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Recently, attention has been drawn to the use of bio-reinforced composites in automotive, construction, packaging and medical applications due to increased concern for environmental sustainability. Green polymer nanocomposites show unique properties of combining the advantages of natural fillers and organic polymers. Plant fibers are found suitable to reinforce polymers. They have relatively high strength and stiffness, low cost of acquisition, low density and produce low CO 2 emission. They are also biodegradable and are annually renewable compared to other fibrous materials. Organic polymers on the other hand, are desirable because they are either recyclable or biodegradable without causing environmental hazards. This paper reviews current research efforts, techniques of production, trends, challenges and prospects in the field of green nanocomposites.

Improving performance in organization may be demonstrated by way of intensifying effort towards increasing output level and quality. To accomplish this goal means efforts of employees are required in task performance. Effective execution of such essential employee responsibility, to a great extent, depends on the level of safety in the workplace. Management policy, especially in the developing economies is yet to properly address the issue of employee health and safety. This has resulted in frequent accidents and hazards, leading to high costs in the areas of hospital bills, salaries for hospitalized workers and compensations. Increased labor turnover, absenteeism, strained management-labor relationships, operational inefficiency, and ultimately decreasing performance become noticeable in such organizations. To satisfy workers' safety needs and motivate them, ceteris paribus, management must maintain effective health and safety program, and be committed to its success in all ramifications.

The hierarchical, porous, and macromolecular structures of woods provide opportunities for them to be modified and processed into structural, functional, and multi-functional application materials. Chemical and thermal modifications are usually...

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Short wood fibers (SWF) and a water based and formaldehyde free cross linking acrylate resin have been used to produce bulk biocomposites, as a possible material for automotive and friction applications. SWFs of 200-400 mm in length were mixed with the resin in various proportions (40-60 wt%) using a kneading device. The mixture was dried in an oven and later cured in a hot press. Two curing cycles were used for this study: (a) curing at a temperature of 1508C and a pressure of 70 bar and (b) curing at 1708C and a pressure of 80 bar. Various morphological features, flexural and thermal properties, density, and specific wear rate under sliding against smooth steel were examined. Results show that increase in fiber weight fraction led to increase in tensile strength when the material was processed with 1708C and a pressure of 80 bar. Composites with 60 wt% SWF processed with 1708C and a pressure of 80 bar exhibited the highest flexural strength (64 MPa) and flexural modulus (7.2 GPa). Composites processed at lower temperature and pressure (1508C and 70 bar) are found to possess inferior mechanical properties compared with those processed at higher temperature and pressure (1708C and 80 bar). This composite also possessed a nearly stable storage modulus up to 508C. All composites showed specific wear rate between 10 25 and 10 26 mm 3 /(Nm) and a very high friction coefficient of l 5 1.25 against smooth steel surfaces. SEM images revealed that there is a very good interfacial adhesion between the fibers and the matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 00:000-000,

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