• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.86-97
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• 2024

Alkaline- or salt-assisted extractions have been widely used to extract edible insect proteins, however, there is a need for extraction techniques that balance cost-efficient production as well as preserving the protein properties. Mealworm proteins (Tenebrio molitor larvae) were extracted using three different extraction methods-alkali (AMP), salt (SMP), and water (WMP)-and then physicochemical and techno-functional properties were examined. AMP had high yield, protein, and amino acid contents, whereas WMP had high moisture, ash, and fat contents. SDS-PAGE showed a wide range of molecular weights in WMP whereas mostly low molecular weights were observed in AMP and SMP. AMP had poor protein solubilities compared to SMP and WMP across all pHs. AMP had enhanced water-holding capacity and emulsion stability, whereas WMP had improved oil-holding capacity and foaming properties. WMP formed a gel with and without the transglutaminase. The physicochemical and techno-functional properties demonstrated that water-soluble mealworm protein was superior to alkali-and salt-soluble mealworm proteins. Considering the cost efficiency and minimal impact on the environment as well, a cold press juicer could be utilized for mass production of mealworm protein compared to the conventional methods of protein extraction using alkali and salt.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.739-757
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• 2024

Camel milk plays a critical role in the diet of peoples belongs to the semi-arid and arid regions. Since prehistoric times, camel milk marketing was limited due to lacking the processing facilities in the camel-rearing areas, nomads practiced the self-consumption of raw and fermented camel milk. A better understanding of the techno-functional properties of camel milk is required for product improvement to address market and customer needs. Despite the superior nutraceutical and health promoting potential, limited camel dairy products are available compared to other bovines. It is a challenging impetus for the dairy industry to provide diversified camel dairy products to consumers with superior nutritional and functional qualities. The physicochemical behavior and characteristics of camel milk is different than the bovine milk, which poses processing and technological challenges. Traditionally camel milk is only processed into various fermented and non-fermented products; however, the production of commercially important dairy products (cheese, butter, yogurt, and milk powder) from camel milk still needs to be processed successfully. Therefore, the industrial processing and transformation of camel milk into various products, including fermented dairy products, pasteurized milk, milk powder, cheese, and other products, require the development of new technologies based on applied research. This review highlights camel milk's processing constraints and techno-functional properties while presenting the challenges associated with processing the milk into various dairy products. Future research directions to improve product quality have also been discussed.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.403-417
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• 2014

The present paper addresses a general formulation for the thermo elastic analysis of a functionally graded cylindrical shell subjected to external loads. The shear deformation theory and energy method is employed for this purpose. This method presents the final relations by using a set of second order differential equations in terms of integral of material properties along the thickness direction. The proposed formulation can be considered for every distribution of material properties, whether functional or non functional. The obtained formulation can be used for manufactured materials or structures with numerical distribution of material properties which are obtained by using the experiments. The governing differential equation is applied for two well-known functionalities and some previous results are corrected with present true results.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.501-515
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• 2014

This paper presents a linear computational homogenization framework to evaluate the effective (or generalized) electromechanical coupling coefficient (EMCC) of adaptive structures with piezoelectric structural fiber (PSF) composite elements. The PSF consists of a silicon carbide (SiC) or carbon core fiber as reinforcement to a fragile piezo-ceramic shell. For the micro-scale analysis, a micromechanics model based on the variational asymptotic method for unit cell homogenization (VAMUCH) is used to evaluate the overall electromechanical properties of the PSF composites. At the macro-scale, a finite element (FE) analysis with the commercial FE code ABAQUS is performed to evaluate the effective EMCC for structures with the PSF composite patches. The EMCC is postprocessed from free-vibrations analysis under short-circuit (SC) and open-circuit (OC) electrodes of the patches. This linear two-scale computational framework may be useful for the optimal design of active structure multi-functional composites which can be used for multi-functional applications such as structural health monitoring, power harvest, vibration sensing and control, damping, and shape control through anisotropic actuation.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.536-555
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• 2022

The most abundant Orthoptera in Mexico is a small grasshopper (Sphenarium purpurascens) which is considered a food source with increased nutritional value due to its high protein content. Insect proteins have gained relevance because of their high potential as gelling, texturing, and extender agents in the food industry. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of substituting meat with a soluble protein extract from grasshopper obtained by alkalisation or alkalisation-piezoelectric ultrasound, on the techno-functional, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics of cooked meat models (sausages). The soluble protein was extracted in NaHCO₃ pH 8 and a piezoelectric ultrasound 5-mm sonotrode at 20 kHz with 99% amplitude. Different formulations with meat substitution: 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% were prepared and characterised for their rheological behaviour, emulsion stability, weight loss by cooking, total protein content, colour, and texture. Sensory evaluation was conducted with consumers using a test involving check-all-that-apply and overall liking. The alkalisation-piezoelectric ultrasound method improved the solubility and the techno-functional properties of the soluble grasshopper protein when applied in sausages at maximum levels of 10% meat substitution. The sensory evaluation indicated that the formulation with 5% meat substitution exhibited the same acceptability as the control sample. Given these results, the soluble protein treated with alkalisation and piezoelectric ultrasound could be used as an extender in meat products.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.739-759
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• 2012

The tailoring optimization technique recently developed by the author for improving structural response and energy absorption of composites is extended to sandwich shells using a previously developed zig-zag shell model with hierarchic representation of displacements. The in-plane variation of the stiffness properties of plies and the through-the thickness variation of the core properties are determined solving the Euler-Lagrange equations of an extremal problem in which the strain energy due to out-of-plane strains and stresses is minimised, while that due to their in-plane counterparts is maximised. In this way, the energy stored by unwanted out-of-plane modes involving weak properties is transferred to acceptable in-plane modes. As shown by the numerical applications, the critical interlaminar stress concentrations at the interfaces with the core are consistently reduced without any bending stiffness loss and the strength to debonding of faces from the core is improved. The structural model was recently developed by the author to accurately describe strain energy and interlaminar stresses from the constitutive equations. It a priori fulfills the displacement and stress contact conditions at the interfaces, considers a second order expansion of Lame's coefficients and a hierarchic representation that adapts to the variation of solutions. Its functional d.o.f. are the traditional mid-plane displacements and the shear rotations, so refinement implies no increase of the number of functional d.o.f. Sandwich shells are represented as multilayered shells made of layers with different thickness and material properties, the core being treated as a thick intermediate layer.

• Advances in materials Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.129-140
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• 2024

This study evaluates the ratio of Toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) functional group isocyanate (NCO) to the binder functional hydroxyl group (OH) in HTPB/AP/Al-based propellants on their mechanical properties, flow rate, and viscosity to determine the limitations of NCO/OH in the composition of solid propellants. The propellants consisted of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) polyurethane (PU), aluminum (Al) and tri-modal ammonium perchlorate (AP). The tri-modal AP consisted of 30% of coarse AP, 30% of medium AP, and 8% of fine AP. The ratio of NCO/OH varies from 0.73 to 0.85, with two binder percentages of 10.5% and 12%. An increase in NCO/OH ratio with 10.5% binder provided 20%, 95%, and 8 to 9% increments in UTS, modulus, and hardness, respectively. However, the propellant elongation, density, and flow rate decreased by 170%, 0.2%, and 11-12%, respectively. Viscosity increased 20% based on initial hour reading. The 12% binder provides 27%, 47%, and 5~6% an increment of UTS, modulus and hardness respectively. However, the propellant elongation, density, and flow rate decreased by 47%, 0.17% and 27%, respectively. The viscosity increased 30% based on initial hour reading. This study suggests the NCO/OH value of 0.77 and 10.5~11% binder content in propellant based on the mechanical properties, flow rate, and viscosity for better processing and pot life.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.397-405
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• 2022

The existing researches on the dynamics of the fluid-conveying pipes only focus on stability and vibration problems, and there is no literature report on the wave propagation of the fluid-conveying pipes. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore the propagation characteristics of longitudinal and flexural waves in the fluid-conveying pipes. First, it is assumed that the material properties of the fluid-conveying pipes vary based on a power function of the thickness. In addition, it is assumed that the material properties of both the fluid and the pipes are closely depended on temperature. Using the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation and based on the linear theory, the motion equations considering the thermal-mechanical-fluid coupling is derived. Then, the exact expressions of phase velocity and group velocity of longitudinal waves and bending waves in the fluid-conveying pipes are obtained by using the eigenvalue method. In addition, we also studied the free vibration frequency characteristics of the fluid-conveying pipes. In the numerical analysis, we successively studied the influence of temperature, functional gradient index and liquid velocity on the wave propagation and vibration problems. It is found that the temperature and functional gradient exponent decrease the phase and group velocities, on the contrary, the liquid flow velocity increases the phase and group velocities. However, for vibration problems, temperature, functional gradient exponent parameter, and fluid velocity all reduce the natural frequency.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.121-133
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• 2014

Polymer nanocomposites are advanced nanomaterials which exhibit dramatic improvements in various mechanical, thermal and barrier properties as compared with the neat polymer. Polystyrene/ alumina nanocomposites were prepared by an ultrasound-assisted solution casting method at filler loadings ranging from 0.2 to 2% and also at different ultrasonic frequencies, viz. 58 kHz, 192/58 kHz, 430 kHz, 470 kHz and 1 MHz. The composites were subjected to mechanical property tests (tensile and impact tests) and cavitation erosion tests to study the enhancement in functional properties. Filler dispersion in the polymer matrix was observed by SEM analysis. The effect of frequency on filler dispersion in the matrix was studied by SEM analysis and functional property enhancement of the composite material. The composites prepared at dual (high/ low) frequency (192/58 kHz) were found to show better property enhancement at low filler loadings as compared with neat polymer and also with composites prepared without ultrasound, thus reinforcing the finding that ultrasound-assisted synthesis is a promising method for the synthesis of nanocomposites.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.259-290
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• 2022

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), due to their excellent physical, chemical and mechanical properties and their ability to prepare new membranes with attractive properties, have found applications in water and wastewater technology. CNT functionalization, which involves the introduction of different types of functional groups into pure CNTs, improves the capabilities of CNT membranes for water and wastewater treatment. It turns out that CNT-based membranes have many advantages, including enhanced water permeability, high selectivity and anti-fouling properties. However, their full-scale application is still limited by their high cost. With their tremendous separation efficiency, low biofouling potential and ultra-high water flux, CNT membranes have the potential to be a leading technology in water treatment in the future, especially in desalination.