Sani Amril Samsudin

As global paper demand surges, conventional wood pulp methods raise deforestation concerns. This study explores the potential of sugar palm (SP) ( Arenga pinnata ) fibers, particularly in Malaysia, as a sustainable alternative for papermaking. SP, known for its versatility in food products and biofiber production, offers an eco‐friendly option. It is also used for bioethanol, providing renewable energy sources. The research highlights SP biofibers as viable raw materials for the pulp and paper industry, emphasizing their seawater resistance, durability, and natural availability in woven forms. Its fibers exhibit seawater resistance, durability, and natural woven availability, with cellulose content of 45–60%, hemicellulose of 10–17%, and lignin of 16–30%, indicating strong suitability for papermaking. Comprehensive evaluation of SP properties, treatment approaches, and pulping processes demonstrates its role as a viable non‐wood source, especially for forest‐deficient regions. Beyond technical aspects, the study emphasizes environmental benefits, highlighting how SP utilization could reduce reliance on wood, mitigate deforestation, and foster sustainable industrial practices. This review bridges academic research on SP biomass with industrial applications, outlining current challenges, opportunities, and future directions for integrating non‐wood fibers into industrial papermaking.

This paper discusses the prospect of utilization of solar energy for aquaponics operation. Aquaponic is a platform for farmers to simultaneously grow fish and plants in a same unit. It is sustainable and produces little waste. The need of pumps for continuous water recirculation and air supply within the system could be a hindrance in the aquaponics operation especially if the unit is nowhere near any power outlet. It is indeed a visible solution as Malaysia located at equator and receives average sunlight ~9 hours a day throughout the year with solar intensity as high as 1800-1900 kWh/m2. The work presents detail equipment for establishment of suitable solar PV system for aquaponics operation and reviews utilities of aquaponics platform that can be supported using solar energy. Possible integration of Internet-of-Things (IoT) for remote monitoring of such solar operated aquaponics unit is also discussed. Analysis showed that even when operated with full energy supply for only 12 hours, the yield and growth rates of the crop and fish grown in the system powered remains unaffected. This signified the potential for the use of solar energy as alternative energy for operation of the aquaponics unit. The main advantage perhaps is the realization of aquaponics setup in remote area where electricity is not accessible. Installation cost may be relatively high (100W PV system could cost nearly RM 600 for installation) but for a long run, it is highly beneficial as utility cost and cost for installing the national grid can be significantly reduced. Summarizing, the project introduced the concept of smart farming via aquaponics for a sustainable production of crop and fish using a renewable and clean solar energy for its operation.

Three categories of composite from the mixtures of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), calcium carbonate and rice husk were produced as an alternative growing media. Category A (HDPE/calcium carbonate), Category B (HDPE/rice husk) and Category C (HDPE/calcium carbonate/rice husk) composites were prepared using Brabender Measuring Mixer at 50 rpm and 180 °C. In this study, physical properties (bulk density, porosity, water absorption and pH) of each category were investigated and compared to commercial growing media, light expanded clay aggregate (LECA). Field Emission Scanning Microscope (FeSEM) was also used to determine the pore sizes and pore distribution of the media produced. The result showed that porosity and water absorption of media increased with increasing percentage (w/w) of rice husk while bulk density increased with increasing percentage of calcium carbonate. pH of media made from HDPE/calcium carbonate is higher (basic) compared to those made from HDPE/rice husk (slight acidic). FeSEM revealed all media are porous but pore sizes greatly affected media porosity and water absorption capability. From the result, it can be concluded that the specific composition of media composite produced (C3 and C6) has comparable physical properties with LECA and could be used as an alternative growing media.

This study compares the reinforcing effects of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP), graphene oxide (GO), and halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) in polypropylene (PP) based nanocomposites with PP‐g‐maleic anhydride (MAPP) as compatibilizer. PP/GNP/MAPP, PP/GO/MAPP, and PP/HNTs/MAPP nanocomposites were fabricated at nanofillers contents 1, 2, 3, 4 parts per hundred (phr) and MAPP at 4 phr, to PP matrix, using melt extrusion and injection molding techniques. Results show that at nanofillers optimum content, PP/GNP3/MAPP nanocomposite increased in tensile strength and modulus by 8% and 96%, respectively, compared to pure PP (p ˂ 0.05). PP/GNP3/MAPP nanocomposite also increased in tensile strength and modulus by 2% and 4% respectively, compared to PP/GO2/MAPP (p ˂ 0.05) and 2% and 15% compared to PP/HNTs2/MAPP (p ˂ 0.05) nanocomposites. For impact strength performance, PP/GNP2/MAPP nanocomposite increased in impact strength (notched) by 104% compared to pure PP (p ˂ 0.05). Also, PP/GNP2/MAPP nanocomposite increased in impact strength by 23% compared to PP/GO1/MAPP (p ˂ 0.05) and 13% compared to PP/HNTs1/MAPP (p ˂ 0.05), nanocomposites. In flexural properties, PP/GO4/MAPP nanocomposite increased in flexural strength and modulus by 24% and 28%, respectively, compared to pure PP (p ˂ 0.05). Also, PP/GO4/MAPP nanocomposite increased in flexural strength and modulus by 4% and 9%, respectively, compared to PP/GNP2/MAPP nanocomposite, and 9% and 21% respectively compared to PP/HNTs2/MAPP nanocomposite. PP/GNP2/MAPP nanocomposite increased in thermal stability by 12°C compared to pure PP; 29°C compared to PP/GO2/MAPP; and 15°C compared to PP/HNTs2/MAPP nanocomposites. Overall, PP/GNP/MAPP nanocomposite exhibited superior mechanical properties and thermal stability compared to PP/GO/MAPP and PP/HNTs/MAPP nanocomposites. PP/GO/MAPP was superior for bending properties while PP/HNTs/MAPP was best for ductility.

Recent developments within the topic of biomaterials has taken hold of researchers due to the mounting concern of current environmental pollution as well as scarcity resources. Amongst all compatible biomaterials, polycaprolactone (PCL) is deemed to be a great potential biomaterial, especially to the tissue engineering sector, due to its advantages, including its biocompatibility and low bioactivity exhibition. The commercialization of PCL is deemed as infant technology despite of all its advantages. This contributed to the disadvantages of PCL, including expensive, toxic, and complex. Therefore, the shift towards the utilization of PCL as an alternative biomaterial in the development of biocomposites has been exponentially increased in recent years. PCL-based biocomposites are unique and versatile technology equipped with several importance features. In addition, the understanding on the properties of PCL and its blend is vital as it is influenced by the application of biocomposites. The superior characteristics of PCL-based green and hybrid biocomposites has expanded their applications, such as in the biomedical field, as well as in tissue engineering and medical implants. Thus, this review is aimed to critically discuss the characteristics of PCL-based biocomposites, which cover each mechanical and thermal properties and their importance towards several applications. The emergence of nanomaterials as reinforcement agent in PCL-based biocomposites was also a tackled issue within this review. On the whole, recent developments of PCL as a potential biomaterial in recent applications is reviewed.

This study compares the mechanical properties of rice husk (RH) and rice husk ash (RHA) filled polypropylene (PP) composites and the effects of ethylene‐acrylic‐ester‐maleic anhydride (E‐AE‐MA) and PP‐g‐maleic anhydride (MAPP) as compatibilizer. In this study, PP/RH and PP/RHA composites were blended at the ratios of 85/15 wt% and compatibilizers at four parts per hundred each, via melt extrusion in a twin‐screw extruder prior to injection molding. Mechanical tests were tensile, flexural and impact tests. A morphological study was conducted by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results show that PP/RHA composite exhibited a 4% significant increase in tensile strength compared to PP/RH composite (р ˂ 0.05) while, PP‐RH composite increased significantly by 5 and 3% in flexural and impact strength compared to PP‐RHA composite (р ˂ 0.05). MAPP increased significantly the flexural strength of PP‐RH and PP‐RHA composites by 23 and 21% (р ˂ 0.05) compared to E‐AE‐MA. PP‐RHA‐MAPP composite increased significantly the impact strength by 18% compared to PP/RHA/E‐AE‐MA composite (р ˂ 0.05). There was no significant difference in impact strength between PP/RH/MAPP and PP/RH/E‐AE‐MA composites (р ≥ 0.05). Overall results indicate that RH imparts better reinforcing effect in PP composite than RHA, while MAPP is a better compatibilizer. SEM study indicates that both compatibilizers improved the filler‐matrix interfacial adhesion.

A simple mirrorless plastic optical fiber displacement sensor was used to determine the concentration of paracetamol (PCM) in an aqueous solution. Paracetamol concentrations between 5 and 45 ppm were tested by the proposed sensor. With a mirror, the substantial sensitivity observed by an output power changed against displacement of 0.0403 mW/μm for the front slope and 0.023 mW/μm for the back slope with linearities of more than 99%. On the other hand, nonmirror reflector showed a sensitivity of 0.0006 mW/μm for the front slope and 0.0002 mW/μm for the back slope for the case of a red reflector and a sensitivity of 0.0007 mW/μm and 0.0003 mW/μm for the front and the back slope, respectively, for the case of a white reflector. The sensor sensitivity for the red and white coloured papers, which were used as the nonmirror reflectors and the mirror reflector itself against changing PCM concentrations, was 0.0004 mW/ppm, 0.0008 mW/ppm, and 0.02 mW/ppm, respectively. The experimental results indicated that the sensor was not only able to detect and measure the concentration of PCM in aqueous solutions but was also very stable with the additional advantages of a cost‐effective and practical design that is highly beneficial for real‐world sensing applications.

The morphology, dynamic mechanical properties and infrared spectra of polycarbonate (PC)/polypropylene (PP) blends were investigated. As expected, PC and PP were immiscible when blended together; however partial miscibility developed following annealing. The miscibility of one polymer in the other was examined using the modified Fox equation and the values of the Flory-Huggins polymer-polymer interaction parameter (χ12) were also calculated following the Kim and Burns approach. Moreover, the possible causes for partial miscibility in the annealed PC/PP blends were explored by infrared spectroscopy. It was concluded that annealing caused degradation of PP, leading to the formation of polar groups which were then able to interact with PC generating regions of partial miscibility.