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Few investigations have been carried out with bamboo fibers despite its high strength, biodegradability, and low cost. The overall objective of this work was to investigate fiber extraction from bamboo and the use of these bamboo fibers as reinforcement in polymeric composites. A combination of chemical and mechanical methods was used for the extraction of bamboo fibers. Conventional methods of compression molding technique (CMT) and roller mill technique (RMT) were explored for the mechanical separation. Fiber population from both the techniques were characterized. Mechanical properties of the fibers also were evaluated. Bamboo fibers obtained from CMT and RMT were used to make unidirectional composites of polyester. High values of tensile strength were observed in all the composites. The predominant mode of failure for the composite was shown to be the cracking of the fiber-matrix interface. Quantitative results from this study will be useful for further and more accurate design of bamboo reinforced composite materials.

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Calcium mediated crosslinking in pectin gels results in different network structures with distinct non-linear rheological signatures.

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The micellar characteristics of a non-ionic, natural surfactant, saponin obtained from the soapnut tree, Sapindus mukorossi, were studied in aqueous solution. Critical micelle concentration of Sapindus saponin determined using conductivity measurements and UV absorption studies was 0.045 wt%. Increase in temperature and salt concentration led to decrease in the critical micelle concentration of Sapindus saponin. The critical micelle concentration was found to increase with increase in hardness of water and increase in pH. The micellar aggregation number was determined using cyclic voltammetry and was found to be between 13 and 21. The size of the Sapindus saponin micelles was determined using intrinsic viscosity measurements and was found to be independent of saponin concentration for concentrations above the CMC. Solubilisation of two types of crude oils and a vegetable oil was studied using micellar solubilisation technique. At lower concentrations of the surfactant, the micellar solubilisation of crude oils in saponin was better than synthetic surfactants like Triton X100® and SDS where as, the solubilisation of vegetable oil was better in synthetic surfactants.