Malaysia and Indonesia are well known as prolific producers of batik in Southeast Asia. The history of batik in both countries is deeply intertwined for more than a century. Most available published works related to batik production, challenges, and innovations were discussed within the local batik context of each country. This study aims to identify collectively how far batik, as a creative industry in these countries has progressed since its establishment until the present 21st century. It was notable that batik craftsmanships have been mostly maintained as similar tools and techniques are persistently being used until today in both countries. Significant progress was observed in the design and stylization of the batik design with the use of digital approaches such as fractal geometry. Similar challenging problems faced by both nations were highlighted and clustered into internal and external issues. It was concluded that assimilations of Third Industrial Revolution technology (IR3.0) primarily centered on the use of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing to improve existing batik production. Emerging studies have shown the positive impact of integrating Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) technology such as augmented reality (AR) in promoting batik knowledge and transmitting batik as an intangible cultural heritage. The transmission of batik skills to the young generation has been a persistent problem. Thus, a brief framework was proposed to exemplify how IR4.0 technology can innovatively be used to transmit the batik skills via education platform.
The preparation of polylactic acid (PLA) and polypropylene carbonate (PPC) blend films by using the solvent casting method is to improve the properties of pure PLA. The blends' mechanical and thermal properties, morphological as well as hydrolytic degradation behavior are evaluated. The tensile test proved that the increase of PPC from 0 wt% to 75 wt% could improve the elongation of pure PLA when the graph showed a significant increase of the elongation from 10% to 1000%. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) supported the significant increase in elongation of the blends when it shows a definite phase separation in 75/25 PLA/PPC, where 25% of PPC has formed islands in the PLA matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry indicates the partial miscibility of the blends where two peaks of the glass transition temperature moved towards each other when the amount of PPC increases. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy revealed a possible intermolecular interaction between two polymers, which affects the miscibility of the blends. Finally, the hydrolytic degradation test indicates that the degradation started from the PLA phase and the blends' degradation rate decrease as wt% of PPC increase.
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