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The aim of this research was to manufacture composite panel that can be used as wall panel for earthquake resistantly building. First stage on wall panel production was done by preparing polypropylene plastic waste, coconut coir fiber, and waste sludge paper mill. The second stage was carried out by mixing polypropylene plastic waste with coconut coir fiber and sludge of paper mill waste. In this research, two mixing variations were carried out. First variation was done by mixing polypropylene plastic waste and coconut fiber in a ratio of 60:40 without adding sludge, while the other was done by mixing sludge, polypropylene plastic waste and coconut fiber with a ratio of 60:20:20. The mixing process was done using extruder and the drying process was done using hot press. Density, internal adhesion values, and thickness extension of resulted composite panels then was characterized. From two variations resulted wall panels were found that the wall panels with sludge addition has better density value of 0.9713 g/cm3 compare to composite panel without sludge addition where its density value of 1.093 g/cm3. In addition, the internal adhesive strength value of the wall panels without sludge addition of 0.59 N/mm2, whereas it improved to 0.61 N/mm2 on panel with sludge addition. Moreover, the thickness of the panel that was produced without sludge addition was 0.508 percent, while panel with sludge addition decreased to 0.104 percent.

Indonesia has targeted to reach 23% of renewable energy share by 2025. In order to meet the target, many researchers have focused on the explorations of renewable energy resources. One of the potential solutions to meet the target is the agricultural wastes, include corn cobs and areca nut fiber. In this study, the calorific value of corn cobs and areca nut fiber are tested. The corn cobs and areca nut fiber are collected from the farmers in Sumatera Utara province of Indonesia. In addition, the Paper waste is also tested. A bomb calorimeter of IKA C6000 is used to measure the energy content of the biomass. The results show that the calorific value of Corn cobs and Areca nut fiber is 5573 Cal/g and 4946 Cal/g, respectively.By using the average yearly production of Corn and Areca nut, these calorific values similar to 4,539 TOE and 4,653 TOE, respectively. If the potency can be used to replace the coal as an alternative fuel, this potency will reduce the Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. The potency of mitigation GHG by replacing Corncob and Areca nut fiber are 18,306 and 18,491 ton of CO2e.

We report a liquid metal microstrip antenna on a printing paper whose resonant frequency was tunable by folding the paper. The gallium-based alloy was used as liquid metal, which is instantly oxidized in ambient air. The oxidized liquid metal is easily wettable on printing paper surfaces, while it is non-wettable on laser-printed toner surfaces. An antenna with a 3 mm wide and 39 mm long copper-liquid metal overlapped-feedline linked to the liquid metal microstrip rectangle-shaped patch (40 × 31 mm2) was designed. The antenna pattern was printed on a printing paper using a laser printer. A liquid metal soaked roller was rolled on the antenna pattern printed paper, resulting in a liquid metal pattern where there was no toner. The resonant frequency of the liquid metal on the paper microstrip patch antenna was 2.88 GHz with −18.5 dB S11. The measured characteristics of the antenna were in good agreement with the simulation results. When the antenna was folded, the resonant frequency was changed to 2.68 GHz (x-axis folding) or 2.72 GHz (y-axis folding). Liquid metal on paper fabrication is simple but effective for creating custom-designed antennas that are easily re-designed and fabricated in the field.

Borassus flabellifer L. becomes one of the palm-based commodities in Indonesia that can grow well in dry areas, especially around the north coast of Java Island. An abundant waste of this plant, in the form of leaf midrib and fruit fiber, has a potential as a source of lignocellulose for the paper industry. In the present study, Kraft paper production was conducted to know the influence of the proportion of leaf midrib and fruit fiber of Borassus flabellifer L., and the concentration of Polyvinyl Acetate (PVAc) adhesives on the sensory and physical quality of Kraft paper. The research method was a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with two factors. The Friedman test was used to determine the sensory quality of Kraft paper. The ANOVA analysis was used to examine the physical quality of Kraft paper. The results showed that the treatment of raw material proportion and PVAc adhesive concentration had significant effect on color, surface texture, yield, and tensile resistance, but insignificant between treatment of Gramatur and tear resistance. The best treatment of sensory tests was Kraft paper with proportion of 50% leaf midrib pulp, 50% fruit fiber pulp, and 7.5% PVAc adhesive concentration. It has a yield value of 72.11%, Gramatur of 162.80 (g/m2), tensile strength of 1.70 (%), and tear resistance of 197.6 (gf).

A Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission from the boiler is one of the primary sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) which must be reduced. Nowadays, the boiler emissions discharged into the atmosphere has not been utilized yet. An experiment of Spirulina platensis cultivation in laboratory scale with the addition of CO2 flue gas of coal-fired boilers has been done. CO2 flue gas with a flow rate of 0.25-0.75 L/min was added into paper mill effluent as the growth medium of Spirulina platensis. The biomass growing of Spirulina platensis, pH of medium and CO2 captured during the experiment were observed. The result indicated that CO2 flue gas of coal-fired boilers of the paper mill could be utilized for cultivating of Spirulina platensis. The biomass productivity of Spirulina platensis in the amount of 220 mg/L.day or 39 g/m2.day could be obtained with the addition of CO2 flue gas in the flow rate of 0.75 L/min. Spirulina platensis contains protein, fat, fiber, ash and amino acids. It also contains sodium, calcium and magnesium. But it has no cadmium content. It is potentially be used as animal dietary supplements. CO2 flue gas from the boiler emission can be used for cultivation of Spirulina platensis and contribute in reducing of CO2 gas boiler emissions like greenhouse gases (GHG) by 0.20% of total CO2 added.

Paper-based evaporation concentrators with linear and radial geometries are compared. A new method of finding approximate analytic solutions of the advection–dispersion equation is proposed, based on the behavior of concentrators with infinite sources. Analytic approximations are compared with numerical solutions, and the advantage of radial concentration is highlighted: linear concentration rates scale with the square root of the Péclet number Pe while radial rates scale with Pe itself, leading to faster radial concentration beyond a critical value. Experiments are performed with Brilliant Blue FCF dye, using optical transmission and the Beer–Lambert law for quantitation. Dye concentrations are chosen for operation in the linear absorbance regime. Radial concentration is demonstrated under ambient conditions on filter paper disks with 60 mm diameter evaporation areas fed from a perimeter source, in a reverse of the well-known “coffee stain” experiment. Airflow enhanced concentration in strips and wedges is compared directly, using laser-patterned chromatography paper. The advantage of radial concentration is confirmed (and enhanced by diversion of concentrate to the corners of strips) and concentration factors greater than [Formula: see text] (the dynamic range of measurement) are obtained in ∼2 h using 30 mm long columns.

Due to high concentrations of organic matters and total solids, the effluent generated from recycled paper mill (RPME) requires appropriate treatment prior to discharge. The thermal condition of an anaerobic system has a major effect on the biodegradation processes of total solid substrates. In this study, the biodegradation of RPME was evaluated in a modified anaerobic inclining-baffled reactor (MAI-BR) under sub-mesophilic (29 °C), mesophilic (37 °C) and thermophilic (55 °C) conditions. The concentration of VSS, TDS, TSS lignin and VSS/TSS ratio in MAI-BR’s compartments were studied. The results showed that Compartment 1 had TSS of 15682, 13305 and 12145 mg/L; particles size of 621, 559 and 500 µm; VSS of 9662, 1776 and 10923 mg/L; and TDS of 594, 730 and 1873 mg/L at sub-mesophilic, mesophilic, and thermophilic conditions, respectively. An increase in the reactor temperature, an overall reduction in TSS and particles size, and an increase in VSS, VSS/TSS ratio, TDS, and lignin were observed. Under thermophilic conditions, the VSS/TSS ratio was higher than in mesophilic conditions, while lignin became harder to remove. These results conclude that operating the reactor at thermophilic has reduced the digested sludge within the system and enhanced the solid fraction biodegradation process of RPME.

The art of paper cutting, kirigami, provides dynamic, programmable control surfaces for changing flow conditions.

The parameter of tensile strength for transformer bushing insulating paper occupies an important position in the structural design and life evaluation of transformer bushing. In order to precisely achieve the effect of aging time and moisture content on the tensile strength of transformer bushing paper, transformer insulating paper samples with a thickness of 0.13 mm were prepared for tensile strength and dielectric strength testing under different moisture contents and aging states. The results show that the tensile strength (MPa) of insulating paper decreases linearly in the range of 0–648 h under accelerated thermal aging at 130 °C. However, there is a more serious exponential decline in the tensile strength (MPa) of insulation paper with its moisture content is boosted. The moisture content in insulation paper is the most important factor for insulation paper deterioration in oil-impregnated paper insulation equipment, which could accelerate the end of insulation service life. The value of capacitance increment ΔC of the insulation paper samples displayed closely linear growth with a moisture content from 0.5% to 5.9%. Strictly controlling the moisture content by monitoring the ΔC value of transformer insulation paper is of significance for prolonging its service life.

In this paper, we report the development of semiquantitative counting-based lateral flow assay (LFA)-type microfluidic paper-based analytical devices ([Formula: see text] PADs) to analyze samples at submicroliter volumes. The ability to use submicroliter sample volumes is a significant advantage for [Formula: see text] PADs since it enables enhanced multiplexing, reduces cost, and increases user-friendliness since small sample volumes can be collected using methods that do not require trained personnel, such as finger pricking and microneedles. The challenge of accomplishing a semiquantitative test readout using submicroliter sample volumes was overcome with a counting-based approach. In order to use submicroliter sample volumes, we developed a flow strategy with a running liquid to facilitate flow through the assay. The efficacy of the devices was confirmed with glucose and total human immunoglobulin E (IgE) tests using 0.5 [Formula: see text] l and 1 [Formula: see text] l of sample solutions, respectively. Semiquantitative results were generated to predict glucose concentrations in the range of 0–12 mmol/l and IgE concentrations in the range of 0–400 ng/ml. The counting-based approach correlates the number of dots that exhibited a color change to the concentration of the analyte, which provides a more user-friendly method as compared with interpreting the intensity of a color change. The devices reported herein are the first counting-based LFA-type [Formula: see text] PADs capable of semiquantitative testing using submicroliter sample volumes.

An innovation in paper technology that is totally different from the papermaking technology that has been known now, has been found in the 21st century in China. This new discovery paper does not use cellulose fibers as its raw material, and does not use water at all in its production process. Because it is made of inorganic mineral coming from calcite rocks, this paper is called 'rock paper' or stone paper. The process of stone papermaking in principle mixes fine powder of calcite rock with non-toxic resin, one of which is HDPE (high density polyethylene), as well as other additives, then melted at high temperatures and formed into a sheets like paper. The properties of stone paper are very similar and even have advantages compared to conventional paper. This type of paper is claimed to be more environmentally friendly than conventional paper because it does not use plant fibers as raw material, which means there is no trees cut. It can be recycled and produces low greenhouse gas emissions.

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes, having unique properties of a helical phase structure and doughnut intensity profile, have been widely studied in fiber-optic communications, in terms of OAM modulation and OAM multiplexing. In general, different types of specialty fibers with a ring-shape structure are preferred for more stable OAM transmission, which, however, may face greater manufacturing challenge and larger fiber loss compared to standard multi-mode fibers (MMFs). Therefore, the widely deployed and commercially available standard MMFs that can support hundreds of OAM modes have recently attracted great attention. In this paper, we review recent research progress in OAM communications based on standard MMFs. First, the basic concept of OAM and different types of specially designed OAM fibers are briefly introduced. Then, the OAM mode properties in MMFs and recent works, including OAM mode modulation, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)-free OAM mode group multiplexing, small-scale partial MIMO assisted OAM mode multiplexing, and OAM-based heterogeneous fiber-optic networks, are presented. The OAM communications using other widely deployed standard single-mode fibers are also briefly introduced as supplementary. Finally, key challenges and perspectives of OAM communications based on standard MMF are discussed and summarized.

In this study, we composite coated silica nanoparticles with functional groups on paper to form a double-size surface roughness, then hexafluorobutyl methacrylate was polymerized with 3-trimethoxymethylsilyl propyl methacrylate (TSPM), a one-step method is used to prepare a hydrophobic polymer with low surface energy (PHFMA-co-TSPM), and the superhydrophobic surface was prepared by hydrophobic treatment of the paper with a low surface energy polymer. Further tests show that the superhydrophobic paper prepared by this method not only exhibits extremely strong hydrophobicity, but also has strong stability, transparency, and self-cleaning properties.

In recent decades in game theory, evolutionary and dynamically aspects have increased in popularity. An evolutionary zero-sum game generated by a Volterra quadratic stochastic operator V is called a Rock-Paper-Scissors (RPS) game if the operator V is a non-ergodic transformation. An algebra with genetic realization (genetic algebra) is an algebra A over the real numbers R which has a finite basis and a multiplication table is generated by the Volterra quadratic stochastic operator. An evolution algebra over the real numbers R is an algebra with a basis on which multiplication is defined by the product of distinct basis terms being zero and the square of each basis element being a linear form in basis elements. We assume that the structure constants in the linear form are defined also by Volterra operator. We consider genetic and evolution algebras generated by non-ergodic Volterra operator. It is known that a zero-sum game generated by Volterra operator be a RPS game if and only if the operator is a non-ergodic transformation. We will call the genetic (evolution) algebra generated by non-ergodic Volterra operator RPS genetic (respectively RPS evolution) algebra. In this paper we investigate the problem of isomorphism of two RPS genetic (evolutionary) algebras and establish necessary and sufficient conditions when two such algebras will be isomorphic.

Online learning is a common tool among university students that depends solely on the Internet medium. However, the lack of monitoring during examination sessions has resulted in the rising cases of online cheating among the students. As such, better mechanisms to replace the use of password authentication are needed to enhance the level of security for the online learning assessment. Keystroke dynamics is one of the most popular methods used, because it does not require any extra devices other than the keyboard. In addition, it can be used as a tool to secure online learning system, although the username and password are known to the user. This paper aimed to comprehensively investigate authentication systems, specifically the keystroke dynamic authentication system for current applications. Besides, the applications and the keystroke benchmarking dataset were also reviewed to have a better insight about their security and usability and to improve the level of security in the current online learning envi...

EMG is a medical technique that measures muscle response or electrical activity in response to a nerve’s stimulation of the muscle [10]. In this paper we have classified multiple hand gestures using small number of electrodes. This report aims to review current use of EMG based control system and explain the existing challenges. The stages involved includes data acquisition, feature extraction, classification and controller. Some of the application includes Arm rehabilitation, game controller, wheel chair controllers, etc.

The AES Electrophoresis Society—formerly the American Electrophoresis Society—has over four decades of history that began, in the 1970s, with meetings of biochemists, chemists, and chemical engineers to discuss new advances in the electrophoretic separation technologies of the day. Over repeated meetings, the idea to found a society was born, and the AES has gone from strength to strength. Since 2000, the annual meeting has been held in conjunction with the American Institute of Chemical Engineers' annual meeting, but attracts a broad spectrum of academics and industry from medicine and the life sciences through to electronic and mechanical engineers, bioengineers and physicists, as well as chemical engineers and biochemists. The 2015 meeting was held in the beautiful location of Salt Lake City, and as befits a town named after a large body of dissolved ions, the group “charged” to the city to deliver their latest results. This Special Issue represents a cross-section of papers selected from those presenting. Examining the breadth of these papers, it is interesting to note that the most common sub-discipline to appear, forming a plurality if not a majority, is a subject which would almost certainly have received scant, if any, discussion in the original meetings in the 1970s. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is a close relative of electrophoresis, but one where the action of electric field upon a dipole (permanent or, much more commonly, induced) allows the use of both AC and DC fields to manipulate cells and other suspended particles. Indeed, this year—2016—marks the 50th anniversary of the first paper to be published showing that not only could living and dead cells be manipulated, but that they could be separated based on differences in their response to an applied field of similar frequency. The five papers on dielectrophoresis presented here cover a broad range, with many focussing on new approaches to electrode design and manufacture, through to increasing the throughput and selectivity of the separations. Examples include electrodes manufactured from platinum black threads1 to carbonized SU8,2 novel geometries such as the nanoslit,3 and new applications such as the detection of Babeosis in blood cells.4 Finally, Mata-Gomez and colleagues5 report on a DEP-based device for capturing macromolecules. Interestingly, many of these papers use yeast as a model organism—just as in the 1966 paper. Advances across the other sub-disciplines of Electrophoresis are all represented; Saucedo-Espinosa and Lapizco-Encinas advance the understanding of electro-osmotic flow in low ionic strength media;6 capillary electrophoresis is represented by Paracha and Hestekin who use the technique to increase beta amyloid aggregation;7 whilst the colleagues of Victor Ugaz describe two processes with implication for microfabrication, one additive and one subtractive; Shi and Ugaz8 describe electro-polymerization of hydrogels constructed using microelectrodes, whilst Huang et al.9 describe a highly novel enzyme-based fabrication process for micromachining of channels. This year's AES Electrophoresis Society Annual Meeting also included several entries to the “Art in Microfluidic Science” competition that was jointly sponsored by the AES Electrophoresis Society and AIP's Biomicrofluidics journal. Among the winning entries on the video include Tayloria Adams, a postdoc at UC, Irvine showing dielectrophoretic patterning of sickle cells (Best Video—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFJGmHnHtU0), Renny E. Fernandez of Southern Methodist University showing dielectrophoretic profiles of cells created by mesoscopic threads coated with Pt black1 (Runner up Video—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwoJg3YV0pU&feature=youtu.be) and Aashish Priye, a scientist at Sandia profiling advances in convective PCR (Honorable Mention—https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zWgg7yo1ak&feature=youtu.be). The best image entitled: “Miscarried Separation in a Spider Channel Microdevice” was presented by Mario Saucedo of Rochester Institute of Technology. The runner-up image award entitled: “A Bacteria Flower,” was presented by Avanish Mishra, a student at Purdue University. The image winning an honourable mention entitled: “Conductivity gradient-enhanced dielectrophoresis”3 was presented by Ali Rohani, a graduate student at University of Virginia (see Supplementary Material, Ref. 13, for images). Finally, we are thrilled to present two significant reviews of their fields: one by Egatz-Gomez et al.10 on porous materials in microfluidics, and the other on microfluidic approaches to nucleic acid detection in liquid biopsy by Knob et al.11 And to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the publication of the first paper on dielectrophoretic separation, there is a Perspective article on the path that dielectrophoretic cell separation has taken in the last 50 years,12 including the recollections of the student—now a retired professor—who performed the first experiments that started a discipline. In his comments he reflected that “I had no idea the paper by Pohl and I would have much of an impact”; who knows where the papers here, or the future of Electrophoresis, may take us?