Polycaprolactone (PCL) filled with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), wood flour (WF), or both were characterized before and after exposure to various environmental conditions for 60 days. PCL/WF composites had the greatest tensile strength and modulus compared to neat PCL or PCL composites containing MCC. Electron microscopy indicated better adhesion between WF particles and PCL than between MC...

Dinosaurs undoubtedly produced huge quantities of excrements. But who cleaned up after them? Dung beetles and flies with rapid development were rare during most of the Mesozoic. Candidates for these duties are extinct cockroaches (Blattulidae), whose temporal range is associated with herbivorous dinosaurs. An opportunity to test this hypothesis arises from coprolites to some extent extruded fro...

A model for heat-recirculating micro combustor is developed. It investigates the structure of laminar, one-dimensional and steady state flame propagation in uniformly premixed wood particles with considering the effects of heat recirculation caused by configuration of micro combustor. The flame structure is divided into three regions: a preheat-devolatilization zone where the rate of the gas-ph...

Wood-plastic composites (WPCs) are increasingly used in decking applications, where exterior exposure can lead to sufficient moisture for fungal deterioration. Standard tests recommended to assess fungal durability of WPC, but initially developed for wood or woodbased panels, are not applied in this study because the similarity in moisture behaviour for wood (-based panels) and WPC is questione...

Compression molded composites were made from wood particles and a liquefied wood/phenol/formaldehyde co-condensed resin. Based on our previous research, a phenol to wood (P1W) ratio of 2/1 was chosen for this study. The two experimental variables selected were: 1) liquefaction temperature (1500 and 180°C) and 2) cooking method (atmospheric and sealed). Panels were tested in static bending for m...

According to statistics, early in the 20th century, the proportion of positive and negative air ions on the earth is 1 : 1.2. However, after more than one century, the equilibrium state of the proportion had an obvious change, which the proportion of positive and negative air ions became 1.2 : 1, leading to a surrounding of positive air ions in human living environment. Therefore, it is urgent ...

Combustion of wood produces particulate matter (PM) emissions having the potential to induce respiratory tract diseases in humans. To date, however,few, if any, in vitro submerse exposure adverse effect studies characterized the actual particle characteristics within the culture medium. Indeed, the availability of particles and adsorbed toxic compounds in liquids may depend on particle characte...