Science and Engineering Connect

From 3D Printing to 4D Printing and Applications of the Digital Technologies : A Brief Literature Review

Chulapong Panichkriangkrai — 2020-12-31

The 3D printing or additive manufacturing is one of the world disruptive technologies for transitions of industrial manufacturing methods. Digital files of a 3D object can be used to produce a printed product either using pure polymer or polymer composites via the 3D printing technology. Nowadays, this printing technology can be applied in almost every production sector and every career. Many outstanding points of the 3D printing allow numerous creations of magnificent fine objects as desired. It reduces the repeatedly tedious steps to consume excessive starting ingredients, reduced undesirable wastes from the production lines. This 3D printing allows designers to have creative freedoms for producing facet arts or sophisticated projects. In this brief review, a concise description of digital file separations of 3D images, the 3D printing of each digital image layer, and classification of the printer and their working mechanism shall conform to the inherent properties of the materials used for the manufacturing and its final service functions. With wide varieties of printing systems and printing materials, the 3D printing has already been developed and progressed to a premium 4D printing. Under the sole controlling parameter of time, the 4D printing technique starts with the same 3D printing process on a suitable material to produce the 4D printed product exhibiting various responses by influences of inherent physical, chemical or electrical impulses without damaging the printed products. Integration of various communication techniques needs a new 5G technology to accelerate wireless connection and rapid transformation to access/process big data freely at any time and any place for speedy communications via signals and data processing in Cloud so as to connect with IoT equipment or devices. Another eye catching technology in this era is the Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFIC) which is a small chip-set equipped in each portion of the device to transmit signals and data to be processed in Cloud. This is the key success of the technologies that leads to our new normal life styles. With the restrictions of physical communications, we still can connect the world with these smart devices which have been continuously developed to be smarter, more compact, safer and environmentally friendly for us and the world. It is estimated that the 5G service market by A.D. 2030 could reach at about 720,000 million US dollars. Lastly, we should be prepared to acquire the new knowledges and be aware of them so that we can master them, to utilize their utmost benefits and efficiencies, to be save from any disturbances arisen and to live happily and comfortably.

Application of FTIR Microspectroscopy to Monitor Biochemical Changes in Apoptotic Jurkat Cell Death Induced by Extract of Pseuderanthemum palatiferum Leaves

Benjawan Dunkhuntho — 2020-12-31

This study aimed to investigate cytotoxicity of Pseuderanthemum palatiferum leave extract against Jurkat cells as compared to that against normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy was applied to evaluate biochemical changes in apoptotic Jurkat cell death. P. palatiferum leaves were extracted with 95% ethanol solution. Cytotoxicity of the extract on Jurkat cells and PBMCs were determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The extract exhibited preferential cytotoxicity towards Jurkat cells but possessed lower toxicity against normal PBMCs when exposed to the same concentrations of the extract. Interestingly, the extract induced apoptotic cell death on Jurkat cells in both dose- and time-dependent manners as evidenced by the distribution of cytochrome C from mitochondria to cytosol. FTIR microspectroscopy confirmed the apoptosis-inducing activity of the extract towards Jurkat cells as indicated by the differences in the intensity of FTIR spectra bands in lipid and nucleic acid regions being responsible for discrimination of the mode of cell death. These findings may indicate that FTIR spectroscopy could be of potential use in identifying apoptotic cell death. Nevertheless, further biochemical assays should be performed to confirm the changes in FTIR spectra within lipid and nucleic acids regions.

Phytochemical Compositions and Biological Activities of Essential Oil and Crude Extract of Sesuvium portulacastrum

Rittipun Rungruang — 2020-12-31

This research aimed to study phytochemical compositions of essential oil and crude extracts of Sesuvium portulacastrum. Results showed that total phenolics contents of the crude extract and essential oil were 31.57±1.83 and 8.03±1.44 mg GAE/g extract, respectively. Three major compounds, as analyzed by HPLC, were found in crude extract, namely, epicatechin, vanillic acid and 2-hydroxycinnamic acids (o-Coumaric acid). The essential oil was analyzed by SPME-GC-MS and 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (2M4VP), β-damascenone and terpene were found. In terms of bioactivities, the crude extract exhibited higher antioxidant, metal chelating and anti-collagenase activities than the essential oil. When antimicrobial activity was tested, results showed that crude extract could inhibit Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. On the other hand, the essential oil could inhibit S. aureus, E. coli and Candida albicans. These results revealed that the crude extract of S. portulacastrum has higher efficacy than the essential oil; crude extract did not show toxicity against CCD-986SK cells, of which the survival percentage of the cells was 87.28±6.21%.

Potentials of Carbon, Nutrient and Water Storages in a 29-year-old Teak Plantation for Watershed Restoration at Doi Tung Area, Chiang Rai Province

Chathurong Wutthi — 2020-12-31

Potentials of carbon, nutrient and water storages in a 29-year-old teak plantation were investigated at Doi Tung area, Chiang Rai province to evaluate ecological and environmental roles of forest plantation. The study was conducted in September 2018. Six sampling plots, each with the sizes of 40x40 m, were randomly arranged within an altitude range of 450 to 900 m above the mean sea level. Within each of the three selected plots, a soil pit (2 m in depth) was made; soil samples were taken along the depth and analyzed for their physicochemical properties, carbon, nutrients and water. The results showed that the teak density, stem girth and tree height were 69 tree/rai, 71.34 cm and 20.44 m., respectively. Successional tree species varied among plots, 14-41 species. Plant biomass in the plantation was calculated to be 319.68 Mg/ha, and could store carbon (C), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) at 158,124.86, 1,538.98, 183.69, 760.98, 2,931.44 and 499.19 kg/ha, respectively. The water stored in the biomass was estimated to be 588.75 m³/ha. Within 2 m soil depth, the amounts of total C and N, as well as P, K, Ca and Mg (only available forms) were accumulated at 308,829.87, 27,756.69, 35.88, 2,719.00, 3,640.19 and 2,855.81 kg/ha, respectively; the maximum water holding capacity was noted to be 9,900.44 m3/ha. The total amounts of carbon, nutrients and water in the plantation ecosystem (plant and soil) were estimated at 466,954.75, 29,295.69, 219.57, 3,480.00, 6,571.63 and 3,355.00 kg/ha, while the maximum water storage was 10,489.19 m³/ha. The information should prove useful for comparing the potential for restoration of watershed in other areas where teak or other trees are planted.

Preparation of Natural Rubber Adhesive for Mat

Suwimon Thiakthum — 2020-12-31

This research aimed to study the preparation and properties of natural rubber adhesive for mat. Natural rubber latex adhesives were prepared from latex-type creaming and centrifugation process at 1, 2, 3 and 4 phr of sulfur. Mechanical and adhesive properties of natural rubber latex adhesives were investigated. The adhesive prepared from latex centrifuged with sulfur at 3 phr exhibited the best properties. In addition, the effect of Xanthan gum content at 10, 20, 30 and 40% by weight on the viscosity and adhesion properties were investigated. Viscosity and adhesive strength increased with increased Xanthan gum content. Adhesion properties of natural rubber latex adhesive and those of commercial rubber adhesives containing organic solvents were also compared. It was found that natural rubber latex adhesives possessed better adhesion properties than the organic solvent-based commercial adhesives.

Optimum Conditions for Antioxidants Extraction from Grape Seed By-product of Winery Using Orthogonal Array Design

Thawatchai Supavititpattana — 2020-12-31

This study aimed to optimize the extraction conditions for grape seed by-product of winery using orthogonal array design L₉ (3⁴). Four factors were investigated; these included ethanol concentration (50, 70 and 90%), extraction time (20, 30 and 40 min), solids to ethanol ratio (1:10, 1:20 and 1:30 w/v) and particle size of ground grape seed (whole ground grape seed, ground grape seed above 40-mesh sieve and ground grape seed through 40-mesh sieve). Based on signal-to-noise (S/N) analysis, it was found that the optimum condition was ethanol concentration 70% (A₂), extraction time 30 min (B₂), solids to ethanol ratio 1:30 w/v (C₃) and particle size through 40-mesh sieve (D₃). Total phenolics content, total flavonoids content, antioxidant activities as assessed by DPPH, FRAP and ABTS assays were noted to be 65.49±7.43 mg GAE/g DM, 43.78±5.46 mg CE/g DM, 331.64±5.45, 196.00±4.77 and 423.03±4.98 µmol TE/g DM, respectively. Phenolic compounds viz. catechin, epicatechin and procyanidin B2 were, respectively, noted at 1.61±0.10, 1.01±0.09 and 0.82±0.07mg/g DM in the extract obtained at the optimum condition. The experimental values were close to the predicted values.

Improvement of Local Geoid Model in Thailand Using Residual Terrain Model and Terrestrial Gravities

Sattawat Mukdaharn — 2020-12-31

This research aimed to improve a local geoid model using EGM2008 along with the residual terrain model (RTM) and terrestrial gravities in Thailand for converting GNSS-derived ellipsoid heights into orthometric heights. The determination of the geoid models, based on Molodensky’s theory, covered flatted terrain, moderate terrain and mountainous areas across the country. The geoid models were evaluated using 352 GNSS heights co-located with orthometric heights, with reference to the Kolak national vertical datum of 1915. The results showed that using the combination of terrestrial gravity data and RTM in the computation significantly improved the accuracy of the geoid models. The standard deviation values decreased to the centimeter levels, indicating the reduction of the omission errors contaminated in geoid modeling, which were due to the lack of gravimetric and coherent quantities in the areas.

Effect of Sorbitol Content on Physical and Chemical Properties of Coating Films from White Tapioca Pearl and Gelatin for Prolonging Shelf-Life of Namwa Banana

Pawinee Theamdee — 2020-12-31

This research studied the effect of using sorbitol as a plasticizer on physical and chemical properties of coating films prepared from white tapioca pearl and gelatin, which was used to prolong the shelf-life of Namwa banana. The base film mixture was prepared by dissolving white tapioca pearl (3 %w/v) and gelatin (3 %w/v) in distilled water. Six different sorbitol concentrations, 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 %w/v, were added to the base mixture to prepare film solutions. Each film was casted on a glass Petri dish and dried at room temperature for 24 h. The results showed that the thickness of all the films increased from 0.08 mm to 0.19 mm with increasing sorbitol concentration. Water activity of the films ranged between 0.42 and 0.55. Water vapor permeability, water solubility, and softness of the films increased with the content of sorbitol. Upon being buried under ground (6-8 cm in depth) for 10 days, the films degraded by 82.50-100 %. Coating Namwa banana with the film of white tapioca pearl and gelatin with 20% sorbitol could increase the shelf-life of the banana from 3 days up to 9 days at room temperature. These results indicate that coating films prepared from white tapioca pearl and gelatin with sorbitol as the plasticizer are biodegradable and could be used to preserve the quality of Namwa banana.

Effects of Salt-Assisted (Ferric Chloride) Steam Versus Salt-Assisted Microwave Pretreatments on Delignification and Morphology of Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum)

Pitiporn Manokhoon — 2020-12-31

This research studied the delignification process and its effect on the morphology of Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum); salt-assisted (ferric chloride) steam (SS) and salt-assisted microwave (SM) were the selected delignification methods. SS involved steaming at temperatures of 105, 110, 115, 120 and 125 °C for 20, 40, and 60 min. SM was conducted at different microwave power levels viz. 300, 450, and 800 W for 2, 5, and 8 min. Both delignification methods were performed at the ferric chloride concentrations of 1 and 2 M. The results showed that untreated Napier grass consisted of 33.13% cellulose, 9.73% hemicellulose, 16.7% lignin; 40.45% of other components made up the rest. The cellulose content was noted to be suitable for ethanol production; the lignin content was nevertheless excessive. Delignification with 2 M ferric chloride in combination with the use of microwave at 600 W for 8 min gave the best delignification result of 52.5%. SS pretreatment at 125 °C for 40 min in combination with 2 M ferric chloride yielded the highest percentage of lignin removal of 45.5%. After pretreatment, Napier grass was noted to be porous, with cracked and uni-directionally separated surface, which implied the destroyed structure between lignin and cellulose. Both methods of delignification did not alter the chemical composition of lignin. By considering the power consumption and required pretreatment time, SM is superior since it requires much shorter time consumption than SS.

A Platform for Research and Innovation Ecosystem Promotion and Development in Higher Education System : Country and Technology and Innovation University Overview

Somchart Soponronnarit — 2020-12-31

Economic, social and environmental developments in Thailand have been struggling for several years and have to be improved. Research, innovation and development of research manpower in higher education system is an important factor for ameliorating the problem and has to be systematically managed. This article describes a platform for research and innovation ecosystem promotion and development in higher education system. This composes of the relationships among stakeholders in the system, various research resources transfer and research activities related to stakeholders, which finally deliver outputs supporting platform targets, i.e., research excellence as well as research output applicable to industry and social sectors. Besides, analysis of strengths and weaknesses as well as readiness for serving industry sector of universities emphasizing on technology and innovation is carried out.