Search Results (5,687)

This study investigates the development of mechanically reprocessed poly(lactic acid) (rPLA) films reinforced with rice husk (RH) and rice husk biochar (RHB) to evaluate their processing behavior, key functional properties, and disintegration under composting conditions. rPLA was produced from PLA through an additional processing cycle to simulate the valorization of industrial PLA waste, while composites containing 1 and 3 wt.% RH or RHB 500 µm sized particles were manufactured by melt extrusion followed by a compression molding process. Reprocessing increased the melt flow index and decreased intrinsic viscosity and viscosimetric molecular weight, evidencing the occurrence of chain scission during mechanical reprocessing. The addition of RH slightly restricted melt flow and promoted higher surface hydrophilicity, whereas RHB showed a filler-loading-dependent effect on melt flow and increased surface hydrophobicity at low content, consistent with its carbonized and less polar nature. Both RH and RHB promote a nucleating effect, with increased crystallinity in RHB-containing films, and tensile tests showing that filler incorporation mainly reduced ductility compared with unfilled rPLA, while stiffness and strength was maintained or exhibited more moderate variations. Despite these contrasting trends in surface properties and thermo-mechanical performance, all formulations achieved complete disintegration within 21 days under composting conditions at laboratory scale level. Overall, RH and RHB provide a viable route to valorize agro-industrial residues in rPLA films and to tune structure–property relationships within the circular economy framework. Full article

This work explores a sustainable route for producing recycled AlNiCo-based magnetic composites by incorporating end-of-life AlNiCo-5 particles into a polyamide 12 (PA12) matrix, thereby eliminating conventional debinding requirements. The study emphasizes material circularity through the reuse of mechanically recovered magnetic waste and polymeric residues. Virgin PA12 powder was used as the matrix material for high magnetic filler loadings of 40, 60, and 70 wt.% AlNiCo-5, while stearic acid was introduced to enhance interfacial compatibility and overall processability. The resulting composites were shaped into filaments and processed via material extrusion additive manufacturing, demonstrating that commercially available fused filament fabrication systems can successfully handle highly filled metal-polymer blends when supported by appropriate formulation and process parameter optimization. The findings confirm the feasibility of manufacturing flexible, functional, and resource-efficient magnetic components using widely accessible equipment, highlighting a promising pathway toward the cost-effective recycling and reuse of AlNiCo magnetic materials. Full article

Soy protein concentrate (SPC) undergoes continuous thermal and structural changes during passage through a cooling die, yet these changes are often interpreted using viscosity-based descriptions that do not explicitly account for structural development rate (SDR). This study developed a rheology-guided framework to analyze SPC behavior in a three-stage cooling die by integrating isothermal and non-isothermal rheological characterization with computational fluid dynamics (CFD). SPC samples containing 76, 78, and 80% moisture were evaluated using strain sweep, frequency sweep, viscosity, time sweep, and temperature sweep tests. Lower moisture promoted stronger structure development, higher viscosity, and faster gelation. For the 76% moisture sample, peak SDR increased from 6.66 Pa/s at 50 °C to 22.46 Pa/s at 100 °C, while the time to peak decreased from 937 to 360 s. During non-isothermal cooling, the major structure development occurred in the 80–50 °C interval, where ΔG′ reached 4902.54 Pa at 76% moisture. CFD analysis showed that the gelation-kinetics-based model predicted both pressure and extrudate temperature more accurately than the viscosity-based model. Pressure RMSE ranged from 8.57 to 14.43 kPa for the kinetic model, compared with 11.31 to 22.39 kPa for the viscosity model. These results demonstrate that the three-stage cooling die should be interpreted as a coupled thermal, flow, and structure-development domain. Full article

This study determines the feasible regions of nozzle temperature, extrusion pressure, and printing speed in extrusion-based printing using an acellular sodium alginate–carboxymethylcellulose–collagen I bioink. The tested range of nozzle temperature was from 10 to 35 °C in 5 °C increments, the range of printing speed was from 5 to 20 mm/s in 5 mm/s increments, and the range of extrusion pressure was from 10 to 100 kPa in 10 kPa increments. The feasible regions were defined as the combinations of process parameters that produced continuous extruded lines. Results show that continuous extruded lines were achieved at higher extrusion pressures (70–100 kPa) across most tested printing speeds and nozzle temperatures. In contrast, an extrusion pressure of 10 kPa resulted in discontinuous extruded lines under all tested combinations of nozzle temperature and printing speed, and an extrusion pressure of 20 kPa led to discontinuous extruded lines under all tested printing speeds and all tested temperatures except for 35 °C. Intermediate extrusion pressures required lower printing speeds to produce continuous extruded lines. These results highlight the interaction effects of extrusion pressure and printing speed on maintaining continuous extruded lines across the tested nozzle temperatures. These findings provide practical guidance for selecting extrusion pressures and printing speeds across different nozzle temperatures for printing of a sodium alginate–carboxymethylcellulose–collagen I bioink. Full article

The study addresses a selected issue in industrial cooling, that is, how to transport heat more efficiently when the process involves fiber spinning and extrusion, in which conventional fluids usually cannot work. We considered a ternary nanofluid that passed around a porous stretching cylinder and particularly considered the synergistic effect of quadratic thermal buoyancy, and the thermally generated double-diffusive heat and solute (TGDHS) effect. Through the Casson fluid model and considering the magnetic fields, radiations, and nonlinear chemical reactions, we reduced complex PDEs to simple ODEs. The results were evident using the BVP4C numerical method. Although in reality, magnetic fields and thermal radiation become a retarding force, the quadratic thermal buoyancy is the driving force behind accelerating the flow. An important trade-off that we discovered is that a heavier Casson fluid reduces heat and mass transfer. The addition of Nimonic 80A, AA7072, and AA7075 nanoparticles to ethylene glycol consistently enhances heat transfer, outperforming the base fluid by 7.8% even at low concentrations. While AA7072 and AA7075 drive significant increases of over 16%, Nimonic 80A offers a much more marginal contribution of 1.23%. Consequently, the Nusselt number is far more sensitive to the concentration of the aluminum alloys than to the Nimonic 80A. Finally, this work demonstrates that the most significant parameter in intensifying convective heat and mass transfer in such industrial systems is the strong forces of buoyancy. Full article

In this study, the chemical composition of highland barley (HB), microwave fluidization HB (HB-1), extrusion and puffing HB (HB-2), and ultrafine pulverization HB (HB-3) were investigated based on untargeted metabolomics. In addition, RNA-seq transcriptomics, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB) analysis were used to investigate the lipid metabolism mechanism of HB-1, induced by a high fat and cholesterol diet (HFCD). The results indicated that a total of 1292 metabolites were detected and classified into 78 distinct classes in the untargeted metabolomics analysis including fatty acyls, carboxylic acids and derivatives, glycerophospholipids, organooxygen compounds, prenol lipids, and so on. HB-1, HB-2, and HB-3 all increased the levels of amino acids and their derivatives, phenols, and carboxylic acid and its derivatives compared with HB. Furthermore, RNA-seq transcriptomic results indicated that HB-1 significantly modulated key genes of Cyp2c38, Cyp2b13, and Cyp2b9 related to steroid hormone biosynthesis and CD36, Plin4, and Fabp4 related to the PPAR signaling pathway, which played key roles in lipid metabolism. Moreover, qRT-PCR and WB results indicated that HB-1 obviously enhanced ADIPOQ expression level, while it reduced SCD-1, CD36, Fabp4, and SREBP-1c expression levels, suggesting that the alleviation of lipid metabolic dysregulation by HB-1 in hyperlipidemia mice might be mediated via participating in the PPARγ pathway. This study provided essential theoretical insights for the development and utilization of HB. Full article

The mechanical recycling of styrenic polymers from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is often limited by thermomechanical degradation occurring during repeated processing. In this work, the degradation behaviour of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) recovered from sorted WEEE streams was systematically investigated through multiple extrusion cycles, and the effectiveness of antioxidant stabilization was evaluated. Progressive degradation was assessed by chemical structure, rheological, thermal and mechanical testing, and colorimetric analysis. Repeated processing resulted in increased melt flow, altered viscoelastic behaviour, molecular weight reduction, deterioration of mechanical properties, and discoloration. To mitigate these effects, antioxidant-stabilized compounds were prepared and subjected to identical reprocessing pathways. The addition of antioxidants effectively reduced chain scission, stabilized rheological properties, and limited colour changes during reprocessing. Furthermore, the processability of the optimized recycled ABS is demonstrated through filament extrusion for fused filament fabrication, highlighting its potential for high-value additive manufacturing applications. These results demonstrate that appropriate stabilization strategies can significantly enhance the process stability and recyclability of styrenic polymers from WEEE streams, supporting their use in higher-value applications within a circular economy framework. Full article

The growing global population and increasing pressure on conventional food systems have intensified the search for sustainable and nutrient-rich protein sources. Blue foods derived from marine and freshwater organisms offer significant nutritional advantages and lower environmental footprints compared with many terrestrial animal proteins. However, challenges related to resource sustainability, processing, preservation, and product traceability limit their full potential. This review provides a broad overview of emerging technologies shaping the future of blue food systems, covering innovative production strategies, advanced processing techniques, and omics-based analytical approaches. Key developments in cellular aquaculture and cellular mariculture are discussed as promising alternatives to traditional fisheries and aquaculture, enabling the production of blue food through controlled cell cultivation. Additionally, alternative protein platforms including plant-based, fermentation-derived, and cultivated blue food analogues are assessed for their potential to enhance sustainability and diversify aquatic protein sources. Advanced structuring technologies such as extrusion, electrospinning, wet spinning, and 3D printing are highlighted for their roles in developing blue food analogues with improved texture and sensory attributes. Furthermore, non-thermal preservation techniques, including cold plasma (CP), high-pressure processing (HPP), pulsed electric fields (PEFs), and ultraviolet-based treatments, are reviewed for their effectiveness in improving microbial safety and extending shelf life while maintaining nutritional quality. The integration of omics technologies (proteomics, metabolomics, and lipidomics) provides deeper molecular insights into product quality, authenticity, and traceability within blue food supply chains. Collectively, these interdisciplinary advancements demonstrate strong potential to transform blue food production into a more resilient, sustainable, and technology-driven sector. Future progress will depend on overcoming challenges related to scalability, regulatory frameworks, and consumer acceptance to enable the successful commercialization of next-generation blue food products. Full article

There is increasing interest in protein-enriched foods and in the valorisation of by-products from the agri-food sector. This study investigated the incorporation of by-products derived from texturised pea protein production into high-protein bread formulations. Wheat flour was partially replaced (10%) with different protein sources (gluten, pea protein isolate, pea protein concentrate, and two types of texturised by-products, T60 and T80). In a subsequent trial, blends of gluten with a by-product (T60) or with pea protein concentrate were evaluated at replacement levels of 10, 20 and 30%. Dough mixing properties and bread quality attributes (specific volume, texture and colour) were assessed. All protein sources increased water absorption. Gluten and the protein concentrate also increased kneading time. Gluten and the by-products increased the specific volume of the breads and reduced crumb firmness, whereas the isolate showed the opposite effect. The incorporation of gluten–T60 blends at 30% significantly increased dough water absorption, enhanced specific volume (by more than 80%), reduced crumb firmness, and improved elasticity and cohesiveness compared with the control, while doubling the protein content. However, achieving these improvements delays dough development. These results demonstrate the potential of texturised pea protein by-products as functional ingredients in breadmaking, enabling the development of nutritionally enriched products with favourable technological performance. Full article

To address the problems of coarse grains and unsatisfactory mechanical properties of as-cast Mg-8.5Al-1Zn alloy, which hinder its application in dissolvable bridge plugs, this study took the alloy as the research object and subjected it to plastic deformation via hot extrusion with an extrusion ratio of 12. Through the use of Combined Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Testing and Characterization Techniques, the macroscopic mechanical properties, microstructural evolution, and extrusion deformation mechanism of the alloy in both as-cast and as-extruded states were systematically investigated. The results indicate that hot extrusion deformation significantly enhances the comprehensive mechanical properties of the alloy. Compared with the as-cast alloy, the tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation of the as-extruded alloy are increased by 104.0%, 314.9%, and 166.7%, respectively, with the static toughness increasing by 809.1%. The as-cast alloy exhibits coarse grains, Al element segregation, and high-density dislocations. After hot extrusion, dynamic recrystallization dominates the grain refinement, reducing the grain size by approximately 60%. Solute atoms precipitate to form multiphase structures and coherent nano-scale precipitates, along with the formation of tensile twins and a weakened bimodal texture. The improved yield strength of the as-extruded alloy stems from the synergistic effect of multiple strengthening mechanisms, among which precipitation strengthening induced by nano-precipitates is the primary contributor. The enhanced plasticity is attributed to grain refinement and texture regulation. This study clarifies the extrusion deformation mechanism of the Mg-8.5Al-1Zn alloy for dissolvable bridge plugs and verifies the rationality of the hot extrusion process with an extrusion ratio of 12, providing technical support for its industrial application in dissolvable bridge plugs and the performance regulation of similar dissolvable magnesium alloys. Full article

This study evaluates the biological effectiveness of camel compound feeds produced using an optimized drying–grinding–extrusion technology and enriched with Artemisia lerchiana (wormwood). Building on a previously published process optimization study, the present work focuses on the effects of the developed feeds on milk productivity and quality in lactating camels. Eighteen lactating dromedary camels were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments (n = 6): a control diet without wormwood and experimental diets containing 10% and 15% wormwood (dry matter basis). The feeding trial lasted 45 days, including a 15-day adaptation period and a 30-day measurement period. Milk yield was recorded daily, and milk composition was analyzed weekly. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way and repeated-measures ANOVA (p < 0.05). Wormwood supplementation resulted in higher milk yield and significantly increased milk fat and protein content, with the strongest effects observed at the 15% inclusion level. No adverse effects on lactose content, physicochemical properties, or milk hygienic quality were detected. The results confirm that combining extrusion-based processing with phytogenic supplementation is an effective strategy for improving camel milk productivity. Full article

In this study, a gradientstructured (GS) AZ31 Mg alloy sheet with high stretch formability is fabricated using turned bearing extrusion (TBE). The mechanism by which the gradient structure contributes to the improvement in formability is elucidated. The Erichsen index of the GS sheet reaches 5.51 mm, representing an increase of up to 89.3% compared to conventional extruded (CE) sheets. During the Erichsen cupping test, when the coarsegrained (CG) layer of the GS sheet is positioned on the inner side, the large grains promote the activation of deformation twins, thereby effectively enhancing the strain accommodation capacity in the thickness direction. Meanwhile, the finegrained (FG) outer layer effectively suppresses the formation of {10$\stackrel{-}{1}$1} and {10$\stackrel{-}{1}$1}-{10$\stackrel{-}{1}$2} twins, reducing local strain concentration. Full article

This study developed poly(lactic acid) (PLA) biocomposites reinforced with pine wood flour (10, 20, and 30 wt%) to achieve the interphase through chemical modification. Specifically, the wood flour was treated with poly(propylene glycol) toluene 2,4-diisocyanate terminated (PEGTDI), while 1 wt% poly(lactic acid)-g-maleic anhydride (PLA-g-MA) was integrated as a reactive compatibilizer during extrusion and thermocompression. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis corroborated the occurrence of urethane formation and ester/anhydride linkages, as substantiated by the presence of characteristic bands indicative of surface carbamation at 1645 and 1726 cm⁻¹. Thermal analysis revealed that both the pine wood flour and coupling agents promoted PLA crystallization; however, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated a decrease in thermal stability for functionalized composites, suggesting a trade-off between enhanced interfacial interaction and heat resistance. Mechanical testing demonstrated a significant reinforcement effect, with the Young’s modulus increasing by up to 22% in untreated composites. The coupling agents effectively optimized stress transfer at low fiber loadings (10 wt%), while flexural modulus improvements were predominant at higher loadings (20–30 wt%) regardless of treatment. These findings underscore the criticality of surface modification and compatibilizer selection for tailoring the structural and thermo-mechanical properties of PLA-based biocomposites, thereby providing a pathway for optimized performance in structural applications. Full article

Plastic recycling technologies are developing rapidly as countries seek to reduce carbon emissions, use resources more efficiently, and move toward circular economy models. Although mechanical recycling remains the most widely applied option worldwide, its environmental performance depends strongly on process design, feedstock quality, and operational stability, especially in emerging economies where automation and process control may be limited. This study provides a process-level environmental assessment of an industrial mechanical recycling facility in Gaziantep, Türkiye, using twelve months of real, meter-based operational data. Unlike many previous assessments based on simplified or short-term assumptions, the present study combines long-term industrial monitoring, scenario-based process modeling, and probabilistic uncertainty analysis within a single facility-scale evaluation. An ISO 14040/14044-compliant life cycle assessment was performed for four major polymers (PET, HDPE, LDPE, and PP), combining digital energy monitoring with Monte Carlo-based uncertainty analysis. The results show that extrusion is the dominant energy hotspot, accounting for 72–79% of cumulative energy demand (CED), and that the baseline configuration leaves substantial room for improvement in terms of energy and emissions performance. Scenario analysis indicates that combining high-efficiency extrusion with sensor-based sorting can reduce CED and GWP by up to 17.6% and 18.1%, respectively. Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate reduced operational variability under improved configurations and confirm the statistical robustness of these improvements. Overall, the findings provide process-level evidence for improving the environmental performance of mechanical recycling systems in developing industrial contexts. Full article

Although polylactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) are among the most widely used polymers in material extrusion, their limited toughness and energy-absorption capacity often restrict the structural performance of 3D-printed functional components. To address the limited comparative understanding of how thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) modifies the deformation behavior and phase characteristics of these two polymer systems, this study presents a multi-analytical evaluation of TPU-reinforced PLA and ABS blends. To this end, both polymers were blended with TPU at 10–50 wt% and processed into filaments via single-screw extrusion. The resulting filaments were used to fabricate ASTM D638 Type I tensile specimens via material extrusion under matrix-specific, but internally consistent, printing parameters. For each composition, five specimens were tested to obtain representative values of tensile strength, elongation at break, and toughness. In addition to conventional tensile testing, the evolution of strain during deformation was monitored using digital image correlation (DIC), enabling full-field characterization of local deformation behavior. To ensure experimental reliability, specimen masses were carefully controlled, and the datasets were analyzed using MATLAB. Thermal properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to determine the influence of TPU on glass transition, melting behavior, and phase mobility, and to relate these thermal characteristics to the mechanical response of the blends. The incorporation of TPU significantly increased ductility and energy absorption in both polymer matrices, although the magnitude of improvement differed. ABS/TPU blends exhibited the highest toughness enhancement, reaching 221.4% at 30 wt% TPU, while PLA/TPU systems showed nearly a twofold increase at 20 wt% TPU. DIC analysis further revealed a transition from localized brittle deformation in neat polymers to more distributed plastic deformation with increasing TPU content. DSC results indicated reduced crystallinity in PLA-rich blends and enhanced segmental mobility in ABS-based systems, consistent with the observed mechanical behavior. Overall, the combined mechanical, optical, and thermal analyses demonstrate that the optimal TPU content is matrix-dependent, providing practical guidelines for tailoring PLA- and ABS-based filaments to achieve a controlled balance between stiffness, ductility, and energy absorption in material extrusion applications. Full article