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The interest in totally bio-based materials is increasing due to their low carbon footprint and improved properties through intensive research. Polylactide (PLA)-based cellulose fibre compounds are finding their way into various injection-moulded applications. In addition to gain high-performance PLA–cellulose pulp fibre composites, there are also needed for additives such as plasticizers and coupling agents in the compounds. This research presents the use of a renewable material–based combined plasticizer-coupling agent as an additive in PLA bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP) composite. An epoxy-modified linseed oil showed capability for cross-linking PLA and cellulose fibre so enabling simultaneously improved strength tensile and impact properties for composite materials when added in amount of below 8% to fibre.

A novel method for computerized estimation of the aspect ratio distribution and various cross-sectional geometrical properties of fibres in short-fibre reinforced composites is proposed. The method, based on X-ray microcomputed tomography, is non-destructive and does not require user intervention. Based on results on specially fabricated model material, the accuracy and precision of the method seems adequate. The method is applied in analysing a manufacturing process of wood fibre reinforced thermoplastic composite. The results indicate a significant decrease of the aspect ratio of fibres during the processing steps. Finally, the feasibility of the method is assessed by estimating parameters of a micromechanical model for flax fibre composites and comparing the results with those from tensile tests.

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Temperature optimisation of a diesel engine using exhaust gas heat recovery and thermal energy storage (Diesel engine with thermal energy storage). Applied Thermal Engineering, Elsevier, 2009, 30 (6-7), pp.631. <10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2009.11.008>. Accepted ManuscriptTemperature optimisation of a diesel engine using exhaust gas heat recovery and thermal energy storage (Diesel engine with thermal energy storage) This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT ABSTRACTModern automotive diesel engines are so energy efficient that they are heating up slowly and tend to run rather cold at subzero temperatures. The problem is especially severe in mail delivery operations where the average speed is low and the drive cycle includes plenty of idling. The problem is typically solved by adding a diesel fuelled additional engine heater which is used for the preheating of the engine during cold start and additional heating of the engine if the coolant temperature falls below a thermostat set point during the drive cycle. However, this additional heater may drastically increase the total fuel consumption and exhaust gas emissions of the vehicle. In this study the additional heater was replaced by a combination of exhaust gas heat recovery system and latent heat accumulator for thermal energy storage. The system was evaluated on a laboratory dynamometer using a simulated drive cycle and in field testing in the city of Oulu (65 °N), Finland in February 2009.