Nonwood-Based Composites

Nalgrass: A Nonwood Fiber Source Suitable for Existing US

INTRODUCTION Arundo donax, Poaceae, commonly known as “nalgrass,” is a member of the reed family that grows both wild and cultivated in California. Evaluated as a potential paper fiber source in Italy and Hungary over 50 years ago and included in the 1970s USDA evaluation of potential annual fiber crops, the high potential of A. donax has not been widely recognized. A new evaluation was begun i...

Chitosan/hydroxyapatite-based composites

In the past 20 years, there has been a growing trend towards the development and use of biomaterials for the repairing and restoration of damaged bone tissue. The calcium phosphate bioceramics have attracted great attention in the field of orthopaedics because of its similarity to the mineral component of bone tissue. They have been used as granules for example in non-load bearing small implant...

Electrically Conductive Latex-Based Composites

Electrically conductive polymer composites filled with carbon black can exhibit the mechanical behavior of a polymer and metallic electrical conductivity. Unfortunately, excessive amounts of carbon black can produce brittle films and too little carbon black can result in low conductivity. Composite conductivity can be dramatically improved by using latex as the matrix starting material. Latex p...

Multifunctional Composites Based on Nanocarbons

This talk starts with a review of the different strategies to incorporate nanocarbons (CNTs, graphene) inpolymer matrices and their relative merit in terms of mechanical reinforcement, improvement inelectrical/thermal conductivity and emergence of other functional properties, such as sensingcapabilities [1] [2]. Three types of nanocomposites are discussed: the first type corresponds...

Bacterial Cellulose-Based Biomimetic Composites