Search Results (159)

The problem of urban surface runoff (USR) treatment is associated with the presence of high concentrations of specific pollutants. One of these pollutants is petroleum product (PP), whose concentration depends on the season and the location of the formation of snow masses, meltwater, and rainwater. For USR treatment, it is possible to use very environmentally friendly and inexpensive technologies. The article discusses natural sorbents based on wood materials, which effectively remove dissolved petroleum products from water. Pine sawdust and shredded branches of maple, birch, and poplar are used as raw materials, which are waste products from the city’s woodworking enterprise and utilities. These materials were pre-microwave (MW) treated to improve their sorption properties. As a result of the experiment, it turned out that modified pine sawdust and crushed maple pinwheels proved to be the most effective sorbents. The maximum sorption capacity values were 0.689 mg/g and 0.952 mg/g for pine and maple sorbents, respectively. This article proposes schemes for filtering devices that can be used in practice in an urban environment. Full article

In this study, a model was developed to calculate the power required for the circumferential cutting of solid wood in the longitudinal direction, considering the relevant technological parameters and mechanical properties of the wood. Based on measurements of different combinations and using the Response surface method (RSM) and Central composite design (CCD), a model was created that, in its derived version, considers the cutting width and depth, the diameter and speed of the tool, the number of cutting edges and sharpness of the cutting edge, the feed rate of the workpiece, and the density and moisture content of the wood. The model can be used to calculate the cutting power of various tree species with densities ranging from 400 to 700 kg/m³, moisture contents from 8 to 16%, and a wide range of cutting-edge sharpness, from a sharp cutting edge with a tip radius of 5 µm to a blunt cutting edge with a tip radius of 35 µm. The model is designed for a rake angle of 20°, the value most frequently used in practise. ANOVA analysis was used to determine the suitability of the model, which is highly significant with an R² value of 0.93 and an average deviation of the calculated values from the measured values of 8.8%. The model is robust and therefore useful in the wood industry for predicting energy consumption in the processing of solid wood. Full article

This paper examines the application of an Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) for voltage regulation in a small-scale wind turbine (SWT) system intended for off-grid rural electrification in Uzbekistan. The proposed architecture consists of a wind turbine, a permanent-magnet DC generator, and a buck converter supplying a regulated 48 V DC load. While ANFIS-based control has been reported previously for wind energy systems, the novelty of this work lies in its focused application to a DC-generator-based SWT topology using real wind data from the Bukhara region, together with a rigorous quantitative comparison against a conventional PI controller under both constant- and reconstructed variable-wind conditions. Dynamic performance was evaluated through MATLAB/Simulink simulations incorporating IEC-compliant wind turbulence modeling. Quantitative results show that the ANFIS controller achieves faster settling, reduced voltage ripple, and improved disturbance rejection compared to PI control. The findings demonstrate the technical feasibility of ANFIS-based voltage regulation for decentralized DC wind energy systems, while recognizing that economic viability and environmental benefits require further system-level and experimental assessment. Full article

Fruit shrubs’ lignocellulosic biomass remaining as waste after harvesting and/or after pruning is an underutilized, little-explored bioresource. Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.), aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) and blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) berries are rich in biologically active compounds, so these shrubs’ woody biomass derivatives are prospective investigation objects. The influence of pre-treated biomass, extracts, and purified proanthocyanidins on the oxidative stability of lipid-based systems was studied by accelerated oxidation method. Emulsion stability, antimicrobial activity against bacteria that causes acne—Cutibacterium acnes; contaminating wounds; skin care products—Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus; cytotoxicity and phototoxicity of extracts and proanthocyanidins on HaCaT human keratinocytes were tested. The study established that biomass, lipophilic extracts obtained using liquefied hydrofluorocarbon, and hydrophilic extracts obtained by aqueous ethanol increased oxidative stability of lipid-based formulations. Compounds with skin-protecting properties were detected. Sea buckthorn and aronia hydrophilic extracts and proanthocyanidins had the highest antimicrobial activity. Low phototoxicity was revealed, emphasizing safety and applicability in topical formulations; human HaCaT keratinocyte viability was the best with aronia extracts, but none of the other samples decreased cell viability by more than 50%. It was proven that agro-waste biomass is a prospective source of multifunctional ingredients for cosmetic and pharmaceutical topical formulations. Full article

The resistance of screws to being pulled out of wood-based panels depends largely on the mechanical properties of the substrate. The properties of medium-density fibreboard (MDF) are locally reinforced in the area where the fastener is embedded. The aim of the study is to determine the effect of using polyurethane (PUR) adhesives as a reinforcing agent. The aim of the study is to determine the elastic properties of individual layers of MDF boards modified with a polyurethane agent (PUR 555.6) applied to the outer and inner layers of the material. Deformations during axial compression of multilayer samples were measured using a digital optical video extensometer with digital image correlation (DIC). The reinforced board showed a significant increase in stiffness in all main orthotropic directions. The stiffness of the inner layers increased by approximately 100%–160%, while that of the outer layers increased by 30%–60%. The shear modulus increased by 60%–70% in the inner layers and by up to 45% in the outer layers. The results confirm the effectiveness of the optical video extensometer method as a fast and reliable technique for determining the mechanical properties of modified layered wood composites. Full article

In this study, the influence of different cutting conditions on the quality of the machined surface during the turning process of steam-treated pine wood (Pinus sylvestris L.) and beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.) was investigated. The cutting conditions analysed included dry turning, turning with compressed air cooling, and turning with oil mist cooling. The turning processes for all analysed cutting conditions were carried out for three different feed per revolution values. The carried out studies allowed the observation of a noticeable increase in the values of the analysed surface roughness parameters (Ra, Rz, Rq, Rt, and Rp) with the increase in feed per revolution for pine and beech wood. In addition, a noticeable decrease in the values of these parameters was observed with the use of compressed air and oil mist (MQL) for pine wood. However, in the case of beech wood, the lowest surface roughness values were observed during dry turning, while the use of MQL leads to increased values of surface roughness, especially at high feeds per revolution. Full article

With the increasing demand for sustainable building materials, it has become essential to identify sustainable alternatives to conventional sound absorbers, particularly in the context of waste reduction and the circular economy. The aim of this study was to compile and describe a structured dataset of sound absorption coefficients for laboratory-produced panels made from recycled textile materials. Five types of panels were developed using cotton, polyester, wool, linen, and a mixed composition of textiles. A biopolymer binder was applied to ensure structural stability of the materials. Following careful sorting, shredding, and homogenization of the textile waste, test specimens were prepared and examined under controlled laboratory conditions. The sound absorption coefficients were measured using an AFD 1000 impedance tube in accordance with the ISO 10534-2 standard, across a frequency range from 6.25 to 6393.75 Hz. For each material, three repeated measurements were performed, and mean values were calculated to ensure accuracy and reliability. The resulting dataset contains structured values of sound absorption coefficients, which can be applied in building acoustics modeling, comparative studies with conventional insulation materials, and the development of new sustainable products. In addition, the data can be used in educational contexts and machine learning applications to predict the acoustic properties of recycled textile composites. Full article

This study investigates particle size distribution and fine dust generation from sanding six tropical wood species (Red Meranti, Iroko, Zebrano, Bubinga, Ipe, and Wenge) using sieve analysis and laser diffraction. The wood species produced different dust particles, primarily influenced by wood density. Bubinga, Zebrano, and Wenge generated the highest proportion of particles in the 125–250 μm range, while Ipe and Iroko produced more dust in the 63–125 μm fraction. Low-density Red Meranti formed the greatest share of coarse particles (10.54% over 549.5 μm), whereas high-density Ipe generated the largest proportion of respirable dust, including PM₁₀ (8.80%), PM_2.5 (2.93%), and PM₁ (0.88%). Statistical analysis confirmed a significant effect of density on both coarse and fine dust fractions, with finer particles increasing consistently as density increased. Laser diffraction showed ultrafine particles down to approximately 0.7 μm in all species except Red Meranti. Microscopy confirmed elongated fibrous fragments, particularly in Wenge and Red Meranti. Overall, denser tropical hardwoods exhibited greater potential to produce hazardous fine dust during sanding, posing health risks and explosion hazards. These findings emphasize the need for effective dust extraction and high-efficiency respiratory protection and contribute to improved understanding of dust formation mechanisms in tropical wood processing. Full article

This study investigated spruce wood (Picea abies Karst. L.) dust generated during sanding in a woodworking company, focusing on its health, explosion, and fire hazards. Microscopic analyses revealed that dust particles ranged from 2.38 μm × 1.69 μm to 499.71 μm × 403.30 μm, with an average size of 73.2 μm × 37.98 μm. Smaller particles exhibited a spherical morphology, while larger ones were elongated and fibrous. Sieve analysis confirmed that particles sized 63–75 μm formed the largest fraction (46.74%), with 71% of the total dust being airborne (<100 μm), including 5% PM₁₀ and 1% PM_2.5. Explosion tests identified a lower explosion limit (LEL) of 80 g·m⁻³, with dust classified as highly explosive (ST 2). Smaller particles were found to significantly reduce the LEL, increasing explosion susceptibility. These findings highlight the dual risk of inhalation exposure and explosion potential. Practical safety recommendations include ensuring efficient local dust extraction, mandatory use of respiratory protection, and restricted worker movement near sanders. Furthermore, organizational measures aligned with ATEX standards—such as daily cleaning, removal of settled dust layers, use of explosion-safe industrial vacuum cleaners, and installation of automatic explosion suppression systems in extraction units—are essential. Full article

The increasing emphasis on environmental protection, climate change mitigation, and the transition to a circular economy requires industries, including the wood-processing sector, to integrate sustainability into strategic and operational management. Green growth indicators represent essential tools for evaluating the environmental, economic, and social impacts of business activities, while also contributing to the sustainable economics and responsible management of forest resources and products. This study applies a qualitative research design using structured interviews with 10 executives from medium and large woodworking enterprises in Slovakia. The interviews examined company strategies, practices, and challenges in sustainable development and forest resource utilization. The findings reveal that while many companies actively manage waste, invest in green technologies, and conduct internal audits, the broader implementation of environmental management systems and the uptake of public sustainability funding remain limited. Notably, 90% of respondents emphasized waste volume and recovery rates as critical indicators. Based on the results, a set of green growth indicators was developed and categorized across key thematic areas including waste management, energy efficiency, stakeholder communication, certification, and strategic planning. These indicators not only support the assessment of corporate sustainability but also strengthen efficient forest resource management, responsible use of raw materials, and the long-term economic viability of the sector. The study highlights the importance of systematically designed and practically applicable indicators for guiding companies toward sustainable competitiveness and emphasizes the need for stronger institutional support, improved access to reliable data, and integration of sustainability metrics into core business decision-making. Full article

Surface pretreatment significantly influences the hygroscopic behavior of wood, which in turn affects surface stability when exposed to variable climatic conditions. This study focuses on how different surface pretreatment methods impact the performance of protective coating applied on spruce wood (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) during one year of natural weathering. Samples were prepared using various surface treatments: milling and sanding with grit sizes P40, P80, and P120, respectively. Two types of coatings were applied: a solventborne coating (ADLER Pullex Plus-Lasur) and a waterborne coating (DColor FK 47 UV Protect). The samples were exposed for 12 months at an outdoor testing site in Suchdol, Czech. Surface properties were assessed through color changes in the CIE Lab* space, gloss measurements (ISO 2813), contact angle analysis, and visual inspection. The results showed that exposure to UV radiation and microbial activities led to the gradual degradation of the optical properties and aesthetic appearance of the wood. Surfaces with greater roughness preserved their aesthetic properties more effectively, indicating a higher absorption of the coating. Untreated wood exhibited low water repellency, while the coated surface demonstrated enhanced hydrophobicity. Notably, the waterborne coating showed a temporary increase in contact angle around the sixth month, indicating surface clogging by dust particles. In contrast, the solventborne coating had a rapid decrease in wettability during the first nine months. These findings suggested the importance of surface pretreatment and coating type in maintaining the long-term performance and aesthetic appearance for wood used in exterior conditions. Full article

The rapid increase in the aging population presents significant challenges to sustainable development. This is particularly true in relation to the areas of social inclusion, healthcare, and lifelong learning. As societies try to adapt to demographic change, it is important to develop innovative approaches that improve the quality of life of older adults while promoting their active participation in community life. Firstly, this paper examines current methods of activating seniors through social and technical engagement, with a particular focus on the concept of men’s sheds—a concept originating in Australia, in which a space where older adults men can socialize and engage in woodworking and other technical activities is offered. Despite the benefits of such initiatives, digital exclusion remains a key barrier that limits the full participation of seniors in a rapidly digitizing world. This paper explores the potential of integrating augmented reality (AR) into men’s sheds as a tool to limit digital gaps and support inclusive, active aging. The authors present a proposal and a practical implementation scenario for the use of AR in men’s sheds as a new concept to activate seniors. This paper examines the example of metal processing performed in men’s sheds using AR. The concept was then evaluated by experts. This paper presents the results of these experts’ opinions. The authors conducted interviews with seven experts. There were ten questions: seven closed-ended (rated on a scale from 1 to 5) and three open-ended questions. This study aligns with the concept of smart cities and the wider goals of sustainable development by promoting lifelong learning, intergenerational exchange, and improved well-being among seniors. Full article

Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) in furniture design is challenged by increasing product complexity and component proliferation. This study introduces a novel framework that integrates entropy reduction—achieved through dimensional standardization and modularity—as a core factor in the MCDA methodologies. The framework addresses both individual furniture evaluation and product family optimization through systematic complexity reduction. The research employed a two-phase methodology. First, a comparative analysis evaluated two furniture variants (laminated particleboard versus oak wood) using the Weighted Sum Model (WSM) and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The divergent rankings produced by these methods revealed inherent evaluation ambiguities stemming from their distinct mathematical foundations, highlighting the need for additional decision criteria. Building on these findings, the study further examined ten furniture variants, identifying the potential to transform their individual components into universal components, applicable across various furniture variants (or configurations) in a furniture line. The proposed dimensional modifications enhance modularity and interoperability within product lines, simplifying design processes, production, warehousing logistics, product servicing, and liquidation at end of lifetime. The integration of entropy reduction as a quantifiable criterion within MCDA represents a significant methodological advancement. By prioritizing dimensional standardization and modularity, the framework reduces component variety while maintaining design flexibility. This approach offers furniture manufacturers a systematic method for balancing product diversity with operational efficiency, addressing a critical gap in current design evaluation practices. Full article

Cutting beech plywood using abrasive water jet (AWJ) technology represents a significant area of research due to increasing demands for precision, quality, and environmental sustainability in manufacturing processes within the woodworking industry. AWJ technology enables non-contact cutting of materials without causing thermal deformation or mechanical damage, which is crucial for preserving the structural integrity and mechanical properties of the plywood. This article investigates cutting beech plywood using technical methods using an abrasive water jet (AWJ) at 400 MPa pressure, with Australian garnet (80 MESH) as the abrasive material. It examines how abrasive mass flow rate, traverse speed, and material thickness affect AWJ lag, which in turn influences both cutting quality and accuracy. Measurements were conducted with power abrasive mass flow rates of 250, 350, and 450 g/min and traverse speeds of 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 m/min. Results show that increasing the abrasive mass flow rate from 250 g/min to 350 g/min slightly decreased the AWJ cut width by 0.05 mm, while further increasing to 450 g/min caused a slight increase of 0.1 mm. Changes in traverse speed significantly influenced cut width; increasing the traverse speed from 0.2 m/min to 0.4 m/min widened the AWJ by 0.21 mm, while increasing it to 0.6 m/min caused a slight increase of 0.18 mm. For practical applications, it is recommended to use an abrasive mass flow rate of around 350 g/min combined with a traverse speed between 0.2 and 0.4 m/min when cutting beech plywood with AWJ. This balance minimizes jet lag and maintains high surface quality comparable to conventional milling. For thicker plywood, reducing the traverse speed closer to 0.2 m/min and slightly increasing the abrasive flow should ensure clean cuts without compromising surface integrity. Full article

Repairing veneer defects is the key to ensuring the quality of plywood. In order to improve the maintenance quality and material utilization efficiency during the maintenance process, this paper proposes a bidirectional maintenance method based on gear rack transmission and its related equipment. Based on the working principle, a geometric relationship model was established, which combines the structural parameters of the mold, punch, and gear system. Simultaneously, it solves the problem of motion attitude analysis of conjugate tooth profiles under non-standard meshing conditions, aiming to establish a constraint relationship between stamping motion and structural design parameters. On this basis, a constrained optimization model was developed by integrating multi-objective optimization theory to maximize maintenance efficiency. The NSGA-III algorithm is used to solve the model and obtain the Pareto front solution set. Subsequently, three optimal parameter configurations were selected for simulation analysis and experimental platform construction. The simulation and experimental results indicate that the veneer repair time ranges from 0.6 to 1.8 seconds, depending on the stamping speed. A reduction of 28 mm in die height decreases the repair time by approximately 0.1 seconds, resulting in an efficiency improvement of about 14%. The experimental results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method in repairing veneer defects. Vibration measurements further verify the system’s stable operation under parametric modeling and optimization design. The main vibration response occurs during the meshing and disengagement phases between the gear and rack. Full article