Differentiation between drug-type, fibre-type and intermediate-type in cannabis samples: HPLC-UV versus GC-FID

Cannabis sativa is known to be the most abused illegal drug worldwide. To date it is not only used as a medicine but has been established as a lifestyle product. The most relevant phytocannabinoids represent the ingredients delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (9-THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), whereby only 9-THC shows a psychoactive effect. Since 2017, the so-called CBD-hemp containing CBD as main ingredient is distributed in many countries as a legal alternative. In these products, 9-THC must not exceed a certain percentage. It is hardly possible to differentiate between THC-hemp and CBD-hemp presenting a major challenge for authorities. Therefore, there is the need to develop fast and efficient analysis methods to distinguish between fibre-type, drug-type and intermediate-type cannabis products. The aim of this study was to compare two simple and inexpensive HPLC-UV and GC-FID methods for their ability to quantify phytocannabinoids in dried cannabis plant material. For this purpose, a set of 37 fresh and dried cannabis samples randomly chosen from seizures of Austrian police was subject to complementary quantification of 9-THC and CBD. After having taken into account decomposition of certain phytocannabinoids, the result of this quantitative study showed good correlation between HPLC-UV and GC-FID regardless of quantifying cannabis leaves or buds.

Cottonisation of Decorticated Flax Fibres

The commonly used flax process of decortication allows the mechanical extraction of fibre from plant stems without prior retting. The one-type fibre obtained in this process is characterised by very low quality, as it is poorly divided, has high linear mass and high amounts of impurities. This paper presents a description of a newly developed method of obtaining high quality flax cottonized fibre from low quality decorticated fibre by application of a wet degumming process for fibre. The experiment involved studying the parameters of flax fibres after each step of the technological process i.e. after decortication, wet degumming and final mechanical cottonisation. The study covered tests of the following fiber parameters: linear mass, length, impurities, chemical composition as well as thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis and scanning electron microscopy images. The results confirm the efficiency of the method applied for obtaining high quality fibre from decorticated flax fibre.

MECHANICAL AND SHRINKAGE PROPERTIES OF HYBRID STEEL AND POLYPROPYLENE FIBRE REINFORCED CONCRETE COMPOSITE

An experimental study had been carried out to investigate the mechanical properties, expansion and shrinkage of fibre reinforced concrete composite (FRC). However, instead of using single type fibre of either steel (SF) or polypropylene (PPF), this study also combined the two types in one mix.The mechanical properties investigated in this study include compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength. Three different FRC mix proportions and one normal concrete (control) were casted which includes (a) 75% SF, (b) 75% SF + 25% PPF, (c) 25% PPF, and (d) 0% fibre for control (PC). Meanwhile, the volume fraction, Vf for the FRC was fixed at 1.5% and the concrete strength was designed to achieve grade C60 at 28 days. The results show that the use of fibres in concrete decreased the workability of concrete. In addition, concrete mix with both SF and PPF produced the highest splitting tensile and flexural strengths by an increase of 75.9% and 86.5%, respectively as compared with the control. Furthermore, expansion and shrinkage of FRC was found to be less than the control. It can be concluded that the combined SF and PPF in concrete gives the most appropriate combination as regards to the highest flexural and splitting tensile strengths, and also reduced the shrinkage strain.

FIBRE BRAGG GRATING SENSOR SYSTEM FOR TEMPERATURE APPLICATION

A practical pass-through type fibre Bragg grating (FBG) temperature sensor system have been designed and experimentally investigated. The performance of FBG was evaluated with the varying of focusing elements in harsh environments, under direct sunlight. The sensor head of FBG was designed to be focused with convex and hand lens. Results shows that the Bragg wavelength shift, increase proportionally with the temperature for both systems. The sensitivities of FBG were recorded to be 0.0107 and 0.0122 nm °C-1 for the system where convex and hand lens applied to the FBG’s sensor head respectively.

The Applied Research of New Type Fiber Material on the Manufacture of Sports Equipment

This research introduced that application of new type fiber materials in the field of sports equipment manufacturing, and expatiated on the advantages of new fiber materials in the manufacture of sports equipment. this paper point out that manufacture, development and utilization of new type fiber materials play an important assistant role in the improvement of sports performance. The essence of modern sports equipment development is that the development of modern new type materials based the direction of modern science and technology; however, the new type fibre material should be reasonably used in modern sports equipment.