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Cellulose Nanomaterials Enable Lithium-ion, Sodium-Ion and Zinc-ion Batteries with Extended Operation Lifespans, 2022 TAPPI International Nanotechnology Conference (22NANO)

FiberLean® MFC •It’s Like We are Printing You Money!, 2022 TAPPI International Nanotechnology Conference (22NANO)

Elucidating the Mechanism of CNF Reinforcement in Urea Formaldehyde bonded particleboard, 2022 TAPPI International Nanotechnology Conference (22NANO)

Cellulose Nanocrystal Surface Property Effects on Emulsion-based Adhesive Performance, 2022 TAPPI International Nanotechnology Conference (22NANO)

In situ oligosaccharide surface modification of cellulose nanocrystals, 2022 TAPPI International Nanotechnology Conference (22NANO)

Novel enzymatic tools to fabricate nanofibrillatedcellulose, 2022 TAPPI International Nanotechnology Conference (22NANO)

Cellulose Nanocrystals Modified Substrates for Mechanical Compatibility of Stem Cells, 2022 TAPPI International Nanotechnology Conference (22NANO)

Microbial load and proliferation associated with various face mask types and sources during the COVID-19 pandemic, TAPPI Journal January 2022

ABSTRACT: Due to the shortage of personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, homemade face coverings were recommended as alternatives. However, the capability of alternative face coverings to proliferate microbes have not been fully documented. The current study evaluated bacterial load and proliferation associated with the use of common face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Mask type-specific and surface-related bacterial load and pattern were noticeable in the study. Results indicated that roadside masks are among samples that contained relatively higher initial bacterial load. The highest number of bacterial forming colonies were observed in the inner surface of mask samples. Proliferation of microbes over time was also noticeable among the non-certified face coverings included in the study. Sterilization or washing of non-certified fabric face masks before use is recommended.

Application of ATR-IR measurements to predict the deinking efficiency of UV-cured inks, TAPPI Journal January 2022

ABSTRACT: In recent years, ultraviolet (UV)-curable ink has been developed and widely used in various printing applications. However, using UV-printed products (UV prints) in recovered paper recycling causes end-product dirt specks and quality issues. A new method was developed that can distinguish UV prints from other prints by means of attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy. Application of this method could allow more efficient use of UV prints as raw materials for paper recycling.First, a mill trial was performed using UV prints alone as raw materials in a deinked pulp (DIP) process. Second, test prints were made with four types of UV inks: a conventional UV ink and three different highly-sensitive UV inks. Each print sample had four levels of four-color ink coverage patterns (100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%). Next, deinkability of all prints was evaluated by laboratory experiments. Finally, each print was measured using the ATR-IR method, and the relationship between the IR spectra and deinkability was investigated. Mill trial results showed that UV prints caused more than 20 times as many dirt specks as those printed with conventional oil-based ink. There were variations in recycling performance among UV prints taken from bales used for the mill trial. Lab tests clearly revealed that not all UV-printed products lead to dirt specks. In order to clarify the factors that affected deinkability of UV prints, the print samples were investigated by lab experiments. Key findings from lab experiments include: œ The number of dirt specks larger than 250 µm in diameter increased as the ink coverage increased. œ Higher ink coverage area showed stronger intensity of ATR-IR spectral bands associated with inks. These results indicate that deinkability of UV prints could be predicted by analysis of ATR-IR spectra. œ Finally, the method was applied for assessment of recovered paper from commercial printing presses. It was confirmed that this method made it possible to distinguish easily deinkable UV prints from other UV prints. Based on these findings, we concluded that the ATR-IR method is applicable for inspection of incoming recovered paper.

Over the Wire Summary, Paper360º January/February 2022

Over the Wire Summary, Paper360º January/February 2022