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Rumi SS, Liyanage S, Zhang Z, Abidi N. Upcycling Low-Quality Cotton Fibers into Mulch Gel Films in a Fast Closed Carbon Cycle. Gels 2024; 10:218. [PMID: 38667637 PMCID: PMC11049410 DOI: 10.3390/gels10040218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Low-quality cotton fibers, often overlooked as low-value materials, constitute a marginalized waste stream in the cotton industry. This study endeavored to repurpose these fibers into mulch gel films, specifically exploring their efficacy in covering moisture-controlled soil beds. Through a meticulously designed series of processing methods, cellulose/glycerol film was successfully fabricated by regenerating cellulose hydrogels in N,N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride solutions, followed by plasticization in glycerol/water solutions and hot pressing. The film was then employed to cover soil beds for a duration of up to 252 days, followed by soil burial assessments. Despite expectations of degradation, the film maintained structural integrity throughout the soil covering period but underwent complete biodegradation after 80 days of soil burial, thereby completing a closed carbon cycle. Intriguingly, both tensile strength and modulus exhibited no diminishment but instead increased after soil covering, contrary to expectations given the usual role of degradation. Mechanistic insights revealed that the removal of glycerol contributed to the mechanical enhancement, while microbial activity predominately decomposed the amorphous regions in soil covering and targeted the crystalline portions in soil burial, elucidating the main biodegradation mechanisms. In summary, this study presents, for the first time, the potential of upcycling low-quality cotton fibers into high-value mulch gel films for agricultural practices within a closed carbon cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (S.S.R.); (S.L.)
| | - Noureddine Abidi
- Department of Plant and Soil Science, Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; (S.S.R.); (S.L.)
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Holt RR, Barile D, Wang SC, Munafo JP, Arvik T, Li X, Lee F, Keen CL, Tagkopoulos I, Schmitz HH. Chardonnay Marc as a New Model for Upcycled Co-products in the Food Industry: Concentration of Diverse Natural Products Chemistry for Consumer Health and Sensory Benefits. J Agric Food Chem 2022; 70:15007-15027. [PMID: 36409321 PMCID: PMC9732887 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c04519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Research continues to provide compelling insights into potential health benefits associated with diets rich in plant-based natural products (PBNPs). Coupled with evidence from dietary intervention trials, dietary recommendations increasingly include higher intakes of PBNPs. In addition to health benefits, PBNPs can drive flavor and sensory perceptions in foods and beverages. Chardonnay marc (pomace) is a byproduct of winemaking obtained after fruit pressing that has not undergone fermentation. Recent research has revealed that PBNP diversity within Chardonnay marc has potential relevance to human health and desirable sensory attributes in food and beverage products. This review explores the potential of Chardonnay marc as a valuable new PBNP ingredient in the food system by combining health, sensory, and environmental sustainability benefits that serves as a model for development of future ingredients within a sustainable circular bioeconomy. This includes a discussion on the potential role of computational methods, including artificial intelligence (AI), in accelerating research and development required to discover and commercialize this new source of PBNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta R Holt
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Daniela Barile
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Selina C Wang
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - John P Munafo
- Department of Food Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Torey Arvik
- Sonomaceuticals, LLC, Santa Rosa, California 95403, United States
| | - Xueqi Li
- Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Fanny Lee
- Sonomaceuticals, LLC, Santa Rosa, California 95403, United States
| | - Carl L Keen
- Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
| | - Ilias Tagkopoulos
- PIPA, LLC, Davis, California 95616, United States
- Department of Computer Science and Genome Center, USDA/NSF AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems (AIFS), University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616 United States
| | - Harold H Schmitz
- March Capital US, LLC, Davis, California 95616, United States
- T.O.P., LLC, Davis, California 95616, United States
- Graduate School of Management, University of California, Davis, Davis, California 95616, United States
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Visco A, Scolaro C, Facchin M, Brahimi S, Belhamdi H, Gatto V, Beghetto V. Agri-Food Wastes for Bioplastics: European Prospective on Possible Applications in Their Second Life for a Circular Economy. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:2752. [PMID: 35808796 PMCID: PMC9268966 DOI: 10.3390/polym14132752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Agri-food wastes (such as brewer's spent grain, olive pomace, residual pulp from fruit juice production, etc.) are produced annually in very high quantities posing a serious problem, both environmentally and economically. These wastes can be used as secondary starting materials to produce value-added goods within the principles of the circular economy. In this context, this review focuses on the use of agri-food wastes either to produce building blocks for bioplastics manufacturing or biofillers to be mixed with other bioplastics. The pros and cons of the literature analysis have been highlighted, together with the main aspects related to the production of bioplastics, their use and recycling. The high number of European Union (EU)-funded projects for the valorisation of agri-food waste with the best European practices for this industrial sector confirm a growing interest in safeguarding our planet from environmental pollution. However, problems such as the correct labelling and separation of bioplastics from fossil ones remain open and to be optimised, with the possibility of reuse before final composting and selective recovery of biomass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Visco
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, C.da Di Dio, 98166 Messina, Italy; (C.S.); (S.B.); (H.B.)
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials-CNR IPCB, Via Paolo Gaifami 18, 95126 Catania, Italy
| | - Cristina Scolaro
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, C.da Di Dio, 98166 Messina, Italy; (C.S.); (S.B.); (H.B.)
| | - Manuela Facchin
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, University Ca’ Foscari of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Mestre, Italy;
| | - Salim Brahimi
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, C.da Di Dio, 98166 Messina, Italy; (C.S.); (S.B.); (H.B.)
| | - Hossem Belhamdi
- Department of Engineering, University of Messina, C.da Di Dio, 98166 Messina, Italy; (C.S.); (S.B.); (H.B.)
| | - Vanessa Gatto
- Crossing S.r.l., Viale della Repubblica 193/b, 31100 Treviso, Italy;
| | - Valentina Beghetto
- Department of Molecular Sciences and Nanosystems, University Ca’ Foscari of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172 Mestre, Italy;
- Crossing S.r.l., Viale della Repubblica 193/b, 31100 Treviso, Italy;
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Little HA, Tanikella NG, J. Reich M, Fiedler MJ, Snabes SL, Pearce JM. Towards Distributed Recycling with Additive Manufacturing of PET Flake Feedstocks. Materials (Basel) 2020; 13:ma13194273. [PMID: 32992735 PMCID: PMC7578976 DOI: 10.3390/ma13194273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
This study explores the potential to reach a circular economy for post-consumer Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (rPET) packaging and bottles by using it as a Distributed Recycling for Additive Manufacturing (DRAM) feedstock. Specifically, for the first time, rPET water bottle flake is processed using only an open source toolchain with Fused Particle Fabrication (FPF) or Fused Granular Fabrication (FGF) processing rather than first converting it to filament. In this study, first the impact of granulation, sifting, and heating (and their sequential combination) is quantified on the shape and size distribution of the rPET flakes. Then 3D printing tests were performed on the rPET flake with two different feed systems: an external feeder and feed tube augmented with a motorized auger screw, and an extruder-mounted hopper that enables direct 3D printing. Two Gigabot X machines were used, each with the different feed systems, and one without and the latter with extended part cooling. 3D print settings were optimized based on thermal characterization, and both systems were shown to 3D print rPET directly from shredded water bottles. Mechanical testing showed the importance of isolating rPET from moisture and that geometry was important for uniform extrusion. The mechanical strength of 3D-printed parts with FPF and inconsistent flow is lower than optimized fused filament, but adequate for a wide range of applications. Future work is needed to improve consistency and enable water bottles to be used as a widespread DRAM feedstock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen A. Little
- re:3D Inc., 1100 Hercules STE 220, Houston, TX 77058, USA; (H.A.L.); (M.J.F.); (S.L.S.)
| | - Nagendra G. Tanikella
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA; (N.G.T.); (M.J.R.)
| | - Matthew J. Reich
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA; (N.G.T.); (M.J.R.)
| | - Matthew J. Fiedler
- re:3D Inc., 1100 Hercules STE 220, Houston, TX 77058, USA; (H.A.L.); (M.J.F.); (S.L.S.)
| | - Samantha L. Snabes
- re:3D Inc., 1100 Hercules STE 220, Houston, TX 77058, USA; (H.A.L.); (M.J.F.); (S.L.S.)
| | - Joshua M. Pearce
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA; (N.G.T.); (M.J.R.)
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA
- Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering, School of Electrical Engineering, Aalto University, 00076 Espoo, Finland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-906-487-1466
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Reich MJ, Woern AL, Tanikella NG, Pearce JM. Mechanical Properties and Applications of Recycled Polycarbonate Particle Material Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing. Materials (Basel) 2019; 12:ma12101642. [PMID: 31137505 PMCID: PMC6566670 DOI: 10.3390/ma12101642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Past work has shown that particle material extrusion (fused particle fabrication (FPF)/fused granular fabrication (FGF)) has the potential for increasing the use of recycled polymers in 3D printing. This study extends this potential to high-performance (high-mechanical-strength and heat-resistant) polymers using polycarbonate (PC). Recycled PC regrind of approximately 25 mm2 was 3D printed with an open-source Gigabot X and analyzed. A temperature and nozzle velocity matrix was used to find useful printing parameters, and a print test was used to maximize the output for a two-temperature stage extruder for PC. ASTM type 4 tensile test geometries as well as ASTM-approved compression tests were used to determine the mechanical properties of PC and were compared with filament printing and the bulk virgin material. The results showed the tensile strength of parts manufactured from the recycled PC particles (64.9 MPa) were comparable to that of the commercial filament printed on desktop (62.2 MPa) and large-format (66.3 MPa) 3D printers. Three case study applications were investigated: (i) using PC as a rapid molding technology for lower melting point thermoplastics, (ii) printed parts for high temperature applications, and (iii) printed parts for high-strength applications. The results show that recycled PC particle-based 3D printing can produce high-strength and heat-resistant products at low costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Reich
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
| | - Aubrey L Woern
- Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
| | - Nagendra G Tanikella
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
| | - Joshua M Pearce
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
- Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering, School of Electrical Engineering, Aalto University, 00076 Espoo, Finland.
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Woern AL, Byard DJ, Oakley RB, Fiedler MJ, Snabes SL, Pearce JM. Fused Particle Fabrication 3-D Printing: Recycled Materials' Optimization and Mechanical Properties. Materials (Basel) 2018; 11:E1413. [PMID: 30103532 PMCID: PMC6120030 DOI: 10.3390/ma11081413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Fused particle fabrication (FPF) (or fused granular fabrication (FGF)) has potential for increasing recycled polymers in 3-D printing. Here, the open source Gigabot X is used to develop a new method to optimize FPF/FGF for recycled materials. Virgin polylactic acid (PLA) pellets and prints were analyzed and were then compared to four recycled polymers including the two most popular printing materials (PLA and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)) as well as the two most common waste plastics (polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP)). The size characteristics of the various materials were quantified using digital image processing. Then, power and nozzle velocity matrices were used to optimize the print speed, and a print test was used to maximize the output for a two-temperature stage extruder for a given polymer feedstock. ASTM type 4 tensile tests were used to determine the mechanical properties of each plastic when they were printed with a particle drive extruder system and were compared with filament printing. The results showed that the Gigabot X can print materials 6.5× to 13× faster than conventional printers depending on the material, with no significant reduction in the mechanical properties. It was concluded that the Gigabot X and similar FPF/FGF printers can utilize a wide range of recycled polymer materials with minimal post processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey L Woern
- Department of Mechanical Engineering⁻Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
| | - Dennis J Byard
- Department of Mechanical Engineering⁻Engineering Mechanics, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
| | | | - Matthew J Fiedler
- re:3D Inc., 1100 Hercules STE 220, Houston, TX 77058, USA.
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
| | - Samantha L Snabes
- re:3D Inc., 1100 Hercules STE 220, Houston, TX 77058, USA.
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
| | - Joshua M Pearce
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
- Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering, School of Electrical Engineering, Aalto University, 00076 Espoo, Finland.
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