Recently, the interest for renewable resources for fibers particularly of plant origin has been increasing. Reduction of use of traditional textile materials is now considered more critical due to the increasing environmental concern. Natural fibers are renewable, biodegradable, recyclable, and lightweight materials with high specific modulus, in competition with man-made fossil materials and fiberglass. Natural fibers are used for preparation of functionalized textiles to achieve smart and intelligent properties. However, the incorporation of these fibers in composite systems has been challenging due to their hydrophilic nature. Nevertheless, the fact that these biodegradable materials can be manipulated at a nano-scale to complement desired objective and application has made them a favorable option. The idea behind this project is to explore ways to convert green waste to high value materials and to utilize natural building blocks to design textile reinforcement materials. In this work, cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) supplied from the University of Maine were hydrophobized by silylation and characterized using Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results from FTIR spectroscopy showed a formation of Si-O-C bonds, indicating better fiber-matrix adhesion. Raman spectroscopy showed disruption of hydrogen bonding which indicates interference of parallel nanocellulose fiber adhesion to neighboring fibrils. The TGA suggests that the thermal stability of the functionalized CNF is higher than that of the corresponding neat sample, which could be a result of stable Si bond formation. The raw materials (neat and functionalized) were encapsulated in a polystyrene matrix through a solvent and non-solvent precipitation process, and then extruded using single and dual heat processing. The extruded thin filaments were tested according to the ASTM D638 (tensile test of plastics). Results showed an increasing Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) and Elastic Modulus, with peak values attributed to the dual-heat processing up to 79% and 69% increase respectively at 5wt% loading. Further increase was seen at 10wt% loading up to 112MPa UTS, and modulus up to 10.7GPa for the dual-heat processing. The UTS increase is assumed to be a result of linear arrangement of CNF in the matrix during the extrusion process. The results revealed the strong reinforcing ability of CNF and their compatibility with thermoplastic matrix if functionalized. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering in partial fulfillment of the Master of Science. / Spring Semester 2016. / March 3, 2016. / Funtionalized nanofibrils, Hybrid Composites, Natural fibrils, Silynation, Textile composites, Treatment of nanofirbils / Includes bibliographical references. / Tarik J. Dickens, Professor Directing Thesis; Mei Zhang, Committee Member; Abhishek K. Shrivastava, Committee Member; Jhunu Chatterjee, Committee Member.

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Thesis (M.S.) University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006. / The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file. Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on August 24, 2007) Includes bibliographical references.

<p> An Egyptian archaeological textile, accessioned in the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) (Cat.No. 95/2444), from the Tomb of Hatnofer and Ramose, Eighteenth Dynasty (1550-1295 B.C.), Western Thebes was studied, with two textiles (Cat.Nos. 95/2443 and 95/2445) from the same tomb used as comparanda. The textile&rsquo;s finely spun fibers, plain-weave balanced structure with selvedge fringes and lower edge fringes, and with various weavers&rsquo; marks, stains, and losses, provide invaluable historical data about finely woven, royal linens of Eighteenth Dynasty Egypt. </p><p> Scientific analysis used for this study include: visual annotations, polarized light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) including fiber diameter measurements, and carbon-14 dating. Closely examining a textile and its fibers can provide information about the condition of the textile, linen quality, weaving techniques, and the life of the textile itself. While the linen fibers in the Study Textile (Cat.No. 95/2444) and the Comparanda Textile #1 (Cat.No.95/2443) have been identified, it is still uncertain whether or not the fibers in the Comparanda Textile #2 (Cat.No.95/2445) are of a different quality linen or of a different plant material which is very similar to linen within the bast fiber family. Further studies would be required to answer this and several other questions that remain.</p><p>

<p> This thesis investigates evidence for the intensity and development of cooperative foraging strategies and investment in cordage and lithic technologies through time in the western Great Basin. It specifically addresses (1) when the region&rsquo;s inhabitants invested in cordage technology used to create cooperation-oriented nets; (2) when the region&rsquo;s inhabitants invested in flaked-stone technology used for individual, active-search hunting; and (3) when nets occur in archaeological deposits. I therefore develop a methodology geared toward assessing diachronic changes in frequency and type of different cordage and flaked-stone technologies in the Winnemucca Lake Caves over the course of the Holocene (10,300&ndash;150 cal B.P.). The results of this study indicate that investments in cordage, netting, and flaked-stone technologies were greater during the Middle Archaic than during any earlier or later time period. Investment in these technologies increased during the Middle Archaic alongside growing human populations and ameliorating environmental conditions, suggesting that these factors may have played a role in the development of increased cooperation and technological investment during the western Great Basin&rsquo;s Middle Archaic Period.</p><p>

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