Search Results (196)

Maritime routes ensure connectivity between nations, carrying a vast flow of goods across borders, while ports serve as the critical junctions within this network, managing a wide spectrum of commodities from raw materials to finished goods. Ports also generate employment across numerous sectors and underpin a broad range of allied industries. A seaport is a maritime facility equipped with docks, cranes, and storage infrastructure for international trade, where ships load and unload cargo, containers, and passengers. Key functions of seaports include customs processing, warehousing, and vessel services, with major global hubs such as Shanghai, PSA Singapore, DP World, and Rotterdam handling immense volumes of cargo each year. In contrast, Bangladesh’s ports, Chittagong, Mongla, and Payra, play a vital role in sustaining regional commerce. Today, ports are widely recognized as essential capital infrastructure and prime movers of economic activity. Smart ports are automated facilities that leverage advanced digital technologies, including sensors, big data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), augmented reality (AR), digital twins, the Internet of Things (IoT), and various automation systems, to optimize overall operational efficiency. These tools streamline cargo movement while embedding sustainable practices to protect the environment. Beyond operational gains, smart ports deliver faster, more advanced services to all stakeholders involved in port operations, including shipping companies, customs agencies, local communities, and other relevant parties. Renewable energy sources, electric vehicle charging stations, onshore power supply, and smart logistics infrastructure are among the defining sustainability features of smart ports in the present-day context. This study examines the current status and future development trajectory of Bangladesh’s sea ports in relation to the broader global imperative toward smart port transformation. Full article

Adaptive reuse research commonly evaluates completed projects, overlooking cases in which the design, program, and/or construction are not yet finished. This article examines the ongoing reuse of the Çırpıcı Meadow Textile Factory in Istanbul to investigate architectural continuity within a fragmented post-industrial complex. This qualitative single-case study combines three semi-structured interviews with the lead architect, two site visits, photographs, drawings, project visualizations, aerial images, and historical sources. Material, spatial, symbolic, and programmatic transformations are the connected analytical lenses. The findings reveal uneven and conflicting forms of continuity. Original reinforced-concrete structures remain in Blocks L, S, B, and C, whereas H and F have been reconstructed and R is under construction as of July 2026. The courtyard and selected footprints sustain spatial relationships despite material loss, while the surviving denim-washing pools and new steel tower provide references to the industrial past. The shift from a culture-oriented campus to municipal offices has altered the subdivision, circulation, servicing, and access control. Because the complex was unoccupied and its public landscape unbuilt, accessibility, adaptability, and symbolic reception could not be evaluated. The study shows that existing conditions, completed interventions, ongoing works, approved proposals, and abandoned concepts must be distinguished when interpreting continuity in unfinished adaptive reuse projects. Full article

Cutting tool wear significantly influences machining performance, surface quality, and manufacturing cost. Proper minimization of cutting tool wear will result in enhanced life of the cutting tool, surface integrity, precision, and sustainability of the machining process. There are various methods for minimizing cutting tool wear in machining operations. These include the optimization of parameters such as reducing the feed and speed, use of proper coating such as TiN and Al₂O₃, lubrication/cooling, and proper material for the cutting tool like carbide and ceramic materials. The application of chip breakers and high machine rigidity can minimize wear by lowering heat and friction, which are the major causes of wear. Reduction in wear will ensure a better surface finish, enhanced tool life, and economic efficiency of the machining process. The main objective of this research paper is to conduct an extensive study on wear of cutting tools in machining operations. As a result, the study discusses several advanced methods of tool wear detection in cutting tools, including sensor-based methods, machine vision, and AI/ML-assisted predictive maintenance. Additionally, a critical assessment in tool wear minimization is conducted to apply new material to the cutting tool, the coating process, cutting parameter and path optimization, cooling and lubrication systems such as minimum amount lubrication and cryogenic cooling. Moreover, various challenges with intelligent and autonomous manufacturing systems that arise in tool wear prediction with regard to availability of data and reliability of prediction models are discussed in the study. Finally, potential future research directions are provided, with an emphasis on the importance of using digital twin technologies and sustainable manufacturing approaches in tool wear management. Full article

Ventilated façades are increasingly used in building renovations, often containing non-renewable and CO₂-emissions-intensive cement-based materials. Renewable biomass-based materials offer a more sustainable alternative with a high amount of sequestered CO₂. However, water uptake is a critical factor in exterior applications. This study investigates the water resistance of high-density particleboards made of wheat straw (WS), grey alder (GA), and softwood (SW) for façade-related exterior applications. Two general board types were produced from each biomass using (1) steam explosion (SE) treatment and (2) the addition of birch-bark-derived suberinic acids (SAs) as the bio-based binder. In addition, the influence of conventional and mold hot pressing was investigated. The particleboards were coated with four types of innovative finishes, comprising (1) purified SA, (2) SA + chitosan (SH), (3) SA + earth pigment (SP), and (4) SHP. The water resistance of the particleboards was evaluated using an internal bonding (IB) test after 2 h of boiling and by measuring the water drop contact angle. FTIR analysis was performed to identify differences between the board varieties and to explain the obtained results. Only two board varieties (GASA and SWSA) fulfilled the Type P5 EN 312 water resistance requirement (0.15 N/mm²), achieving IB values of 0.81 ± 0.23 N/mm² and 0.22 ± 0.07 N/mm², respectively. In turn, the coatings used did not significantly increase the static contact angle compared to the reference board. Although the results of this study confirm the inherent moisture sensitivity of engineered particleboards, two board varieties demonstrate promising potential for façade-related exterior applications. Full article

This review systematically summarizes recent advances in the field of surface finishing for wood products, with a focus on three cutting-edge directions: functionalization, intelligence, and sustainability. The article first outlines the fundamental theories and the evolution and modernization of traditional surface-finishing techniques, then delves into the construction mechanisms and performance characteristics of advanced functional surfaces such as superhydrophobic, self-cleaning, and smart-responsive coatings. Surface finishing of wood products is transitioning from conventional passive protection and aesthetic enhancement toward active functional empowerment and intelligent interaction. Functionalization, intelligence, and sustainability have become mainstream trends in technological development, supported by the deep integration of materials science, digital technologies, and design disciplines. Finally, the paper identifies current research challenges and prospects for key future research directions, aiming to provide a systematic knowledge framework and developmental guidance for academic studies in wood-product surface finishing. Full article

Contemporary research on ecological building materials focuses on the use of industrial waste as an alternative to traditional raw materials. Utilizing byproducts such as fly ash, slag, and plastic waste not only solves the problem of landfill but often improves the technical parameters of the finished products. Contemporary research on sustainable building materials focuses on the use of industrial waste as an alternative to traditional raw materials. This review article, which opens this Special Issue, provides a comprehensive conceptual framework for sustainable materials and introduces clear criteria for selecting the main global waste streams. Besides systematizing the existing literature, the work critically addresses the most pressing challenges in the sector, such as the upcoming shortage of traditional fly ash resulting from the European energy transition and the volumetric instability of steel slag. Looking ahead, as an opening article, it outlines key avenues for further analysis—including advanced chemical surface modifications and supply chain regionalization—necessary to reduce embodied carbon footprints and combat urban heat islands. Ultimately, the work highlights the systemic possibilities of multi-stream waste upcycling, defining ecological and methodological benchmarks that justify and guide further academic research and industrial implementation in sustainable construction. Full article

Sustainable binders are becoming decisive enabling materials for fiber-based packaging and cellulosic nonwovens because they govern strength, coating integrity, barrier performance, printability, wet durability, and end-of-life behavior. However, replacing fossil-derived latexes, fluorinated finishes, or persistent wet-strength systems with renewable alternatives is not a simple material substitution problem. This perspective argues that sustainable binders must be evaluated through an industrial lens that integrates performance, scalability, cost, process compatibility, food-contact safety, and recyclability. The discussion examines current binder limitations, emerging bio-based alternatives including starch, cellulose derivatives, nanocellulose, proteins, lignin, tannins, chitosan, hemicelluloses, and reactive green crosslinking systems, and the specific opportunity to move from bulk binder replacement toward engineered cellulose–cellulose junctions. Enzyme-assisted activation of cellulose surfaces, especially routes that generate controlled carboxyl and aldehyde functionality, is highlighted as a promising platform for low-energy bonding of recyclable all-cellulose webs when paired with rigorous spectroscopy, mechanical testing, and multiscale modeling. The central conclusion is that the next generation of sustainable binders will be selected not by renewable content alone, but by their ability to deliver reliable performance within high-throughput manufacturing and credible recovery pathways. Full article

The exponential growth of the global textile industry, largely driven by the demand for synthetic polymers such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polyamides, and polyurethanes, has led to severe environmental consequences, notably the accumulation of persistent microplastics and solid waste. While conventional mechanical and chemical recycling methods are widely employed, they are often hindered by harsh processing conditions and the deterioration of material properties. Consequently, there is a critical need for sustainable end-of-life management strategies. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the biodegradability of synthetic textile fibres, with a primary focus on emerging biotechnological and enzymatic recycling approaches. It systematically examines the intrinsic polymer characteristics that govern biodegradation—including molecular orientation, crystallinity, functional groups, and fibre chemistry—as well as extrinsic factors such as textile finishings, yarn twist, polymer blends, and chemical additives. Furthermore, the current landscape of microbial and enzymatic degradation routes is critically assessed, highlighting the specific mechanisms of biocatalysts (e.g., lipases, cutinases, PETase, and MHETase) in depolymerising complex synthetic matrices into recoverable monomers. Finally, this review identifies the existing literature gap between bulk plastic and textile-specific biodegradation, discussing future perspectives. By bridging polymer science and textile engineering, this work underscores the potential of enzymatic recycling to close the loop in synthetic fibre production and advance the transition toward a circular economy. Full article

The global leather and hide industry faces increasing sustainability pressures and growing competition from synthetic and bio-based alternatives. This study presents a strategic case analysis of the U.S. leather and hide industry, examining the competitive and sustainability challenges facing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their strategic pathways for long-term viability. Drawing on sustainability transitions theory, the study employs a qualitative case-study approach based on semi-structured interviews with five senior industry experts. Data were analyzed thematically and interpreted through PESTEL, Porter’s Five Forces, and SWOT frameworks. Four interconnected themes emerged: (1) trade pressures and supply-chain fragmentation; (2) sustainability as compliance, cost, and communication challenge; (3) leather under pressure: the rise of alternative materials; and (4) repositioning for survival: premiumization, technology, and regulatory adaptation. The findings indicate that sustainability is not primarily a production-level technical challenge; rather, key barriers lie in upstream operations and sustainability communication. The industry remains export-oriented for raw hides, while wet-blue and finished leather compete in specialized niche markets where differentiation is essential. Externally, the sector is most strongly shaped by substitute materials, increasing demand for credible sustainability data, and animal welfare concerns. Internally, most notably, it faces high capital intensity, elevated costs, and persistent supply-chain fragmentation. The study contributes to sustainability transitions and SME research while offering practical implications for industry and policy stakeholders. Full article

The paper presents an innovative approach to producing structural connectors for bamboo constructions using recycled plastic. This solution enhances the sustainability of bamboo structures while simultaneously promoting the valorization of plastics waste. The aim is to conduct a preliminary investigation in the possible use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as a structural material. Two connectors’ geometries have been developed, both specifically devised for bamboo truss systems: a paddle-shaped design and an oval-shaped design. In both designs, a series of circularly arranged holes enables flexible orientation of the connected elements. The connectors are fabricated melting layers of rough-milled HDPE, sourced from waste materials, which are cast in a mold incorporating an agave braid as a reinforcement. The manufacturing process is intentionally low-tech and accessible, relying only on basic tools and equipment for milling, melting, and casting. This approach makes the proposed connectors particularly suitable for adoption in developing countries. To assess their performance, physical and mechanical tests were conducted on the base material, evaluating density, void content, and tensile strength. The tensile strength of the finished connectors results in an average value of 12.73 MPa, with a standard deviation of 2.34 MPa and a coefficient of variation CV of 18.4%, consistent with the results of tests reported in the literature. Although the sample size is limited, the obtained data are sufficient to assess the feasibility of the proposed solution, demonstrating a reasonable reliability of both the molding process and the mechanical performance of the connector. Full article

Powder coatings applied to medium-density fiberboard (MDF) substrates have attracted increasing attention due to their low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and high material utilization efficiency. The review synthesizes the interdisciplinary literature from coating engineering, CMF design, and furniture design. However, existing studies often focus on individual coating properties and lack a systematic framework integrating color, material, and finish (CMF). Therefore, this review examines the design and application of MDF powder coatings from a CMF perspective, focusing on the relationships between coating engineering parameters and user-oriented perceptual requirements. Within this framework, color performance is associated with pigment dispersion and particle size distribution; the material dimension is governed by low-temperature curing kinetics and substrate properties, and the finish dimension is shaped by surface texturing and functional additives. The review also discusses current limitations, including the trade-off between low-temperature curing reactivity and storage stability, the influence of nano-additives on surface quality, and the recyclability challenges of powder-coated MDF. Future research should focus on industrial scalability, lifecycle sustainability, and long-term durability of MDF powder coating systems. This review provides a CMF-oriented framework for linking user experience requirements with coating engineering strategies, which is of great importance for the development of customized home furnishing. Full article

Dental composite dust generated during finishing procedures or mastication may adversely affect gingival epithelia. However, the mechanistic distinction between particulate and chemical (eluate) exposures and their respective signaling consequences remains insufficiently defined. Dust particles and corresponding eluates from three restorative composites, Admira Fusion, Ceram.x Spectra ST, and Filtek Supreme XTE, were evaluated under standardized high-dose in vitro exposure conditions. Human gingival keratinocytes were assessed for proliferation, adhesion, differentiation, fibronectin (FN1) remodeling, and IL-8 secretion, alongside analysis of ERK, p38, and NF-κB signaling and phosphorylation of the stress-responsive regulator SIRT1 at Ser682 (SIRT1-S682). Particulate exposure elicited more pronounced impairment of cellular adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation than eluates. Dusts derived from Ceram.x Spectra ST and Filtek Supreme XTE suppressed ERK activity, reduced FN1 abundance, and decreased nuclear SIRT1-S682, consistent with a generalized stress response. In contrast, Admira Fusion dust preserved FN1, activated ERK signaling, reduced SIRT1-S682, and induced robust IL-8 secretion. Across all materials, particulate exposure reduced nuclear SIRT1-S682 without affecting total SIRT1 levels, indicating a shared permissive stress modification. Notably, only Admira Fusion coupled this permissive state with p38 activation and sustained NF-κB p65 Ser536 phosphorylation, resulting in transcriptionally active NF-κB and elevated IL-8 production, whereas Ceram.x Spectra ST and Filtek Supreme XTE failed to activate this ERK–FN1–p38–NF-κB axis, yielding either transcriptionally inactive NF-κB or no detectable enrichment. These findings support a material-associated in vitro response pattern in which a shared SIRT1-S682 reduction is accompanied by distinct ERK/FN1, p38, NF-κB, and IL-8 readouts. SIRT1-S682 reduction alone did not define the inflammatory phenotype, because it occurred across particulate exposures, whereas IL-8 secretion was observed only under conditions that also showed p38 activation and comparatively maintained NF-κB p65 Ser536 phosphorylation. This signature arises from the convergence of a permissive SIRT1-S682 background with ERK- and p38-dependent MAPK signaling to enable NF-κB-mediated IL-8 expression, highlighting that both composite composition and particulate properties critically determine inflammatory potential and underscoring the importance of incorporating particulate fractions into cytocompatibility testing strategies. Full article

Alginate fiber has been widely recognized in the field of sustainable development due to its environmental friendliness, non toxicity, flame retardancy, biodegradability, good biocompatibility, abundant raw material sources, and the fact that its production process is not limited by arable land resources. However, in the application of textile and apparel, desizing efficiency and economic performance have constrained the application and development of alginate/cotton fiber shuttle-woven fabrics. To resolve the desizing problem of alginate/cotton blended fabrics in a green and effective manner, this study focuses on the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by aluminates and their crosslinking modification effect in enhancing the chemical corrosion resistance of alginate fibers; the catalytic effect of aluminates on hydrogen peroxide was investigated and applied to the oxidative decomposition of textile sizing agents, followed by a study of the oxidative desizing process. The results indicate that aluminum salts have excellent catalytic activity towards hydrogen peroxide; after adding aluminate and hydrogen peroxide to the simulated desizing starch slurry, the decomposition rate of starch reached 44.20%. Compared to traditional oxidation desizing processes, this treatment causes slight damage to the strength of alginate fibers, alginate fiber blended yarns, and pure cotton fabrics, with a loss rate of only 3.55 ± 0.08% for alginate fibers in the fabric. The application of this technology can provide important theoretical and practical support for the sustainable development of textiles and the green dyeing and finishing of alginate fibers. Full article

Rapid population growth is increasing housing demand and accelerating the expansion of the built environment in Egypt. However, practical and sustainable residential building decarbonization remains constrained by limited supplies of supplementary cementitious materials, limited structural timber resources, code restrictions on cement reduction, and cost sensitivity. This study evaluates two Egyptian multi-unit residential case studies—one affordable housing project and one middle-class housing project—to assess whether wall-system substitution can reduce both embodied and operational carbon under local material, code, and cost constraints. An integrated BIM-based digital twin workflow was used to link quantity takeoff, finite-element structural assessment, and whole-building energy simulation. An architectural BIM model was used for material quantification, wall-system definition, and energy-model inputs. A structural model was used to assess the effects of reducing wall density on reinforcement and concrete demand under gravity and seismic load combinations. Operational performance was assessed through cooling-focused energy simulations under hot-arid climatic conditions representative of Egypt’s new desert cities. Alternative wall systems were then evaluated through scenario- based material substitution and revised structural and energy assessments. The results show that reinforcement, concrete, and wall- core materials account for about 80% of total embodied carbon, while cooling accounts for about 72% of operational emissions. Non-structural cement uses, mainly mortars and finishes, account for 36% of total cement demand, ranging from 161 to 229 tons per building across the two case studies. Replacing conventional partition walls with lightweight, energy-efficient alternatives reduced embodied carbon by up to 35.2%, operational carbon by about 15.7% to 16.5%, and total life-cycle carbon by about 17.4% to 17.5% over a 60- year service life. The average savings per building corresponded to avoiding about 30 tons of steel, 165 m³ of ready-mix concrete, and 191 m³ of mortar, with net cost savings of about 3.15 million EGP per building. These results identify a practical pathway toward more sustainable, lower-carbon Egyptian residential buildings without increasing project cost. Full article

The environmental burden from cosmetic production has intensified interest in sustainable and scientifically robust raw materials. Among the emerging alternatives, agro-industrial residues are gaining attention as chemically rich sources of bioactive compounds with potential for dermocosmetic applications. However, research on their molecular activity, formulation performance, and industrial feasibility remains fragmented across the fields of sustainability, dermatology, and engineering. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on the phytochemical composition of extracts from agro-residues. It also critically examines their effects on key skin-related pathways, including oxidative stress modulation, extracellular matrix regulation, inflammation, senescence, and barrier function. Compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, peptides, and polysaccharides have been reported to influence signaling networks, including Nrf2/ARE, NF-κB, TGF-β/Smad, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR. Importantly, most of this evidence originates from in vitro and ex vivo studies on animal models, while controlled human and clinical studies remain limited; thus, mechanistic findings should not be equated with proven dermocosmetic efficacy. Nevertheless, challenges remain, such as compositional variability, safety-validation requirements, limited skin bioavailability and stability of bioactives in finished formulations, and limitations in scalable green extraction. Economic modeling and life-cycle assessment also highlight the need to verify both financial and environmental viability. Advancing agro-residue-derived bioactives toward mainstream cosmetic use will require strategies that integrate molecular characterization, regulatory alignment, rigorous claims substantiation and sustainable process optimization. Full article