Scholarly Works, Sustainable Biomaterials

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https://hdl.handle.net/10919/24329

Research articles, presentations, and other scholarship

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Measurement and Analysis of Last-Mile Parcel Delivery Truck Vibration Levels in Korea
Kim, Saewhan; Horvath, Laszlo; Lee, Soohyung; Lee, Sangwook (MDPI, 2024-04-12)
South Korea has one of the largest e-commerce markets in the world. The last-mile delivery segment of e-commerce often causes critical damage to products in protective packages. Despite the rapid growth of the e-commerce market in Korea, the last-mile distribution environment has not yet been thoroughly investigated. The main aim of this study was to provide an understanding of the vibration levels that were measured from various parcel delivery routes within Seoul, Korea, using common types of parcel delivery trucks. Vibration levels of ten delivery trucks were measured and analyzed in terms of power spectral densities (PSDs) and presented as PSD spectra. The last-mile delivery vehicle vibration levels in Korea were found to be consistently lower (in the 1 to 200 Hz frequency range) than those recommended by international standards and lower than the vibration levels of parcel delivery vehicles in the U.S. and Hungary. The results also revealed that the highest intensity peak of the PSD spectrum for Korea was located in the lower frequency range (1.5 to 2 Hz) compared to the ISTA 3A pickup and delivery test profile (3 to 4 Hz) and the test profile recommended for Hungary (13 to 16 Hz). A smoothed composite spectrum was also provided to support Korean packaging engineers in optimizing their packages by simulating proper last-mile truck delivery vibration levels in lab conditions.
Realizing a dream: linking sustainable enterprise development with sound forest management – the case for Black Walnut Syrup
Hammett, A. L. (Tom) (New River Symposium, 2024-04-12)
Virginia Tech and Future Generations University have been collaborating on projects in the region that foster sustainable nature-based enterprises. For several years, the focus has been on maple syrup, a product with a deep heritage in the New River Valley and surrounding areas. Recently, we have built on the experience with sugar maple, and have conducted research and outreach with another tree syrup – black walnut. Black walnut is plentiful and well suited to many sites in the region. The tapping process ensures that the tree is not harmed and will continue to provide ecological benefits. Well known in other regions for its timber quality, the species is not well known for producing tree syrup. But black walnut syrup is not well-known but is fetching higher prices than maple syrup and is popular among bakers, especially in the New York City area. The author won first prize for his black walnut syrup at the 2022 New River Valley Fair! Our outreach and research projects have focused on tree syrup and non-timber forest products. Many in the area request assistance to assess the potential for tree saps. Our team has developed demonstration sites and conducted outreach activities with landowners at several sites including Tazewell, Montgomery, and Giles Counties. Research is needed to gather input from landowners, evaluate the potential for sustainable economic development, and incorporate black walnut in forest management plans. We will discuss black walnut syrup’ potential to foster sustainable development, build community resilience, and ensure sustainable land management.
Reflecting on East Africa: Incorporating Sustainable Development Goals into Curriculum in Virginia
Hammett, A. L. (Tom) (2023-11-14)
Organized, presented, and moderated; for International Education Week
Branching Out: Alternative Tree Saps Integrated with Agroforestry
Hammett, A. L. (Tom) (2023)
Understory Botanicals and Eatables: A Guide to Educational Resources for Appalachian Agroforestry by the Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network
Hammett, A. L. (Tom) (2023)
The purpose of this series is to describe particular production systems for small holdings in Appalachian cove forests. In this scenario, we will describe how to use the forest understory to grow forest botanicals for nutrition and health uses, and as a source of income. There are numerous examples of understory plants that can be grown in the region - each of which can contribute to income and nutrition and sustain the landscape. Agroforesters recognize and celebrate the historical legacy these plants represent for residents in the region.
Agroforestry in Appalachia-Laurel Fork Sapsuckers
Hammett, A. L. (Tom) (2023)
Festival & Farmers’ Markets: A Guide to Educational Resources for Appalachian Agroforestry by the Livelihoods Knowledge Exchange Network
Hammett, A. L. (Tom) (2023)
Making Maple Syrup in Virginia
Hammett, A. L. (Tom) (2023-03-14)
Invited presentation to the Lifelong Learning Institute.
Linking Agriculture and Sustainable Natural Resource Management: Opportunities for Social Change
Hammett, A. L. (Tom) (2023-11-13)
SDGs in East Africa-Centered Education: Lessons from a Fulbright-Hays Institute
Cranwell, Lindy; Emmett, Robert; Fitzgerald, Rachel; Hammett, A. L. (Tom) (2023-11)
Commercial products derived from plants: Maple Syrup
Hammett, A. L. (Tom) (2023-02-13)
An invited lecture to biology students at Radford University.
East African History, Geography, and Sustainability: Tanzania and Kenya
Coffee, Frances; Hammett, A. L. (Tom); Gibson, Lisa (2023-11-30)
Engaging Students in NTFPs- Opportunities for Experiential Learning
Hammett, A. L. (Tom); Hindman, Daniel (2023-06-07)
Unpacking the Complexities of International Learning: Reflections from East Africa
Council, Austin; Thompson, Joshua; Emmett, Robert; Hammett, A. L. (Tom) (2024-02-08)
International education is complex and fraught with nuances, especially in the context of Africa, a continent that has been historically exploited and continues to be absent from many western curricula. Therefore, it is important to critically attend to the dynamics facing communities we interact with abroad. In June 2023, a group of Virginia Tech instructors, professors, graduate students, administrative/professional faculty and Virginia public school educators embarked on a cross-cultural, professional learning experience to Tanzania and Kenya as part of the Virginia Tech East Africa Summer Institute for Educators.
Chinese Consumers' Attitudes Toward Certified Wood Products
Liu, Lijun; Sun, Xiufang; Hammett, A. L. (Tom) (Forest Products Society, 2024-01-19)
While environmental nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have been active in China in promoting forest certification, Chinese consumers’ perceptions of certified wood products in the marketplace are unclear. A survey focused on consumers’ wood-product consumption patterns was conducted in three cities—Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai—from July to August 2015. This study used data from the survey to assess urban Chinese consumers’ attitudes toward certified wood products and the demographic differences affecting these attitudes. Regression analysis was conducted to test whether consumers’ social-economic characteristics link with their attitudes toward certified wood. We found mixed correlations between these consumers’ attitudes and their demographics and positive correlations between their attitudes and exposure to environmental campaigns and environmental education. The results from this study will improve the understanding of Chinese consumers’ attitudes toward certified wood products and help producers and marketers better understand the market potential for certified products and more efficiently meet consumers’ needs. This study will also help NGOs interested in conservation to develop their future programs in China.
Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(Butylene Sebacate-Co-Terephthalate) Copolyesters with Pentaerythritol as Branching Agent
Jang, Hyunho; Kwon, Sangwoo; Kim, Sun Jong; Kim, Young-Teck; Park, Su-il (MDPI, 2023-12-19)
Poly(butylene sebacate-co-terephthalate) (PBSeT) copolyesters are prepared by melt polymerization via two-step transesterification and polycondensation using pentaerythritol (PE) as a branching agent. The effects of the incorporated PE on its chemical, thermal, mechanical, and degradation properties, along with the rheological properties of its melt, are investigated. The highest molecular weight and intrinsic viscosity along with the lowest melt flow index were achieved at a PE content of 0.2 mol%, with minimal reduction in the tensile strength and the highest tear strength. The addition of PE did not significantly influence the thermal behavior and stability of the PBSeT copolyesters; however, the elongation at break decreased with increasing PE content. The sample with 0.2 mol% PE exhibited a higher storage modulus and loss modulus as well as a lower loss angle tangent than the other samples, indicating improved melt elasticity. The incorporation of more than 0.2 mol% PE enhanced the enzymatic degradation of copolyesters. In summary, including within 0.2 mol%, PE effectively improved both the processability-related characteristics and degradation properties of PBSeT copolyesters, suggesting their potential suitability for use in agricultural and packaging materials.
Dimensional Stability and Equilibrium Moisture Content of Thermally Modified Hardwoods
Masoumi, Abasali; Bond, Brian H. (BioResources, 2024-01-04)
The dimensional stability and equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of thermally modified hardwoods were studied. Lumber of yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera); red oak (Quercus borealis); white ash (Fraxinus americana), red maple (Acer rubrum); hickory (Carya glabra), and black cherry (Prunus serotina) were modified in industrial thermo-vacuum system. The water absorption rate, EMC, swelling, anti-swelling efficiency, shrinkage, anti-shrinkage efficiency, and anisotropy of the specimens were measured and compared to unmodified wood. The results show that thermal modification significantly decreased water absorption of wood which leads to improved dimensional stability. Specifically, thermally modified wood showed reduced EMC (22% in hickory to 59% in red maple), increased water absorption repellent (14.9% in black cherry to 29.6% in yellow-poplar), increased anti-swelling efficiency (14.2% in hickory to 71.4% in ash), increased anti-shrinkage efficiency (23.5% in red maple to 65.6% in ash), and reduced anisotropy coefficient (4.7% in red oak to 31.9% in black cherry).
Producing Structural Grade Hardwood Lumber as a Raw Material for Cross-Laminated Timber: Yield and Economic Analysis
Adhikari, Sailesh; Bond, Brian H.; Quesada, Henry Jose (2024-02)
The economic feasibility of producing structural-grade hardwood lumber (SGHL) that qualifies as a raw material for structurally rated cross-laminated timber (CLT) was examined. 126 yellow poplar logs from diameters 12 to 15 inches were selected and divided into test and control samples. A log yield study was then conducted of the yield and revenue generated when producing lumber graded with National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) rules, SGHL rules, and a mix of both rules (NHLA and SGHL-graded lumber). Producing mix-grade lumber added approximately 27% more revenue than producing NHLA-grade lumber on average if sawmills adopt a cant sawing method. Mix-grade lumber production resulted in 32% of the total volume produced as SGHL and the remaining 68% as NHLA lumber. As a result, 2 Common and lower-grade lumber board footage was reduced to only 29% in test samples and remained converted into SGHL compared to more than 85% of 2 Common and lower-grade lumber boards for control samples. 95% of the SGHL produced as mixed-graded lumber with NHLA-grade lumber met the specifications required to produce structural CLT, and the remaining 5% can be utilized to produce non-structural grade CLTs if they meet the minimum requirement of the materials for CLT production.
Adhesive Bonding Performance of Thermally Modified Yellow Poplar
Masoumi, Abasali; Balma, Francisco Xavier Zambrano; Bond, Brian H. (2023-10-16)
Thermal modification of wood changes its chemical, physical, and structural properties, which may affect adhesive bondline quality and bonding performance. This research compared the effect of thermal modification on the adhesive bonding performance of poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) wood. Samples were prepared from thermally modified and unmodified yellow poplar using one-component polyurethane (PUR) and polyvinyl acetate (PVA), as they are adhesives used in wood products. Microscopic properties of the bondlines were investigated to understand shear performance and durability. Adhesive line thickness, penetration, shear strength, and moisture durability were measured, and failure modes were recorded. Thermal modification negatively affected the wood and adhesive interaction by reducing penetration (31.2% in PUR and 29% in PVA), therefore creating a thicker adhesive line (70% in PUR and 2% in PVA) and consequently causing a significant reduction in the shear strength of both adhesive types (27% in PUR and 36% in PVA) compared with non-modified specimens. The PUR adhesive had higher shear strength than PVA by 2.7% in non-modified and 14% in thermally modified wood.
Editorial: In celebration of women in science: glycoscience
Roman, Maren; Chandran, Preethi L.; Haurat, M. Florencia (Frontiers, 2023-05)

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