Investigation of the changes in physical properties of PES/PVC fabrics after aging

The aim of this work was to investigate the physical and mechanical performance of architectural polyester (PES)–poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membranes exposed to different artificial aging conditions. Two commercially available architectural membranes were chosen as research objects. The durability of the PES/PVC fabrics was evaluated by the loss in mechanical performance, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis in order to understand the effect of the degradation agents on the surface of the membranes. The mechanical performance of the PES/PVC membranes was unchanged. Scanning electron microscopy images of the tested materials showed initial cracks after aging. The X-ray fluorescence analysis showed that at the time of aging, the amount of Cl and Si decreased slightly, while Ti decreased by half, and Ca by volume increased twice. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47523.     

Integrating resource criticality assessment into evaluation of cleaner production possibilities for increasing resource efficiency

A stable and secure source of raw materials is the key to any successful industrial activity. Resource criticality is often discussed in the context of the impact on the economies of certain geographic regions. However, the availability of required resources first of all concerns the competitiveness of industrial companies, especially in those countries which do not possess abundant natural resources. The Lithuanian economy relies heavily on imports since the country does not have abundant natural resources. The paper introduces resource criticality as an additional dimension for evaluating and prioritizing resource efficiency improvement options. Evaluation of resource criticality was integrated into the methodology for evaluation of Cleaner Production. Simple additive weighting (SAW) was used to solve the multi-criteria decision-making problem. The previous study on the natural resources that are imported to Lithuania revealed that metals are among the most important raw materials in terms of economic importance, supply, and environmental risks. Therefore, a typical metal processing company in Lithuania was selected for the detailed investigation of technological processes and Cleaner Production possibilities. The selected company processes about 3000 tons of various metals per year. The results of Process Material Flow Analysis show that most of the metal waste is generated during the metal plate cutting process (about 30.3 % of total metal consumption). Three resource efficiency improvement alternatives were evaluated and compared. The suggested decision support system was tested in order to decide on a definitive solution. The results reveal that evaluation of resource criticality in terms of geostrategic supply risk and economic importance can be used as an advantageous criterion to support the prioritization of Cleaner Production alternatives.     

Fortification of dairy products with vitamin D3

The purpose of this study was to analyse emulsions for vitamin D₃ delivery in yoghurt and sour cream. Oil‐in‐water emulsions stabilised by whey proteins alone and by whey proteins plus carboxymethylcellulose were used. No change in vitamin D₃ added to the yoghurt and sour cream in the form of both emulsions was observed after storage at 7 days in light and 14 days in dark at 4 °C. The results of bioavailability tests, using rats, for vitamin D₃ from the fortified emulsions and yoghurt indicated that it is feasible to use stabilised emulsions as delivery systems of vitamin D₃ in fortified products.     

Analysis of knitted fabrics deformations non-uniformity

The article presents the tensile forces caused knitted fabrics’ deformations non-uniformity analysis. At first, the tensile behaviour was analysed by applying new method based on specific Y-shaped and stretching specimen. This shape of specimen allows to fulfil wearing conditions of apparel made of knitted fabrics. After this, the article analyses research conditions and knitted fabrics’ deformability physical characteristics and determines longitudinal, transverse and angular deformations. The deformations properties were evaluated using graphic and numerical methods. Investigations have shown that elastane fibres significantly influenced fabric deformability, dimensional changes and deformations’ non-uniformity. Experiments have also shown that Y-shaped specimen tensile test is a simple, universal and reliable method suitable to obtain quantitative information about textile materials deformability.     

Design improvement of flexible textile aluminium-air battery

Abstract

Lately there have been a growing demand for energy sources that are suitable for powering smart textiles. A number of promising prototypes have been developed, many of which address important issues, but only to face new challenges. In this paper we propose a new approach to the development of energy source for smart textiles in order to overcome these challenges. The main feature of the new design is that the electrolyte is separated from the electrodes and is applied only when the cell needs to be activated. This makes shelf-life virtually infinite. We stress that this solution is suitable for specific applications only, outlined in the paper. The main aim of this study is to test viability of such an approach, using only textile materials. The presented electrical characteristics of the new battery should be assessed in this context. The main components of the battery include aluminium anode, air cathode and the shell made from cotton fabric. The paper focuses on the choice of textile-based materials for the anode and the cathode, since non-textile materials were used in these components in the original design. Besides that, the pure metal wire meshes have shown to be prone to oxidation. The new materials should address that issue as well. Electrical characteristics of the new design of the battery are measured, which confirm that there is no loss in battery performance. Next steps for further development of a multicell flexible textile battery, based on the results presented in this study, are outlined at the end of the paper.     

An assessment of beeswax as a thickener for environmentally friendly lubricating grease production

Environmentally friendly lubricants are preferred in many applications where groundwater or soil pollution is possible. The main purpose of the current study was to evaluate the possibility of beeswax use as a thickener for lubricating greases. European beeswax was used as a thickening material for the preparation of lubricating greases. Rapeseed oil and two mineral oils were used as base oils. The consistency, dropping point temperature, and tribological properties of the prepared lubricating greases were investigated and compared with conventional soap‐thickened greases. The prepared greases exhibited good tribological properties, especially the rapeseed‐oil‐based grease. However, tribological properties of conventional lubricating grease were superior to prepared ones. The weakness of the prepared lubricating greases is their narrow working temperature range. However, the beeswax together with rapeseed oil has great potential in the production of environmentally friendly, completely renewable lubricating greases. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Interactions between flavour release and rheological properties in model custard desserts: Effect of starch concentration and milk fat

The influence of the concentration of various reagents and of the storage time on the flavour release of custard desserts was evaluated by headspace solid-phase microextraction and supported by rheological measurements. The presence of milk fat induced a significant decrease of the headspace concentration of flavour compounds, mainly due to hydrophobic matrix–flavour interactions. An elevated starch concentration enhanced the strength of the custard gels considerably. However, the increasing starch concentration resulted in an increased flavour release at low flavour concentrations, while a tendency to flavour retention was noted at higher flavour concentrations. During storage time, a denser network was formed as shown by rheological measurements, but no significant difference in flavour release was noted upon storage (three days). These results show that the complex interactions between flavour compounds and the food matrix in a model custard are difficult to predict and have to be carefully evaluated by a combination of rheological parameters and physicochemical interactions.     

Consent for processing children’s personal data in the EU: following in US footsteps?

With the recent adoption of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the European Union (EU) assigned a prominent role to parental consent in order to protect the personal data of minors online. For the first time, the GDPR requires parental consent before information society service providers can process the personal data of children under 16 years of age. This provision is new for Europe and faces many interpretation and implementation challenges, but not for the US, which adopted detailed rules for the operators that collect personal information from children under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) almost two decades ago. The article critically assesses the provisions of the GDPR related to the consent of minors, and makes a comparative analysis with the requirements stipulated in the COPPA in order to identify pitfalls and lessons to be learnt before the new rules in the EU become applicable.