Epiphanic Revival: Exploring Metallic Finishes on Batik Fabrics in Ghana

Batik fabric is an integral part of the traditional cloth culture of the Ghanaian traditional setting. However, the batik fabric has marginal usage due to its casual visual appearance. This studio practice seeks to explore the epiphanic revival in the use of metallic finishes on batik substrate to create an enhanced visual appearance with embellished aesthetic sensibilities and diversified use. The researchers adopted the studio-based approach of the qualitative design to manipulate handmade tools, techniques (collagraph) and the batik fabrics through experimentation to produce a glittering mercurial batik fabric which is typically an industrial practice. The studio practice took place at the Textile Design and Technology studio, Takoradi Technical University, Ghana. The traditional batik fabric was manipulated through fabric decoration techniques in accordance with studio-based practices. The Addie model was adopted as a methodological approach in the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation processes of the experimentation processes of the study. Findings revealed that the hand techniques used in the production process for the metallic prints produced interesting accidentals finishes and effects that machine work cannot achieve, producing new discoveries of visual enhancements of traditional batik fabric. Traditional batiks became mercurial with glittery effects. The metallic prints on the fabric also changed its consumption pattern from mere casual fabric to classic and cosmopolitan fabric for varied uses suitable for wearable to non-wearable.

Construction Finishes on World's Largest Single Dish Radio Telescope

After more than five years of construction,the world’s biggest single-dish radio telescope was finally ready to open its eye.On September 25,2016,the Fivehundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope(FAST)was officially put into use in a mountainous region of southwest China's Guizhou Province.With a total collecting area equivalent to the size of 30 soccer fields,FAST is expected to accomplish large scale

Application of Rare Earth Spin Finishes Chloride on PET/PA Composite Super-fine Denier Fiber

The primariy application of rare - earth spin finishes on PET/PA composite super - fine denier fiber has been studied in this paper. It results in the improvement of fi-ber’s properties, such as increased whiteness, brightness and brilliance, effective and uniform spliting of compos-ite fiber into super - fine denier fiber and enhanced dye-ing effect.

OBJECTIVE MEASUREMENT:A STUDY OF SHIRTING FABRIC FINISHES

The results of an investigation into the effects of various finishing processes on the propertiesof cotton rich mans shirting fabrics are presented and discussed.The KES-FB system was used forthe testing of fabric mechanical properties.It is concluded that mercerising cotton rich fabrics is nota cost effective finish process while the optimisation of the bleaching process may bring more bene-fit.The investigation is part of a long term program aimed at the development of an expert systemfor total fabric engineering.

Effect of Special Finishes on the Functional Properties of Cotton Fabrics

This study demonstrated that the changes in functional properties of both woven and knit cotton fabrics were determined to evaluate the performance of different special finishes. Here, 100% cotton fabrics were treated with different types of finishing chemicals at different formulations. To assess the performance of different finishes on fabric properties, GSM, bursting strength, tensile strength, dimensional stability, absorbency, crease recovery angle with ASTM and AATCC methods were done. The results showed that the functional properties of the finished cotton fabrics both woven and knit depend to a great extent on the type of finish.

Impact of Different Water Repellent Finishes on Cotton Double Jersey Fabrics

This study demonstrated that the variation in physical and chemical performance on cotton double jersey knit fabrics was decided by the knit structure, water repellent chemicals types and their concentration. Here, two types of double jersey fabrics were treated with different types of water repellent chemicals at different formulations to evaluate the performance of water repellent finishes on knit fabrics properties. The levels of water repellency of the fabrics were assessed by AATCC 127 hydrostatic head test method and by ISO 4920:2012 spray rating test method. To evaluate the performance of water repellent finishes on knit fabric properties, GSM, bursting strength test according to ASTM (D 3786-87) method, air permeability, color fastness to wash, water, perspiration, chlorinated water and color fastness to rubbing with ISO method were done. The results showed that both physical and chemical properties of the finished cotton knits, depend to a great extent on knit structure, the water repellent finish type and concentration to obtain water repellent fabrics with desirable properties.

Expert Experience and Data-Driven Based Hybrid Fault Diagnosis for High-SpeedWire Rod Finishing Mills

The reliable operation of high-speed wire rod finishing mills is crucial in the steel production enterprise.As complex system-level equipment,it is difficult for high-speed wire rod finishing mills to realize fault location and real-time monitoring.To solve the above problems,an expert experience and data-driven-based hybrid fault diagnosis method for high-speed wire rod finishing mills is proposed in this paper.First,based on its mechanical structure,time and frequency domain analysis are improved in fault feature extraction.The approach of combining virtual value,peak value with kurtosis value index,is adopted in time domain analysis.Speed adjustment and side frequency analysis are proposed in frequency domain analysis to obtain accurate component characteristic frequency and its corresponding sideband.Then,according to time and frequency domain characteristics,fault location based on expert experience is proposed to get an accurate fault result.Finally,the proposed method is implemented in the equipment intelligent diagnosis system.By taking an equipment fault on site,for example,the effectiveness of the proposed method is illustrated in the system.

Novel Batch Polishing Method of Ceramic Cutting Inserts for Reducing Tool Wear

Ceramic cutting inserts are a type of cutting tool commonly used in high-speed metal cutting applications.However,the wear of these inserts caused by friction between the workpiece and cutting inserts limits their overall effectiveness.In order to improve the tool life and reduce wear,this study introduces an emerging method called magnetic field-assisted batch polishing(MABP)for simultaneously polishing multiple ceramic cutting inserts.Several polishing experiments were conducted under different conditions,and the wear characteristics were clarified by cutting S136H steel.The results showed that after 15 min of polishing,the surface roughness at the flank face,edge,and nose of the inserts was reduced to below 2.5 nm,6.25 nm,and 45.8 nm,respectively.Furthermore,the nose radii of the inserts did not change significantly,and there were no significant changes in the weight percentage of elements before and after polishing.Additionally,the tool life of the batch polished inserts was found to be up to 1.75 times longer than that of unpolished inserts.These findings suggest that the MABP method is an effective way to mass polish ceramic cutting inserts,resulting in significantly reduced tool wear.Furthermore,this novel method offers new possibilities for polishing other tools.

Synthesis and Characterization of Nonionic Waterborne Polyurethane and Application to Wool Fabric Finishing

A nonionic waterborne polyurethane(WPU) was synthesized by the self-emulsification method using polyether diol(N220),isophorone diisocyanate(IPDI),trimethylolpropane poly(ethylene glycol monomethyl ether)(N120),1,4-butanediol(BDO) and trimethylolpropane(TMP) as the main materials.The effects of the NCO/OH ratio on the emulsion and film properties of NWPU were explored.The experimental results show that the NWPU prepared at an NCO/OH ratio of 1.1 has good emulsion stability and easy film formation,and the resultant film was elastic,soft,and transparent.The sample was used for wool finishing and the application performance was evaluated.When the NWPU dosage reached 40 g·L^(-1),the fabric area felt shrinkage rate reduced from 8.97% to 4.75%,the pilling rating raised from grade 2-3 to grade 4,and the whiteness value only decreased by 3.87%.

Three decades and beyond:Breeding,biotech breakthroughs and future of China's GM insect-resistant cotton

Cotton(Gossypium spp.)is a pivotal crop in the global textile industry,providing essential natural fibers.Additionally,cottonseed offers significant value as a source of oil and as feed for livestock(Huang et al.2021;Wen et al.2023).The sector,dependent on cotton,features a comprehensive value chain extending from the processing of fibers to the production of finished textiles,and it employs tens of millions of individuals(Dorward et al.1970).

Effects of altering the ratio of C16:0 and cis-9 C18:1 in rumen bypass fat on growth performance, lipid metabolism, intestinal barrier, cecal microbiota, and inflammation in fattening bulls

Background C16:0 and cis-9 C18:1 may have different effects on animal growth and health due to unique metabolism in vivo.This study was investigated to explore the different effects of altering the ratio of C16:0 and cis-9 C18:1 in fat supplements on growth performance,lipid metabolism,intestinal barrier,cecal microbiota,and inflammation in fattening bulls.Thirty finishing Angus bulls(626±69 kg,21±0.5 months)were divided into 3 treatments according to the randomized block design:(1)control diet without additional fat(CON),(2)CON+2.5%palmitic acid calcium salt(PA,90%C16:0),and(3)CON+2.5%mixed fatty acid calcium salt(MA,60%C16:0+30%cis-9 C18:1).The experiment lasted for 104 d,after which all the bulls were slaughtered and sampled for analysis.Results MA tended to reduce 0–52 d dry matter intake compared to PA(DMI,P=0.052).Compared with CON and MA,PA significantly increased 0–52 d average daily gain(ADG,P=0.027).PA tended to improve the 0–52 d feed conversion rate compared with CON(FCR,P=0.088).Both PA and MA had no significant effect on 52–104 days of DMI,ADG and FCR(P>0.05).PA tended to improve plasma triglycerides compared with MA(P=0.077),significantly increased plasma cholesterol(P=0.002)and tended to improve subcutaneous adipose weight(P=0.066)when compared with CON and MA.Both PA and MA increased visceral adipose weight compared with CON(P=0.021).Only PA increased the colonization of Rikenellaceae,Ruminococcus and Proteobacteria in the cecum,and MA increased Akkermansia abundance(P<0.05).Compared with CON,both PA and MA down-regulated the m RNA expression of Claudin-1 in the jejunum(P<0.001),increased plasma diamine oxidase(DAO,P<0.001)and lipopolysaccharide(LPS,P=0.045).Compared with CON and MA,PA down-regulated the ZO-1 in the jejunum(P<0.001)and increased plasma LPS-binding protein(LBP,P<0.001).Compared with CON,only PA down-regulated the Occludin in the jejunum(P=0.013).Compared with CON,PA and MA significantly up-regulated the expression of TLR-4 and NF-κB in the visceral adipose(P<0.001)and increased plasma IL-6(P<0.001).Compared with CON,only PA up-regulated the TNF-αin the visceral adipose(P=0.01).Compared with CON and MA,PA up-regulated IL-6 in the visceral adipose(P<0.001),increased plasma TNF-α(P<0.001),and reduced the Ig G content in plasma(P=0.035).Compared with CON,PA and MA increased C16:0 in subcutaneous fat and longissimus dorsi muscle(P<0.05),while more C16:0 was also deposited by extension and desaturation into C18:0 and cis-9 C18:1.However,neither PA nor MA affected the content of cis-9 C18:1 in longissimus dorsi muscle compared with CON(P>0.05).Conclusions MA containing 30%cis-9 C18:1 reduced the risk of high C16:0 dietary fat induced subcutaneous fat obesity,adipose tissue and systemic low-grade inflammation by accelerating fatty acid oxidative utilization,improving colonization of Akkermansia,reducing intestinal barrier damage,and down-regulating NF-κB activation.

Insights into functional polymer-based organic-inorganic nanocomposites as leather finishes

Nowadays,the increasing demands from consumer challenges the traditional leather products.Traditional polymer leather finishes gradually lose their dominant position in the market.To address this issue,recent research effort has been devoted to developing polymer-based organic-inorganic nanocomposite leather finishes due to their various functional properties including antibacterial,self-cleaning and water-resistant property.In this review,we provide a comprehensive overview of synthesis of polymer-based organic-inorganic nanocomposites and their application as functional leather finishes.With the perspective of their properties and current challenges,an outlook in the future development about crafting functional and high-quality leather finishes are further proposed.

A Sustainable Solution Building containerized mini hydropower plants for Indonesian islands

One day in July 2019,two electrical engineers from China arrived at Brawijaya University in Malang,East Java,Indonesia.They had been tasked with finishing the installation,testing,and commissioning of a containerized mini hydropower plant built on the campus not long before.Not many hydropower plants are built on university campuses.Universities often have space,but dams are massive.In this case,the mini hydropower plant was only the size of a twenty-foot-equivalent unit(TEU).Without signage,passersby would never suspect that the structure was a mobile hydropower plant.

Reaching for the Sky

The emerging low-altitude industry is innovative,green,and low-carbon.“Check this out!We are in Shenzhen,China,and we are in the middle of a park,and we are about to have some drinks dropped off by a drone.I’ve never experienced anything like this.The drone is landing now,and we’ve ordered Starbucks.Will the delivery be successful?Let’s have a look.”As soon as Melissa Hutchinson,the mom in the British travel vlogging family the Hutchinsons,finished speaking,a drone carrying a takeout box“came from the sky”and landed on a smart drone delivery locker nearby.Melissa stepped forward and entered the last four digits of her phone number on the screen of the locker.The window immediately opened,and she fished out the package sitting there.Inside the cardboard box was the familiar brown Starbucks paper bag with her matcha tea inside.

Connected Advantage Interlinked supply chains are good for both China and the rest of the world

As both a beneficiary of global supply chain integration and a contributor to the creation of a new supply chain ecosystem,China is of immense importance to the growth of international supply chains.For example,it’s manufacturing industry is indispensable across every stage of the global supply chain from raw material to intermediate goods production and the assembly of finished products.And with a large consumer base,China has been the place where global goods and services are consumed.

Microfactory for filter bags developed in Sweden

After an intensive few years of development,ACG Kinna Automatic and ACG Nystrom–members of TMAS,the Swedish textile machinery association–have delivered the first microfactory for the production of fully finished filter bags to a major international filtration industry customer,in cooperation with JUKI Central Europe.

Textile industry innovations in dyeing and finishing processes:Minimizing environmental impact

Textiles are one of the oldest industries in the world which has been manufacturing fabrics and materials needed for various purposes.However,the industry has been confronted with some problems regarding its pollution;specifically the dyeing and finishing processes.As for the given issues,there has been a trend in recent years to come up with more environmentally friendly solutions.

Finishing first with Monforts at Techtextil 2024

Monforts–which celebrates its 140th anniversary this year–continues to lead the field in finishing and coating technologies for technical textiles.The company is looking forward to many fruitful discussions on the scope of existing and new processes and applications at the forthcoming Techtextil show in Frankfurt from April 23-26.

Huafang Co.,Ltd.:A new journey of high-quality development

Huafang Co., Ltd. has become the leading textile company in China’s dyeing and finishing industry by virtue of its excellent quality of products and innovation. Facing the complicated and changing international situation and domestic economic pressure, the company shows resilient entrepreneurial spirit.

Reducing Food Waste

For many people in the world,wasting food is a bad habit.They buy more than they need at the market.Then they let fruits and vegetables spoil at home.How can you reduce food waste?First,don't buy too much.You may not be able to eat it all before it spoils.Be careful when you store food.Put older things in the front of your cupboards or refrigerator.Then use those things first.If you cook a meal and don't finish it,freeze it for later.Don't throw it away.