Thermoplastic bio-composite have a higher potential of use based on the sustainability benefits. Natural fibres today are a popular choice for applications in biocomposite manufacturing. Hybrid yarns are a satisfactory solution to improve the fabrication of composites containing a thermoplastic matrix and plant-based fibres. Nevertheless, it is still difficult to produce bio-composites with superior mechanical properties, due to problematic impregnation and consolidation results during the production process. This paper investigates the processing parameters for the compression moulding of two different hemp/PLA textiles structure bio-composites (warp knitting and weaving structure). Finite element simulations are used to optimise the processing parameters (pressure, temperature, and time). The results demonstrated that the textile structure has a small effect on the time of production. Main while the pressure and temperature of processing parameters depend only on the type of matrix and the thickness of biocomposite has a big impact on the time of production.

This paper investigates the processing parameters for the compression molding of hemp/PLA hybrid yarn biocomposites and their effect on the final mechanical properties. Finite element simulations are used to develop and assess the processing parameters, pressure, temperature, and time. These parameters are then evaluated experimentally by producing the composites by two different methods, to compare the results of experimentally determined processing conditions to parameters determined by the simulation analysis. The assessment of mechanical properties is done with several experimental tests, showing small improvements for the composites produced with the simulation method. The application of the simulation analysis results in considerably reduced processing times, from the initial 10 min to only three minutes, thereby vastly improving the processing method. While the employed methods are not yet able to produce composites with greatly improved mechanical properties, this study can be seen as a constructive approach, which has the ability to lead to further improvements.

This paper examines the use of post-consumer denim fabric in combination with thermoset bio-resins in composite manufacturing for structural applications. Bio-epoxy and acrylated epoxidized soybean oil resin (AESO) were used as bio-resins with four different manufacturing techniques in order to create a wide scope of possibilities for research. The four techniques are: compression moulding (COM), vacuum infusion (VAC), resin transfer moulding (RTM) and hand lay-up (HND). The bio-resins were compared to a conventional polyester resin, as this is highly used for structural applications. To determine suitability for structural applications, the biocomposites were tested for their mechanical and thermal properties. Fabricated composites were characterised regarding porosity, water absorption and analysed through microscopic images of the composite. Results show both bio-epoxy and AESO are suitable for use in structural applications over a range of manufacturing techniques. Furthermore, biocomposites from bio-epoxy are superior to those from AESO resin. The conventional polyester has shown to be unsuitable for structural applications.

This paper presents a project, conducted by three European universities and a software company, funded by Erasmus +, Strategic Partnership. The project addresses the problem that sometime masters´ students do not get their degree within the allocated time, if at all. Apparently some students with the formal prerequisites to register for a master's programme still lacked the actual abilities to manage their studies.

The solution was to design an online HTML5 platform to house self-assessment and learning resource modules for four different master's programmes in Europe. The modules were intended to illustrate the level and abilities that potential applicants were supposed to bring into their studies by a self-assessment test. In case lacking abilities were revealed, the modules offer learning resources to mitigate those gaps.

The access modules provides potential students with a visualization of twelve different skills and knowledge as compared to those identified by lecturers as necessary for study on the master's course. If there are weak spots identified, the students are presented with a series of learning interventions designed to remedy their ability flaws.  

The authors suggest that providing potential students with this kind of material can raise their awareness of what the programme really takes. In this way students with false expectations can be avoided and the ones who applies come better prepared, which the use of access modules potentially can leads to improved enrolment, completion rate, time-to-degree and retention in a wide range of academic programmes.

The use of thermoplastic composite is clearly of higher potential because of: good impact strength, easier recycling, faster processing conditions (no time for curing is required), possibility of production in longer series, lower cost, absence of toxic solvents and higher fracture toughness and elongation on the fracture. Natural fibres today are a popular choice for applications in composite manufacturing. In fact, a major challenge for natural fibre reinforced composites is to achieve high mechanical performance at competitive prices. This paper investigates the processing parameters for the compression moulding of hemp/PLA hybrid yarn bio-composites and their effect on the final mechanical properties. Finite element simulations are used to develop and assess the processing parameters pressure, temperature, and time. The application of the simulation analysis results in considerably reduced the processing times from initially 10 minutes to only 2 minutes, and improved the mechanical bio-composite

This chapter focuses on physicochemical and mechanical characterization of compositesmade from renewable materials. Most common renewable materials used in composites arenatural fibers and polymers based on starch or vegetable oil. The extent of using renewablematerials in biocomposites has increased during the past decade due to extensive research oncellulosic fibers and biobased polymers. Earlier, the research was focused on using the naturalfibers as reinforcement in crude oil-based polymers such as polypropylene. Later, the emphasisshifted to increase the amount of renewable components in the biocomposites which led tothe introductionof biobased resins in the composites. The properties of some biocompositesare today comparable to the properties for commercially available nonrenewable composites.Several plant biofibers have been used as reinforcement in biobased thermoplastics or thermosetsto manufacture biocomposites. Material characterization is important to understand theperformance of these composites under specific environment. Detailed discussion about themechanical and physicochemical characterization is provided in this chapter. Physicochemicalcharacterization includes chemical composition, density, viscosity, molecular weight, meltingtemperature, crystallinity,morphology, wettability, surface tension, water binding capacity,electricalconductivity, flammability, thermal stability, and swelling. Mechanical characterizationincludes tensile, flexural, impact, compressive, shear, toughness, hardness, brittleness, ductility,creep, fatigue, and dynamic mechanical analysis.

Material recycling requires rather pure and non-contaminated waste streams, which can be converted by technical processes into new materials and products by economically and technically feasible techniques. It is also required that there is a secondary market for these recycled materials, and preferably in use areas with high economic value. End-of-life textiles cannot yet be recycled as a raw material in a feasible way. Structural composites are an excellent use area for recycled materials, as they are durable and light-weight products, with excellent mechanical properties.

In this study, denim woven fabrics as end-of-life textiles were employed to improve the mechanical and thermal properties of high bio-content epoxy resin. Entropy Resin, manufacturer of commercial bio-based epoxy resin, claimed that bio-based content of system is 37 % and the resin is derived from by-products of industrial processes including wood pulp and biofuel. Bioepoxy was used as bio resins in composite manufacturing, and a conventional polyester resin served as a reference material. To create a wide scope of possibilities the composites were manufacturing using the four techniques: (1) vacuum infusion (VI), (2) resin transfer moulding (RTM), and (3) hand lay-up (HND). To determine the suitability for structural applications the biocomposites were tested for their mechanical and thermal properties. Mechanical tests for tensile, flexural strength and impact behaviour were conducted on composites. Moreover, viscoelastic properties of the composites were evaluated through dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Fabricated composites were characterised regarding porosity, water absorption and analysed through microscopic images of the composite cross section. Different manufacturing technique showed varying results. For bioepoxy both HND and VI give superior mechanical properties over RTM, as the latter gives a higher void content, and lower tensile and flexural properties.

This paper describes the mechanical properties and water absorption characteristics for biocomposites made from woven PLA/hemp/Lyocell prepregs. The aim was to improve the properties with the addition of Lyocell fibre into a hybrid yarn. Well-aligned hybrid yarns composed of hemp/PLA, hemp-Lyocell/PLA, respective, Lyocell/PLA were made by wrap spinning. Unidirectional satin fabrics were made by weaving with PLA (warp) and the hybrid yarns (weft). Uniaxial composites were fabricated with 30 fibre mass% using compression moulding. The composites were investigated for tensile, flexural and impact properties. Combining hemp with Lyocell in a PLA matrix improves the mechanical properties, compared to hemp/PLA composites. The composite made from the satin Lyocell/PLA fabric gave the best mechanical properties. The type of fibre reinforcement compositions did not significantly affect the water absorption of the biocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy showed that fibre pull-outs appear more often in hemp/PLA composites than in composites also including Lyocell fibre. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Resurser och hållbarhet är nära förknippade. Hållbarhet innebär att hushålla med resurser - materiella, miljömässiga och mänskliga. Och hushållning är per definition kärnan i ekonomi. Man börjar alltmer se framväxten av en hel arsenal av verktyg och förhållnings- och angreppssätt för att bygga hållbarhet. Detta förenas av ett synsätt att det som hitintills setts  om avfall och värdelöst, och rent utav besvärligt att ta hand om, nu blir en värdefull resurs. Det glömda och gömda kommer åter. Faktum är att många ord och begrepp kring detta börjar på just åter- eller re- . Internationellt talar man om Redesign, Recycling, Remake, Recycle, Recraft, Reuse, Recreate, Reclaim, Reduce, Repair, Refashion.

Vad är då allt detta? Ja, vill man dra det långt, är det inte mindre än framväxten av ett nyvunnet sätt att tänka, ja av en ny samhällssektor, en bransch och en industri,  sammanbundet av filosofin att återanvändningen, spillminskningen, vidarebruket, efterlivet anses som viktiga faktorer för ett miljömedvetet samhälle. Re: blir paraplytermen för detta. I denna antologi av forskare från skilda discipliner vid Högskolan i Borås lyfts ett antal av dessa begrepp inom Re: fram.