Search Results (1,929)

In many developing African countries, milk safety is often managed through traditional methods such as fermentation or boiling over firewood. While these approaches reduce some microbial risks, they present critical limitations. Firewood dependency contributes to deforestation, depletion of agricultural residues, and loss of soil fertility, which, in turn, compromise environmental health and food security. Solar pasteurization provides a reliable and sustainable method for thermally inactivating pathogenic microorganisms in milk and other perishable foods at sub-boiling temperatures, preserving its nutritional quality. This study aimed to evaluate the thermal and microbial performance of a low-cost solar milk pasteurization system, hypothesized to effectively reduce microbial contaminants and retain milk quality under natural sunlight. The system was constructed using locally available materials and tailored to the climatic conditions of the Savanna ecological zone in West Africa. A flat-plate glass solar collector was integrated with a 0.15 cm thick stainless steel cylindrical milk vat, featuring a 2.2 cm hot water jacket and 0.5 cm thick aluminum foil insulation. The system was tested in Navrongo, Ghana, under ambient temperatures ranging from 30 °C to 43 °C. The pasteurizer successfully processed up to 8 L of milk per batch, achieving a maximum milk temperature of 74 °C by 14:00 GMT. Microbial analysis revealed a significant reduction in bacterial load, from 6.6 × 10⁶ CFU/mL to 1.0 × 10² CFU/mL, with complete elimination of coliforms. These results confirmed the device’s effectiveness in achieving safe pasteurization levels. The findings demonstrate that this locally built solar pasteurization system is a viable and cost-effective solution for improving milk safety in arid, electricity-limited regions. Its potential scalability also opens avenues for rural entrepreneurship in solar-powered food and water treatment technologies. Full article

Direct electrification and hydrogen utilization represent two key pathways for decarbonizing the glass industry, with their effectiveness subject to adequate furnace design and renewable energy availability. This study presents a techno-economic assessment for optimal solar energy integration in a representative 300 t/d oxyfuel container glass furnace with a specific energy consumption of 4.35 GJ/t. A mixed-integer linear programming formulation is developed to evaluate specific melting costs, carbon emissions, and renewable energy self-consumption and self-production rates across three scenarios: direct solar coupling, battery storage, and a hydrogen-based infrastructure. Battery storage achieves the greatest reductions in specific melting costs and emissions, whereas hydrogen integration minimizes electricity export to the grid. By incorporating capital investment considerations, the study quantifies the cost premiums and capacity requirements under varying decarbonization targets. A combination of 30 MW of solar plant and 9 MW of electric boosting enables the realization of around 30% carbon reduction while increasing total costs by 25%. Deeper decarbonization targets require more advanced systems, with batteries emerging as a cost-effective solution. These findings offer critical insights into the economic and environmental trade-offs, as well as the technical constraints associated with renewable energy adoption in the glass industry, providing a foundation for strategic energy and decarbonization planning. Full article

Biofilms cause a variety of problems, such as food spoilage, food poisoning, infection, tooth decay, periodontal disease, and metal corrosion, so knowledge on biofilm prevention and removal is important. A detailed observation of the three-dimensional structure of biofilms on the nanoscale is expected to provide insight into this. In this study, we report on the successful in situ nanoscale observations of a marine bacterial biofilm on glass in phosphate buffer solution (PBS) using both scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) over the same area. By observing the same area by SICM and CLSM, we were able to clarify the three-dimensional morphology of the biofilm, the arrangement of bacteria within the biofilm, and the difference in local ion conductivity within the biofilm simultaneously, which could not be achieved by observation using a microscope alone. Full article

The global climate crisis has driven unprecedented agreements among nations on carbon mitigation. With China’s commitment to carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets, the building sector has emerged as a critical focus for emission reduction, particularly because office buildings account for over 30% of building energy consumption. However, a systematic and regionally adaptive low-carbon technology evaluation framework is lacking. To address this gap, this study develops a multidimensional decision-making system to quantify and rank low-carbon technologies for office buildings in Beijing. The method includes four core components: (1) establishing three archetypal models—low-rise (H ≤ 24 m), mid-rise (24 m < H ≤ 50 m), and high-rise (50 m < H ≤ 100 m) office buildings—based on 99 office buildings in Beijing; (2) classifying 19 key technologies into three clusters—Envelope Structure Optimization, Equipment Efficiency Enhancement, and Renewable Energy Utilization—using bibliometric analysis and policy norm screening; (3) developing a four-dimensional evaluation framework encompassing Carbon Reduction Degree (CRD), Economic Viability Degree (EVD), Technical Applicability Degree (TAD), and Carbon Intensity Degree (CID); and (4) conducting a comprehensive quantitative evaluation using the AHP-entropy-TOPSIS algorithm. The results indicate distinct priority patterns across the building types: low-rise buildings prioritize roof-mounted photovoltaic (PV) systems, LED lighting, and thermal-break aluminum frames with low-E double-glazed laminated glass. Mid- and high-rise buildings emphasize integrated PV-LED-T8 lighting solutions and optimized building envelope structures. Ranking analysis further highlights LED lighting, T8 high-efficiency fluorescent lamps, and rooftop PV systems as the top-recommended technologies for Beijing. Additionally, four policy recommendations are proposed to facilitate the large-scale implementation of the program. This study presents a holistic technical integration strategy that simultaneously enhances the technological performance, economic viability, and carbon reduction outcomes of architectural design and renovation. It also establishes a replicable decision-support framework for decarbonizing office and public buildings in cities, thereby supporting China’s “dual carbon” goals and contributing to global carbon mitigation efforts in the building sector. Full article

This work analyzes the performance of a photoreactor built with UV-LED technology. For this task, a UV-LED wavelength of 365 nm was used as an irradiation source, and it was electrically and spectrally characterized to ensure correct operation. To evaluate the functionality, the photoreactor was tested on the degradation of Rhodamine B (Rh B), a dye commonly used in the textile industry. The experiment was conducted under optimal conditions, using a concentration of 17 ppm of Rh B and 100 mg of zinc oxide (ZnO) as a photocatalyst in a glass reactor. The mixture was continuously stirred for 120 min, achieving 99.42% efficiency. The results showed that the UV-LED photoreactor performs well in activating ZnO for the removal of Rh B from the solution, highlighting its potential for treating textile industry wastewater. The use of LEDs offers advantages such as energy efficiency and lower environmental impact compared to traditional UV lamps. ZnO, known for its reactivity under UV light, acted as a stable photocatalyst, ensuring complete degradation of the dye without producing harmful by-products. This method provides an efficient approach to dye removal in wastewater treatment, promoting cleaner and more sustainable industrial practices. Full article

The increasing demand for sustainable construction materials has driven research into low-carbon geopolymers that mitigate both cement-related emissions and plastic and glass waste accumulation. This study explores the development of geopolymer concrete incorporating fly ash (FA), slag (S), and FA + S blends, with 10% recycled crushed glass (RCG) and recycled plastic waste (RPW) as partial coarse aggregate replacements. Compressive strength testing revealed that FA + S-based geopolymers (25FA + S) with 100% ordinary Portland cement (OPC) replacement achieved a 7-day strength of 24.6 MPa, representing a 98% improvement over control specimens. Slag-based geopolymers demonstrated water absorption properties comparable to OPC, indicating enhanced durability. Microstructural analyses using SEM, XRD, and EDS confirmed the formation of a dense aluminosilicate matrix, with slag promoting FA reactivity and reinforcing interfacial transition zone (ITZ). These effects contributed to superior mechanical performance and water resistance. Despite minor shrinkage-induced cracking, full OPC replacement with S or FA + S geopolymers outperformed control specimens, consistently exceeding the target strength of 15 MPa required for low-impact, single-story housing applications within seven days. These findings underscore the potential of geopolymer systems for rapid and sustainable construction, offering an effective solution for reducing carbon footprints and repurposing industrial waste. Full article

This paper describes the development of a new hybrid composite for the metal joints of aluminium and glass fibre composite adherents. The aluminium adherend is manufactured using friction stir-formed studs that are inserted into the composite adherend in the through-thickness direction during the composite manufacturing process, where the dry fibres are displaced to accommodate the studs before the resin infusion process. The materials used were AA6082-T6 aluminium and plain-woven E-glass fabric reinforced epoxy, with primary applications in naval vessels. This joining approach offers a cost-effective solution that does not require complicated onsite welding. The joint design was developed based on a simulation test program with finite element analysis, followed by experimental characterisation and validation. The design solution was analysed in terms of the force displacement response, sequence of load transfer, and characterisation of the joint failure modes. Full article

Glass powder, a non-degradable waste material, offers significant potential to reduce cement consumption and carbon emissions in concrete production. However, existing mix design methods for glass powder concrete (GPC) fail to systematically balance economic efficiency, environmental sustainability, and mechanical performance. To address this gap, this study proposes an AI-assisted framework integrating machine learning (ML) and Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) to achieve a sustainable GPC design. A robust database of 1154 experimental records was developed, focusing on five key predictors: cement content, water-to-binder ratio, aggregate composition, glass powder content, and curing age. Seven ML models were optimized via Bayesian tuning, with the Ensemble Tree model achieving superior accuracy (R² = 0.959 on test data). SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis further elucidated the contribution mechanisms and underlying interactions of material components on GPC compressive strength. Subsequently, a MOO framework minimized unit cost and CO₂ emissions while meeting compressive strength targets (15–70 MPa), solved using the NSGA-II algorithm for Pareto solutions and TOPSIS for decision-making. The Pareto-optimal solutions provide actionable guidelines for engineers to align GPC design with circular economy principles and low-carbon policies. This work advances sustainable construction practices by bridging AI-driven innovation with building materials, directly supporting global goals for waste valorization and carbon neutrality. Full article

Semi-flexible pavement (SFP) is a durable and cost-effective alternative to conventional rigid and flexible pavement and is formed by permeating an open-graded asphalt (OGA) layer with high-fluidity cement grout. The degradation of SFP mattresses due to fuel oil spills can result in significant maintenance costs. Incorporating glass waste (GW) into the construction of SFPs offers an eco-friendly solution, helping to reduce repair costs and environmental impact by conserving natural resources and minimizing landfill waste. The main objective of this research is to investigate the mechanical performance and fuel oil resistance of SFP composites containing different levels of glass aggregate (GlaSFlex composites). Fine glass aggregate (FGA) was replaced with fine virgin aggregate at levels of 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% by mass. The results indicated the feasibility of utilizing FGA as a total replacement (100%) for fine aggregate in the OGA structural layer of SFPs. At 100% FGA, the composite exhibited excellent mechanical performance and durability, including a compressive strength of 8.93 MPa, a Marshall stability exceeding 38 kN, and a stiffness modulus of 19,091 MPa. Furthermore, the composite demonstrated minimal permanent deformation (0.04 mm), a high residual stability of 94.7%, a residual compressive strength of 83.3%, and strong resistance to fuel spillage with a mass loss rate of less than 1%, indicating excellent durability. Full article

The treatment of contaminants from road infrastructure poses significant challenges due to their variable composition and the high concentrations of chloride ions, heavy metals, and oil-derived substances. Traditional methods for protecting groundwater environments are often insufficient. A promising alternative is permeable reactive barrier (PRB) technology, which utilizes recycled materials and construction waste as reactive components within the treatment zone of the ground. This paper delves into the potential of employing a composite (MIX) consisting of modified construction aggregate (as recycled material) and activated carbon (example of reactive material) to address environmental contamination from a mixture of heavy metals and chloride. The research involved chemical modifications of the road aggregate, activated carbon, and their composite, followed by laboratory tests in glass reactors and non-flow batch tests to evaluate the kinetics and chemical equilibrium of the reactions. The adsorption process was stable and conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir, Toth, and Redlich–Peterson isotherm models. Studies using MIX from a heavy metal model solution showed that monolayer adsorption was a key mechanism for removing heavy metals, with strong fits to the Langmuir (R² > 0.80) and Freundlich models, and optimal efficiencies for Cd and Ni (R² > 0.90). The best fit, at Cd, Cu, Ni = 0.96, however, was with the Redlich–Peterson isotherm, indicating a mix of physical and chemical adsorption on heterogeneous surfaces. The Toth model was significant for all analytes, fitting Cl and Cd well and Pb and Zn moderately. The modifications made to the composite significantly enhanced its effectiveness in removing the contaminant mixture. The test results demonstrated an average reduction of chloride by 85%, along with substantial removals of heavy metals: lead (Pb) by 90%, cadmium (Cd) by 86%, nickel (Ni) by 85%, copper (Cu) by 81%, and zinc (Zn) by 79%. Further research should focus on the removal of other contaminants and the optimization of magnesium oxide (MgO) dosage. Full article

Jackfruit seeds (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) are a viable option for supporting a sustainable protein supply. The objective was to obtain protein powder from jackfruit seeds protein concentrate (JSPC) by spray drying. A central composite design was used; the independent variables were inlet temperature (110, 115, and 120 °C) and the solids of the JSPC solution (5, 7.5, and 10%). With the desirability function, the optimal drying parameters to maximize the process yield and achieve a low moisture content were 7.5% solids in the JSPC solution and an inlet temperature of 115 °C, resulting in a process yield of 71.51 ± 1.21%. Moisture (5.33 ± 0.11%), water activity (0.15 ± 0.02), bulk density (0.40 ± 0.01 g/mL), and color (L*: 70.56 ± 0.38, a*: 7.80 ± 0.11 and b*: 15.18 ± 0.15) were measured; these parameters are within the allowed ranges for stable food powders. Hydrosolubility (82.46 ± 1.68%), foaming capacity (48.33 ± 1.66%), and emulsifying activity (105.74 ± 10.20 m²/g) were evaluated. Glass transition temperature (129.49 °C) of the JSPC powder enables the establishment of optimal storage and processing conditions for the protein. JSPC powder could be applied to the elaboration of food products with nutritional and functional value. Full article

In sharp contrast to photocatalysis and other prevalent catalytic technologies, tribocatalysis has emerged as a promising technology to degrade high-concentration organic dyes in recent years. In this study, BaTiO₃ (BTO) nanoparticles were challenged to degrade methyl orange (MO) solutions with unprecedentedly high concentrations through magnetic stirring. With BTO nanoparticles and home-made PTFE magnetic rotary disks in 50 mg/L MO solutions, 10 h of magnetic stirring resulted in 91.4% and 98.1% degradations in an as-received glass beaker and in a beaker with a PTFE disk coated on its bottom, respectively. Even for 100 mg/L MO solutions, nearly complete degradation was achieved by magnetic-stirring-stimulated BTO nanoparticles in beakers with the following four kinds of bottom: 97.3% degradation in 30 h for a glass bottom, 97.4% degradation in 20 h for a PTFE coating, 97.9% degradation in 42 h for a Ti coating, and 97.4% degradation in 74 h for an Al₂O₃ coating. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analyses revealed that the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by magnetic-stirring-stimulated BTO nanoparticles is dramatically affected by the bottom material of beakers. These findings suggest an appealing prospect for BTO nanoparticles to utilize mechanical energy for sustainable water remediation. Full article

Hydrogel films receive significant attention among researchers because they combine increased stimuli responsiveness and faster responses to the already excellent properties of their component materials. However, their preparation is complex and requires that many difficulties are overcome. The present work presents a new study regarding the preparation of pure and nanoparticle-loaded alginate-based films by spin-coating. Two-microliter solutions of sodium alginate and calcium chloride with different concentrations were deposited on a glass substrate and subjected to rapid rotations of between 100 and 1000 RPM. Film formation can be achieved by optimizing the ratio between the viscosity of the solutions, depending on their concentrations and the rotation speed. When these conditions are in the right range, a homogeneous film is obtained, showing good adherence to the substrate and uniform thickness. Films containing silver nanoparticles were prepared, exploiting the reaction between sodium borohydride and silver nitrate. The two reagents were added to the sodium alginate and calcium nitrate solution, respectively. Their concentration is the driving force for the formation of a uniform film: particles of about 50 nm that are well-dispersed throughout the film are obtained using AgNO₃ at 4 mM and NaBH₄ at 2 or 0.2 mM; meanwhile, at higher concentrations, one can also obtain the precipitation of inorganic crystals. Full article

This study introduces and validates a comparative experiment-based method for determining the effective thickness of composite glass, including polymeric laminated glass (with polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and SentryGlas^® (SGP) interlayers) and vacuum glazing. This method employs comparative four-point bending tests, defining effective thickness by equating the bending stress of a composite specimen to that of a reference monolithic glass specimen under identical loading and boundary conditions. Specimens with varying configurations (glass thicknesses of 5 mm, 6 mm and 8 mm) were tested using non-destructive four-point bending tests under a multi-stage loading protocol (100 N–1000 N). Strain rosettes measured maximum strains at each loading stage to calculate bending stress. Analysis of the bending stress state revealed that vacuum glazing and SGP laminated glass exhibit superior load-bearing capacity compared to PVB laminated glass. The proposed method successfully determined the effective thickness for both laminated glass and vacuum glazing. Furthermore, results demonstrate that employing a 12 mm monolithic reference glass provides the highest accuracy for effective thickness determination. Theoretical bending stress calculations using the effective thickness derived from the 12 mm reference glass showed less than 10% deviation from experimental values. Conversely, compared to established standards and empirical formulas, the proposed method offers superior accuracy, particularly for vacuum glazing. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the viscoelastic interlayers (PVB and SGP) were investigated through static tensile tests and dynamic thermomechanical analysis (DMA). Distinct tensile behaviors and differing time-dependent shear transfer capacities between the two interlayer materials are found out. Key factors influencing the reliability of the method are also discussed and analyzed. This study provides a universally practical and applicable solution for accurate and effective thickness estimation in composite glass design. Full article

Pharmaceutical packaging materials play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and efficacy of medications. This mini-review examines the properties of common packaging materials (glass, plastics, metals, and rubber) and their implications for drug safety. By analyzing 127 research articles from PubMed, Web of Science, and CNKI databases (2000–2025), we also discuss recent regulatory updates in China and highlight emerging technologies, including nanomaterials, sustainable packaging solutions, and intelligent packaging systems that present new opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry. Key findings include the following: (1) The physicochemical properties of packaging materials and potential microbial contamination risks during production significantly impact drug quality and safety, underscoring the need for enhanced research and regulatory oversight. (2) Each material exhibits distinct advantages and limitations: glass demonstrates superior chemical stability but may leach ions; plastics offer versatility but risk plasticizer migration; metals provide exceptional strength yet have limited applications; rubber ensures effective sealing but may release additives compromising drug quality. (3) The pharmaceutical packaging sector is evolving toward intelligent systems and sustainable solutions to address contemporary healthcare challenges. This review can aid pharmaceutical companies in selecting drug packaging and guide manufacturers in developing innovative packaging solutions. Full article