Search

A newly developed research topic, fabricated paper-based microfluidic sensors, was discussed in the field of low-cost environmental detection. Distinguished with the traditional dipstick or lateral-flow setups, these paper-based microfluidic sensors can serve as a tool for onsite quantitative and semi-quantitative measurements, without risks to cause environmental pollution. They have attracted increasing interest since the first easy-fabricated paper-based setup reported by Whitesides group in 2007. Most of the publications utilized paper-based sensors in clinical detection. In recent years, some groups started to use these sensors in environmental measurement, leading to precise, easy operation, low-cost, and eco-friendly methods for onsite detection. In this review, paper-based microfluidic sensors were briefly introduced, followed by literatures review and discussion for future perspectives.

Research by the paper industry into new materials to expand the raw material base for pulp is on the ascendancy due to growing demand for pulp and paper products. This study assessed the anatomical...

Plant fiber classified as environmentally friendly material is a promising renewable engineering material rich in lignocellulose that can be employed in the pulp and paper industry as a substitutio...

The pulp and paper industry has significant sustainability implications and necessarily requires a careful consideration of direct and lower-tier suppliers for effective sustainable supply chain ma...

The paper industry wastewater even after bio-treatment at industrial scale is a major source of aquatic and soil pollution due to various unknown compounds. Hence, the study has focused on the detection of residual organic pollutants from the bleached and unbleached paper mill wastewater and both sources showed endocrine-disrupting compounds. The toxicity test with Phaseolus aureus seed germination showed inhibition of seed germination and alpha-amylase activity >25% in bleached and unbleached paper mill wastewater. The LC50 of Tubifex tubifex was noted of >50% after 48 hours incubation test. This revealed that the wastewater discharged from bleached paper mill is more toxic than unbleached paper mill waste this might be due to the use of more chemicals during bleaching and pulping process. This study has revealed that there is need to treat both paper mill wastewaters adequately prior to discharge.

The thriving development of the paper industry leaves behind a great amount of pulp and paper mill sludge (PPMS), which constitutes a considerable source of pollution. Experts estimate that...

A novel platform for the phenolics in wastewater based on an electrochemical multiwalled carbon nanotube paper-based analytical device (MWCNT-ePAD) has been developed. Phenolics such as catechol ar...

Modeling of the dryer section of a paper machine is of high importance in both designing and operation points of view. In this research, a novel thermodynamic and heat and mass transfer model has b...

Sustainability demands circular and material solutions with an emphasis on using local resources. Using alternative fibers from invasive plants and agro-residue promotes local production in smaller...

The alarming global deforestation rate has great impacts on the output of the Pulp and paper Industry since wood is the principal papermaking fiber material. Although, generally, bamboo is an alter...

In this study, the viability of acetylation in cellulose fibers waste (CFW) from pulp and paper mill sludge was investigated in comparison to bleached cellulose fibers (BCF). Four acetylation metho...

The thin-layer drying performance for a typical solid waste (paper towel) was evaluated at hot air temperatures of 90–130 °C (0.5 m/s air velocity) and microwave powers of 200–800 W in a bench-scal...

An improved lab-scale anaerobic baffled reactor was developed to treat recycled paper mill effluent (RPME). In this study, analysis of modified anaerobic baffled reactor (MABR) performance in RPME ...

A two-step process involving coagulation-flocculation followed by solar photocatalysis – based Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) using TiO2-Reduced Graphene Oxide (TRGO) nanocomposite as catalyst ha...

Purpose To determine the measurement equivalence of computer touch screen assessment (CTSA) and paper based assessment (PBA) of the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14). Patients and Methods A randomized crossover trial was conducted. Sixty participants were randomized to either i) Arm A: completed CTSA then PBA of OHIP-14, or ii) Arm B: PBA and then CTSA of OHIP-14 within the same day. User preference and time taken to complete the assessments were recorded. Agreement between CTSA and PBA was determined using directional difference (DD), absolute difference (AD), and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results There was no significant difference in CTSA and PBA OHIP-14 scores (P>0.05). The magnitude of the DD in scores between assessment methods was small for overall scores and all domains (

A green analytical paper based assay of Cu (II) has been developed using egg white protein as a natural reagent. Either crayon and pencil graphite, or laser engraver may be used to effectively crea...

Cotton is cheap, easily available and widely used as surgical material. Therefore, cotton would be good raw material to design a scaffold for tissue engineering applications. In this work, the gelatin-coated microfibrous paper scaffold was fabricated successfully by a papermaking process. Microfibers-based scaffold could overcome the limitations of nanofibrous material-based scaffold for tissue engineering application. The physicochemical and mechanical properties of the scaffolds were characterized. The results revealed that the gelatin contributed to the enhanced cell attachment and proliferation over the scaffolds, whereas cellulose as a strong backbone in the scaffold to support it for keeping its appearance. Their tensile strength and water absorption capacity were improved, but pore size and porosity were decreased after incorporation of gelatin. Hence, results suggested that fabricated scaffolds have huge prospective as a bioactive, well-designed and economical scaffold stand for tissue engineering application.

There has been an increase in the discovery and usage of sensors for the detection of chemical compounds in the field of analytical chemistry since the last several years. This has led to progressive research in nanotechnology for developing efficient nanomaterials for bio-chemical sensing applications. Thereby, a deft synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) under microwave irradiation was achieved using sodium alginate as a reducing and capping agent in a fast and cost-effective approach. As per the X-ray diffraction analysis, the average particle size of Ag NPs was found to be 10 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscpopy analysis showed characteristic peaks at binding energies of 368.10 and 374.11 eV indicating the formation of Ag NPs. The synthesized Ag NPs-alginate composite was further used to develop a paper-based sensor for the detection of H

A study was undertaken to make greaseproof packaging paper using banana pseudostem fiber. Kraft pulp produced from banana fiber was beaten to the freeness of 60°SR and 70°SR, and handsheets (40 ± 1...

Reflective liquid crystal displays are attracting attention as portable information systems because of zero- or extremely low power consumption. In this study, we deal with an electrode-free reflec...

The dramatic fluctuations of oil cost and climate change have together concentrated political and scientific attention on the search of alternative fuels. The aim of this work is to recycle waste p...

Electrocoagulation and chemical coagulation are treatment methods based on the same removal mechanism.In this study, it was investigated the effectiveness of coagulation methods using Al electrodes...

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB), an abundant fiber material obtained after extracting the oil from the strands, is classified as short fiber which needs supporting agent in order to enhance its me...

International audience; An intertwined supply network (ISN) is an entirety of interconnected supply chains (SC) which, in their integrity secure the provision of society and markets with goods and services. The ISNs are open systems with structural dynamics since the firms may exhibit multiple behaviors by changing the buyer-supplier roles in interconnected or even competing SCs. From the positions of resilience, the ISNs as a whole provide services to society (e.g., food service, mobility service or communication service) which are required to ensure a long-term survival. The analysis of survivability at the level of ISN requires a consideration at a large scale as resilience of individual SCs. The recent example of coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak clearly shows the necessity of this new perspective. Our study introduces a new angle in SC resilience research when a resistance to extraordinary disruptions needs to be considered at the scale of viability. We elaborate on the integrity of the ISN and viability. The contribution of our position study lies in a conceptualization of a novel decision-making environment of ISN viability. We illustrate the viability formation through a dynamic game-theoretic modelling of a biological system that resembles the ISN. We discuss some future research areas.

The performance of an asphalt mixture does not only rely on its engineering properties. Yet, the service characteristics of an asphalt mixture do play an important role on the durability of pavemen...

Despite the advancement of technologies and tools used to design and display building elements in construction, design communication on construction sites still heavily relies on 2-dimensional draw...

International audience; In this study, a system combining an anaerobic moving-bed biofilm reactor and a microbial fuel cell (MFC) was designed for simultaneous bioelectricity generation and pulp/paper wastewater (PPW) treatment. After 22 days, when hydraulic retention time (HRT) was set at 72 h, ceramsite-added MFC (C-MFC) showed better bioelectricity performance with power density of 94.5 mW/m2 and internal resistance of 35.7 Ω, as compared to the control without ceramsite (W-MFC) (56.1 mW/m2, 54.3 Ω). Chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies of C-MFC and W-MFC were 65.6% and 51.3%, respectively. The C-MFC demonstrated its superior electrochemical performance compared to the W-MFC.

The binder plays an important role in transmitting loads and maintaining the stability of paper-based friction materials. Four kinds of binder-based carbon fiber–reinforced paper-based friction mat...

The present study is concerned usage of paper mill sludge (PMS) as an effective adsorbent to remove the two cationic character dyes (Basic Blue 3 [BB3] and Basic Yellow 28 [BY28]) from aque...

The separation of oil and water mixtures is an important issue in acidic and alkaline conditions. In this paper, the chitosan (CS)-coated filter paper was successfully fabricated for application in the field of oil/water separation by crosslinking filter paper with hydrophilic chitosan through a simple Schiff’s base reaction. The surface of the prepared CS-coated filter paper maintains superhydrophilic and low adhesive ability to oil in water. Besides, this filter paper can resist highly acidic erosion even concentrated sulfuric acid. Surprisingly, CS-coated filter paper can be efficiently applied on the separation of different types of oil/water mixtures in wide pH range conditions and exhibits excellent recyclability and antibacterial property. The antibacterial rate of CS fiber pure textile can reach 99%. The antibacterial rate of blended fabric is about 75%. This separation process has high potential for industrial oilfield wastewater treatment and separation in extreme environments.

A novel, simple and low-cost method for fabricating paper-based microfluidic device was presented. A soldering wire was used for making a template with specific pattern, and transfer printing to a ...

In this study, the agricultural by-products of corn production (corncobs) were ground into a powder form. Then, the powder was treated with sodium chlorite to remove the lignin, and the rem...

Fly-ash is a by-product of various thermal power plants. The utilization of fly-ash is a big concern in the current scenario as its production rate is much higher than its consumption rate. Cenosph...

Thermal switches control thermal circuits and are widely used in electronics and engineering. Shape-memory alloys can be deformed by heating, which is widely used as a driving part for ther...

The furfural concentration in oil is a well-accepted chemical marker indicating the aging condition of power transformers. However, recent researches suggest that the furfural concentration in oil ...

The paper describes the production, in single fast firing, of tiles containing 30 wt% of a natural red clay and a mixture of 42 wt% of paper mill sludge and 28 wt% of glass cullet which were coated with a commercial ‘matt white’ glaze. Fired materials have been characterized as a function of the top temperature (1090 or 1140 °C) reached at the top of the fast sintering process made by an industrial roller kiln. It has been observed that tiles fired at 1090 °C display the best overall performances because the matt glaze well covers the substrate, thus ensuring that the mechanical and physical properties of the tiles conform to the official standard.

A new method for dispatching microfluid is presented. A steel ball of 2mm diameter is placed on a 128 degrees YX LiNbO3 substrate. A PDMS frame is mounted on the piezoelectric substrate for definin...

This paper introduces the background, concept and definition of the Industry Commons. It initiates a discussion on the positioning of the Industry Commons Ecosystem (ICE) with respect to current research directions in advanced manufacturing and production systems that shape advances in engineering and technology, novel business models and innovation breakthroughs. The potential value of data sharing across industrial domains is estimated at over $100 billion, particularly in view of optimising manufacturing processes. Data sharing across domains however faces a series of well-documented challenges associated with the lack of semantic interoperability and related standards, management of trust and sustainability. Solving bottlenecks in data sharing requires a systemic approach to data management, which can account for all aspects of data use, levels of application, attribution and dynamic exchanges. In this paper we propose a high-level ecosystem approach that integrates societal values with digital affordances of industry's cognitive-assisted processes, remote interfacing, hybrid applications and large-scale value networks. Early development of an Ontology Commons EcoSystem (OCES) is presented as the key enabling framework for Industry Commons interoperability and a series of enabling frameworks form the basis of future research directions in Trusted Data Sharing and Closed-Loop Lifecycle Management for greater sustainability.

The wastewater produced in a pulp and paper industry is one of the most polluted industrial wastewaters, and therefore its treatment requires complex processes. One of the simple and feasib...

ABO blood group is the most important blood type system for transfusion medicine. A paper-based analytical device (PAD) for ABO blood typing has been proposed. The device was composed of Whatman No. 113 paper, an absorbent gel pad, and a 3D-printing cassette. The 3D-printing cassette contained two circular holes for display of letters “A” and “B” on the PAD. Whole blood was dropped onto hydrophilic letters A and B on the PAD, in which the anti-A and anti-B were pre-immobilized, respectively. An absorbent gel pad was used to adsorb excess blood sample and washing solution during the washing step. The particle size of agglutinated red blood cells (RBCs) could not be eluted out of the paper by the elution solution. In contrast, non-agglutinated RBCs were washed out by means of elution solution. The devices could be used for real blood samples in a wide range of hematocrit levels, 21–59%. Unknown blood group samples (n = 500) were identified by the developed device and the results were compared with the conventional method, revealing 100% accuracy. Because of its compact size with low-cost fabrication, the portable ABO blood typing device has great potential for point-of-care testing, particularly in developing countries.

icrofluidic paper-based analytical devices (mu PADs) have attracted much attention over the past decade because they offer clinicians the ability to deliver point-of-care testing and onsite analysis. Many of the advantages of mu PADs, however, are limited to work in a laboratory setting due to the difficulties of processing data when using electronic devices in the field. This review focuses on the use of mu PADs that have the potential to work without batteries or with only small and portable devices such as smartphones, timers, or miniaturized detectors. The mu PADs that can be operated without batteries are, in general, those that allow the visual judgment of analyte concentrations via readouts that are measured in time, distance, count, or text. Conversely, a smartphone works as a camera to permit the capture and processing of an image that digitizes the color intensity produced by the reaction of an analyte with a colorimetric reagent. Miniaturized detectors for electrochemical, fluorometric, chemiluminescence, and electrochemiluminescence methods are also discussed, although some of them require the use of a laptop computer for operation and data processing.

A new paper-based microfluidic device is fabricated on a piezoelectric substrate. A polydimethylsiloxane channel filled with cotton threads is mounted on the piezoelectric substrate with an interdigital transducer. A testing filter paper with dried reaction solution is coated on the end of the cotton thread. Sample solution is driven to the cotton thread channel and transported to testing area for microfluidic analysis. Red ink solution and color development reaction of starch are demonstrated for microfluidic operation and analysis. Results show that the linear velocity of microfluidic transportation in the cotton thread channel is 4.558 mm/s, and color development reaction of starch is successfully implemented.

In the present work, the physicochemical, mineralogical, and morphological characteristics of coal combustion residues (CCRs) collected from two different Pulp and Paper Mills of Assam, India, have been investigated. CCRs from both the sources were mechanically sieved to obtain various size-classified fractions and their physical properties were determined using standard methods. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformation Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) etc. techniques were employed to study the mineralogical and morphological characteristics of each size classified fraction. The loss on ignition (LOI) values of the coarser fractions were found to be unexceptionally high, implying the presence of a huge amount of unburned carbon, and indicating the incomplete combustion of feed coal. From the utilization point of view, coarser fractions may be recycled (as domestic fuels) and less-coarse fractions may be used as adsorbents of toxic organic chemicals. Due to th...

Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) is a valuable fiber and medicinal plant from the Malvaceae family. It is an alternative crop that may be a feasible source of cellulose which is economically viable and ecologically friendly. This plant is cultivated for its fiber although its leaves and seeds have also been used in traditional medicine in India and Africa for the treatment of various disease conditions. Kenaf fibers are commonly used for paper pulp and cordage, but it is also a promising lignocellulosic feedstock for bioenergy production. The kenaf seed oil can be used for cooking and in different industrial applications. The present paper is an overview on its ethnobotanical and phytochemical properties reported in the literature that we have investigated and its great potential as a valuable multipurpose crop due to numerous uses.

In this study, we have extracted and bleached fibers from three plants (Typha latifolia, Agave americana, and Pennisetum alopecuroides). The obtained pulp contains more than 50% of fines and fibers with lengths not exceeding 1 mm. Generally, the amount of fines depends on fiber source, fiber morphology, pulping conditions, and the extent of mechanical treatment. Handsheets were produced with plant fibers alone or mixed (in different percentages: 7.5%, 15%, 22.5%, and 30%) with a commercial kraft pulp. The mechanical and optical properties of the sheets (breaking length, tear index, young modulus, whiteness, and opacity) show that plants could be used as a substitute fiber supply for the paper industry. However, fines were hardly retained in the sheets. A model to explain the removal of fines is proposed.

In March 2021, the UK Government presented its “Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.” The launch of this 111-page document had been eagerly awaited by the securit...

Due to the delicate materials of paper, paper relics are easily damaged and naturally aged. Therefore, the synthesis of waterproof, anti-aging, and reversible composites that meet the requirements ...

Effect of azimuthal anchoring energy on rewriting speed of optical rewritable (ORW) e-paper was investigated in this paper. Azimuthal anchoring energy and rewriting time of ORW e-paper were measure...

Coal combustion power stations generate huge quantities of ash annually; thus, utilization of such waste residues is an important and essential component for sustainable disposal and management. This paper summarizes an investigation carried out on the coal combustion residues (CCRs) collected from Cachar Paper Mill, Assam, India. A thorough characterization of ash has been carried out with respect to its physicochemical, mineralogical, and morphological features by using density determination, loss on ignition (LOI) determination, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy with electron dispersive X-ray, etc. . The coarser fraction appears to contain a high percentage of char, semi-coked/coked carbonaceous particles, and exceptionally high LOI (86%) values. The carbonaceous matters contain some aliphatic carbon, which implies incomplete combustion. For correlating the total characteristic features, various experiments were performed based on wh...

The existing waste paper recycling technologies are based on partial incorporation of recycled cellulose fibers into “new” paper products. The main usage is in low-grade products, such as paperboards or wrapping papers. However, due to electronization of mass media in combination with increasing quantities of leaflets and continuous downward pressures on paper production costs, the waste paper currently used in the recycling scheme is of lower quality than paper used decades ago. It contains much more fillers, adhesives, dyes, polishers, and similar additives that are problematic for conventional paper recycling technologies. A sharp growth of this trend encourages conceptual reengineering of the existing technological processes in waste paper management. A techno-economic analysis of energy utilization by means combustion, anaerobic fermentation (also accelerated by steam-explosion), and pyrolysis was carried out in a pilot scale. The results have revealed that if the current trend continues, it ...