bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of zwitterion-functionalized graphene oxide/polyethersulfone nanocomposite membrane and fouling evaluation using solutes of varying charges
Authors: Soh C.Z. , Chang Z.H. , Sum J.Y. , Yeap S.P , Chai P.V , Jawad Z.A. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
This study explores the functionalization of polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes using zwitterion-functionalized graphene oxide (GO) and assesses their interactions with solutes of different charges, both neutral and anionic. Initially, PES nanocomposite membranes were synthesized, incorporating varying dosages (ranging from 0-1 % (w/w)) of glycine-functionalized graphene oxide (Gly/GO) and diglycine-functionalized graphene oxide (diGly/GO) through a direct blending method. The physicochemical properties, including hydrophilicity, surface morphology, and porosity of these membranes were characterized using sessile-drop contact angle, tabletop scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and gravimetric methods, respectively. Subsequently, the antifouling performance of these synthesized membranes was assessed by exposing them to a solution containing sucrose as a neutral model foulant and humic acid as an anionic foulant. The incorporation of zwitterion-functionalized graphene oxide nanoparticles improved the surface wettability of the nanocomposite membrane, enhancing its resistance to sucrose fouling. This was supported by a reduction in flux declination ratio (e.g., 40.6 % for pristine PES, 29.7 % for 1.0 % (w/w) Gly/GO PES, and 33.1 % for 1.0 % (w/w) diGly/GO PES) and an increase in flux recovery ratio (67.2 % for pristine PES, 79.7 % for 1.0 % (w/w) Gly/GO PES, and 80.0% for 1.0 % (w/w) diGly/GO PES). The improvement in antifouling characteristics is attributed to the formation of a hydration layer on the membrane surface, which inhibits sucrose deposition. However, zwitterion-functionalized PES nanocomposite membranes displayed a higher affinity for anionic humic acid, resulting in a substantial flux decline and a lower flux recovery ratio. Overall, this research provides insights into the roles of surface wettability and the charge interactions between solutes and the membrane surface, both of which are crucial factors in determining fouling severity and the restorability of spent membranes.
Evaluating Lean Combustion Cycle Stability and Emissions in Spark Ignition Engines with Gasoline, Ethanol, and Methanol Blends
Authors: Agama A A , Sugiarto B , Mokhtar  , Kurniawan A , Auzani A S , Wisnugraha M A , Rahatwan Z B , Prasetyo D 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Fuels for vehicles account for a large portion of the world’s total energy demand, which in turn leads to increased carbon emissions. Ethanol and methanol are a fuel with a simple carbon chain and OH- bonds. It has similar properties to gasoline, and ethanol can be made from the fermentation of plant carbohydrates, called bioethanol. The advantage of using bioethanol is that it contributes to carbon neutrality. This paper will investigate the use of three manually blended gasoline ethanol and methanol (GEM) fuels in a spark ignition engine to address cycle-to-cycle variation (CCV), knock potential, and emissions with lean blend conditions. In the experiments conducted, the air-fuel ratio was conditioned lean by utilizing an electronic control unit to adjust the injector spray duration. This experiment provides results that there is a potential for mild knocking on the use of alcohol fuel with lean fuel mixture conditions at engine speed 4000 RPM, while at engine speed 6000 RPM and 8000 RPM the use of GEM tends to be stable, but in the CCV results the increase in COV (coefficient of variation) value using GEM fuel tends to be more sloping, especially with the addition of more methanol. Emission results from the use of GEM produce top emission CO2 value obtained by the E5M15 mixture at λ=1.2 and an engine speed of 8000 RPM, with a value of 13.75% and then peak CO2 emissions at a value of λ = 1.2 whereas in the use of pure gasoline peak CO2 is at a value of λ = 1.1.
CFD simulation for CO2 separation using diamond-structured thermally rearranged (TR) polymer membrane: Effect of CO2 feed concentration, feed pressure and temperature
Authors: Toh W Y , Lai L S , Tay W H , Yeap S P , Jawad Z A , Markandan K 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
CO2 separation in natural gas purification is important in improving the properties of natural gas such as energy content, volume and corrosivity. Membrane separation using TR-450 polymer membrane is a potential approach to remove CO2 from natural gas efficiently. The study of CO2/CH4 binary gas mixture separation was simulated using a thermally-rearranged (TR) HAB- 6FDA membrane at 450 °C with a partial part of Schwarz Diamond structure because it exhibits advanced mechanical properties with low stiffness for relatively high strength. TR-450 membrane exhibits excellent separation performance that has the potential to exceed the Robeson plot 1991. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to simulate the fluid behavior within the geometry created using CAD software. The effect of feed pressure, temperature and CO2 feed concentration on the separation performance of TR-450 membrane was also studied. The results indicated that an increase in feed pressure leads to a decrease in CO2 recovery, hence the lower separation performance. It was also found that increasing the feed temperature leads to an increase in CO2 recovery. Concerning the concentration of CO2 in the feed, elevated levels impact the performance of membrane separation. The enhanced membrane separation performance demonstrated by the TR-450 membrane under various conditions underscores the necessity for additional investigation to unveil its potential in industrial gas separation applications.
Analysing type of plants for reducing noise pollution in climate change adaptation
Authors: Hashim W , Jamaludin S M , Mohamed R M A R , Gunasekaran S S , Thabit R , Gohel H 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
The noisier a region or city is, the faster the rate of global warming. Noise is not a substance. However, most sources of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are also sources of noise; for example, busy highways in cities can occasionally see as many as 100 cars per hour. Planting trees to mitigate noise pollution has been identified as one of the most sustainable methods to employ, since plants may function as a buffer and absorb sounds. Several plant species were chosen to assess noise absorption based on parameters such as leaf thickness, breadth, surface area, and length. The initial goal of this study is to estimate the noise absorption on the selected flora native to the Malaysian environment, where the noise was measured using an in-house developed impedance tube to discover the effective acoustic characteristics of leaves. The investigation was then carried on by assessing the data on the correlation coefficient parameter in order to determine the link between noise absorption and leaf features. Because of the freshness and perishability of the materials, measurements were repeated twice. Only 100% and 50% vegetation quantity size were measured for 10 sample species during the initial data collection. According to the findings, half of the leaves’ features were connected with noise absorption. This might be owing to the freshness state, which cannot be maintained for an extended period of time. To acquire a better value, the experiment was repeated within the permissible freshness time. The findings are as predicted, with the maximum noise absorption and features correlation at 100% plant density including twigs. When the vegetation amount is lowered to 50%, this will progressively diminish. The notion is confirmed by the fact that a tube packed with thicker samples absorbs more noise. The correlation study identifies that each leaf has its unique capacity for noise absorption dependent on its properties and freshness level.
Assessing the Environmental Impact of Empty Fruit Bunches for Electricity Generation in Malaysia: A Life Cycle Perspective
Authors: Sukhairul Zaman Nur Zaqira Izzati , Abbas Ahmad Rosly , Zainal Mohamad Fetri , Quek Alexandra , Wan Ata Wan Nur Syuhada , Mohd Yapandi Md Fauzan Kamal , Ibrahim Zul Fadli 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Empty fruit bunches (EFB) constitute a significant residual byproduct of the palm oil mill industry in Malaysia, representing approximately 22% of the weight of every fresh fruit bunch. This study aims to evaluate the environmental impacts associated with electricity generation utilizing EFB as a primary fuel through a cradle – to – grave life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. The system boundary encompasses the power plant construction, fuel preparation, electricity generation and all transportation activities throughout its life cycle. The EFBs are sourced from seven palm mills situated within a 50-kilometer radius of the plant. SimaPro 9.4.02 software integrated with Ecoinvent 3.8 database was employed to quantify the magnitudes of significant environmental indicators, such as global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), and photochemical oxidant creation potential (POCP), based on a functional unit of 1 kWh of electricity produced. The emission rate for the biomass plant stands at – 5.31 kgCO2eq/kWh, signifying a net carbon sink. The electricity generation process accounts for a substantial 96.48% of the total CO2eq/kWh emissions, thus bearing the greatest environmental burden. The construction phase of the biomass plant contributes approximately 3.06% of the total emissions, while the EFB transportation to the power plant represents a minor 0.19% of the overall emissions. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the plant’s efficiency across fiscal years 2018 to 2021 and its corresponding global warming impacts. In 2021, the plant’s operations resulted in the most significant carbon avoidance, given the combustion of a high volume of EFB (188 kilotons) to produce 49.3GWh of electricity. The findings from this study serve as a valuable benchmark for evaluating emissions in the context of the empty fruit bunch-based plant in Peninsular Malaysia, hence offering profound insights into the environmental sustainability of the palm oil industry.
Multi-period optimization of water planning for a sustainable agriculture: carbon footprint and water footprint assessment
Authors: Lahlou F , Al-Ansari T 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
The State of Qatar has undergone significant changes impacting water resources in recent years, with rapid population growth being a significant factor. The government has implemented several policies and initiatives to manage water resources effectively, including introducing a water conservation strategy investing in desalination plants and wastewater treatment facilities. However, the expansion of the agricultural sector has driven up demand for water resources, placing additional pressure on limited supplies. Effective decision-making processes are crucial to sustainable water resource management, particularly in water-scarce countries, and multi-period optimization is an important tool for such decision-making. This study presents a five-year period for multi-period optimization of water planning in the agricultural sector to consider short-term and medium-term dynamics. The aim is to minimize the carbon footprint associated with agricultural water allocation, and assess water pollution using the Water Quality Index grey water footprint indicator. The water budget considered includes desalinated water, brackish groundwater, and treated sewage effluent, while the agricultural sector comprises dairy, egg and poultry, red meat production, outdoor farming, and indoor farming. Considering the water conservation importance in the State of Qatar, the three levels of water stress that were considered are 0%, 25% and a base scenario carbon footprint-based water stress. The latter is calculated such that the improved scenario’s carbon footprint is lower than that of the base scenario while keeping a safe annual water stress. Results show that it possible to reduce the water stress from an unsafe average to as little as 13.7%. Similarly, the water pollution estimated using the grey water footprint method is significantly lower compared to the base scenario.
CO2 emission mitigation of a hybrid photovoltaic and cogeneration system in computer hardware manufacturing industry: A case study in Thailand
Authors: Manirampa D , Chaiwiwatworakul P 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
In the wake of COP26 and the growing urgency of addressing climate change, achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 has become a central global objective. This imperative extends to industries like computer hardware manufacturing, which are now actively pursuing decarbonization strategies through the strategic adoption of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency enhancements. This research paper assessed the CO2 emission mitigation potential of a hybrid system of photovoltaic (PV) roof and cogeneration where a large factory of computer hardware manufacturing in tropical Thailand was selected as a study site. On one hand, a one-Megawatt photovoltaic system was installed over the roof of the production building to generate electricity from solar radiation to serve the building. On the other hand, a twenty-four-Megawatt cogeneration system of gas engines as the prime mover was used to supply power to meet the building’s electricity demand. Waste heat from the gas engine was used by the absorption chiller to generate chilled water for cooling inside the building. Based on the system equipment specifications, the annual simulation using Thailand’s solar radiation showed that the installed photovoltaic system could generate electricity of 1,412.4 MWhelec/year while the implementation of the absorption chillers for cooling helped to reduce the electrical energy consumed by the traditional electric chiller by 10,211.4 MWhelec/year. In our study case where the CO2 emission of the grid power was 0.4758 kgCO2/kWhelec in the year 2022 and was reduced to 0.350 kgCO2/kWhelec in the year 2050, the total CO2 emission mitigation from the hybrid photovoltaic and cogeneration system with the genset efficiency of 50% and the waste heat recovery of 60% could reduce approximately 207,388.5TonCO2 for over 20 years as compared to the scenario where the grid electricity alone powered the building. These findings underscored the critical role of the proposed hybrid system in addressing the climate crisis and exemplified how the industry could make meaningful strides toward more environmental sustainability.
Mycelium-metal hybrids: Exploring fabrication and application for reconfigurable design structures
Authors: Soh E , Teoh J H , Mathialagan M , Peh R J H , Yong W N , Ranner V , Le Ferrand H 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Mycelium-bound composites (MBCs) are materials grown by fungi onto lignocellulosic substrates. MBCs are a low-cost, lightweight, valorised biomass with promising properties concerning acoustics, heat insulation and fire resistance, among others. These properties make MBCs interesting as a sustainable alternative to currently existing fossil-fuel-derived products. However, MBCs lack properties such as mechanical strength or other functional properties like electrical conductivity which could widen their range of applications. In this work, the mycelium from Pleurotus ostreatus is grown in presence of metals. First, a coating strategy is developed to grow the fungus on aluminium, copper, and stainless-steel surfaces. The coating is made of agar and cornstarch to provide nutrients for the fungus to grow. It is found that the mycelium can grow on all surfaces, even on anti-bacterial copper surface. Secondly, magnetic MBCs with 3D shapes are fabricated for making potential reconfigurable structures. For these composites, the fungus is exposed to lignocellulosic substrate and rare earth magnets. Using 3D printing to create 3D moulds to grow the composite, and by strategically placing the magnet, several structures are made. This approach is interesting for the future design and fabrication of reconfigurable panels for room partition, building thermal or insulation, or to replace plastics in toy products, among others.
Elephant skin-inspired mycelium tiles for thermal regulation of buildings
Authors: Soh E , Loh N Y J , Teoh J H , Jain A , Le Ferrand H 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Of all types of ecosystems, cities are the most polluting and this pollution affects more than 50% of the global population. One main cause for this pollution is related to the energy used to heat or cool down buildings. Currently, only 15% of households in Southeast Asia have an air conditioner, but this number is expected to rise, leading to an increase in demand in energy consumption, electricity and CO2 emissions which could further worsen global pollution and climate change. There is therefore an urgent need to find alternative solutions to cool buildings and regulate their temperatures. In this paper, inspiration is taken from elephants who live in very hot climates. Elephants can cool themselves thanks to the wrinkles on their skin that can limit heat gain, dissipate energy by evaporative cooling and store water. To emulate elephants’ cooling, tiles with elephant skin-inspired surface texture are designed. Computational simulations are performed to evaluate the effect of local shading due to the texture. Experimental tiles are produced using a biodegradable and natural material grown by a fungus, Pleurotus Ostreatus. These tiles are mycelium-bound composites (MBCs) where the fungus grew on bamboo microfibers, developing an interconnected web of cells called the mycelium that binds the microfibers together. The thermal properties of the tiles were measured for heating and cooling on the textured and flat side. The results show the tiles have anisotropic properties with a significant improvement by 25% in the cooling of the textured side over the flat side. In simulated rain conditions, the cooling is further improved by 42% as compared to dry conditions. The elephant-mycelium tiles are therefore promising for thermal regulation of building in Southeast Asia environments.
Development of thermal insulation material using coconut and kenaf fiber for heat recovery enhancement
Authors: Shah R E , Saadon S , Rahman N K , Abdellatif N 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn line with the world’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), Malaysia aims to have a clean future energy. The main problem facing the energy revolution is the low conversion efficiency of low-grade heat to useful energy. During the process, a significant fraction of thermal energy is generally lost to the environment as waste heat. Waste heat accounts for 20-50% of industrial energy use, with Southeast Asia processing 40 million tonnes of oil equivalent. Heat losses especially in engines can reduce efficiency, leading to extensive studies to reduce heat loss and improve thermal performance. Heat recovery systems are being studied to recover lower-grade energy, but to the extent of the authors’ knowledge, the majority of them are not economically effective for low temperature waste heat. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to develop low thermal conductivity material for thermal insulators based on natural fibre and investigate their impact on thermal performance. The natural fibre-based materials that were chosen in this study are coconut husk and kenaf fibre due to their supposedly low thermal conductivity level and availability in the Southeast Asia region. The specimens were prepared using two different methods; the first two specimens using needle felting method and for the other two specimens epoxy resin was reinforced to bind the material together to become a polymer. The results revealed that coconut husk fibre reinforced with resin has the lowest thermal conductivity value among the four specimens with 0.0410 W/m.K and the lowest overall heat transfer coefficient of 2.73 W/m2.K, making it a possible thermal insulator to be proposed for heat recovery.
Framework design of recycling system for expired medicine and waste batteries in Chinese community
Authors: Zhang M R , Chong W T 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Hazardous waste poses a significant threat to the environment. Improper disposal of hazardous waste generated from residents’ daily activities can substantially burden the environment. Expired medicine and waste batteries pose the most significant risks to Chinese residents regarding hazardous waste exposure. Approximately 15,000 tons of expired medicine and 3 million tons of waste batteries are generated annually, further exacerbating the environmental burden. Research on hazardous waste generated by residents’ daily lives has received significant attention in China. Most studies have concentrated on enhancing the structure of recycling equipment and conducting theoretical analyses of recycling strategies. However, further research is required to conduct a comprehensive design process study specifically tailored to the characteristics of the Chinese community. Based on the findings from a questionnaire survey conducted among Chinese residents, this survey showed that more than 90% of the participants intended to recycle used batteries and expired medications. However, it was observed that only 30% of the residents were currently engaged in voluntary sorting and recycling practices for these items. Given the prevailing circumstances, this study proposes a design framework to enhance recycling awareness among Chinese residents. The system design scheme is based on the design framework and includes the cooperation of residents and community workers. This recycling system scheme includes a recycling bin 3D model and a WeChat mini-program design. This recycling system facilitates the dissemination of scientific knowledge about hazardous waste through a WeChat mini-program. Moreover, implementing a user-point reward mechanism has proven effective in incentivizing resident participation in recycling activities. Building upon the comprehensive design framework, this study seamlessly integrates green design principles into the daily lives of Chinese residents.