Implementation of jute-based nose holder in surgical masks to reduce plastic contamination.

Plastic, in all its forms, always harms the environment, humans, and other living organisms. The coronavirus situation exacerbates the use of plastic products more than at any other time, of which surgical masks contribute to plastic pollution the most. These masks spread to terrestrial and aquatic environments, where they break down into even more noxious microplastics. These microplastics enter the human food chain through water and fish, causing severe damage to the lungs, kidneys, and intestines and even causing death. In this paper, a jute nose holder mask was prepared as an alternative to typical masks to reduce plastic pollution. The jute nose holder was produced with a modified jute flyer-spinning frame machine, where jute was used as the sheath and metal wire was applied as the core component. The nose holder was later coated with starch-based natural gum. Then, the non-woven fabric of 75 grams per square meter (GSM), and the jute nose holder were used to produce the alternative, environmentally friendly mask, which might reduce the 773 tons of plastic waste generated daily from the nose holder of the mask. This alternative mask was then distributed to 900 people for a survey to find out their opinion. From the results of the survey, it is seen that 82.6% of people felt no problem in the nose when they put on the given mask. 85.6% considered the mask more comfortable than the traditional mask, and it was rated above average by 79.8% of the surveyors. So, this study suggests that the given mask can be a sustainable alternative to traditional masks.

Double air suctioned carding process: A method for achieving improved quality ring-spun carded yarn.

This study aims to maximize yarn realization by minimizing hard waste generation. A new method has been evaluated in a conventional carding machine for this purpose by adding extra air suction units immediately above the doffer and in the brush roller above the stripping roller. Various yarn samples were spun using the double air suction carding (DASC) method and the traditional carding process, and the yarn quality parameters were compared. The results indicated that the DASC yarn had considerable technical improvements in all yarn characteristics (U%, CVm%, thick place, thin place, neps, hairiness) and mechanical properties (breaking strength and elongation). The number of classimat faults in the DASC yarn has also significantly decreased. Even though the DASC technique produced more droppings-1, it generated less pneumafil and hard waste, resulting in improved yarn realization. This research also examined cost analysis, advantages, and limitations. Overall, the findings indicate that the newly introduced DASC yarn has the potential to be a superior product in terms of both quality and cost.