FibersPub Date : 2024-07-24DOI: 10.3390/fib12080060
Abdullah A. Al-Hussein, F. Majeed, Kadhim Z. Naser
{"title":"Tension Lap Splices in Recycled-Aggregate Concrete Strengthened with Steel–Polyolefin Fibers","authors":"Abdullah A. Al-Hussein, F. Majeed, Kadhim Z. Naser","doi":"10.3390/fib12080060","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/fib12080060","url":null,"abstract":"The bond strength of tension lap splices in recycled-coarse-aggregate-reinforced concrete strengthened with hybrid (steel–polyolefin) fibers was experimentally investigated. This study was conducted with the help of twelve lap-spliced beam specimens. The replacement level of coarse natural aggregates with recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) was 100%. The following variables were investigated: various ranges of steel–polyolefin fibers—100–0%, 75–25%, 50–50%, 25–75%, and 0–100%—in which the total volume fraction of fibers (Vf) remains constant at 1%; and two lengths of lap splices for rebars of 16 mm diameter (db): 10 db and 15 db. The test results showed that the best range of steel–polyolefin fibers that gave the highest bond strength was 50–50%. The ductility of the fiber-reinforced recycled-aggregate (FR-RA) concrete was significantly improved for all the cases of various relative ratios of steel and polyolefin fibers. The bond strength was also predicted using three empirical equations proposed by Orangun et al., Darwin et al., and Harajli. This study showed that the Harajli equation gave a more accurate estimation of the bond strength of reinforcing bars embedded in FR-RA concrete than those proposed by Orangun et al. and Darwin et al.","PeriodicalId":12122,"journal":{"name":"Fibers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141809790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FibersPub Date : 2024-06-03DOI: 10.3390/fib12060048
Richard Ziegler, S. Ilyas, Sanjay Mathur, Gerardo F. Goya, Jes'us Antonio Fuentes-Garc'ia
{"title":"Remote-Controlled Activation of the Release through Drug-Loaded Magnetic Electrospun Fibers","authors":"Richard Ziegler, S. Ilyas, Sanjay Mathur, Gerardo F. Goya, Jes'us Antonio Fuentes-Garc'ia","doi":"10.3390/fib12060048","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/fib12060048","url":null,"abstract":"The integration of magnetic nanoparticles within fibrillar structures represents an interesting avenue for the remotely controlled release of therapeutic agents. This work presents a novel drug release platform based on electrospun magnetic fibers (EMFs) combining drugs, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for controlled drug delivery via alternating magnetic fields (AMF). The platform was demonstrated to be versatile and effective for hydrophilic ketorolac (KET) and hydrophobic curcumin (CUR) encapsulation and the major response observed for AMF-triggered release was reached using drug-loaded MSNs within the fibers, providing fine control over drug release patterns. The EMFs exhibited excellent inductive heating capabilities, showing a temperature increase of ∆T up to 8 °C within a 5 min AMF pulse. The system is shown to be promising for applications like transdermal pain management, oncological drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound healing, enabling precise control over drug release in both spatial and temporal dimensions. The findings of this study offer valuable insights into the development of the next generation of smart drug delivery systems, based in multifunctional materials that can be remotely regulated and potentially revolutionize the field of nanomedicine.","PeriodicalId":12122,"journal":{"name":"Fibers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141269827","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FibersPub Date : 2024-05-20DOI: 10.3390/fib12050045
T. Rolich, D. Domović, G. Čubrić, Ivana Salopek Čubrić
{"title":"Advanced Image Analysis and Machine Learning Models for Accurate Cover Factor and Porosity Prediction in Knitted Fabrics: Tailored Applications in Sportswear, Swimwear, and Casual Wear","authors":"T. Rolich, D. Domović, G. Čubrić, Ivana Salopek Čubrić","doi":"10.3390/fib12050045","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/fib12050045","url":null,"abstract":"This paper presents a study focused on developing robust algorithms for cover factor and porosity calculation through digital image analysis. Computational models based on machine learning for efficient cover factor prediction based on fabric parameters have also been developed. Five algorithms were devised and implemented in MATLAB: the single threshold algorithm (ST); multiple linear threshold algorithms, ML-1 and ML-2; and algorithms with multiple thresholds obtained by the Otzu method, MT-1 and MT-2. These algorithms were applied to knitted fabrics used for football, swimming, and leisure. Algorithms ML-1 and MT-1, employing multiple thresholds, outperformed the single threshold algorithm. The ML-1 variant yielded the highest average porosity value at 95.24%, indicating the importance of adaptable thresholding in image analysis. Comparative analysis revealed that algorithm variants ML-2 and MT-2 obtain lower cover factors compared to ML-1 and MT-1 but can detect potential void areas in fabrics with higher reliability. Algorithm MT-1 proved to be the most sensitive when it came to distinguishing between different fabric samples. Computational models that were developed based on random tree, random forest, and SMOreg machine learning algorithms predicted cover factor based on fabric parameters with up to 95% accuracy.","PeriodicalId":12122,"journal":{"name":"Fibers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-05-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141122838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FibersPub Date : 2024-03-15DOI: 10.3390/fib12030028
Morris Angulu, H. Gusovius
{"title":"Retting of Bast Fiber Crops Like Hemp and Flax—A Review for Classification of Procedures","authors":"Morris Angulu, H. Gusovius","doi":"10.3390/fib12030028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/fib12030028","url":null,"abstract":"The interest and thus the number of publications on the supply chains of bast fiber plants has steadily increased in recent years. A number of specific technical terms related to methods and their use for individual areas of the supply chain are often interpreted and used in very different ways. Therefore, the aim of this publication is to increase the clarity of the description of the operations and to improve the understanding of the sequence and the purpose of the process steps. This is based on a selected review of the relevant literature as well as on suggestions for their classification","PeriodicalId":12122,"journal":{"name":"Fibers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140241155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FibersPub Date : 2024-03-13DOI: 10.3390/fib12030027
Meruyert Nazhipkyzy, A. Maltay, B. Lesbayev, Dana D Assylkhanova
{"title":"Synthesis of Lignin/PAN Fibers from Sawdust","authors":"Meruyert Nazhipkyzy, A. Maltay, B. Lesbayev, Dana D Assylkhanova","doi":"10.3390/fib12030027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/fib12030027","url":null,"abstract":"Carbon nanofibers based on lignin from wood waste have a promising potential for the ability to produce electrodes that can modernize existing energy storage technology. The most important detail is that the low cost, as well as the availability of the initial products for the production of lignin, will reduce the cost of energy storage devices and contribute to improving the environment. In this study, pine sawdust and elm sawdust were used as raw materials for the production of lignin, which accumulate in large quantities in metal workshops in Almaty. Lignin extraction was carried out using an organosolvent method, which is environmentally friendly, low-cost, uses minimal amounts of strong acids and metal catalysts, does not pollute water, and does not emit sulfur dioxide (SO2). A comprehensive study of the characteristics of the obtained lignins from wood waste was carried out. Infrared spectroscopy (IR) revealed that the obtained lignin contains aromatic, phenolic, hydroxyl, methyl, and methoxyl groups. The results of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy showed the presence of a high number of syringyl (S) links compared to guaiacyl (G), which contribute to increased efficiency in the thermal processing of lignin. Also, this study investigated the use of the obtained lignins to produce continuous fibers by electrospinning. The effect of lignin mass on the viscosity of the lignin/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) solution and the effect of the carbonization temperature on the physico-chemical characteristics of the lignin/PAN solution were investigated. The following research methods were used for this purpose: Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), electron scanning microscopy, energy dispersion analysis, IR, NMR, and optical microscopy. The conditions for the production of lignin-containing carbon fibers at temperatures of 800, 900, and the carbonation heating rate, is an important parameter in the production of carbon fibers as it strongly affects the characteristics of the resulting carbon fibers. The heating rate affects were studied, and it was found that, at a heating rate of 5 °C/min and a carbonation temperature of 800 °C, porous carbon nanofibers with a diameter of 47 nm are formed in a nitrogen medium for 60 min.","PeriodicalId":12122,"journal":{"name":"Fibers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140247239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FibersPub Date : 2024-03-12DOI: 10.3390/fib12030026
S. Taokaew, Tapanee Chuenkaek
{"title":"Developments of Core/Shell Chitosan-Based Nanofibers by Electrospinning Techniques: A Review","authors":"S. Taokaew, Tapanee Chuenkaek","doi":"10.3390/fib12030026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/fib12030026","url":null,"abstract":"This review is focused on the recent development of various chitosan-based nanofibers (membranes, patches, mats, and scaffolds) that have been designed into core and shell structures using emulsion and coaxial electrospinning techniques. Chitosan, a promising polysaccharide derived from natural sources, holds potential for diverse applications, including nanofiber production, aimed at fostering sustainability. Core/shell chitosan-based nanofibers offer appealing features, including drug encapsulation and sustained release capabilities, with a higher efficiency than uniaxial fibers. The fabrication of core/shell chitosan-based nanofibers, including the co-spinning agents and various spinning parameters, such as spinning voltage, needle size, spinning flow rate, distance from needle tip to collector, temperature, and humidity, is summarized in this work. The review also explores updated applications in various fields, such as textiles, medical dressings, drug release systems, filtration membranes, and food packaging. It highlights the current advancements in core/shell chitosan-based nanofibers produced via electrospinning techniques. The innovative insights presented in the recent literature and the challenges associated with these sustainable materials are thoroughly examined, offering valuable contributions to the field.","PeriodicalId":12122,"journal":{"name":"Fibers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140251327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FibersPub Date : 2024-03-11DOI: 10.3390/fib12030025
Nikolay I. Salnikov, A. Andrianov, E. Anashkina
{"title":"Numerical Modeling of Mid-IR Lasers Based on Tb-Doped Chalcogenide Multicore Fibers","authors":"Nikolay I. Salnikov, A. Andrianov, E. Anashkina","doi":"10.3390/fib12030025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/fib12030025","url":null,"abstract":"Mid-IR fiber lasers operating at wavelengths near 5 μm are of great interest for many fundamental and industrial applications, but only a few experimental samples based on active chalcogenide fibers have been demonstrated so far. One of the limitations of the power of such lasers may be a fairly low fiber damage threshold. To solve this problem, we developed and numerically investigated in detail a mid-IR fiber laser at 5.3 µm with multi-W output power pumped into the cladding at a wavelength of 2 µm. We proposed using a Tb-doped chalcogenide multicore fiber with 25 single-mode cores arranged in a 5 × 5 square lattice as an active medium. The proposed laser design surpasses the power limit of single-core chalcogenide fibers. When simulating lasers, we specified realistic parameters of Tb-doped chalcogenide glass based on published experimental data. We performed a comprehensive theoretical analysis, studied the influence of various factors on the characteristics of generation, and found optimal system parameters and expected generation parameters.","PeriodicalId":12122,"journal":{"name":"Fibers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140253691","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FibersPub Date : 2024-03-11DOI: 10.3390/fib12030024
Alejandro Flores Nicolás, E. C. Menchaca Campos, Mario Flores Nicolás, José J. Martínez González, Omar A. González Noriega, Jorge Uruchurtu Chavarín
{"title":"Influence of Recycled High-Density Polyethylene Fibers on the Mechanical and Electrochemical Properties of Reinforced Concrete","authors":"Alejandro Flores Nicolás, E. C. Menchaca Campos, Mario Flores Nicolás, José J. Martínez González, Omar A. González Noriega, Jorge Uruchurtu Chavarín","doi":"10.3390/fib12030024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/fib12030024","url":null,"abstract":"The quantity of different plastics generated after consumption is an impact factor affecting the environment, and the lack of recycling generates solid waste. The purpose of this work is to incorporate high-density recycled polyethylene fibers (HDPE) for possible use as concrete reinforcement. Physical and mechanical properties from recycled fibers were analyzed, such as density, absorption, and stress resistance, as well as workability, air content, porosity, concrete compression, and flexural strength properties. Samples were prepared with a low fiber content of 0.2% and 0.4%, as a substitution for sand weight, and lengths of 10 and 30 mm. To study corrosion phenomena, the specimens were exposed to a saline environment containing 3% sodium chloride for 365 days, and the electrochemical techniques including half-cell potential (HCP), electrochemical noise (EN), linear polarization resistance (LPR), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were applied. The results showed a 4.8% increase in compressive strength with a low fiber percentage and short geometries, while flexural strength increased marginally by 2.3% with small quantities of HDPE fibers. All these factors contribute to greater material durability, less permeability, and crack control. A positive effect of fibers with short dimensions on the corrosion processes of a steel bar was observed, with the fibers acting as a physical barrier against the diffusion of chloride ions.","PeriodicalId":12122,"journal":{"name":"Fibers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-03-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140253679","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FibersPub Date : 2024-02-05DOI: 10.3390/fib12020017
Tasnia Ahmed, A. Bediwy, Ahmed Azzam, R. Elhadary, E. El-Salakawy, M. Bassuoni
{"title":"Utilization of Novel Basalt Fiber Pellets from Micro- to Macro-Scale, and from Basic to Applied Fields: A Review on Recent Contributions","authors":"Tasnia Ahmed, A. Bediwy, Ahmed Azzam, R. Elhadary, E. El-Salakawy, M. Bassuoni","doi":"10.3390/fib12020017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/fib12020017","url":null,"abstract":"Fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCC) are one of the leading engineering materials in the 21st century, as they offer proficiency in enhancing strength, ductility, and durability in structural engineering applications. Because the recently developed basalt fiber pellets (BFP) offer combined strands of fibers encased in a polymer matrix, they are being prevalently studied to explore new possibilities when used in brittle materials such as mortar and concrete. Hence, this paper synthesizes the intensive research efforts and contributions to this novel class of fibers conducted by the authors. Specifically, it reviews the fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of FRCC incorporating single BFP or hybrid with polyvinyl alcohol fibers and modified with slag/fly ash and nano-materials and its suitability for different field applications. In addition, the nano- and meso-scale modeling of such matrices are described. BFP significantly contributes to improving post-cracking flexural behavior by toughening the cementitious matrix and minimizing strength losses when exposed to harsh environments. All results show promising progress in the development of high-performance FRCC comprising BFP, with potential success for structural and pavement applications.","PeriodicalId":12122,"journal":{"name":"Fibers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139863666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
FibersPub Date : 2024-02-05DOI: 10.3390/fib12020017
Tasnia Ahmed, A. Bediwy, Ahmed Azzam, R. Elhadary, E. El-Salakawy, M. Bassuoni
{"title":"Utilization of Novel Basalt Fiber Pellets from Micro- to Macro-Scale, and from Basic to Applied Fields: A Review on Recent Contributions","authors":"Tasnia Ahmed, A. Bediwy, Ahmed Azzam, R. Elhadary, E. El-Salakawy, M. Bassuoni","doi":"10.3390/fib12020017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/fib12020017","url":null,"abstract":"Fiber-reinforced cementitious composites (FRCC) are one of the leading engineering materials in the 21st century, as they offer proficiency in enhancing strength, ductility, and durability in structural engineering applications. Because the recently developed basalt fiber pellets (BFP) offer combined strands of fibers encased in a polymer matrix, they are being prevalently studied to explore new possibilities when used in brittle materials such as mortar and concrete. Hence, this paper synthesizes the intensive research efforts and contributions to this novel class of fibers conducted by the authors. Specifically, it reviews the fresh, mechanical, and durability properties of FRCC incorporating single BFP or hybrid with polyvinyl alcohol fibers and modified with slag/fly ash and nano-materials and its suitability for different field applications. In addition, the nano- and meso-scale modeling of such matrices are described. BFP significantly contributes to improving post-cracking flexural behavior by toughening the cementitious matrix and minimizing strength losses when exposed to harsh environments. All results show promising progress in the development of high-performance FRCC comprising BFP, with potential success for structural and pavement applications.","PeriodicalId":12122,"journal":{"name":"Fibers","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2024-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139803773","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}