Change search
Refine search result
1234567 1 - 50 of 814
CiteExportLink to result list
Permanent link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf
Rows per page
  • 5
  • 10
  • 20
  • 50
  • 100
  • 250
Sort
  • Standard (Relevance)
  • Author A-Ö
  • Author Ö-A
  • Title A-Ö
  • Title Ö-A
  • Publication type A-Ö
  • Publication type Ö-A
  • Issued (Oldest first)
  • Issued (Newest first)
  • Created (Oldest first)
  • Created (Newest first)
  • Last updated (Oldest first)
  • Last updated (Newest first)
  • Disputation date (earliest first)
  • Disputation date (latest first)
  • Standard (Relevance)
  • Author A-Ö
  • Author Ö-A
  • Title A-Ö
  • Title Ö-A
  • Publication type A-Ö
  • Publication type Ö-A
  • Issued (Oldest first)
  • Issued (Newest first)
  • Created (Oldest first)
  • Created (Newest first)
  • Last updated (Oldest first)
  • Last updated (Newest first)
  • Disputation date (earliest first)
  • Disputation date (latest first)
Select
The maximal number of hits you can export is 250. When you want to export more records please use the Create feeds function.
  • 1.
    Adu, Cynthia
    et al.
    Manufacturing and Materials Department, Cranfield University.
    Berglund, Linn
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Oksman, Kristiina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Eichhorn, Stephen J.
    Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS), Queens Building, School of Engineering, Bristol University.
    Jolly, Mark
    Manufacturing and Materials Department, Cranfield University.
    Zhu, Chenchen
    Bristol Composites Institute (ACCIS), Queens Building, School of Engineering, Bristol University.
    Properties of cellulose nanofibre networks prepared from never-dried and dried paper mill sludge2018In: Journal of Cleaner Production, ISSN 0959-6526, E-ISSN 1879-1786, Vol. 197, no 1, p. 765-771Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Paper mills yield large volumes of sludge materials which pose an environmental and economic challenge for disposal, despite the fact that they could be a valuable source for cellulose nanofibres (CNF) production. The aim of the study was to evaluate the production process and properties of CNF prepared by mechanical fibrillation of never-dried and dried paper mill sludge (PMS). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that average diameters for both never-dried and dried paper sludge nanofibres (PSNF) were less than 50 nm. The never-dried and dried sludge nanofibres showed no statistical significant difference (p > 0.05) in strength 92 MPa, and 85 MPa and modulus 11 GPa and 10 GPa. The study concludes that paper mill sludge can be used in a dried state for CNF production to reduce transportation and storage challenges posed on industrial scale.

  • 2.
    Ahmed, Sheikh Ali
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Hansson, Lars
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Morén, Tom
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Distribution of preservatives in thermally modified Scots pine and Norway spruce sapwood2013In: Wood Science and Technology, ISSN 0043-7719, E-ISSN 1432-5225, Vol. 47, no 3, p. 499-513Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Studying the impregnation and distribution of oil-based preservative in dried wood is complicated as wood is a nonhomogeneous, hygroscopic and porous material, and especially of anisotropic nature. However, this study is important since it has influence on the durability of wood. To enhance the durability of thermally modified wood, a new method for preservative impregnation is introduced, avoiding the need for external pressure or vacuum. This article presents a study on preservative distribution in thermally treated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) sapwood using computed tomography scanning, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Secondary treatment of thermally modified wood was performed on a laboratory scale by impregnation with two types of preservatives, viz. Elit Träskydd (Beckers) and pine tar (tar), to evaluate their distribution in the wood cells. Preservative solutions were impregnated in the wood using a simple and effective method. Samples were preheated to 170°C in a drying oven and immediately submerged in preservative solutions for simultaneous impregnation and cooling. Tar penetration was found higher than Beckers, and their distribution decreased with increasing sample length. Owing to some anatomical properties, uptake of preservatives was low in spruce. Besides, dry-induced interstitial spaces, which are proven important flow paths for seasoned wood, were not observed in this species.

  • 3.
    Ahmed, Sheikh Ali
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Morén, Tom
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Moisture properties of heat-treated Scots pine and Norway spruce sapwood impregnated with wood preservatives2012In: Wood and Fiber Science, ISSN 0735-6161, Vol. 44, no 1, p. 85-93Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    An experiment was conducted on commercially heat-treated (HT) Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] Karst.) sapwood collected from Ht Wood AB, Arvidsjaur, Sweden. Secondary treatment on HT wood was performed in laboratory scale by impregnating with water-repellent preservatives (a commercial one and pine tar) to evaluate their retention and different moisture-related properties. Preservative solutions were impregnated using a simple and effective method. Wood samples were heated at 170°C in a dry oven and were immediately immersed in preservative solutions. Considerable retention was observed in HT wood, particularly in pine. Moisture adsorption properties were measured after conditioning in a high-humidity environmental chamber (4°C and 84% RH). Experimental results showed that secondary treatment enhanced moisture excluding efficiencies by decreasing equilibrium moisture content, suggesting better hydrophobicity. Soaking test in water showed that antiswelling and water repellence efficiencies improved, especially in tar-treated wood. In addition, this type of treatment significantly decreased water absorption. It was also possible to decrease volumetric swellings. Thus, secondary treatment of HT wood with preservative, in particular with tar, improved dimensional stability and water repellency.

  • 4.
    Ahmed, Sheikh Ali
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Morén, Tom
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Hagman, Olle
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Cloutier, Alain
    Wood Research Center (CRB), Department of Wood and Forest Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics, Laval University, Quebec.
    Fang, Chang-Hua
    Wood Research Center (CRB), Department of Wood and Forest Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, Geography and Geomatics, Laval University, Quebec.
    Elustondo, Diego
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Anatomical properties and process parameters affecting blister/blow formation in densified European aspen and downy birch sapwood boards by thermo-hygro-mechanical compression2013In: Journal of Materials Science, ISSN 0022-2461, E-ISSN 1573-4803, Vol. 48, no 24, p. 8571-8579Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Approximately, 13.5 % of the standing volume of productive forest land in Sweden is covered by birch and aspen, which provides the vast potential to produce value-added products such as densified wood. This study shows whether it is possible to densify those species with a thermo-hygro-mechanical (THM) process using heat, steam, and pressure. In this process, transverse compression on thin European aspen (Populus tremula) and downy birch (Betula pubescens) boards was performed at 200 ºC with a maximum steam pressure of 550 kPa. To obtain a theoretical 50 % compression set, the press’s maximum hydraulic pressure ranged from 1.5 to 7.3 MPa. Preliminary tests showed that ~75 % of the birch boards produced defects (blisters/blows) while only 25 % of the aspen boards did. Mainly, radial delamination associated with internal checks in intrawall and transwall fractures caused small cracks (termed blisters) while blows are characterized by relatively larger areas of delamination visible as a bumpy surface on the panel. Anatomical investigations revealed that birch was more prone to those defects than aspen. However, those defects could be minimized by increasing the pre-treatment time during the THM processing.

  • 5.
    Ahmed, Sheikh Ali
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Sehlstedt-Persson, Margot
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Hansson, Lars
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Morén, Tom
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Evaluation of preservative distribution in thermally modified European aspen and birch boards using computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy2013In: Journal of Wood Science, ISSN 1435-0211, E-ISSN 1611-4663, Vol. 59, no 1, p. 57-66Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The aim of this experiment was to impregnate thermally modified wood using an easy and cost-effective method. Industrially processed thermally modified European aspen (Populus tremula L.) and birch (Betula pubescens Ehrh.) were collected and secondarily treated at the laboratory scale with the preservatives tung oil, pine tar and Elit Träskydd (Beckers) using a simple and effective method. Preservative uptake and distribution in sample boards were evaluated using computed tomography (CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Preservative uptake and treatability in terms of void volume filled were found the highest in Beckers and the lowest in tung oil-treated samples. Thermally modified samples had lower treatability than their counterpart control samples. More structural changes after thermal modification, especially in birch, significantly reduced the preservative uptake and distribution. The differences of preservatives uptake near the end grain were high and then decreased near the mid position of the samples length as compared with similar type of wood sample. Non-destructive evaluation by CT scanning provided a very useful method to locate the preservative gradients throughout the sample length. SEM analysis enabled the visualization of the preservative deposits in wood cells at the microstructural level.

  • 6.
    Ahmed, Sheikh Ali
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Sehlstedt-Persson, Margot
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Karlsson, Olov
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Morén, Tom
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Uneven distribution of preservative in kiln-dried sapwood lumber of Scots pine: Impact of wood structure and resin allocation2012In: Holzforschung, ISSN 0018-3830, E-ISSN 1437-434X, Vol. 66, no 2, p. 251-258Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood lumber was collected after kiln drying and preservative treatment with Celcure AC 800 (a copper-amine wood preservative). Distribution of the preservative throughout the lumber was visually examined. Not all, but some samples showed specific localized areas without any preservative distribution throughout their entire length. Those samples were assessed further for anatomical properties, specifically in impregnated and unimpregnated areas. Additional study was conducted on the morphological nature and redistribution of lipophilic extractives using three different histochemical staining methods. Intrinsic wood properties – especially the frequency of axial resin canals and the percentage of canals blocked – were found to be responsible for the irregular distribution of the preservative. Furthermore, the inability to create continuous and frequent interstitial spaces due to the collapse of thin-walled ray cells throughout the lumber resulted in uneven distribution of preservatives. Staining techniques were useful to localize places with more or less abundance of extractives (e.g., fats) in impregnated and unimpregnated wood, which varied considerably. Histochemical observations revealed information pertaining to the kiln dry specific distribution and redistribution of extractives between the areas. Moreover, resin reallocation and modification in ray parenchyma and resin canals induced by kiln drying would be another reason for the impregnation anomalies.

  • 7.
    Ahmed, Sheikh Ali
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Sehlstedt-Persson, Margot
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Morén, Tom
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Development of a new rapid method for mould testing in a climate chamber: Preliminary tests2013In: European Journal of Wood and Wood Products, ISSN 0018-3768, E-ISSN 1436-736X, Vol. 71, no 4, p. 451-461Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The purpose of this study was to develop fast, simple and robust solid wood mould testing methods for the use in small-scale laboratory tests. The objective was to investigate mould susceptibility of different wood materials within the batches. The proposed method is based on natural contamination of non-sterile surfaces in climates conducive to mould growth. For this purpose, a climate chamber with regulated temperature and relative humidity was used. The conditioning chamber was divided into upper and lower chamber by a thin layer of stainless steel placed horizontally above the fan to minimise air circulation to the sample in the upper compartment. Mould-infected samples from outdoor tests were used as a source of mould inocula, and test trials were conducted on Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood. Samples were suspended from the top of the upper chamber, and the chamber was exposed to different temperature and humidity levels. Severe mould infestation was observed after 12-14 days of incubation. Visual mould rating was then performed. Regardless of some constraints, this test method was very simple, fast, and effective. More importantly, unlike other test methods, it closely models mould infestation as it would occur under natural condition.

  • 8.
    Ahmed, Sheikh Ali
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Sehlstedt-Persson, Margot
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Morén, Tom
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Mould susceptibility of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood: Impact of drying, thermal modification, and copper-based preservative2013In: International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation, ISSN 0964-8305, E-ISSN 1879-0208, Vol. 85, p. 284-288Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The development of mould on wood surfaces depends on several factors. Although mould does not affect the mechanical properties of wood, it greatly reduces the aesthetic value of wood like the sapwood of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), which is very prone to mould. In addition, adverse health effects of mould on humans are also a great concern. Different types of dried and treated wood were used to observe whether they had enhanced durability against mould following an accelerated laboratory test method in a climate chamber. Samples were green, air-dried, industrially thermally-modified, treated with copper-based preservative, and kiln-dried wood, which were tested within a single test run. The test produced the following main results: the thermal modification increased the durability of the wood, and the protective effectiveness of alternative treatments was comparable to that of commercially available copper-based treatment. However, the initial moisture content of the samples during mould exposure had a great influence on the onset of mould growth. The risk of mould susceptibility of industrial kiln-dried lumber can be reduced by drying using the double-layering technique which likely forced the nutrients to deposit near the evaporation surfaces followed by planing off the nutrient enriched edges.

  • 9.
    Ahmed, Sheikh Ali
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Yang, Qian
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Sehlstedt-Persson, Margot
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Morén, Tom
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Accelerated mold test on dried pine sapwood boards: Impact of contact heat treatment2013In: Journal of wood chemistry and technology, ISSN 0277-3813, E-ISSN 1532-2319, Vol. 33, no 3, p. 174-187Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    We test the hypothesis that the combination of kiln drying of double-stacked boards and contact heat treatment will reduce the susceptibility of treated boards to colonization by mold fungi. Winter-felled Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) sapwood boards were double-stacked in an industrial kiln in ‘‘sapwood out’’ and ‘‘sapwood in’’ positions. Dried samples were then contact heat-treated using a hot press at three different temperatures (140°C, 170°C, and 200°C) for three different periods (1, 3, and 10 min). Accelerated mold test was performed in a climate chamber where naturally mold infected samples were used as a source of mold inocula. Contact heat treatment degraded the saccharides which accumulated at dried surfaces, and reduced the mold growth. The threshold temperature and time for inhibiting mold growth was 170°C for 10 min. But, for industrial application, the most feasible combination of temperature and time would be 200°C for 3 min. We concluded that double stacking/contact heat treatment used is an environmentally friendly alternative to chemicals for reducing mold on Scots pine sapwood boards.

  • 10. Aimi, H.
    et al.
    Matsumoto, Y.
    Department of Biomaterial Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo.
    Meshitsuka, G,
    Department of Biomaterial Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo.
    Endwise type lignin present as small lignin fragments linked to carbohydrate2005In: Chemistry and performance of composites containing wood and natural plant fibres: pre-symposium [of] 59th APPITA annual conference and exhibition, incorporating 13th ISWFPC, International Symposium on Wood, Fibre and Pulping Chemistry : Rotorua, New Zealand, 12 - 13 May 2005 ; proceedings, Carlton, VIC: Appita , 2005, p. 427-430Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The content of glyceraldehyde-2-aryl ether type structure in water soluble LCC fractions, which was obtained from Japanese cedar and birch residual wood meal after MWL isolation, was determined by the use of ozonation method. Quite high amount of glyceraldehyde-2-aryl ether type structure was found in water soluble LCC fractions of both species, which was about 3-5 times higher than that of other fractions. This result as well as the high content of β-1 structure in these fractions shown in our previous papers suggest that lignin in these fractions has characteristics as endwise type lignin, because abundance of both of these structures are typical for this type of lignin. These results are in good accordance with the generally accepted hypothesis that glyceraldehyde-2-aryl ether type structure and β-1 structure are generated at the same time by radical coupling reaction. It was also indicated that these two structures are present very close to each other in lignin

  • 11.
    Aitomäki, Yvonne
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Allard, Christina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Social Sciences.
    Lin, Janet
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Operation, Maintenance and Acoustics.
    Sandström, Anders
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Business Administration, Technology and Social Sciences, Business Administration and Industrial Engineering.
    LTU Teaching guide to e-learning: how to clear the mist of teaching through the cloud2015Conference paper (Other academic)
    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 12.
    Aitomäki, Yvonne
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Berglund, Linn
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Noël, Maxime
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Linder, Tomas
    Löfqvist, Torbjörn
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Embedded Internet Systems Lab.
    Oksman, Kristiina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Light scattering in cellulose nanofibre suspensions: Model and experiments2016In: Computers in Chemistry Proceeding from ACS National Meeting San Diego: Proceeding from ACS National Meeting San Diego, American Chemical Society (ACS), 2016, p. 122-, article id CELL 235Conference paper (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Here light scattering theory is used to assess the size distribution in a suspension of cellulose as it is fibrillated from micro-scaled to nano-scaled fibres. A model based on Monte carlo simulations of the scattering of photons by different sizes of cellulose fibres was used to predict the UV-IF spectrum of the suspensions. Bleached cellulose hardwood pulp was tested and compared to the visually transparent tempo-oxidised hardwood cellulose nanofibres (CNF) suspension. The theoretical results show that different diameter size classes exhibit very different scattering patterns. These classes could be identified in the experimental results and used to establish the size class dominating the suspension. A comparison to AFM/microscope size distribution was made and the results indicated that using the UV-IF light scattering spectrum maybe more reliable that size distribution measurement using AFM and microscopy on dried CNF samples. The UV-IF spectrum measurement combined with the theoretical prediction can be used even at this initial stage of development of this model to assess the degree of fibrillation when processing CNF.

  • 13.
    Aitomäki, Yvonne
    et al.
    Swerea SICOMP AB, Box 271, 941 26, Piteå, Sweden.
    Hagström, Bengt
    Swerea IVF AB, 431 22 Mölndal, Box 104, Sweden.
    Långström, Runar
    Swerea SICOMP AB, Box 271, 941 26, Piteå, Sweden.
    Fernberg, Patrik
    Swerea SICOMP AB, Box 271, 941 26, Piteå, Sweden.
    Novel reactive bicomponent fibres: Material in composite manufacturing2012In: Journal of Nanostructured Polymers and Nanocomposites, ISSN 1790-4439, Vol. 8, no 1, p. 5-11Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The hypotheses that reactive uncured, thermoset bicomponent fibres can be prepared and mixed with reinforcing fi- bres and ultimately used in preparation o f a composite was tested and is described. I t is thought that such fibres have the two potential advantages: ( 1) to enable manufacturing with pai1icle doped resins e.g. nanocomposites which add functionality to composites and (2) increased efficiency ofstructural composite manufacturing by increasing the level of automation. The structure of the thermoset fibres comprises of a sheath of thermoplastic and a core of uncured the1moset resin. Once manufactured, the fibres were wound with a reinforced fibre onto a plate, consolidated and cured. The resulting composite was examined and compared to other composites made with the same manufacturing method from commercially available materials. The results show that a laminate can be produced using these reactive bicomponent fibres. The resin system successfully impregnates the reinforcing carbon fibres and that the thermoplas- tic separates from the epoxy resin system during consolidation. In comparison to reference material, the bicomponentlaminate shows promising characteristics. However, the processes developed are currently on a lab-scale and consid- erable improvement of various bicomponent fibre properties, such as the strength, are required before the technology can be used on a larger scale.

  • 14.
    Aitomäki, Yvonne
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Jonoobi, Mehdi
    Mathew, Aji P.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Oksman, Kristiina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Impregnation of cellulose nanofibre networks with a thermoplastic polymer2013Conference paper (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    The emphasis of this study have been to study if impregnation of cellulose nanofibre networks can be made using a thermoplastic polymer as a matrix and to estimate the reinforcing efficiency of the cellulose nanofibres in this composite. A nanofibre network with higher porosity that water-dried nanofibre network was prepared from a cellulose waste byproduct (sludge). This was impregnated using a diluted solution of cellulose acetate butyrate polymer to produce a 60 wt. % CNF/CAB composite. This composite was characterized using microscopy and mechanical testing. High porosity is seen in the SEM images of the acetone-dried fibre network and SEM and film transparency was used to qualitatively assess the impregnation of the network. A significant improvement in the visible light transmittance was observed for the nanocomposite film compared to the nanofibre network as a result of the impregnation. The reinforcing efficiency was calculated based on a model of the nanocomposite and compared to other nanocomposites in the literature. The efficiency factor takes into account the volume fraction and the stiffness of the matrix. This showed that this CNF/CAB combination is similar in efficiency to CNF/PLA nanocomposites and more efficient that nanocomposites using when using stiffer matrices. It was also more efficient CNF nanocomposites based on Chitosan, which has the same stiffness. It is still however not as efficient as traditional glass polymer composites due to the random orientation of the fibres nor nanocomposites with very soft matrices due to the dominating network effect of the CNF in such composites. In conclusion, CAB impregnated cellulose nanofibre networks are promising biocomposite materials that could be used in applications where transparency and good mechanical properties are of interest. The key elements in the impregnation process of the nanocomposites were the use of a porous networks and a low viscosity thermoplastic resin solution.

  • 15.
    Aitomäki, Yvonne
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Löfqvist, Torbjörn
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Embedded Internet Systems Lab.
    Sounding Out Paper Pulp: Ultrasound Spectroscopy of Dilute Viscoelastic Fibre Suspensions Acoustics and Ultrasonics2006Conference paper (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    A model of attenuation of ultrasound in fibre suspensions is compared to a model of backscattering pressure from submersed cylinders subjected to a sound wave. This analysis is carried out in the region where the wavelength is of the same order as that of the diameter of the fibre. In addition we assume the cylinder scatterer to have no intrinsic attenuation and the longitudinal axis of the scatterer is assumed to be perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the incident wave. Peaks in the frequency response of both the backscattering pressure, expressed in the form of a form function, and the attenuation are shown to correspond. Similarities between the models are discussed. Since the peaks in the form function are due to resonance of the cylinder, we infer that the peaks in the attenuation are also due to resonance. The exact nature of the waves causing the resonance are still unclear however the first resonance peaks are related to the shear wave and hence the shear modulus of the material. The aim is to use the attenuation model for solving the inverse problem of calculating paper pulp material properties from attenuation measurements. The implications of these findings for paper pulp property estimation is that the supporting fluid could, if possible, be matched to density of that of pulp fibres and that the estimation of material properties should be improved by selecting a frequency range that in the region of the first resonance peaks.

    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 16.
    Aitomäki, Yvonne
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Löfqvist, Torbjörn
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Embedded Internet Systems Lab.
    Delsing, Jerker
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Computer Science, Electrical and Space Engineering, Embedded Internet Systems Lab.
    Estimating material properties of solid and hollow fibers in suspension using ultrasonic attenuation2013In: IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control, ISSN 0885-3010, E-ISSN 1525-8955, Vol. 60, no 7, p. 1424-1434Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Estimates of the material properties of hollow fibers suspended in a fluid using ultrasound measurements and a simple, computationally efficient analytical model are made. The industrial application is to evaluate the properties of wood fibers in paper pulp. The necessity of using a layered cylindrical model (LCM) as opposed to a solid cylindrical model (SCM) for modeling ultrasound attenuation in a suspension of hollow fibers is evaluated. The two models are described and used to solve the inverse problem of estimating material properties from attenuation in suspensions of solid and hollow polyester fibers. The results show that the measured attenuation of hollow fibers differs from that of solid fibers. Elastic properties estimates using LCM with hollow-fiber suspension measurements are similar to those using SCM with solid-fiber suspension measurements and compare well to block polyester values for elastic moduli. However, using the SCM with the hollow-fiber suspension did not produce realistic estimations. In conclusion, the LCM gives reasonable estimations of hollow fiber properties and the SCM is not sufficiently complex to model hollow fibers. The results also indicate that the use of a distributed radius in the model is important in estimating material properties from fiber suspensions.

  • 17.
    Aitomäki, Yvonne
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Moreno, Sergio
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Lundström, Staffan
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Fluid and Experimental Mechanics.
    Oksman, Kristiina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Vacuum infusion of cellulose nanofibre network composites: Influence of porosity on permeability and impregnation2016In: Materials & design, ISSN 0264-1275, E-ISSN 1873-4197, Vol. 95, p. 204-211Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Addressing issues around the processing of cellulose nanofibres (CNF) composites is important in establishing their use as sustainable, renewable polymer reinforcements. Here, CNF networks of different porosity were made with the aim of increasing their permeability and suitability for processing by vacuum infusion (VI). The CNF networks were infused with epoxy using two different strategies. The permeability, morphology and mechanical properties of the dry networks and the resulting nanocomposites were investigated. Calculated fill-times for CNF networks with 50% porosity were the shortest, but are only less than the gel-time of the epoxy if capillary effects are included. In experiments the CNF networks were clearly wetted. However low transparency indicated that impregnation was incomplete. The modulus and strength of the dry CNF networks increased rapidly with decreasing porosity, but their nanocomposites did not follow this trend, showing instead similar mechanical properties to each other. The results demonstrated that increasing the porosity of the CNF networks to ≈ 50% gives better impregnation resulting in a lower ultimate strength, a higher yield strength and no loss in modulus. Better use of the flow channels in the inherently layered CNF networks could potentially reduce void content in these nanocomposites and thus increase their mechanical properties.

  • 18.
    Aitomäki, Yvonne
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Moreno, Sergio
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Lundström, Staffan
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Fluid and Experimental Mechanics.
    Oksman, Kristiina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Vacuum Infusion of Nanocellulose Networks of Different Porosity2015In: 20th International Conference on Composite Materials: Copenhagen, 19-24th July 2015, ICCM , 2015, article id 4109-1Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Cellulose nanofibres (CNF) have shown good potential as sustainable, biobased reinforcing materials in polymer composites. Addressing issues around the processing of these composites is an important part of establishing their use in different applications. Here, CNF networks of different porosity are made from nanofibrillated hardwood kraft pulp with the aim of increasing the impregnation of the CNF networks and to allow vacuum infusion to be used. Two different vacuum infusion strategies: in-plane and out of plane were used to infuse the CNF networks with a low viscosity epoxy. The permeability, morphology and mechanical properties of the dry networks and the resulting nanocomposites were investigated and compared to a micro-fibre based network. Using the out-of-plane permeability measurements and Darcy’s law, the fill-time was calculated and showed that the CNF network with 40% porosity had the lowest fill-time when an out-of-plane impregnation strategy is used. However this exceeded the gel-time of the epoxy system. In experiments, the resin reached the other side of the network but low transparency indicated that wetting was poor. The dry CNF preforms showed a very strong dependence on the porosity with both modulus and strength increasing rapidly at low porosity. Interestingly, the composite based on the 60% porosity network showed good wetting particularly with the in-plane infusion strategy, exhibiting a much more brittle fracture and a high yield strength. This shows that in CNF composites produced by VI, lowering the fibre volume content of the CNF composites gives better impregnation resulting in a lower ultimate strength but higher yield strength and no loss in modulus.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 19.
    Aitomäki, Yvonne
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Oksman, Kristiina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Cellulose nanofibril nanocomposites processing2013In: Production and Applications of Cellulose Nanomaterials, Peachtree Corners, GA: TAPPI Press, 2013, p. 271-274Chapter in book (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Impregnation of a preformed network of nanofibrils leads to high fibre volume fraction nanocomposites and with this good mechanical properties have been achieved. However, comparing nanofibrils composite made with different volume fractions and different matrices is difficult. In order to do this, and in doing so gain insight into the most promising approaches, methods of measuring reinforcing efficiencies are being developed. The results show that for matrices with low stiffness the stiffness reinforcing efficiency is high. However with high fibre volume fraction and high stiffness, this network effect may lead to a lack of exploitation of the properties of the nanofibrils. Alignment of the nanofibrils is also a key in effective reinforcement. In addition, upscaling of the impregnation process requires a good understanding of permeability and adaptation of existing permeability models for cellulose nanofibrils networks as well as experiments on their permeability are ongoing.

  • 20.
    Aitomäki, Yvonne
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Oksman, Kristiina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Quantifying reinforcing efficiency of nanocellulose fibres2013In: Processing of fibre composites-challenges for maximum materials performance: Proceedings of 34th Risø International Symposium on Materials Science / [ed] Bo Madsen; Hans Lilholt; Y Kusano; S Fäster; B Ralph, Risö: Dept. of Wind Energy, Technical University of Denmark , 2013, p. 149-160Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Cellulose nanofibres are found in all plants and have the potential to provide a sustainable biobased material source. These nanofibres can be used for reinforcing polymers and thus as structural materials. Very promising results have been reported for different nanocomposites but to compete with existing materials, it is important to understand what progress has been made towards structural materials using nanocellulose. To do this the reinforcing efficiency of the stiffness and strength of nanocellulose in different nanocomposites has been calculated for a number of reported nanocellulose fibre based composites. For the stiffness this is done by back-calculating a reinforcing efficiency factor from a Halpin-Tsai model and laminate theory. For the strength efficiency, two models are used: a classic short fibre composite model and a network model. The results show that orientation is key to the stiffness efficiency, as shown by the high efficiency of aligned natural fibres. The stiffness efficiency is, as expected, high in soft matrices but in stiff matrices, the network effect of the nanofibres is possibility limiting their reinforcing potential. The strength efficiency results show that in all the nanocomposites evaluated the network model is closer to predicting strength than the short fibre composite model. The correlation between the network strength and the composite strength suggest that much of the stress transfer is from fibre to fibre and strong nanocomposites depend heavily on having a strong network. Also noted is that in composite processing a good impregnation of the nanofibers is also seen as an important factor in the efficiency of both strength and stiffness.

  • 21.
    Aitomäki, Yvonne
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Oksman, Kristiina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Reinforcing efficiency and the manufacture nanocellulose fibre based composites by vacuum infusion2015Conference paper (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Nanocomposites based on cellulose have received a rapidly rising attention over the last 10 years however the method of manufacturing these composites on a scale larger than that in the lab remains challenging. Another challenge is that low fraction nanocomposites, whilst they can show excellent improvement in polymer properties, have difficultly to compete with traditional fibre reinforced composites [1,2]. A commonly used liquid composite moulding method for producing composites is vacuum infusion and the possibility of trading glass fibre for nanocellulose networks sheets in this type of manufacturing could results in a upscale method for producing high volume fraction cellulose nanocomposites. CNF networks are stiff and strong but have high fibre packing and thus difficult to impregnate. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of increasing the porosity to improve their processability by VI.

  • 22.
    Aitomäki, Yvonne
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Oksman, Kristiina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Reinforcing efficiency of nanocellulose in polymers2014In: Reactive & functional polymers, ISSN 1381-5148, E-ISSN 1873-166X, Vol. 85, p. 151-156, article id 6Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Nanocellulose extracted from renewable sources, is a promising reinforcement for many polymers and is a material where strong interfibre hydrogen bonds add effects not seen in microfiber composites. Presented is a tool for comparing different nanocellulose composites based on estimating the efficiency of nanocellulose reinforcement. A reinforcing efficiency factor is calculated from reported values of elastic modulus and strength from various nanocellulose composites using established micromechanical models. In addition, for the strength, a network model is derived based on fibre-fibre bond strength within nanocellulose networks. The strength results highlight the importance of the plastic deformation in the nanocellulose composites. Both modulus and strength efficiency show that the network strength and modulus has a greater effect than that of the individual constituents. In the best cases, nanocellulose reinforcement exceeds all model predictions.

  • 23.
    Aitomäki, Yvonne
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Oksman, Kristiina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Reinforcing Efficiency of Nanocelluloses in Polymer Nanocomposites2014In: Handbook of Green Materials: Processing Technologies, Properties and Applications, Singapore: World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society, 2014Chapter in book (Refereed)
  • 24.
    Aitomäki, Yvonne
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Westin, Mikael
    Oksman, Kristiina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Hydrogel state impregnation of cellulose fibre-phenol composites: Effects of fibre size distribution2016In: ECCM 2016: Proceeding of the 17th European Conference on Composite Materials, European Conference on Composite Materials , 2016Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Whilst it has been well established that cellulose nanofibres (CNF) networks produce films that have high stiffness and strength, they are difficult to impregnate. Investigated in this study is whether by controlling the degree of nanofibrillation of cellulose, composites based on micro- and nano-size cellulose fibres can be made that are more easily manufactured and have better impregnation than solely cellulose nano-fibre based composites. To evaluate this, cellulose at different stages of ultrafine grinding, extracted at time intervals of 30, 60 and 290 mins, were used to make composites. To achieve good impregnation a novel strategy was used based on impregnation with phenol resin whilst the fibrillated cellulose is in a hydrogel state. The composites were subsequently dried and consolidated by hot press. The current results show that this method of impregnation is successful and the phenol matrix greatly improves the properties of the cellulose with a low degree of fibrillation. In general, as the degree of fibrillation and the proportion of nanofibres increases, the mechanical properties of the networks and their composites increase. The addition of the matrix appears to restrict the deformation of CNF network, increasing the modulus and yield strength but decreasing the ultimate strength. The method also appears to restrict the consolidation and voids remain in the composite, which reduces the modulus when compared to theoretical maximum values for this material. More work on the consolidation process is necessary to achieve the full potential of these composites.

  • 25.
    Alemandar, Ayse
    et al.
    Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, 33 Willcocks Street, Canada.
    Oksman, Kristiina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science. Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, 33 Willcocks Street, Canada.
    Sain, Mohini
    Centre for Biocomposites and Biomaterials Processing, Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3B3, 33 Willcocks Street, Canada.
    The effect of decreased fiber size in wheat straw/polyvinyl alchol composites2009In: Journal of Biobased Materials and Bioenergy, ISSN 1556-6560, E-ISSN 1556-6579, Vol. 3, no 1, p. 75-80Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The reinforcing potential of micro and nano-size fibers from wheat straw in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was studied. The microfibers were obtained by alkali treatment and disintegration process of wheat straw while nanofibers were obtained after applying further mechanical treatment of this alkali treated wheat straw. The results showed that the alkali treatment increased the α-cellulose content of the fibers from 38% to 73% due to hydrolysis of the hemicelluloses and lignin from the straw walls. The morphology and thermal properties of the micro and nano-size fibers were determined to show their potential as reinforcements. The transmission electron microscopy study showed that the size of the wheat straw fibers was decreased from micro to nano-size by the defibrillation process. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated the alkali treatment dramatically increased the thermal properties of the wheat straw fibers. The morphologies and thermal properties of the prepared composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The thermal stability of the nanofiber-reinforced composites increased with respect to the neat PVA. The mechanical properties of the composites increased significantly with the addition of microfibers and further increment was obtained with nanofibers. The tensile modulus increased from 2.1 GPa of pure PVA to 3 GPa with the addition of micro sized fibers and further to 3.8 GPa with the decreased fiber size to nano scale. The composites strength showed similar trend.

  • 26.
    Alemdar, Ayse
    et al.
    University of Toronto.
    Oksman, Kristiina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Sain, Mohini
    University of Toronto.
    Reinforcement capability of wheat straw fibers from micro to nano size2007In: 9th International Conference on Wood & Biofiber Plastic Composites: held in Madison, Wisconsin, May 21 -23, 2007, Madison, Wis: Forest Products Society, 2007Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The goal of this study was to explore the reinforcement capability of micro and nano-size fibers from wheat straw. Microfibers were obtained by alkali treatment and disintegration processes of the wheat straw while nanofibers were obtained after applying further mechanical treatment of this alkali treated wheat straw. The morphology and thermal properties of both fiber types were determined to show their suitability as reinforcements. TEM images showed that the diameters of the wheat straw fibers were decreased from micro to nano-size by the defibrillation process. Thermogravimetric analysis showed the alkali treatment dramatically increased the thermal properties of the wheat straw fibers. The composites were produced using, respectively, the microfibers and nanofibers as reinforcement, with both polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) as the matrix. The morphology and thermal properties of the composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The mechanical properties of the composites were compared with those of neat polymer matrix and found to be considerably improved.

  • 27.
    Aminoroaya, Alireza
    et al.
    Department of Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.
    Neisiany, Rasoul Esmaeely
    Department of Materials and Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Hakim Sabzevari University, Sabzevar, Iran.
    Khorasani, Saied Nouri
    Department of Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.
    Panahi, Parisa
    Department of Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran.
    Das, Oisik
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Ramakrishna, Seeram
    Centre for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
    A Review of Dental Composites: Methods Of Characterizations2020In: ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, E-ISSN 2373-9878, Vol. 6, no 7, p. 3713-3744Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Dental composites are becoming increasingly popular in esthetic restorative dentistry and present a promising substitute for amalgam. However, the major hurdles that hinder their total adoption in restorative dentistry are limited longevity and possible health risks, leading to significant attempts for addressing these shortcomings. Besides the new materials, the evaluation methods play a critical role in the introduction and improvement of these types of materials. This review aims to cover the characterization methods in the evaluation of dental composites that are most employed nowadays. Therefore, the methods for evaluating the physical properties of the dental composites are first explained. Subsequently, the assessment methods of curing kinetics and the mechanical properties of the composites are classified and reviewed. Afterward, the article delves into the introduction and classification of the microscopic and antibacterial evaluation methods. Finally, the test methods for assessment of in vitro cytotoxicity and self-healing ability are described. It should be noted, for each test method, the most recent and interesting articles are cited. It is envisaged that this review will facilitate an understanding and provide knowledge for the section and utilizing the most effective and suitable characterization methods for future research on the development of dental composites.

  • 28.
    Ananías, Rubén A.
    et al.
    Department of Wood Engineering, University of Bío-Bío, Concepción.
    Sepúlveda-Villarroel, Victor
    Departamento de Ingenieria en Maderas, Universidad del Bio Bio, Avenida Collao 1202, Casilla 5-C-CP: 4081112, Concepción.
    Perez-Peña, Natalia
    Departamento de Ingenieria en Maderas, Universidad del Bio Bio, Avenida Collao 1202, Casilla 5-C-CP: 4081112, Concepción.
    Leandro-Zuñiga, Laura
    Instituto Costarricense de la Madera, San Pedro, San José.
    Salvo-Sepúlveda, Linette
    Departamento de Ingenieria en Maderas, Universidad del Bio Bio, Avenida Collao 1202, Casilla 5-C-CP: 4081112, Concepción.
    Salinas-Lira, Carlos
    Departamento de Ingenieria en Maderas, Universidad del Bio Bio, Avenida Collao 1202, Casilla 5-C-CP: 4081112, Concepción.
    Cloutier, Alain
    Society of Wood Science & Technology Member, Centre de Recherche sur le Bois, Université Laval, Québec.
    Elustondo, Diego
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Collapse of Eucalyptus nitens Wood after Drying Depending on the Radial Location Within the Stem2014In: Drying Technology, ISSN 0737-3937, E-ISSN 1532-2300, Vol. 32, no 14, p. 1699-1705Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Collapse is almost certain to occur in the industrial drying of Eucalyptus nitens, and as such this prevents the lumber manufacturing industry in Chile from producing commercial solid wood products from this species. This problem is still unsolved, and different studies to reduce collapse are currently underway. In this exploratory study, shrinkage and collapse after drying of Eucalyptus nitens was measured for boards cut from different radial locations within the stem (core, transition and outer wood from pith to bark) and having different annual ring orientation (flat-sawn and quarter-sawn). Even though exploratory, the results appear to confirm that pieces that were cut from the center of the trees were less susceptible to collapse than the pieces cut from the transition zone between the center and the periphery. On average, collapse in transition wood was approximately 50% higher than the collapse observed in wood cut from the central zone of the trees.

  • 29.
    Ananías, Rubén A.
    et al.
    Department of Wood Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Bío-Bío, Concepcion.
    Ulloa, J.
    Aserraderos Arauco S.A., Arauco.
    Elustondo, Diego
    FPInnovations—Forintek Division, Vancouver BC.
    Salinas, Carlos T S
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Bío-Bío, Concepción, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Bío-Bío, Concepción, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bío-Bío, Concepción.
    Rebolledo, Pamela
    Department of Wood Engineering, University of Bío-Bío, Concepción.
    Fuentes, C.
    Aserraderos Arauco S.A., Arauco.
    Energy consumption in industrial drying of radiata pine2011In: Proceedings of the 7th Asia-Pacific Drying Conference: Tianjin, China, September 18-20 2011, 2011Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 30.
    Andersson, Jan-Erik
    et al.
    SP Sveriges Tekniska Forskningsinstitut, SP Trä.
    Nordman, Roger
    SP Sveriges Tekniska Forskningsinstitut, SP Energiteknik.
    Vikberg, Tommy
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Energy mapping in the sawmill industry with focus on drying kilns2013Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The forest industry stands for approximately 11 % of Sweden’s total export. However, the forest industry is energy intensive. In 2008, sawmill industry alone consumed almost 8,7 TWh of energy, corresponding to 5 % of the Swedish industries total energy consumption. Out of their total consumption, 2200 GWh was electric power, 194 GWh heating oil , 4229 GWh bio-fuel, 574 GWh district heating, and other fuels such as diesel 1503 GWh [1].The project ”EESI- Energy Efficiency in the Sawmill Industry” was started in the spring of 2010 with the aim of demonstrating the possibilities to reduce the energy consumption in the sawmill industry with 20 % by 2020. 16 sawmill corporations and 14 equipment suppliers has joined the project which is carried out in two phases of which the first phase was carried out during 2010 and 2011. EESI has now reached half time and the first energy-saving implementations have been completed at the participating sawmills.This paper presents the energy-mapping, measurements and modelling performed by the participating sawmills during the first phase of the project [2, 3]. The average energy consumption per sawn cubic metre of boards varied between approximately 300 to 500 kWh/m3. Out of this, the electricity consumption was on average 85 kWh/m3, bio-fuel 290 kWh/m3 and diesel 1.8 l/m3.However, the main concern from sawmills regarding energy consumption was the wood drying process. The striking results from the preliminary measurements were the large variation in energy consumption even with similar drying kilns. This was especially apparent for the heat consumption in kiln dryers which could vary as much as 50 % for the same dimension of spruce planks.The results from the first phase of the project resulted in a large number of actions in order to reduce the energy consumption which are now being implemented or have already been completed. Examples of those actions are: simplified management system adapted to sawmills, weighing of packages for more accurate wood drying, reduced speed or intermittent operation of the air circulating fans in batch kilns and moisture content measurements of bio-fuel.References[1] Statistiska centralbyrån (SCB), 2013, Industrins årliga energianvändning 2011, Slutliga uppgifter, EN23SM1301, ISSN 1654-367X. (In Swedish). [2] Andersson, J-E., Lycken, A., Nordman, R., Olsson, M., Räftegård, O., and Wamming, T. State of the art – Energianvändning i den svenska sågverksindustrin. SP Rapport 2011:42, ISBN 978-91-86622-72-5. (In Swedish).[3] Andersson, J-E., Räftegård, O., Lycken, A., Olsson, M., Wamming, T., and Nordman, R. Sammanställning av energimätningar från EESI fas 1. SP Rapport 2011:41, ISBN 978-91-86622-71-8. (In Swedish).

    Download full text (pdf)
    FULLTEXT01
  • 31.
    Antlauf, Mathis
    et al.
    Department of Physics, Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden.
    Boulanger, Nicolas
    Department of Physics, Umeå̊ University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden.
    Berglund, Linn
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Oksman, Kristiina
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Material Science.
    Andersson, Ove
    Department of Physics, Umeå University, SE-90187 Umeå, Sweden.
    Thermal Conductivity of Cellulose Fibers in Different Size Scales and Densities2021In: Biomacromolecules, ISSN 1525-7797, E-ISSN 1526-4602, Vol. 22, no 9, p. 3800-3809Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Considering the growing use of cellulose in various applications, knowledge and understanding of its physical properties become increasingly important. Thermal conductivity is a key property, but its variation with porosity and density is unknown, and it is not known if such a variation is affected by fiber size and temperature. Here, we determine the relationships by measurements of the thermal conductivity of cellulose fibers (CFs) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) derived from commercial birch pulp as a function of pressure and temperature. The results show that the thermal conductivity varies relatively weakly with density (ρsample = 1340–1560 kg m–3) and that its temperature dependence is independent of density, porosity, and fiber size for temperatures in the range 80–380 K. The universal temperature and density dependencies of the thermal conductivity of a random network of CNFs are described by a third-order polynomial function (SI-units): κCNF = (0.0787 + 2.73 × 10–3·T – 7.6749 × 10–6·T2 + 8.4637 × 10–9·T3)·(ρsample0)2, where ρ0 = 1340 kg m–3 and κCF = 1.065·κCNF. Despite a relatively high degree of crystallinity, both CF and CNF samples show amorphous-like thermal conductivity, that is, it increases with increasing temperature. This appears to be due to the nano-sized elementary fibrils of cellulose, which explains that the thermal conductivity of CNFs and CFs shows identical behavior and differs by only ca. 6%. The nano-sized fibrils effectively limit the phonon mean free path to a few nanometers for heat conduction across fibers, and it is only significantly longer for highly directed heat conduction along fibers. This feature of cellulose makes it easier to apply in applications that require low thermal conductivity combined with high strength; the weak density dependence of the thermal conductivity is a particularly useful property when the material is subjected to high loads. The results for thermal conductivity also suggest that the crystalline structures of cellulose remain stable up to at least 0.7 GPa.

  • 32.
    Antti, Lena
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Heating and drying wood using microwave power1999Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    The potentials for moisture flux in wood during microwave heating have been investigated experimentally and theoretically. The experiments were performed in three different kinds of microwave applicators. A computer model based on the finite difference method was developed to describe and predict the heat and mass transfer. The main conclusions are that microwave energy of 2.45 GHz frequency makes it possible to heat and dry pine and spruce 20 - 30 times faster than with conventional methods without any deterioration in drying quality. Some hardwoods are dried in approximately half the time compared to the softwoods. The drying method evokes unique results either with diminishing colour changes or with possibilities to create such during drying. However, to avoid unevenness in the electromagnetic field distribution and considering the limitation in power penetration depth the drying should be performed on line where wood components continuously are fed through a microwave field.

  • 33.
    Antti, Lena
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Microwave drying of hardwood: moisture measurements using CT-scanning1992In: Understanding the wood drying process: a synthesis of theory and practice : [proceedings of the] 3rd IUFRO conference on wood drying, August 18-21, 1992, Vienna, Austria, Wien: IUFRO , 1992Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 34.
    Antti, Lena
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Microwave drying of hardwood: Potentials for moisture flux1993In: Microwave and high frequency 1993: International congress : Papers, abstracts and programme., Göteborg: Institut für Volksmusikforschung und Ethnomusikologie, Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, 1993, p. E2-Conference paper (Other academic)
  • 35.
    Antti, Lena
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Microwave drying of hardwood: simultaneous measurements of pressure, temperature, and weight reduction1992In: Forest products journal, ISSN 0015-7473, Vol. 42, no 6, p. 49-54Article in journal (Refereed)
  • 36.
    Antti, Lena
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Microwave drying of pine and spruce1995In: European Journal of Wood and Wood Products, ISSN 0018-3768, E-ISSN 1436-736X, Vol. 53, no 5, p. 333-338Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Drying rates and power densities are determined for pine-and sprucewood when dried from green to 8% moisture content by microwave power. The process is controlled by measurements of internal wood temperature, internal vapour pressure and rate of moisture evaporation. Microwave power densities ranged from 25 to 78 kW/m3, microwave energy consumption from 365 to 760 kWh/m3. Internal wood temperatures up to 140 °C were used. Internal vapour pressure in the wood could rise to about 20 kPa without checking. Maximal drying rates of 0.20 to 0.45% moisture content per minute are possible to obtain when drying above fiber saturation (fsp). Below fsp the feasible drying rates ranged from 0.10 to 0.20% moisture content per minute. Spruce dried approximately 1.6 times faster than pine. No conditioning of the wood was necessary since the wood was free of stresses. The wood was free of checks but colour changes occured in the interior of some specimens.

  • 37.
    Antti, Lena
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Några inverkande faktorer vid mikrovågstorkning av lövträ1991Report (Other academic)
  • 38.
    Antti, Lena
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Värmeövergång mellan trä och luft vid luftcirkulationstorkning: Klimat- och materialparametrars inverkan på värmeövergångstalet vid torkning av furu1989Report (Other academic)
  • 39.
    Antti, Lena
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Finell, M.
    Arshadi, M.
    Lestander, T.
    Microwave drying of sawdust: effect on biofuel pellet2010In: Proceedings, 11th International IUFRO Wood Drying Conference: in Skellefteå, Sweden, January 18 - 22, 2010 ... the theme of the conference was "Recent Advances in the Field of Wood Drying" / [ed] Tom Morén; Lena Antti; Margot Sehlstedt-Persson, Luleå: Luleå tekniska universitet, 2010, p. 313-319Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 40.
    Antti, Lena
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Finell, Michael
    Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Unit of Biomass Technology and Chemistry, SE-90183 Umeå, Sweden.
    Arshadi, Mehrdad
    Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Unit of Biomass Technology and Chemistry, SE-90183 Umeå, Sweden.
    Lestander, Torbjörn A.
    Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Unit of Biomass Technology and Chemistry, SE-90183 Umeå, Sweden.
    Effects of microwave drying on biomass fatty acid composition and fuel pellet quality2011In: Wood Material Science & Engineering, ISSN 1748-0272, E-ISSN 1748-0280, Vol. 6, no 1-2, p. 34-40Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Drying of biomass for fuel pellet production is a time- and energy-consuming process. The objective of this study was to investigate not only whether microwave drying could be an alternative drying method but also whether the microwave treatment brings beneficial chemical properties into the biomass feedstock in terms of, for example, fatty acid composition and, further, whether this could be advantageous in the production of wood pellets. Microwave drying tests were conducted using fresh sawdust from pinewood as a biomass model. In these tests sawdust was dried from weight-based moisture content 0.47 to final moisture contents in the interval 0.08-0.14. The chemical composition, pellet-making and mechanical properties of the pellets were then investigated. It was shown that 0.5 kg sawdust could be dried within 40 min of microwave exposure. The effects of microwave treatment on the fatty and resin acid composition indicated that some changes occurred, but the total amounts were not significantly different from those in oven-dried samples. However, the microwave treatment of sawdust significantly improved pellet density and pellet strength. These results indicate new possibilities to alter fatty and resin acid composition and to improve particle bonding within fuel pellets.

  • 41.
    Antti, Lena
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Hansson, Lars
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Equalization of moisture in pre-dried pinewood using microwave power2010In: Pro Ligno, ISSN 1841-4737, E-ISSN 2069-7430, Vol. 6, no 2, p. 53-59Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Commonly, during air-circulation kiln drying moisture gradients within wood cross-sections are developed, i.e. the surfaces become drier than the interior. To minimize these gradients a conditioning step subsequent to the drying is needed. The aim with this study was to investigate the possibility to use microwave power for equalization of moisture within pinewood boards after air-circulation kiln drying to the average moisture content 0,14. Two dimensions of pinewood were tested; thickness 50 and 63 mm, in two different plants, generating 5 and 12 kW microwave power respectively. Results show that microwave energy give rise to a fast and advantageous moisture equalization within the wood. The higher microwave power density the faster heating and moisture redistribution in these wood dimensions. Required time for heating and redistribution of moisture was found to be as short as 3 minutes at the power density 500 kW/m3. In addition, split-tests indicate decreased or elimination of gap after microwave treatment in the investigated specimens.

  • 42.
    Antti, Lena
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Hansson, Lars
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Microwave treatment of resinous wood2006In: Wood structure and properties '06: [proceedings of the 5th IUFRO Symposium Wood Structure and Properties '06 held on September 3-6, 2006 in Sliač - Sielnica, Slovakia] / [ed] R. Lagana; S. Kurjatko; J. Kudela, Zvolen, Slovakia: Arbora Publishers , 2006, p. 435-437Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The output from conventional air-circulation drying of wood is not always satisfying; some individual wood boards often contain somewhat higher moisture content (MC) than the target MC. Higher MC in some pine wood boards after conventional drying could origin from the fact that these contain higher amounts of resin, which may delay or to some extent prevent the moisture flux. It could be the reason to problems in further wood production processes, as for example in gluing processes. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not microwave (MW) heating could be a suitable method to condition these components. Another aim was to investigate if and how migration of resin appears during MW treatment. The study includes experimental tests where determination of both MC and resin content (RC) were carried out before and after MW treatment. Results from the tests show that the RC and the MC are interacting; it means that volumes with high RC also withhold increased amount of moisture; these volumes are often found within boards that origin from the root end of logs. It is possible to dry/condition these planks to reach the target MC within minutes or hours, depending on wood thickness, using MW power. By exposing resinous wood to microwaves, migration of resin takes place from the interior towards the wood surfaces, especially longitudinally through the wood towards the butt ends. It seems to be possible to redistribute RC and MC in wood by exposing only parts of a plank to microwaves.

  • 43.
    Antti, Lena
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Hansson, Lars
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Redistribution of moisture in pre-dried pinewood using microwave power: a preliminary study2010In: Proceedings, 11th International IUFRO Wood Drying Conference: [... in Skellefteå, Sweden, January 18 - 22, 2010 ... the theme of the conference was "Recent Advances in the Field of Wood Drying"] / [ed] Tom Morén; Lena Antti; Margot Sehlstedt-Persson, Luleå: Luleå tekniska universitet, 2010, p. 234-238Conference paper (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Commonly, during air-circulation kiln drying moisture gradients within wood cross-sections are developed, i.e. thesurfaces become drier than the interior. To minimize these gradients a conditioning step subsequent to the drying isneeded. The aim with this study was to investigate the possibility to use microwave power for redistribution ofmoisture within pinewood planks after air-circulation kiln drying to the average moisture content 0,14. Twodimensions of pinewood were tested; thickness 50 and 63 mm, in two different plants, generating 5 and 12 kWmicrowave power respectively. Results show that microwave energy give rise to a fast and advantageous moistureredistribution i.e. equalization of moisture content within the wood. The higher microwave power density the fasterheating and moisture equalization in these wood dimensions. Required time for heating and redistribution ofmoisture was found to be as short as 3 minutes at the power density 500 kW/m3. In addition, split-tests indicatedecreased or almost no gap in the investigated specimens.

  • 44.
    Antti, Lena
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Jönsson, Anette
    LTU.
    Nilsson, Magnus
    LTU.
    The effect of drying method on the mechanical properties of wood: Comparisons between conventional kiln and microwave dried Scots pine2001In: Proceedings of the 3rd European Cost E15 Workshop on Wood Drying: with the theme Softwood drying to meets needs of further processing and specific end-uses : 11-13 June 2001 at Scandic Hotel Kalastajatorppa, Helsinki, Finland, Espoo: VTT Building and Transport , 2001, p. 21:1-21:9Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 45.
    Antti, Lena
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Perre, P.
    ENGREF - Laboratory of Forest Sciences.
    A microwave applicator for on line wood drying: Temperature and moisture distribution in wood1999In: Wood Science and Technology, ISSN 0043-7719, E-ISSN 1432-5225, Vol. 33, no 2, p. 123-138Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    An especially designed open microwave applicator was analysed using wood as the material to be heated and dried. The idea was to develop an on line microwave construction consisting of several small open applicators, each fed by a small standard magnetron (for example 1.4 kW main power). The process was analysed by measuring the wood temperature during heating using an IR-camera and detecting the moisture distribution during drying by CT-scanning. Pine and birch wood samples were used in the experiments, mainly 40 mm in thickness. The experiments show that the power distribution differs between dry wood and moist wood. The analysis of the temperature fields captured by the IR-camera during the first minutes allows a rather accurate determination of the MW power. Consequently, the drying proceeds unevenly in the wood specimens, especially in the longitudinal direction. The dimensions of the applicator and its relation to the wood dimension are very important. However, the wood was not destroyed, the temperature and moisture gradients did not affect the wood in terms of checks or deformations. The drying rate in different positions of the specimen varied between 0.30 and 0.80 percentage moisture content/min. The uneven energy, meaning temperature and field distribution, is to be compensated in the future by a moving wood load and by alternating the position of each applicator in a larger scale microwave pilot plant.

  • 46.
    Antti, Lena
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Torgovnikov, Grigori
    Microwave heating of wood1995In: Fifth international conference on microwave and high frequency heating, 17-21 September 1995, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995, p. E3.1-3.4Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 47.
    Antti, Lena
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Zhao, H.
    Turner, I.
    An Investigation of the Heating of Wood in an Industrial Microwave Applicator: Theory and Practice2000In: 6th international IUFRO wood drying conference on wood drying research and technology for sustainable forestry beyond 2000, Marcel Dekker Incorporated , 2000Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 48.
    Antti, Lena
    et al.
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Zhao, H.
    Turner, I.
    Investigation of the heating of wood in an industrial microwave applicator: theory and practice2000In: Drying Technology, ISSN 0737-3937, E-ISSN 1532-2300, Vol. 18, no 8, p. 1665-1676Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In this work a comprehensive set of experimental results are used as an excellent means to understand the coupling that exists between the material and the electromagnetic fields in a specific industrial microwave applicator. The analysis of the infrared images allows an accurate map of the power and temperature distributions within the wood sample to be determined. This map, together with the simulation results of a previously developed computational electromagnetic model, can provide a detailed understanding of the design features of the microwave applicator. In particular, it is possible to locate the occurrence of localised hot spots and to examine the uniformity of the heat distribution throughout the sample. The simulation results provide the evolution of the electromagnetic fields inside the entire applicator and the sample. The coupling of theory and practice is the best way to proceed in optimising the design and for proposing new applicator geometry that can heat the material more effectively.

  • 49. Arfvidsson, J.
    et al.
    Lindgren, Owe
    Luleå University of Technology, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Wood Science and Engineering.
    Wiberg, P.
    Luleå University of Technology.
    The development of a moisure sorption model to predict moisture within solid wood based on non-destructive moisture gradient measurements using CT-scanning and digital ...1997In: International Conference on Wood-Water Relations, 16 - 17 June 1997, Copenhagen, Denmark: [COST Action E8, Mechanical Performance of Wood and Wood Products] / [ed] Preben Hoffmeyer, Copenhagen: Technical University of Denmark , 1997Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 50.
    Awoyemi, Lawrence
    Luleå University of Technology.
    Effect of borate pre-treatment on the hygroscopic and swelling properties of heat-treated wood2005In: International Wood Products Journal, ISSN 0020-3203, Vol. 17, no 2, p. 94-98Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Based on the strong correlation between acidity and some properties of heat treated wood reported in previous studies, the effect of borate impregnation as an alkali buffering medium was investigated on the hygroscopic and swelling properties of heat-treated wood. Wood samples were impregnated with 0.1M Sodium borate solution (pH = 9.4) before they were subjected to heat treatment at 200°C for durations of 2 and 4 hours. The pre-treatment impregnation with borate salt, increased the hydrophobic and antiswelling effects of the heat treatment on wood. This suggests that the bulking effect of the borate salt is more significant than its mitigating effect on the degree of cellulose degradation during heat treatment.

1234567 1 - 50 of 814
CiteExportLink to result list
Permanent link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf