Review Article
Physical, Thermal and Mechanical Characterization of Raffia Palm and Composite Materials with Cement Matrix Reinforced with Raffia Fibers and Other Similar Species
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
106-127
Received:
16 June 2025
Accepted:
1 July 2025
Published:
22 July 2025
Abstract: The accentuation of climate variations is an additional constraint that challenges almost all countries in the world and for which urgent actions are required to counter the harmful effects caused by these phenomena such as floods, excessive heat, acute drought, late and violent rains, etc. Among these urgent measures, we can cite, among others, the protection of the environment for sustainable development in all sectors of human activity. In the construction or building sub-sector, it is urgent to use environmentally friendly materials capable of reducing the carbon footprint compared to the conventional construction materials. The work entitled " Physical, thermal, mechanical characterization of the raffia palm and composite materials with cement matrix reinforced with raffia fibers as well as other similar species: state of the art", fits well within this framework and aims to summarize the work related to natural fibers in particular cement matrix composites, a local resource available in Africa. In this review of scientific literature, our attention is focused on the potential use of natural fibers as reinforcement in the cement matrix. The work of several researchers has demonstrated that the orientation of the fibers has only a negligible effect on thermal conductivity. On the other hand, certain varieties of palm trees, such as the date palm, influence this thermal conductivity, with an average value measured at 0.083W.m-1.K-1 under atmospheric pressure. Regarding mechanical properties, palm fibers have a tensile strength ranging from 97 to 197 MPa, a Young's modulus ranging from 2.5 to 5.4 GPa, and an elongation at break ranging from 2.0 to 4.5%. In addition, further research has determined for raffia palm fibers a Young's modulus of approximately 30 GPa and a breaking stress of around 0.50 GPa. These properties are determined using scanning electron microscope examinations, which reveal a layered structure, as well as X-ray diffraction measurements.
Abstract: The accentuation of climate variations is an additional constraint that challenges almost all countries in the world and for which urgent actions are required to counter the harmful effects caused by these phenomena such as floods, excessive heat, acute drought, late and violent rains, etc. Among these urgent measures, we can cite, among others, th...
Show More
Research Article
Designing and Fabrication of Double Omega Cross-section Carbon Fiber Thin-walled Boom
Meng Fanyi
,
Lin Zaiwen*,
Shang Weihui,
Zou Zhiwei,
Cao Yanjun,
Qin Chuang
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
128-133
Received:
23 June 2025
Accepted:
8 July 2025
Published:
30 July 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijmsa.20251404.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: With the rapid development of aerospace fields such as deep space exploration, satellite communication, and remote sensing, increasingly stringent performance requirements have been imposed on spacecraft platforms and their payloads. On one hand, there is a demand for deploying large-scale, high-precision, and multi-functional structures in harsh space environments (e.g., large antennas, solar arrays, telescope shields, and truss platforms). On the other hand, constrained by the fairing space and payload mass limitations of launch vehicles, these large structures must be kept in a highly compact folded or rolled state during launch, then reliably and accurately deployed in orbit while maintaining required stiffness and surface stability. Traditional metal structures face bottlenecks in achieving high storage ratios (storage volume/unfolded volume) and large-scale lightweight design. In this context, the deployable structure of composite materials has emerged as a promising solution, with the with the double omega-section carbon fiber thin-walled boom gaining attention as a novel space deployable structure. In this study, the geometric dimensions of the double omega cross-section were optimized, and the relationship between the cross-sectional moment of inertia and geometric parameters was established through geometric parameter transformation. Additionally, three distinct fabrication processes for the double omega-section carbon fiber thin-walled booms were proposed and discussed.
Abstract: With the rapid development of aerospace fields such as deep space exploration, satellite communication, and remote sensing, increasingly stringent performance requirements have been imposed on spacecraft platforms and their payloads. On one hand, there is a demand for deploying large-scale, high-precision, and multi-functional structures in harsh s...
Show More
Research Article
Study of the Effect of Interface Defect Layers (IDL1 and IDL2) on CsGeI3 Perovskite Solar Cells by SCAPS 1D Simulation
Alioune Sow*,
Saliou Seck,
Modou Faye,
Mamadou Salif Mane,
Amadou Ndiaye,
Bachirou Ndiaye,
Babacar Mbow,
Cheikh Sene
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
134-143
Received:
3 July 2025
Accepted:
16 July 2025
Published:
31 July 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijmsa.20251404.13
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Germanium-based perovskite solar cells have garnered significant interest within the scientific community due to their non-toxicity and excellent stability. However, their low conversion efficiency is an obstacle to their application and design. We designed a device with a normal configuration structured as Glass / FTO / SnO2 / IDL1 / CsGeI3 / IDL2 / Cu2O / Au to improve our germanium-based perovskite solar cell, designed The integration of interface defect layers IDL1 and IDL2 the reduction of recombination. The study revealed that these IDL1 and IDL2 layers play a crucial role in solar conversion performance. By adjusting the thickness, electron affinity and defect density of the IDL1 and IDL2 layers, the conversion efficiency of our device exceeds 19%. However, an increase in temperature in the environment can negatively affect the cell by decreasing its photovoltaic efficiency.
Abstract: Germanium-based perovskite solar cells have garnered significant interest within the scientific community due to their non-toxicity and excellent stability. However, their low conversion efficiency is an obstacle to their application and design. We designed a device with a normal configuration structured as Glass / FTO / SnO2 / IDL1 / CsGeI3 / IDL2...
Show More
