Compared to most synthetic fibers, natural fibers are low-cost, are easier to handle, have good specific mechanical properties, and require only around 20–40% of the production energy. Using natural materials and modern construction techniques reduces construction waste and increases energy efficiency while promoting the concept of sustainability. Several drawbacks of natural composites which would be even more pronounced in their use in infrastructure include their higher moisture absorption, inferior fire resistance, lower mechanical properties and durability, variation in quality and price, and difficulty using established manufacturing practices when compared to synthetic composites. Many researchers have been working to address these issues, with particular attention paid to the surface treatment of fibers and improving the fiber/matrix interface. Because of their positive economic and environmental outlook, as well as their ability to uniquely meet human needs worldwide, natural composites are showing a good potential for use in infrastructure applications.

Critical review of recent publications on use of natural composites in infrastructure

Critical Review of Recent Publications on Use of Natural Composites in Infrastructure

Cellulose macro- and nanofibers have gained increasing attention due to the high strength and stiffness, biodegradability and renewability, and their production and application in development of composites. Application of cellulose nanofibers for the development of composites is a relatively new research area. Cellulose macro- and nanofibers can be used as reinforcement in composite materials because of enhanced mechanical, thermal, and biodegradation properties of composites. Cellulose fibers are hydrophilic in nature, so it becomes necessary to increase their surface roughness for the development of composites with enhanced properties. In the present paper, we have reviewed the surface modification of cellulose fibers by various methods. Processing methods, properties, and various applications of nanocellulose and cellulosic composites are also discussed in this paper.

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Cellulose-Based Bio- and Nanocomposites: A Review

s should clearly state the purpose, brief statement of procedure, results and conclusions. Please include your name, full address and topic on all submissions. At least one author of each abstract should register for the conference. All accepted abstracts will be published as symposium proceedings. Additionally, commended abstracts may be published in a journal after they are expanded to a manuscript followed by extensive reviewing. The language of the conference will be English.

An international symposium

Chopped glass and recycled newspaper as reinforcement fibers in injection molded poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites: A comparative study

Composite materials with thermoplastic matrices and a reinforcement of natural fibers are increasingly regarded as an alternative to glass fiber-reinforced composites. The substitution of the traditionally used reinforcing glass fibers by natural fibers such as flax, kenaf, or cotton can lead to a reduction of the component's weight and furthermore to a significant improvement of specific properties like impact strength, crash behaviour, or sound absorption. One of the major fields of application for such materials can be found in structural components for the automotive industry. Product examples are door trim panels, headliners, or back panels. At present the processing of such materials into structural parts usually takes place by thermal compression molding. Semiproducts (so-called hybrid fleeces) are employed, which are generated by carding or air-laid processes and subsequent mechanical bonding. This paper presents a survey and latest developments on the material, processing technologies, and fields...

New Discovery in the Properties of Composites Reinforced with Natural Fibers

Composite materials and layered structures based on natural plant fibers are increasingly regarded as an alternative to glass fiber reinforced parts. One of their major field of application can be ...

Improving the Impact Strength of Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites by Specifically Designed Material and Process Parameters

Mechatronics is an area that merges multidisciplinary knowledge coming from mechanical engineering, electronics and computer technology. Vocational training in mechatronics requires the teaching of ‘multi-skills’ in various learning contexts, as well as a good blend of learning in the classroom and practical training in work surroundings. This paper presents the contribution of MARVEL to meet these target requirements. The aim of the MARVEL project is to implement and evaluate learning environments for mechatronics in vocational training, allowing students ubiquitous access to physical workshops and laboratory facilities from remote places. The project will cover concepts that merge real and virtual as well as local and remote worlds in real time. We describe a concept of experiential learning which proposes a ‘mix’ of virtual learning sessions (remote labs, simulations) in combination with learning in real labs or even at the workplace.

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MARVEL: A Mixed Reality Learning Environment for Vocational Training in Mechatronics

MARVEL is a Leonardo da Vinci project that provides a framework to analyse the pedagogic effectiveness of online labs in various heterogeneous areas that include solar energy, robotics, electronics and electro-pneumatics. It is also used as a test bench to compare the implementation of purely remote labs, where all devices are real, versus mixed-reality environments, where real devices work together with simulation models. This paper describes the basic concepts underlying the implementation of such online labs and presents two case studies (which are openly available to the public). A final section discusses the main pedagogical implications of online labs and presents the research directions that are being considered as a follow-up from this project.

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Online labs and the MARVEL experience

The work presented in this paper proposes a conceptual model where remote experimentation is envisaged as a tool to achieve instructional objectives via social constructivist learning methods. The conceptual model described considers remote experiments as embedded activities in an e-learning framework that integrates the necessary tools to support the acquisition of theoretical concepts, synchronous communication via video-conferencing, interface panels to the equipments available in the remote workbench, and the necessary management tools to support this architecture. Each remote experiment is perceived by the students as a broader activity (called workshop activity) that enables them to achieve pre-defined learning goals, where collaborative actions and peer-review activities are at the basis of the underlying social constructivist learning model. The outcome of these activities is itself a learning object that provides evidence that the learning goals were achieved. The MARVEL EU project: A social constructivist approach to remote experimentation Page 2 of 14

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Dieter H. Mueller

Papers

New Discovery in the Properties of Composites Reinforced with Natural Fibers

Improving the Impact Strength of Natural Fiber Reinforced Composites by Specifically Designed Material and Process Parameters

MARVEL: A Mixed Reality Learning Environment for Vocational Training in Mechatronics

Online labs and the MARVEL experience

The MARVEL EU project: A social constructivist approach to remote experimentation