The use of geopolymers as matrix in composites with syntactical fibers have been studied and proposed in the literature. Nonetheless, for the best know of the authors, there are no researches about the use of geopolymers as matrix in composites with natural fibers. The use of natural fibers is increasing in the automotive industries. One of the problems to expand the use of natural fibers in composite materials is the low fire resistance of the classical type of polymers. In this sense, geopolymeric matrices open up horizons for this type of application. This paper studies composites with geopolymeric matrices reinforced with two types of natural fibers: sisal (Agave Sisalana) and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF-Ananas Comosus). The mechanical properties of these new composites are investigated by mechanical tests. The results confirm the increasing in the mechanical performance whenever the fibers are under traction stress.

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The search for the reduction of costs for the implementation of renewable energies implies in the optimization of the parameters of the manufacturing processes of consolidated technologies. Among these technologies are the solar collectors composed of absorber films characterized by high absorption in the spectrum range corresponding to solar radiation and low emittance in the infrared range, allowing an increase in the collector's operating temperature (300 to 700°C). The present work produced selective surfaces based on black chrome absorber films on stainless steel substrate by electrodeposition. The substrates were immersed in a chromium trioxide bath with hexafluorosilicic acid using a Pb-Sn electrode. In the project some parameters of deposition were evaluated (time, distance and voltage) and their influence on the surface roughness of the coatings obtained by correlating them with the absorptions of the produced surfaces. For this, the surfaces produced were characterized by UV-Vis-NIR, profilometry and SEM. The results indicate that the working distance directly influenced the increase of the films absorption and that the influence of the surface roughness on the film absorption is related to the electrodeposition time as the voltage is raised.

Geompolymers and their engineering applications have attracted significant attention of the scientific community. This is due to properties such as good thermal stability and high resistance to aggressive environments. Most studies on this subject are based on traditional precursor materials such as calcined kaolinite clay (metakaolinite) and fly ash. The iron content is significant, reaching around 10% in metakaolinite, for instance. The role of iron in geopolymers still lacks systematic investigation. This can be attributed to the limitations presenting nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, which is a widely used technique to study geopolymers structure. Ferromagnetic elements such as iron, which is often present in some precursors, affect the magnetic response of the material, compromising the proper analysis of its structure by NMR results. Iron content in some industrial residues may be several times higher as it is often found in metakaolinite. This work presents x-ray diffraction, infrared and Mössbauer spectroscopy studies on the distribution of iron species in iron oxide/hydroxide-rich precursor, which was used to synthesized geopolymers.

Smoke is the main threat of death in fires. For this reason, it becomes extremely important to understand the dispersion of this pollutant and to verify the influence of different control systems on its spread through buildings, in order to avoid or minimize its effects on living beings. Thus, this work aims to perform thermo-fluid dynamic study of smoke dispersion in a closed environment. All numerical analysis was performed using the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) software. Different simulations were carried out to evaluate the influence of the exhaust system (natural or mechanical), the heat release rate (HRR), ventilation and the smoke curtain in the pollutant dispersion. Results of the smoke layer interface height, temperature profile, average exhaust volumetric flow rate, pressure and velocity distribution are presented and discussed. The results indicate that an increase in the natural exhaust area increases the smoke layer interface height, only for the well-ventilated compartment (open windows); an increase in the HRR accelerates the downward vertical displacement of the smoke layer and that the 3 m smoke curtain is efficient in exhausting smoke, only in the case of poorly ventilated compartments (i.e., with closed windows).