Search Results (4,617)

Accurately predicting the compressive strength of high-performance concrete (HPC) is critical for ensuring structural integrity and promoting sustainable construction practices. However, HPC exhibits highly complex, nonlinear, and multi-factorial interactions among its constituents (such as cement, aggregates, admixtures, and curing conditions), which pose significant challenges to conventional predictive models. Traditional approaches often fail to adequately capture these intricate relationships, resulting in limited prediction accuracy and poor generalization. Moreover, the high dimensionality and noisy nature of HPC mix data increase the risk of model overfitting and convergence to local optima during optimization. To address these challenges, this study proposes a novel bio-inspired hybrid optimization model, AP-IVYPSO-BP, which is specifically designed to handle the nonlinear and complex nature of HPC strength prediction. The model integrates the ivy algorithm (IVYA) with particle swarm optimization (PSO) and incorporates an adaptive probability strategy based on fitness improvement to dynamically balance global exploration and local exploitation. This design effectively mitigates common issues such as premature convergence, slow convergence speed, and weak robustness in traditional metaheuristic algorithms when applied to complex engineering data. The AP-IVYPSO is employed to optimize the weights and biases of a backpropagation neural network (BPNN), thereby enhancing its predictive accuracy and robustness. The model was trained and validated on a dataset comprising 1,030 HPC mix samples. Experimental results show that AP-IVYPSO-BP significantly outperforms traditional BPNN, PSO-BP, GA-BP, and IVY-BP models across multiple evaluation metrics. Specifically, it achieved an R² of 0.9542, MAE of 3.0404, and RMSE of 3.7991 on the test set, demonstrating its high accuracy and reliability. These results confirm the potential of the proposed bio-inspired model in the prediction and optimization of concrete strength, offering practical value in civil engineering and materials design. Full article

The modern livestock industry incorporates widely used antibiotic growth promoters into animal feed at sub-therapeutic levels to enhance growth performance and feed efficiency. However, this practice contributes to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens in livestock, which may be transmitted to humans through the food chain, thereby diminishing the efficacy of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections. Current research explores the potential of essential oils from derived medicinal plants as alternative phytobiotics. This review examines modern encapsulation strategies that incorporate essential oils into natural-origin matrices to improve their stability and control their release both in vitro and in vivo. We discuss a range of encapsulation approaches utilizing polysaccharides, gums, proteins, and lipid-based carriers. This review highlights the increasing demand for antibiotic alternatives in animal nutrition driven by regulatory restrictions, and the potential benefits of essential oils in enhancing feed palatability and stabilizing the intestinal microbiome in monogastric animals and ruminants. Additionally, we address the economic viability and encapsulation efficiency of different matrix formulations. Full article

Biopolymers and bio-based plastics, such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS), are recognized as environmentally friendly materials and are widely used, especially in the packaging industry. The purpose of this study was to assess the degradation of PLA- and PBS-based formulations in the forms of granules and films under controlled composting conditions at a laboratory scale. Biodegradation tests of bio-based materials were conducted under controlled aerobic conditions, following the standard EVS-EN ISO 14855-1:2012. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed using a high-resolution Zeiss Ultra 55 scanning electron microscope to analyze the samples. After the six-month laboratory-scale composting experiment, it was observed that the PLA-based materials degraded by 47.46–98.34%, while the PBS-based materials exhibited a final degradation degree of 34.15–80.36%. Additionally, the PLA-based compounds displayed a variable total organic carbon (TOC) content ranging from 38% to 56%. In contrast, the PBS-based compounds exhibited a more consistent TOC content, with a narrow range from 53% to 54%. These findings demonstrate that bioplastics can contribute to reducing plastic waste through controlled composting, but their degradation efficiency depends on the material composition and environmental conditions. Future efforts should optimize bioplastic formulations and composting systems while developing supportive policies for wider adoption. Full article

Environmental protection has become one of the key challenges of our time. This has led to an increase in pro-environmental activities in the field of cosmetics and household chemicals, where manufacturers are increasingly trying to meet the expectations of consumers who are aware of the potential risks associated with the production of cosmetics and household chemistry products. This is one of the most important challenges of today’s industry, given that some of the raw materials still commonly used, such as surfactants, may be toxic to aquatic organisms. Many companies are choosing to use natural raw materials that have satisfactory performance properties but are also environmentally friendly. In addition, modern products are also characterized by reduced consumption of water, resources, and energy in production processes. These measures reduce the carbon footprint and reduce the amount of plastic packaging required. In the present study, seven formulations of environmentally friendly car shampoo concentrates were developed, based entirely on mixtures of bio-based surfactants. The developed formulations were tested for application on the car body surface, allowing the selection of the two best products. For these selected formulations, an in-depth physicochemical analysis was carried out, including pH, density, and viscosity measurements. Comparison of the results with commercial products available on the market was also performed. Additionally, using the multiple light scattering method, the foamability and foam stability were determined for the car shampoos developed. The results obtained indicate the very high application potential of the products under study, which combine high performance and environmental concerns. Full article

The incorporation of phase change material (PCM) can enhance wall thermal performance and indoor thermal comfort, but practical applications still face challenges related to high costs and potential leakage issues. In this study, a novel dual-biomass-based shape-stabilized PCM (Bio-SSPCM) was proposed, wherein waste cooking fat and waste reed straw were, respectively, incorporated as the PCM substance and supporting material. The waste fat (lard) consisted of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acid glycerides, exhibiting a melting point about 21.2–41.1 °C and a melting enthalpy value of 40 J/g. Reed straw was carbonized to form a sustainable porous biochar supporting matrix, which was used for the vacuum adsorption of waste fat. The results demonstrate that the as-prepared dual-Bio-SSPCM exhibited excellent thermal performance, characterized by a latent heat capacity of 25.4 J/g. With the addition of 4 wt% of expanded graphite (EG), the thermal conductivity of the composite PCM reached 1.132 W/(m·K), which was 5.4 times higher than that of the primary lard. The thermal properties of the Bio-SSPCM were characterized using an analog T-history method. The results demonstrated that the dual-Bio-SSPCM exhibited exceptional and rapid heat storage and exothermic capabilities. The dual-Bio-SSPCM, prepared from waste cooking fat and reed straw, can be considered as environmentally friendly construction material for energy storage in line with the principles of the circular economy. Full article

The development of active food packaging has evolved rapidly in recent years, offering innovative solutions to enhance food preservation and safety while addressing sustainability challenges. This review compiles and analyzes recent advancements (2019–2024) in release-type active packaging, focusing on essential oils, natural extracts, and phenolic compounds as active agents. Primarily plant-derived, these compounds exhibit significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, extending shelf life and enhancing food quality. Technological strategies such as encapsulation and polymer blending have been increasingly adopted to overcome challenges related to volatility, solubility, and sensory impact. Integrating bio-based polymers, including chitosan, starch, and polylactic acid, further supports the development of environmentally friendly packaging systems. This review also highlights trends in compound-specific research, release mechanisms, and commercial applications, including a detailed analysis of patents and case studies across various food matrices. These developments have already been translated into practical applications, such as antimicrobial sachets for meat and essential oil-based pads for fresh produce. Moreover, by promoting the valorization of agro-industrial by-products and the use of biodegradable materials, emission-type active packaging contributes to the principles of the circular economy. This comprehensive overview underscores the potential of natural bioactive compounds in advancing sustainable and functional food packaging technologies. Full article

Natural fiber-based biocomposites are rapidly gaining traction in sustainable manufacturing. However, their supply chain (SC) designs at the feedstock pre-processing stage often lack robust multicriteria decision-making evaluations, which can impact downstream processes and final product quality. This case study proposes a sustainability-driven multicriteria decision-making framework for selecting pre-processing equipment configurations within a hemp-based biocomposite SC. Using a cradle-to-gate system boundary, four alternative configurations combining balers (square vs. round) and hammer mills (full-screen vs. half-screen) are evaluated. The analytical network process (ANP) model is used to evaluate alternative SC configurations while capturing the interdependencies among environmental, economic, social, and technical sustainability criteria. These criteria are further refined with the inclusion of sub-criteria, resulting in a list of 11 key performance indicators (KPIs). To evaluate ranking robustness, a non-linear programming (NLP)-based sensitivity model is developed, which minimizes the weight perturbations required to trigger rank reversals, using an IPOPT solver. The results indicated that the Half-Round setup provides the most balanced sustainability performance, while Full-Square performs best in economic and environmental terms but ranks lower socially and technically. Also, the ranking was most sensitive to the weight of the system reliability and product quality criteria, with up to a 100% shift being required to change the top choice under the ANP model, indicating strong robustness. Overall, the proposed framework enables decision-makers to incorporate uncertainty, interdependencies, and sustainability-related KPIs into the early-stage SC design of bio-based composite materials. Full article

Electroless nickel deposition (ELD) is an autocatalytic technique extensively used to impart conductive, protective, and mechanical functionalities to inherently non-conductive synthetic substrates. This review systematically explores the fundamental mechanisms of electroless nickel deposition, emphasising recent advancements in surface activation methods, solvent systems, and microstructural control. Critical analysis reveals that bio-inspired activation methods, such as polydopamine (PDA) and tannic acid (TA), significantly enhance coating adhesion and durability compared to traditional chemical etching and plasma treatments. Additionally, solvent engineering, particularly using polar aprotic solvents like dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethanol-based systems, emerges as a key strategy for achieving uniform, dense, and flexible coatings, overcoming limitations associated with traditional aqueous baths. The review also highlights that microstructural tailoring, specifically the development of amorphous-nanocrystalline hybrid nickel coatings, effectively balances mechanical robustness (hardness exceeding 800 HV), flexibility, and corrosion resistance, making these coatings particularly suitable for wearable electronic textiles and smart materials. Furthermore, commercial examples demonstrate the real-world applicability and market readiness of nickel-coated synthetic fibres. Despite significant progress, persistent challenges remain, including reliable long-term adhesion, internal stress management, and environmental sustainability. Future research should prioritise environmentally benign plating baths, standardised surface activation protocols, and scalable deposition processes to fully realise the industrial potential of electroless nickel coatings. Full article

Continuous monitoring of environmental and physiological parameters is essential for early diagnostics, real-time decision making, and intelligent system adaptation. Recent advancements in bio-microelectromechanical systems (BioMEMS) sensors have significantly enhanced our ability to track key metrics in real time. However, continuous monitoring demands sustainable energy supply solutions, especially for on-site energy replenishment in areas with limited resources. Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models, offers new avenues for interpreting the vast amounts of data generated by these sensors. Despite this potential, fully integrated systems that combine self-powered BioMEMS sensing with AI-based analytics remain in the early stages of development. This review first examines the evolution of BioMEMS sensors, focusing on advances in sensing materials, micro/nano-scale architectures, and fabrication techniques that enable high sensitivity, flexibility, and biocompatibility for continuous monitoring applications. We then examine recent advances in energy harvesting technologies, such as piezoelectric nanogenerators, triboelectric nanogenerators and moisture electricity generators, which enable self-powered BioMEMS sensors to operate continuously and reducereliance on traditional batteries. Finally, we discuss the role of AI in BioMEMS sensing, particularly in predictive analytics, to analyze continuous monitoring data, identify patterns, trends, and anomalies, and transform this data into actionable insights. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide a roadmap for future continuous BioMEMS sensing, revealing the potential unlocked by combining materials science, energy harvesting, and artificial intelligence. Full article

In recent years, active packaging has become a focal point of research and development in the food industry, driven by increasing consumer demand for safe, high-quality, and sustainable food products. In this work, solvent casting processed an active antibacterial multicomponent film based on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose incorporated with ferulic acid and chitin nanofibers. The influences of ferulic acid and different content of chitin nanofibers on the structure, thermal, mechanical, and water vapor stability and antioxidant and antibacterial efficiency of films were studied. It was shown that the inclusion of only ferulic acid did not significantly influence the mechanical, water vapor, and thermal stability of films. In addition, films containing only ferulic acid did not display antibacterial activity. The optimal concentration of chitin nanofibers in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose–ferulic acid films was 5 wt%, providing a tensile strength of 15 MPa, plasticity of 52%, and water vapor permeability of 0.94 × 10⁻⁹ g/m s Pa. With further increase of chitin nanofibers content, films with layered and discontinuous phases are obtained, which negatively influence tensile strength and water vapor permeability. Moreover, only films containing both ferulic acid and chitin nanofibers demonstrated antibacterial activity toward E. coli and S. aureus, suggesting that the presence of fibers allows easier release of ferulic acid from the matrix. These results imply that the investigated three-component systems have potential applicability as sustainable active food packaging materials. Full article

One of the most important challenges the tire industry faces is becoming carbon-neutral and using 100% sustainable materials by 2050. Utilizing materials from renewable sources and recycled substances is a key aspect of achieving this goal. Petroleum-based oils, such as Treated Distillate Aromatic Extract (TDAE), are frequently used in rubber compounds, and a promising strategy to enhance sustainability is to use bio-based plasticizer alternatives. However, research has shown that the replacement of TDAE oil with bio-based oils or resins can significantly alter the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the final compound, influencing the tire properties. In this study, the theory was proposed that using a plasticizer blend, comprising oil and resin, in a rubber compound would result in similar T_g values as the reference compound containing TDAE. To test this, the cycloaliphatic di-ester oil Hexamoll DINCH, which can be made out of bio-based feedstock by the BioMass Balance approach, was selected and blended with the cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon resin Escorez 5300. Various oil-to-resin ratios were investigated, and a linear increase in the T_g of the vulcanizate was obtained when increasing the resin content and decreasing the oil content. Additionally, a 50/50 blend, consisting of 18.75 phr Hexamoll DINCH and 18.75 phr Escorez 5300, resulted in the same T_g of −19 °C as a compound containing 37.5 phr TDAE. Furthermore, this blend resulted in similar curing characteristics and cured Payne effect as the reference with TDAE. Moreover, a similar rolling resistance indicator (tan δ at 60 °C = 0.115), a slight deterioration in wear resistance (ARI = 83%), but an improvement in the stress–strain behavior (M300 = 9.18 ± 0.20 MPa and Ts = 16.3 ± 0.6 MPa) and wet grip indicator (tan δ at 0 °C = 0.427) were observed. The results in this work show the potential of finding a balance between optimal performance and sustainability by using plasticizer blends. Full article

Tidal seashell waste represents an abundant, underutilized marine resource that poses environmental disposal challenges but offers potential as a sustainable bio-filler in epoxy composites. This study investigates its incorporation into bio-based epoxy systems to reduce reliance on non-renewable materials and promote circular economy objectives. Processed seashell powder was blended into epoxy formulations, and response surface methodology was applied to optimize filler loading and resin composition. Comprehensive characterization included tensile strength, impact resistance, hardness, density, and thermal conductivity testing, along with microscopy analysis to evaluate filler dispersion and interfacial bonding. The optimized composites demonstrated improved hardness, density, and thermal stability while maintaining acceptable tensile and impact strength. Microscopy confirmed uniform filler distribution at optimal loadings but revealed agglomeration and void formation at higher contents, which can reduce interfacial bonding efficiency. These findings highlight the feasibility of valorizing marine waste as a reinforcing filler in sustainable composite production, supporting environmental goals and offering a scalable approach for the development of durable, lightweight materials suitable for structural, coating, and industrial applications. Full article

This study investigated the impact of incorporating hemp fibers into composites for manufacturing industrial parts. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) of producing a traditional polymer matrix composite containing glass fibers was compared to that of producing a counterpart from natural hemp fibers. The investigation concluded that the partial replacement of synthetic fibers with biomass reduced the GWP of the product by up to 25% without compromising its mechanical properties. This study also quantified and discussed the GWP of intermediate products obtained from alternative routes, such as the manufacture of hemp stalks and pellets. In these cases, the findings showed that the amount of CO₂ absorbed during plant growth exceeded the emissions related to soil preparation, farming, and processing of hemp stalks by up to 15 times, and the processing of row hemp bales into pellets could result in an even “greener” product. This study highlights the importance of using bio-based inputs in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the materials manufacturing industry and concludes that even partial substitutions of synthetic inputs with natural fibers can show significant reductions in this type of environmental impact. Full article

Benzoxazine resins are gaining attention for their impressive thermal stability, low water uptake, and strong mechanical properties. In this work, two new bio-based benzoxazine monomers were developed using renewable arbutin: one combined with 3-(2-aminoethylamino) propyltrimethoxysilane (AB), and the other with furfurylamine (AF). Both were synthesized using a simple Mannich-type reaction and verified through FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. By blending these monomers in different ratios, copolymers with adjustable thermal, dielectric, and surface characteristics were produced. Thermal analysis showed that the materials had broad processing windows and cured effectively, while thermogravimetric testing confirmed excellent heat resistance—especially in AF-rich blends, which left behind more char. The structural changes obtained during curing process were monitored using FT-IR, and XPS verified the presence of key elements like carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and silicon. SEM imaging revealed that AB-based materials had smoother surfaces, while AF-based ones were rougher; the copolymers fell in between. Dielectric testing showed that increasing AF content raised both permittivity and loss, and contact angle measurements confirmed that surfaces ranged from water-repellent (AB) to water-attracting (AF). Overall, these biopolymers (AB/AF copolymers) synthesized from arbutin combine environmental sustainability with customizability, making them strong candidates for use in electronics, protective coatings, and flame-resistant composite materials. Full article

Industrial robots are undergoing a transformative shift as Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven and bio-inspired control strategies unlock new levels of precision, adaptability, and multi-dimensional sustainability aligned with Industry 5.0 (energy efficiency, material circularity, and life-cycle emissions). This systematic review analyzes 160 peer-reviewed industrial robotics control studies (2023–2025), including an expanded bio-inspired/human-centric subset, to evaluate: (1) the dominant and emerging control methodologies; (2) the transformative role of digital twins and 5G-enabled connectivity; and (3) the persistent technical, ethical, and environmental challenges. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines, the study employs a rigorous methodology, focusing on adaptive control, deep reinforcement learning (DRL), human–robot collaboration (HRC), and quantum-inspired algorithms. The key findings highlight up to 30% latency reductions in real-time optimization, up to 22% efficiency gains through digital twins, and up to 25% energy savings from bio-inspired designs (all percentage ranges are reported relative to the comparator baselines specified in the cited sources). However, critical barriers remain, including scalability limitations (with up to 40% higher computational demands) and cybersecurity vulnerabilities (with up to 20% exposure rates). The convergence of AI, bio-inspired systems, and quantum computing is poised to enable sustainable, autonomous, and human-centric robotics, yet requires standardized safety frameworks and hybrid architectures to fully support the transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0. This review offers a strategic roadmap for future research and industrial adoption, emphasizing human-centric design, ethical frameworks, and circular-economy principles to address global manufacturing challenges. Full article