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Synthetic materials have many drawbacks in high-performance garments because they absorb less moisture and cause allergies to sensitive individuals. Cotton materials cannot satisfy all the requirements and cannot provide the required high performance. This study aims to use eco-friendly materials with a common structure to analyse their suitability for high-performance garment application.

This study used two eco-friendly yarns (bamboo, modal and bamboo: modal 50:50) and yarns per needle (two- and four-ply yarns). with a single jersey knit construction and gauge of 7. The physical, mechanical, appearance, comfort, thermal and ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) protection characteristics were evaluated using 15 tests.

The produced knitted fabrics showed high performance for use as garments with physical, mechanical, appearance, comfort, thermal and UPF protection characteristics that were achieved, tested and analysed. The highest-achieved samples with a good UPF (<15) were made from bamboo material, which has other high-performance characteristics such as antibacterial characteristics, a soft surface, thermal insulation and others.

The single jersey structure was used for producing fabrics as it is the common structure in the garment. Also, only gauge 7 was used for its economics and ease of production.

SETARA is a well-known university rating tool in Malaysia. The study aims to enhance the transparency, accuracy, and reliability of SETARA assessment instrument by improving its weighting scheme for the domains, sub-domains, criteria, and indicators.

The study utilized a quantitative research design and collected responses from 29 academic administrators in both public and private higher education institutions in Malaysia. The four steps of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) were employed. An AHP questionnaire was developed, adopting the domains, sub-domains, criteria, and indicators of the SETARA assessment instrument. The “Superdecision” software was used to synthesize the pairwise comparison judgments and compute the consistency ratio for all group pairwise comparison matrices.

The AHP-assigned weights differed significantly from those assigned by the SETARA rating system. For instance, the weight for “Input” increased from 20 to 41.05 out of 100, and the weight for “Output” decreased from 40 to 25.52. The new SETARA rating instrument is expected to be used by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) due to its scientifically justified foundation to ensure transparency, accuracy, and reliability.

The study is limited by small sample size for data collection. Future research could benefit from a larger and more diverse sample, including participants from a number of national-level universities and relevant agencies like Malaysia Qualification Agency (MQA) and MOHE. Additionally, the research focused solely on recalculating weights and did not consider modifying the criteria set. Further investigation is needed to determine if some criteria can be added or removed.

This research offers practical implications for refining the SETARA assessment mechanism and improving the quality of higher education in Malaysia. The modified weights provide guidance to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) on where to focus their efforts to ensure quality. The transparent methodology introduced by this study can serve as a model for enhancing educational quality evaluations in Malaysia and potentially in other higher education systems worldwide.

The originality of this study lies in its innovative application of the AHP to the SETARA assessment tool, addressing a crucial gap in the assessment process. By providing a comprehensive and transparent methodology for assigning percentages and weights, this research offers a practical blueprint for enhancing the precision and impact of educational quality evaluations in Malaysia and beyond.

This paper aims to fabricate a polymer-based polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating with acrylic resin as a binder that can show antiviral activity against the feline coronavirus (FCov) on the glass substrate.

The PEG/acrylic coating systems of different weight percentages were coated on the glass substrates using the spray-coating method and cured at room temperature for 24 h.

The coating system containing 20 Wt.% of PEG exhibits the highest antiviral activities as high as 99.9% against FCov compared with other samples.

Findings will be useful in the development of antiviral coating for PPE fabrics by using the simple synthesis method.

Application of PEG as an antiviral agent in the antiviral coating system with high antiviral activities about 99.9%.

The purpose of this study is to get benefits from manufacturing harmful wastes is by using them as a reinforcement with epoxy matrix composite materials to improve the damping characteristics in applications such as machine bases, rockets, satellites, missiles, navigation equipment and aircraft as large structures, and electronics as such small structures. Vibration causes damaging strains in these components.

By adding machining chips with weight percentages of 5, 10, 15 and 20 Wt.%, with three different chip lengths added for each percentage (0.6, 0.8 and 1.18 mm), the three-point bending and damping characteristics tests are utilized to examine how manufacturing waste impacts the mechanical properties. Following that, the optimal lengths and the chip-to-epoxy ratio are determined. The chip dispersion and homogeneity are assessed using a field emission scanning electron microscope.

Waste copper alloys can be used to enhance the vibration-dampening properties of epoxy resin. The interface and bonding between the resin and the chip are crucial for enhancing the damping capabilities of epoxy. Controlling the flexural modulus by altering the chip size and quantity can change the damping characteristics because the two variables are inversely related. The critical chip size is 0.8 mm, below which smaller chips cannot evenly transfer, and disperse the vibration force to the epoxy matrix and larger chips may shatter and fracture.

The main source of problems in machine tools, aircraft and vehicle manufacturing is vibrations generated in the structures. These components suffer harmful strains due to vibration. Damping can be added to these structures to get over these problems. The distribution of energy stored as a result of oscillatory mobility is known as damping. To optimize the serving lifetime of a dynamic suit, this is one of the most important design elements. The use of composites in construction is a modern method of improving a structure's damping capacity. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that composites offer better stiffness, strength, fatigue resistance and corrosion resistance. This research aims to reduce the vibration effect by using copper alloy wastes as dampers.

This study aims to explore the enhancement of mechanical properties in epoxy resin composites through the incorporation of graphene nanoparticles, focusing on their impact and wear resistance. It investigates the role of graphene, both treated and untreated, as a reinforcing agent in composites, highlighting the significance of nanoparticle dispersion and surfactant treatment in optimizing mechanical performance.

Employing a novel dispersion technique using a drawing brush, this research contrasts with traditional methods by examining the effects of graphene nanoparticle concentrations treated with surfactants – Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Sulphonated Naphthalene Formaldehyde (SNF) – on the mechanical properties of epoxy resin composites. The methodology includes conducting a series of impact and wear tests to assess the influence of graphene reinforcement on the composites' performance.

The findings reveal a marked enhancement in the composites impact resistance and energy absorption capabilities, which escalate with an increase in graphene content. Additionally, the study demonstrates a significant improvement in wear resistance, attributed to the superior mechanical properties, robust interface adhesion and effective dispersion of graphene. The use of surfactants for graphene treatment is identified as a crucial factor in these advancements, offering profound insights into the development of advanced composite materials for diverse industrial uses.

This study introduces a unique dispersion technique for graphene in epoxy composites, setting it apart from conventional methods. By focusing on the critical role of surfactant treatment in enhancing the mechanical properties of graphene-reinforced composites, it provides a novel insight into the optimization of impact and wear resistance.

This study aims to investigate the mechanical, thermal and water absorption (WA) properties of kenaf fiber (KF) composites hybridized with powdered Acacia concinna pods (ACP).

Kenaf fiber reinforced epoxy polymer hybrid composite was fabricated using several weight percentages of ACP powder as filler (0%, 2%, 4%, 6% and 8%), both with and without chemically altering the fiber mat. 6 Wt.% NaOH was used in distilled water to treat KF mat chemically. The hand layup technique is used to produce ASTM-compliant KF hybrid laminates. Tensile, flexural and IZOD impact strengths were tested on the generated hybrid composites and their thermal and WA characteristics. Scanning electron microscope fractography revealed that fiber pulling-out, debonding and cracking were the main ways composites fractured.

The investigation findings reveal that the tensile, flexural and impact strengths increased when ACP fillers were added up to 4, 6 and 8 Wt.%, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis indicates that the hybrid composite is thermally stable up to 215°C. WA experiments reveal that KF mat composites treated with 0 Wt.% ACP filler had less WA than those not treated with ACP filler. The treated KF with 4% filler hybrid composite demonstrated improved interfacial bonding between the reinforcement and matrix compared to other combinations.

Although filler made of A. concinna is inexpensive, lightweight, renewable, totally or partially recyclable and biodegradable, its potential application in hybridizing composites is yet to be investigated. Hybridizing the KF mat with ACP filler in an epoxy matrix produced novel hybrid composites. Evaluations have been conducted on the effects of ACP filler on the mechanical, thermal and WA characteristics of composites.

Toner is a crucial dry colorant composite used in printing based on the electrophotographic process. The quality of printed images is greatly influenced by the toner production method and material formulation. Chemically in situ polymerization methods are currently preferred. This paper aims to optimize the characteristics of a composite produced through emulsion polymerization using common raw materials for electrophotographic toner production.

Emulsion polymerization provides the possibility to optimize the physical and color properties of the final products. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize variables affecting particle size (PS), PS distribution (PSD), glass transition temperature (T_g°C), color properties (ΔE) and monomer conversion. Box–Behnken experimental design with three levels of styrene and butyl acrylate monomer ratios, carbon black pigment and sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant was used for RSM optimization. Additionally, thermogravimetric analysis and surface morphology of composite particles were examined.

The results indicated that colorants with small PS, narrow PSDs, spherical shape morphology, acceptable thermal and color properties and a high percentage of conversion could be easily prepared by optimization of material parameters in this method. The anticipated outcome of the present inquiry holds promise as a guiding beacon toward the realization of electrographic toner of superior quality and exceptional efficacy, a vital factor for streamlined mass production.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, for the first time, material parameters were evaluated to determine their impact on the characteristics of emulsion polymerized toner composites.

This study aims to evaluate the development of composites made of epoxy (E) resin with different weight percentages of polypropylene (PP) and graphene oxide (Go) to form nanocomposite plates.

A hand lay-up process was used to develop 21 different composites, with varying concentrations of PP (5%–35%) and Go (5%–35%). A ternary composite of E matrix was produced by combining binary fillers PP and Go (5%–35%) in a 1:1 ratio to a (95%–5%) solution. With the help of adopting the melt condensation deal to extract Go, the modified Hummers method was used to make Go platelets.

Through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction investigations, the particulate’s size and structural characteristics were identified. Based on the FESEM analysis of the collapsed zones of the composites, a warp-and-weft-like structure is evident, which endorses the growth yield strength, flexural modulus and impact strength of the composites.

The developed nanocomposites have exceptional mechanical capabilities compared to plain E resin, with E resin exhibiting better tensile strength, modulus and flexural strength when combined with 10% PP and 10% Go. When compared to neat E resin, materials formed from composites have exceptional mechanical properties. When mixed with 10% PP and 10% Go, E resin in particular displays improved tensile strength (23 MPa), tensile modulus (4.15 GPa), flexural strength (75.6 MPa) and other attributes. Engineering implications include automobile side door panels, spacecraft applications, brake pads and flexible battery guards.

Electrical characteristics of transformer oil (TO) have been studied during normal and thermal aging conditions. In this paper, breakdown voltage (BDV), partial discharge (PD), heat transfer results and the physical mechanisms considering the impact of varying the diameter of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) have been investigated. Different quantities of the two sizes of Al₂O₃ were added to the oil using a two-step method to determine the positive effect of NPs on the electrical and thermal properties of TO. Finally, the physical mechanisms related to the obtained experimental results have been performed.

The implementation of nanoparticles in this paper was provided by US Research Nanomaterials, Inc., USA. The provided Al₂O₃ NPs have an average particle size of 20–80 nm and a specific surface area of 138 and 58 m²/g, respectively, which have a purity of over 99%. Thermal aging has been done. The IEC 60156 standard has been implemented to calculate the BDV, and a 500-mL volume test cell (Apar TO 1020) has been used. PD test is performed according to Standard IEC 60343, and a JDEVS-PDMA 300 device was used for this test.

BDV tests indicate that 20 nm Al₂O₃ is more effective at improving BDV than 80 nm Al₂O₃, with an improvement of 113% compared to 99% for the latter. The analysis of Weibull probability at BDV indicates that 20 nm Al₂O₃ performs better, with improvements of 141%, 125% and 112% at probabilities of 1, 10 and 50%, respectively. The results of the PD tests using the PDPR pattern also show that 20 nm Al₂O₃ is superior. For the heat transfer test, 0.05 g/L of both diameters were used to ensure fair conditions, and again, the advantage was with 20 nm Al₂O₃ (23% vs 18%).

The effect of Al₂O₃ NP diameter (20 and 80 nm) on various properties of virgin and aged TO has been investigated experimentally in this paper to examine the effect of proposed NP on electrical improvement of TO.

This study aims to analyze the effect of interrupted rolling on microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg–8Li–xGr composite is investigated.

Graphene reinforced composite was developed by using stir casting route and rolled with different reduction in thickness such as 50, 75 and 90%. Microstructure, hardness and tensile characteristics of the rolled samples were evaluated.

Investigation on microstructures of rolled composite depicts that increase in rolling reduction % resulted in fine elongated grains and decreased aspect ratio. Further, it was also observed that increasing percentage of rolling reduction promotes the dissolution of ß Li phase and as a result the ductility of composite decreases. Interrupted rolled samples showcase higher hardness when compared with as-cast composite. Composite rolled with 90% reduction displays higher yield strength of 219 MPa. Hardening capacity of composites decreases with increase in reduction percentage due to the effective reduction in grain size.

Investigation on the influence of interrupted rolling on microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg graphene composite. The in-depth understanding of this will help to improve its wide spread application.