Treesearch

This study reported laser induced graphene (LIG) fabricated from the distillation residues of bio-oil resulting from switchgrass pyrolysis. The bio-oil distillation residues as a precursor can significantly boost the efficiency of LIG synthesis by generating self-detachable and standalone LIG layers via direct laser writing toward high-throughput roll-to-roll manufacturing. For on-chip applications, the produced LIG had high specific surface area (375.30 m2/g) and excellent electrical conductivity, which can be facilely transferred onto adhesive substrates with fully preserved structural...

Recovering value, mainly as lumber, from windthrown trees is important. Toughness has been shown to be an early indicator of deterioration. To investigate, approximately 38-year-old loblolly pine trees, from the same forest stand, were felled. From these fallen trees, five trees were removed at 0, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months. Toughness specimens were prepared and tested from this material. Bending modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of cross-laminated timber specimens from this same material (reported elsewhere) showed no significant differences. Results indicated that...

Increasing the thermal conductivity of the oil-paper insulation system can significantly extend the thermal life of transformers by enabling effective heat removal, which reduces high temperature-induced insulation degradation. This research shows that the addition of nominally 25 μm diameter boron nitride particles can achieve sufficient increase in through-plane thermal conductivity of insulation paper to an extent that doubles the transformer thermal life. Importantly, the dielectric breakdown strength can also be enhanced by adding boron nitride particles to the developed insulation...

This study introduces plasma-ALE as a precise post-treatment to replace performance-limiting fluorine terminations in Ti3C2Tx MXene with oxygen-dominated groups. When combined with cellulose nanofibrils, the engineered material enables light-driven soft actuators with enhanced force and motion. The method supports scalable, programmable robotic structures via both vacuum filtration and aerosol jet printing. Highlights: Plasma-ALE converts Ti3C2Tx surface from F- to O-dominated terminations Plasma-ALE boosts TMC conductivity by 80% and improves photothermal efficiency Plasma-ALE-treated...

At present, cross-laminated timber (CLT) used in the United States is made with softwood species. With the expanding market for mass timber products, there is growing interest in understanding the technological, economic, social and environmental viability of CLT manufactured from hardwood lumber. Many states across the Southeastern United States produce hardwood lumber but demand for hardwood items has decreased, leading to hardwood production which is now near to record-low levels. Lower hardwood production impacts forest management and rural communities, thereby creating a need for new...

After reviewing two asymmetric discrete Laplace models, some asymmetric discrete Laplace processes are introduced and investigated. The problem of developing bivariate discrete Laplace processes is also addressed.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and their allotropes have been regarded as promising materials for electric double-layer supercapacitors (EDLCs). It is well accepted that the higher surface area of carbon will enable a higher capacity of energy storage. An interesting question is what could happen if the half channel size is less than the Stern layer spacing. In this study, we grew CNTs into carbonized basswood for EDLCs, in which the CNT density varied in bass carbon sheets with different thicknesses, eventually giving various pore/channel sizes. Electrochemical analyses revealed that the bass...

Ancient archeological wooden artifacts hold important stories from our history that can only be retold through wood conservation. Understanding the detailed mechanisms of how to stabilize these fragile artifacts dimensionally is necessary to effectively preserve them for the next generations. In this study, highly effective organosilicons are used to treat and infiltrate model degraded wood. We used wood dissolution techniques, in conjunction with two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, to characterize the changes occurring to native wood cell wall polymers before and...

A nanomaterial life-cycle risk assessment (Nano LCRA) was conducted for second-generation functionalized cellulose nanomaterials (CNs) in five case studies, including applications in water filtration, food contact packaging (including as an additive and coating), and food additives, to identify and prioritize potential occupational, health, consumer, and environmental risks. Exposure scenarios were developed and ranked for each product life-cycle stage. A Safer-by-Design Toolbox (SbD Toolbox) representing a compendium of high-throughput physical, chemical, and toxicological new approach...

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) was employed to study the waterdependent free volume characteristics of wood cell walls in earlywood and latewood of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda). Measurements were conducted across relative humidity levels (1–80% RH) at room temperature, demonstrating good reproducibility and consistency with polymer science principles. The Tao-Eldrup model was applied to the measured ortho-positronium lifetimes to estimate the mean sizes of free volume elements in wood cell walls. At low relative humidity (below ~ 11%), water absorption resulted in...