Search Results (97)

Widespread acceptance of collaborative robots in human-involved scenarios requires accessible and intuitive interfaces for lay workers and non-expert users. Existing interfaces often rely on users to plan and issue low-level commands, necessitating extensive knowledge of robot control. This study proposes a multimodal agentic AI framework integrating natural user interfaces (NUIs) to foster effortless human-like partnerships in human–robot collaboration (HRC), which enhance intuitiveness and operational efficiency. First, it allows users to instruct robots using plain language verbally, coupled with gaze, revealing objects precisely. Second, it offloads users’ workload for robot motion planning by understanding context and reasoning task decomposition. Third, coordinating with AI agents built on large language models (LLMs), the system interprets users’ requests effectively and provides feedback to establish transparent communication. This proof-of-concept study included experiments to demonstrate a practical implementation of the agentic AI framework on a mobile manipulation robot in the collaborative task of human–robot wood assembly. Seven participants were recruited to interact with this AI-integrated agentic robotic system. Task performance and user experience metrics were measured in terms of completion time, intervention rate, NASA TLX survey for workload, and valuable insights of practical applications were summarized through a qualitative analysis. This study highlights the potential of NUIs and agentic AI-embodied robots to overcome existing HRC barriers and contributes to improving HRC intuitiveness and efficiency. Full article

Sustainable forest operations require operational planning tools that effectively integrate productivity, environmental conservation, and social acceptability, particularly within complex and environmentally sensitive forest systems. In Mediterranean small-scale forestry, harvesting decisions are frequently guided by expert judgment rather than by systematic and transparent planning frameworks. This reliance on subjective decision making can result in heterogeneous management practices and, in some cases, suboptimal operational outcomes. This study aims to validate a GIS-based Analytic Hierarchy Process (GIS–AHP) decision support system for the selection of harvesting and wood systems in the chestnut coppices of central Italy and to assess the robustness of its recommendations when expert judgments are provided by different stakeholder groups. The methodology integrates spatial data and multi-criteria analysis to evaluate the suitability of three extraction systems (forwarder, cable skidder, and cable yarder) and three wood systems (Cut-To-Length, Whole-Tree Harvesting, and Tree-Length) across 162 Forest Management Units (1332.5 ha), using weights elicited from four stakeholder categories (researchers, technicians, forest owners, and workers; n = 144). Results show statistically significant differences in mean suitability values among stakeholder groups for all systems; however, convergence at the operational decision level is high. The cable skidder is recommended over 94%–100% of the area depending on the stakeholder category, with full agreement among all groups in 87.7% of the Forest Management Units. For wood systems, Whole-Tree Harvesting is selected over 96.1% of the analysed area, with agreement in 95.1% of the Forest Management Units. Divergences are therefore limited and attributable to differences in AHP weighting structures. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the GIS–AHP approach provides stable and transferable recommendations despite variability in expert perspectives, supporting its applicability as a transparent and robust decision support tool for operational planning in chestnut coppices and similar Mediterranean forest systems. Full article

Conventional life cycle assessment (LCA) of wood products often lacks a dynamic representation of biogenic carbon flows, leading to an oversimplified account of their climate impact. This study introduces a novel methodological framework by integrating a four-stage carbon storage cycle (carbon sequestration, first carbon emission, extension of carbon storage, and second carbon emission) with the ISO 14067:2018 standard for product carbon footprinting. We developed a transparent calculation model to partition CO₂ emissions across production, transportation, and disposal stages using a representative medium-density fiberboard (MDF) production case in China for empirical validation. The results reveal a total emission of 32.8135 kg CO₂/m², with a striking 59% originating from the disposal and recycling stage, overshadowing production (39%) and transportation (2%). This finding underscores the critical, yet often neglected, role of end-of-life management in the carbon footprint of manufactured wood panels. The study provides a replicable template for dynamic carbon accounting of wood products. Full article

This study develops and assesses sustainable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composites reinforced with agro-industrial waste fillers, integrating an ontology-based lifecycle assessment (LCA) framework to enhance sustainability evaluation. Agro-waste reinforcements, including rice husk ash (RHA), coir, bamboo fibre, and wood flour, were examined for their capacity to improve the mechanical and environmental performance of PVC and to advance circular economy objectives. Empirical data from UK PVC window manufacturing were integrated with Granta EduPack, Eco Design, Eco Audit, OpenLCA, and Protégé within a multi-layered semantic pipeline that links materials, processes, and environmental indicators. The agro-filler composites exhibited lower embodied energy and CO₂ emissions than glass fibre systems, with the PVC + 30% wood flour formulation achieving the highest efficiency. The ontology framework, comprising 25 classes, 7 object properties, 26 individuals, 16 data properties, and 218 axioms (generated automatically by Protégé’s metrics feature and verified with the Pellet reasoner), ensured semantic interoperability and consistent validation across datasets, enabling transparent and traceable sustainability analysis. Overall, coupling industrial data with digital LCA and ontology reasoning provides a reproducible pathway toward net zero-aligned, sustainable PVC composite manufacturing. Full article

Transparent wood possesses advantages such as light weight, high strength, translucency, thermal insulation, acoustic performance, and sustainability, demonstrating significant development potential. Its properties are highly compatible with the demands of pop-up commercial spaces, which are characterized by pop-up, low energy consumption, and strong visual expression. Based on Artificial Intelligence-Generated Content (AIGC) technologies, this study takes an urban greenhouse installation as a case study and develops a systematic design methodology for applying transparent wood in modern pop-up exhibition spaces. Through field research, questionnaire surveys, and the integration of design requirements using AIGC, the study employs the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to construct an evaluation system encompassing esthetic performance, structural safety, sustainability, and exhibition experience. In addition, a Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation (FCE) method is adopted for quantitative assessment. The results indicate that transparent wood not only meets the requirements of lightweight structures and full life-cycle environmental performance, but also enhances spatial transparency and immersive atmosphere. This research proposes a standardized evaluation framework and a reproducible design reference for material selection in pop-up exhibition spaces. Full article

We examined the positions of policymakers and businesses on the forest-based bioeconomy (FBE) in Slovenia, focusing on the importance of forest ecosystem services within the FBE. We also explored how businesses perceive their market potential and the role of payments for ecosystem services (PES) schemes in strengthening the FBE. We conducted interviews with 35 policymakers from the fields of forestry, the wood industry, the environment, and tourism, as well as with 24 business representatives from primary wood production, the wood industry, and forest tourism. Respondents identified fragmented land ownership (mean score on a 1–5 scale = 4.19), the lack of a strategic framework (4.12), and inefficient use of woody biomass (4.08) as key challenges to implementing the FBE in Slovenia. They highlighted knowledge transfer (4.54), investment support (4.47), and raising environmental awareness (4.44) as the main forms of state support for the FBE, while unfamiliarity with PES appears to contribute to its neglect. No significant sectoral differences were observed among policymakers regarding PES involvement; however, they viewed their role mainly in the design phase of PES and least in the phases of coordination and establishment. Greater interest in participating in PES was expressed by forest tourism businesses, despite perceiving lower market potential than those in primary wood production and the wood industry. The evident heterogeneity of stakeholder positions on the FBE calls for strong coordination and a transparent policy process involving all stakeholder coalitions to establish a coherent national strategy for the FBE. The results highlighted policymakers’ limited governance capacity and reluctance to fully implement PES as a potential solution for strengthening the FBE. The differing motivations of businesses regarding PES underscore the need for a nuanced, sector-specific approach to foster broader engagement. Full article

Recent developments in sixth-generation (6G) communication systems have increased interest in using sub-terahertz frequencies, particularly the W-band (75–110 GHz), for high-capacity indoor links. At these frequencies, electromagnetic (EM) wave attenuation introduced by building materials becomes a key factor limiting system performance. The objective of this study is to provide continuous, laboratory-validated attenuation characteristics of commonly used construction and finishing materials across the full W-band. Measurements were conducted in an accredited electromagnetic compatibility laboratory using a calibrated far-field setup with a vector network analyzer, W-band frequency extenders, and standard-gain horn antennas inside an anechoic chamber. For each frequency point, 20 measurements were recorded under controlled environmental conditions. The results show distinct attenuation behaviour depending on material type: wood-based materials exhibit 6–13 dB/cm, construction materials 2–4 dB/cm, and insulation materials below 0.3 dB/cm, while ceramic materials exceed 15–23 dB/cm. A general increase in attenuation with frequency is observed, particularly for materials with higher dielectric losses. The presented dataset enables more accurate indoor propagation modelling, supports ray-tracing and link-budget analyses, and provides practical guidelines for designing radio-transparent building components for future 6G communication systems. Full article

Transparent wood (TW) is a type of bio-based optical composite that combines wood’s hierarchical microstructure with polymers’ tailored optical properties to achieve high transmittance and controlled light scattering. TW is developed by removing lignin or modifying lignin chromophores and infiltrating a polymer whose refractive index closely matches that of the delignified wood framework. This review critically examines the parameters governing transparency in millimeter-thick TW, including the influence of wood species, delignification and bleaching strategies, and polymer selection for infiltration and polymerization/curing. The discussion emphasizes the interplay between microstructural anisotropy, refractive index matching, and processing-induced defects, which collectively determine light transmittance and haze. The review summarizes current progress toward achieving glass-like transparency in the millimeter range, highlighting the advances and remaining challenges in optimizing TW for scalable structural and functional applications. Full article

Wood stains are developed to enhance the aesthetic appeal and durability of wood by improving water repellency (WR) and protecting surfaces from biological decay and UV degradation. However, limited information is available on whether these performance characteristics are adequate to ensure the long-term protection of commercially used stains. This study evaluated 55 commercial wood stains, categorized by solvent type (water- or oil-based) and pigment transparency (semi-transparent or opaque), focusing on WR, color retention, and fungal decay resistance under both laboratory and outdoor conditions. Initial WR correlated with reduced moisture uptake but was insufficient to prevent fungal growth and decay. This suggests that the presence and effectiveness of additives, such as fungicides, are necessary to enhance the decay resistance. In the field-scale test, the opaque water-based stain WBO1 exhibited the best performance in maintaining WR (>90%) and color retention (∆E < 8.0) at both test sites, and suppressing discoloration fungal growth, despite its relatively low decay resistance in the laboratory test. These findings indicate that the color retention of pigments, which effectively block UV radiation, is important for the long-term durability of wood stains. This study underscores the need for improved stain formulations that more accurately reflect long-term outdoor performance. Full article

In this work, microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) from ash branch wood was used as reinforcement in a thermoplastic starch matrix to develop environmentally friendly materials. Pulp fibers and MFCs were characterized by SEM, TEM, and FTIR. Corn starch biofilms were prepared via casting, formulating eight biofilms with 5 and 10 wt% of MFC. Also, extracts of Muicle and Hibiscus were added to incorporate antibacterial properties. The biofilms were evaluated for mechanical, thermal, and antibacterial properties. Also, properties such as color, opacity, morphology, electrical conductivity, contact angle, and solubility, among others, were evaluated. The reinforced biofilms were homogeneous, dimensionally stable, and transparent with slight color changes. MFC incorporation enhanced hydrogen bonding, which increased the ultimate tensile strength from 11.2 MPa to approximately 19–21 MPa and the Young’s modulus from 809 MPa to 1034–1192 MPa. The presence of MFC also reduced solubility from 48.7% to 38.7–39.8% and decreased water vapor permeability by about 20–23% in biofilms with 10 wt% MFC. Gas barrier properties and the glass transition temperature depended on extract type and fiber content, indicating greater rigidity. The use of ash-based MFC encourages the implementation of circular economy strategies and the development of sustainable biocomposites. Full article

Softwood-based composites are increasingly used in structural and nonstructural applications owing to their renewability, cost-effectiveness, and favorable strength-to-weight performance. This study applies a systematic literature review and comparative analysis, drawing on approximately 140 sources, to synthesize current knowledge on the physicochemical, mechanical, thermal, and environmental characteristics of engineered wood products derived from softwood species. The intrinsic lignocellulosic composition of softwood, comprising roughly 40%–45% cellulose, 25%–30% hemicelluloses (with mannose as the predominant sugar), and 27%–30% lignin, strongly influences hydrophilicity, stiffness, and thermal behavior. Mechanical properties vary across engineered wood product classes; for example, plywood exhibits a modulus of rupture of 33.72–42.61 MPa and a modulus of elasticity of 6.96–8.55 GPa. Microstructural and spectroscopic analyses highlight the importance of fiber–matrix interactions, chemical bonding, and surface modifications in determining composite performance. Emerging advanced materials, such as scrimber, with densities of 800–1390 kg/m³, and fluorescent transparent wood, achieving optical transmittance above 70%–85%, demonstrate the expanding functional potential of softwood-based composites. Sustainability assessments indicate that coatings, flame-retardants, and adhesives may contribute to volatile organic compound emissions, emphasizing the need for lower-emission, bio-based alternatives. Overall, the findings of this systematic review show that softwood-based composites deliver robust, quantifiable performance advantages and hold strong potential to meet the rising demand for sustainable, low-carbon engineered materials. Full article

The construction sector accounts for one-third of Europe’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, offering significant potential for emission reduction. Emission reduction can be achieved by substituting conventional building materials with wood- or bio-based alternatives; the difference in GHG emissions is referred to as the substitution potential (SP). In this study, a literature review was conducted to identify studies in which SPs had been determined. The calculation methods used for these SPs were then analysed in detail. The analysis considered the general conditions, outcomes, and scaling effects, revealing that differing initial conditions lead to inconsistent results. Therefore, transparent allocation of SPs and comparable product life cycle assessments (LCAs) based on functional equivalence are essential. To reliably extrapolate the benefits of wood use to the entire construction sector, scaling effects must be justified by consistent functional equivalence. For policy relevance, it is crucial that SPs are determined using the standardised rules and that the building level, as the actual place of material use, is not overlooked. This is particularly important when scaling up the effects of increased wood use to the landscape level. Only with these measures SPs at the product level can provide reliable results in a broader context. Additionally, the studies reviewed indicate that changes in forest management have not yet been considered. Full article

The development of electromagnetic-shielding materials that not only meet the requirements of electromagnetic shielding but also possess transparency and additional functionalities is a new trend in the field. In this study, delignified wood fibers were used as the base material, which were impregnated in epoxy resin and then reinforced with three types of electromagnetic-shielding fillers: chopped carbon fibers, silicon carbide particles, and nano-silica. The experimental results showed that the resulting wood fiber-reinforced epoxy-resin electromagnetic-shielding transparent material not only exhibited excellent mechanical strength and thermal insulation properties but also achieved high haze and effective electromagnetic-shielding efficiency (greater than 90%) while maintaining a transmittance of approximately 50%. Based on the orthogonal experimental results, the optimal performance of the wood fiber-reinforced epoxy-resin electromagnetic-shielding transparent material was obtained when chopped carbon fibers were used as the electromagnetic-shielding filler component, with an electromagnetic-shielding filler mass fraction of 0.3 wt% and a wood fiber mass fraction of 5.0 wt%. Full article

Alkyd resins are among the most common coatings used for exterior wood joinery. In Romania, solvent-borne alkyd coatings are widely used to finish wood. The study aims to compare the performance after 7 years of outdoor exposure of two types of alkyd coatings, a semi-transparent brown stain with micronized pigments (Alk1) and an opaque white enamel (Alk2), applied directly on wood or wood pre-treated with three types of resins: acryl-polyurethane (R1), epoxy (R2), and alkyd-polyurethane (R3). Fir (Abies alba) wood served as the substrate. Cracking, coating adhesion, and biological degradation were periodically assessed through visual inspection and microscopy. Additionally, a cross-cut test was performed, and the loss of coating on the directly exposed upper faces was measured using ImageJ. The results indicated that resin pretreatments somewhat reduced cracking but negatively affected coating adhesion after long-term exposure. All samples pretreated with resins and coated with Alk1 lost more than 50% (up to 78%) of the original finishing film by the end of the test. In comparison, coated control samples lost less than 50%. The Alk2 coating exhibited a film loss between 2% and 12%, compared to an average loss of 9% for the coated control. Overall, samples pretreated with alkyd-polyurethane resin (R3) and coated with alkyd enamel (Alk2) demonstrated the best performance in terms of cracking, adhesion, and discoloration. Full article

Wood polymer composites (WPCs) represent a rapidly growing class of sustainable materials, formed by combining lignocellulosic fibers with thermoplastic or thermoset polymeric matrices. This review summarizes the state of the art in WPC development, emphasizing the use of recyclable (or recycled) and biodegradable polymers as matrix materials. The integration of waste wood particles into the production of WPCs addresses global environmental challenges, including plastic pollution and deforestation, by offering an alternative to conventional wood-based and petroleum-based products. Key topics covered in the review include raw material sources, fiber pre-treatments, compatibilizers, mechanical performance, water absorption behavior, thermal stability and end-use applications. Full article