title: Biofibre production from chicken feather

authors: Tseng, Fan-Chen Jeanie

subjects: feather

abstract: The global poultry industry generates at least 2 million tonnes of chicken feather every year. Feather fibre has potential as  reinforcement for polymer composites with light-weight, thermal insulation and acoustic dampening properties. This study aimed to develop a process to produce clean fibre recovered from chicken feather. Raw feather was decontaminated by 0.15% sodium hypochlorite in 25 L water at pH 10.0 for two 30 min stages and cleaned by 0.15% hydrogen peroxide in 25 L water for three 30 min stages.  Cleaned feather was comminuted in 300 L water using a centrifugal pump at 30 Hz impeller speed on full recycle for 4 h. Rachis and partially cut feather were removed using a 5 mm filter and fibre was recovered using a 1 mm filter. Wet fibre was dried in an air-forced oven at 70°C. Morphological studies revealed fibre surface remained intact after the treatment process.

text: Biofibre production from chicken feather The global poultry industry generates at least 2 million tonnes of chicken feather every year. Feather fibre has potential as  reinforcement for polymer composites with light-weight, thermal insulation and acoustic dampening properties. This study aimed to develop a process to produce clean fibre recovered from chicken feather. Raw feather was decontaminated by 0.15% sodium hypochlorite in 25 L water at pH 10.0 for two 30 min stages and cleaned by 0.15% hydrogen peroxide in 25 L water for three 30 min stages.  Cleaned feather was comminuted in 300 L water using a centrifugal pump at 30 Hz impeller speed on full recycle for 4 h. Rachis and partially cut feather were removed using a 5 mm filter and fibre was recovered using a 1 mm filter. Wet fibre was dried in an air-forced oven at 70°C. Morphological studies revealed fibre surface remained intact after the treatment process.

year: 2011

title: Surge capability testing of supercapacitor families using a lightning surge simulator

authors: Kularatna, Nihal

subjects: Equivalent circuits

abstract: Supercapacitors (SCs) are capable of storing energy in the range of fractional joules to several thousands of joules despite their lower dc voltage ratings. Farad-order capacitances combined with milliohm-order equivalent series resistances provide time constants ranging from fractional seconds to seconds. Given these time constants, compared to the time durations of power line transients in the range of a few microseconds to several hundreds of microseconds, these devices may be able to withstand short-duration surges with energy values specified in IEEE C62-XX series, IEC 61400-4-5, and similar standards. However, there is little or no manufacturer datasheet information on these aspects. This paper provides details of an automatic tester interfaced with a lightning surge simulator, a test procedure, and summarized test data on three different families of SCs. The test data set provides some valuable insight in estimating the capabilities of these new SC families to withstand surges and transients, which, in turn, could lead to nontraditional applications.

text: Surge capability testing of supercapacitor families using a lightning surge simulator Supercapacitors (SCs) are capable of storing energy in the range of fractional joules to several thousands of joules despite their lower dc voltage ratings. Farad-order capacitances combined with milliohm-order equivalent series resistances provide time constants ranging from fractional seconds to seconds. Given these time constants, compared to the time durations of power line transients in the range of a few microseconds to several hundreds of microseconds, these devices may be able to withstand short-duration surges with energy values specified in IEEE C62-XX series, IEC 61400-4-5, and similar standards. However, there is little or no manufacturer datasheet information on these aspects. This paper provides details of an automatic tester interfaced with a lightning surge simulator, a test procedure, and summarized test data on three different families of SCs. The test data set provides some valuable insight in estimating the capabilities of these new SC families to withstand surges and transients, which, in turn, could lead to nontraditional applications.

year: 2011

title: Mai ngā pouwhirinaki - The experiences of whānau caring for Māori tangata whaiora with traumatic brain injury in the Waikato

authors: Silveira, Maia

subjects: Traumatic brain injury

abstract: In Aotearoa today, Māori have a disproportionate experience of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the community and in prisons compared to non-Māori. Furthermore, Māori have higher mortality rates following TBI, and are more likely to have a prolonged stay in hospital then be discharged without community support services compared with non-Māori. Currently, many of the post-acute rehabilitation services are located in the Auckland region which causes undue pressure of whānau needs, finances, and work commitments for many whānau and individuals with TBI from the Waikato region. My research focuses on the experiences of whānau navigators experience of caring for Māori tangata whaiora with TBI in the Waikato region. Whānau navigators for this thesis refers to members of the whānau who have familial obligations of care. Within this thesis I consult and engage with whānau about post-acute rehabilitation services. This is a qualitative based research project, which draws upon narrative inquiry, and a Kaupapa Māori research paradigm. Documenting these experiences will provide empirical evidence to highlight the invaluable role whānau have within recovery and the value of whānau support. This research can be used to identify the dynamic needs of whānau and encourage the healthcare system to provide a service that is consistent with Kaupapa Māori health frameworks and practices which at present is non- existent. As a result, the project will help inform the development of a service model within TBI that can better reflect and support the needs of whānau and Māori communities, that is a locally derived practice and more applicable and appropriate for Māori. Mauri ora!

text: Mai ngā pouwhirinaki - The experiences of whānau caring for Māori tangata whaiora with traumatic brain injury in the Waikato In Aotearoa today, Māori have a disproportionate experience of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in the community and in prisons compared to non-Māori. Furthermore, Māori have higher mortality rates following TBI, and are more likely to have a prolonged stay in hospital then be discharged without community support services compared with non-Māori. Currently, many of the post-acute rehabilitation services are located in the Auckland region which causes undue pressure of whānau needs, finances, and work commitments for many whānau and individuals with TBI from the Waikato region. My research focuses on the experiences of whānau navigators experience of caring for Māori tangata whaiora with TBI in the Waikato region. Whānau navigators for this thesis refers to members of the whānau who have familial obligations of care. Within this thesis I consult and engage with whānau about post-acute rehabilitation services. This is a qualitative based research project, which draws upon narrative inquiry, and a Kaupapa Māori research paradigm. Documenting these experiences will provide empirical evidence to highlight the invaluable role whānau have within recovery and the value of whānau support. This research can be used to identify the dynamic needs of whānau and encourage the healthcare system to provide a service that is consistent with Kaupapa Māori health frameworks and practices which at present is non- existent. As a result, the project will help inform the development of a service model within TBI that can better reflect and support the needs of whānau and Māori communities, that is a locally derived practice and more applicable and appropriate for Māori. Mauri ora!

year: 2022