Papers by Keyword: Scales

Abstract: Collagen has been widely used in biomedical applications, mainly to develop structures (cell scaffolds) that allow cell growth and differentiation processes. This biomolecule is also used in cosmetics because it is an essential ingredient of certain makeup and in pharmaceutics for bandages to treat wounds and burns. However, the use of collagen has been limited by the ethical and moral implications of the (typically animal) sources from which it is extracted. Therefore, alternative, more environmentally friendly sources should be found to obtain collagen. Extracting collagen from fishing industry waste (such as scales, bones, and fish skin) has been presented as an advantageous alternative to obtain this biomaterial, which has also shown promising results due to its biocompatibility with human structures (organs and tissues). The characteristics of this molecule and other sources from which it can be obtained should be further studied.

Abstract: Calcium hydroxyphosphate (hydroxyapatite) is a calcium phosphate that is widely used in biomedical application. Hydroxyapatite is an excellent component for bone substitutes for their chemical and structural similarity to natural bone component. In this research, hydroxyapatite was synthesized from tilapia fish bones and scales using calcination method with 3 different temperatures namely 1000 °C, 900 °C and 800 °C. The obtained hydroxyapatite powder was characterized using several techniques such as Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy Attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), proximate analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that temperature 1000 °C has the highest weight loss with 21.825 g compared to the temperature 800 °C and 900 °C. From FTIR-ATR analysis, the presence of characteristic peaks for hydroxyl group, phosphate groups and water molecule indicated that the powder were hydroxyapatite. SEM results showed that increasing temperature had led to more dense structure. The hydroxyapatite powder were further analysed for their proximate analysis. The results proved that the highest contents of ash, fat, moisture and crude protein were observed at 1000 °C as compared to 900 °C and 800 °C. Based on this study, it revealed that produced pure hydroxyapatite from natural resources could be a potential candidate for food industry as protein enhancer.

Abstract: Basalt reinforced composites are quite recently (during last 20 years) developed materials having low density, high specific strength, good frictional, heat and chemical resistance. Natural mineral based fibres are potential alternatives to glass fibres for their strength and to carbon fibres for their lower cost. In order to use basalt reinforced composites for lightweight applications, it is necessary to perform wear characterisation. Basalt fibre, powder and scales reinforced, unsaturated polyester and epoxy resin composites were fabricated with various ratios of basalt and polymeric matrixes. The tribological behaviour of basalt reinforced composites was determined according to the ASTM G132 standard test method for pin abrasion testing. Results showed that type and content of reinforcement have a significant influence on the mechanical and tribological properties of the composites. Scanning electron microscope images are given to illustrate the wear mechanism of composites.

Abstract: One of the most effective methods for descaling hot-rolled steel products is performed using highpressure flat jet nozzles. These descaling nozzles are arranged in rows in hot rolling mills and areset in such a way that each adjoining pair of nozzles creates an overlapping area of water jet streams.Good homogeneity of the pressure distribution over the width of the hot-rolled plate is often used as anindicator of quality of the homogeneity of descaling. The presented laboratory measurements examineone pair of adjoining nozzles with a particular focus on the pressure distribution in the overlappingarea. This paper deals with one particular setting of a pair of descaling nozzles with zero offset anglesfor the jet streams. A measured pressure distribution and an outcome of an erosion test on an aluminumplate are presented and discussed. The erosion test shows that spots with higher pressures do notnecessarily result in a higher amount of removed material during an erosion test. The erosion test differs from the expected outcome in such a way that a detailed discussion of this phenomenon is outlined with possible explanations.

Abstract: Black tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) fish scales are good sources of gelatin. Fish scales needs to undergo adequate demineralization (pre-treatment) process in order to be a suitable medium for gelatin extraction. The effect of hydrochloric acid (HCl) concentrations (1-5 %) and pre-treatment time (4-20 h) on the raw tilapia scales have been determined. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis was done on the raw scales before and after pre-treatment process. SEM images reveal the pattern of ridges on the scales that fades away at different treatment conditions. Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) results indicate that 3% of HCl with 12 h of treatment time is adequate for demineralization of the fish scales. These were further proved by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, where no any inorganic components been detected in the pre-treated scales in comparison to raw scales.