http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/25434 2026-06-13T22:24:51Z 2026-06-13T22:24:51Z Chen, H Huang, Y Wang, F Fu, Z Li, A Abdelsadig, M Brassil, M Xia, Y Zhou, B Du, G Fan, M http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33416 2026-06-12T02:00:34Z 2026-05-07T00:00:00Z

Title: Recent advances in nanocellulose scaffold membranes: Sources, processing and functionalization Authors: Chen, H; Huang, Y; Wang, F; Fu, Z; Li, A; Abdelsadig, M; Brassil, M; Xia, Y; Zhou, B; Du, G; Fan, M Abstract: Nanocellulose, derived from renewable cellulose resources, has emerged as a highly promising candidate for biomedical scaffold membrane applications owing to its excellent mechanical properties, tunable surface chemistry, biodegradability, and biocompatibility. The performance of nanocellulose-based membrane materials can be significantly enhanced through the integrated regulation of raw material sources, processing and functionalization. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the advances in nanocellulose scaffold membranes from raw material sources, processing technologies, functionalization strategies and biomedical applications. The review especially focuses on how to synergistically integrate these parameters to achieve a balanced design for customizable membranes. Furthermore, a design-oriented conceptual framework for the fabrication of regenerated nanocellulose composite membranes by electrospinning is discussed, which can provide guidance for future material and process development. Despite the preliminary progress achieved to date, several critical bottlenecks continue to hinder practical implementation, including difficulties in pore-structure regulation, long-term biosafety assessment, standardized large-scale manufacturing, and cost-effective production. Overall, this review not only summarizes the latest advancements in nanocellulose-based scaffold membranes, but also points out a future direction for their rational design and biomedical translation. Description: Data availability: Data will be made available on request.

2026-05-07T00:00:00Z Argalis, PP Vitola, L Puzule, L Zhou, X Sinka, M Bajare, D http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33392 2026-06-13T09:02:40Z 2026-04-21T00:00:00Z

Title: Evaluating the binder performance and biocomposite applications of thermally reactivated wood-wool cement panel waste Authors: Argalis, PP; Vitola, L; Puzule, L; Zhou, X; Sinka, M; Bajare, D Abstract: This study addresses a research gap in upcycling complex organic-mineral residues by investigating the thermal reactivation of sanding dust (SD) generated during the production of wood-wool cement panels. Its novelty lies in establishing a low-temperature pathway that recovers hydraulic capacity without triggering CO₂ release from carbonated phases. The research design involved heating raw SD at 450 ℃ for five hours - a temperature selected to maximize portlandite dehydration while remaining below the 600 ℃ decarbonation threshold - followed by comprehensive chemical, mineralogical, and physical characterization (XRD, TGA, SEM). This reactivated binder was then utilized to produce novel, low-density biocomposites using manufacturing-line waste as filler. Major findings confirmed that heat treatment reduced average particle size from 29.21 μm to 19.11 μm and successfully restored hydraulic activity, increasing binder compressive strength from 1.59 to 13.05 MPa. The resulting biocomposites achieved compressive strengths up to 185 kPa and a low thermal conductivity of 0.068 W/(m·K) with a density of 369–415 kg/m³. These results indicate that 450 ℃ serves as an optimal “thermal window” for this waste, effectively transforming industrial residues into functional secondary raw materials for sustainable building insulation. Description: Data availability: The datasets generated and analysed during the current study are not publicly available because the data are sensitive to the manufacturing company, but are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

2026-04-21T00:00:00Z Dias, M Li, H Saari, UA Karlsson, J Ordieres-Meré, J Shafique, M Zhou, X http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33391 2026-06-10T02:00:30Z 2025-11-11T00:00:00Z

Title: Digital Product Passport for Circular Construction: A Framework Based on Life Cycle Perspective Authors: Dias, M; Li, H; Saari, UA; Karlsson, J; Ordieres-Meré, J; Shafique, M; Zhou, X Abstract: The construction industry is one of the largest industrial sectors, characterized by resource intensity, carbon emissions, and waste generation. The increasing demand for new housing and renovations for older buildings, alongside the imperative for energy-efficient buildings, place significant pressure on nations to address housing issues while concurrently preserving the environment. The building life cycle typically spans 50 to 100 years. The dissociation among stakeholders and the scarcity of data concerning building construction over its lifetime highlights the necessity for a digital product passport (DPP) that synchronizes data and fosters collaboration among stakeholders. Though previous literature has examined DPP implementation in the construction sector for circular economy practices, the findings are fragmented and there is a lack of research which could provide a comprehensive understanding of how DPP from a data point of view could facilitate circular economy practices in the construction sector. Drawing on a literature review of 25 articles from SCOPUS, the paper presents a framework that illustrates the role of data in a DPP in creating value to the stakeholders of the construction sector throughout the life cycle of a building. Further, future research directions are suggested on exploring data strategies for DPP implementation, based on the data requirements and their role in building DPPs, as well as the challenges that may arise, to ensure effective collaboration among stakeholders towards circularity.

2025-11-11T00:00:00Z Klempetsani, S Kyriazi, M Avramidi, M Mitko, K Diamantidou, D Gzyl, G Skalny, A Xenogianni, C Panteleaki, K Ponomarenko, D Malamis, D http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33384 2026-06-09T02:00:31Z 2026-02-28T00:00:00Z

Title: Evaluating the Environmental Footprint: An LCA Study of a Pilot System Treating Potassium Mining Wastewater Authors: Klempetsani, S; Kyriazi, M; Avramidi, M; Mitko, K; Diamantidou, D; Gzyl, G; Skalny, A; Xenogianni, C; Panteleaki, K; Ponomarenko, D; Malamis, D Abstract: Potassium mining activities result in the discharge of highly saline wastewaters, creating severe environmental impacts in water and soil. This study evaluates the environmental performance of a novel pilot system developed in the framework of the LIFE Brine-Mining project. The system comprises membrane, precipitation and thermal technologies, recovering high-purity water and five valuable resources from it: magnesium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride. A cradle-to-grave Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was performed following the standards ISO14040 and EN15804 and using 1 m3 of potassium wastewater as functional unit. The LCA results indicated that the novel system environmental impact is mainly affected by the use of chemicals (20.63 × 100 kg/FU) during its operation and energy consumption (1.39 × 101 kWh/FU). The chemical use dominates areas like the Abiotic Depletion, and the Eutrophication Potential, and the Water Depletion Potential. The novel pilot system was compared with another novel configuration that treated a brine from coal mining activities and with a conventional method of potassium brine management, which is the disposal in underground old mines. The potassium brine treatment system exhibited lower environmental impact than the coal mine brine system, and outperformed compared to the conventional disposal method. Description: Data Availability Statement: The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

2026-02-28T00:00:00Z