerical modeling to analyze the impact of microscopic parameters on AEMEL. • LGDL with high specific surface area has a positive effect on AEMEL's development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulping ability and quality of paper high relay on the wood properties. However, the relationship between them are profound. Based on the extracting digital information from the anatomical, chemical, and physical properties of poplar wood, predictive models were developed for paper properties (tensile index, burst index and tear index) and pulping properties (Kappa number and pulp yield) using six algorithms, namely PLSR, ENR, RF, XGBoost, LightGBM, and CatBoost. The prediction results revealed that among the six algorithms, PLSR, ENR, and RF exhibited results of most prediction greater than 0.79. Notably, XGBoost, LightGBM, and CatBoost algorithms demonstrated superior predictive performance, with results greater than 0.9, except for the tear index. Furthermore, SHAP analysis suggested that the cellulose content is the primary factors to modulate pulping ability and the morphological features of cell wall shows apparent effects on mechanical properties of paper. It hopes the result will benefit to provide information to evaluate the value of poplar wood from different resources and then deliver instructions to genetic breeding program and forest management of poplar plantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, I explore the potential of a material‐led, embodied pedagogical approach to cultivate diverse modes of thinking, knowing and becoming within a pre‐GCSE curriculum. Drawing from my experiences as both an artist and educator, I acknowledge the transformative power inherent in recognising the agency of all forms of matter, whether human or non‐human. Through the implementation of a project titled 'To Play,' which utilises paper as a primary pedagogical tool, I engaged Year 9 Art and Design students. Qualitative data collected over a six‐week period underpins the analysis, with a particular emphasis on understanding students' experiences with material‐led processes. The findings highlight the potential of material‐led pedagogies to empower students and challenge anthropocentric perspectives, offering valuable insights for enhancing pre‐GCSE art education and harnessing the educational potential of materials. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse in art education by emphasising the importance of embodied, experiential learning approaches that prioritise creativity, exploration and critical engagement with the world around us. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saccharification of cellulosic material is crucial before utilizing it as the feedstock of fermentation processes. This study focuses on developing of robust catalysts for enzymatic hydrolysis of paper waste. Cellulase enzyme was immobilized on Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) via multi-covalent bonds. Therefore, the attachments of MNPs were performed by three approaches (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) (Method I), polyethyleneimine (PEI) (Method II), and both monolayer molybdenum disulfide and PEI (MoS2-PEI) (Method III). The biocatalysts were characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The immobilization yield and loading efficiency of cellulase were determined at 38.65% and 162 mg g−1 in Method I, 13.33% and 31 mg g−1 in Method II, and 14.38% and 33 mg g−1 in Method III. The specification of the biocatalysts was determined for the hydrolysis of filter paper, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), microcrystalline cellulose, and cellobiose. The total cellulase activity was 2.77, 0.943, 1.38, and 2.02 µmolGlucose mgEnzyme−1 h−1for free-cellulase and the immobilized biocatalysts prepared by Method I, II, and III, respectively. The prepared biocatalyst in Method I maintained 54.54% of its original activity after five cycles, which was more robust than Method II (20.25%) and Method III (12.33%). Further studies were performed on the saccharification of paper waste. The results showed the biocatalyst obtained by Method II resulted in 5.8 folds of higher glucose than the free-cellulase. The highest glucose recovery of about 72.47% was achieved after 48 h using the immobilized biocatalyst prepared by Method II. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral contraceptives (OC) are the most used form of contraception among women in the U.S. and Europe. Like other medications, their packaging must include patient information leaflets. This study quantifies the environmental impact of paper waste generated by these leaflets. We conducted an observational analysis, measuring the weight of leaflets, pills, and packaging components across various OC brands. Significant variations in leaflet weights were observed. On average, leaflets accounted for 55% of the package weight, while pills and blister dispensers represented only 32%. The mean weight of OC leaflets was 12.3 ± 5.5 grams (4.7–21.9 grams), leading to an estimated annual paper waste of 6,118.4 tons, 5,763.5 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, and the use of approximately 146,841 trees for production. Standardizing leaflet weight to the lightest reported can reduce annual waste by 3780.5 tons of paper. This study highlights the substantial environmental cost of the waste generated from OC leaflets and proposes practical strategies to mitigate waste, including electronic leaflets and standardized packaging. Targeting these materials presents a significant opportunity to enhance sustainability, aligning with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the healthcare sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]