Kin-tak Lau

Bio: Kin-tak Lau is an academic researcher from Swinburne University of Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Epoxy & Ultimate tensile strength. The author has an hindex of 57, co-authored 260 publications receiving 12950 citations. Previous affiliations of Kin-tak Lau include Chonbuk National University & Asia University (Taiwan).

Chemical treatments on plant-based natural fibre reinforced polymer composites: An overview

Abstract: This paper provides a comprehensive overview on different surface treatments applied to natural fibres for advanced composites applications. In practice, the major drawbacks of using natural fibres are their high degree of moisture absorption and poor dimensional stability. The primary objective of surface treatments on natural fibres is to maximize the bonding strength so as the stress transferability in the composites. The overall mechanical properties of natural fibre reinforced polymer composites are highly dependent on the morphology, aspect ratio, hydrophilic tendency and dimensional stability of the fibres used. The effects of different chemical treatments on cellulosic fibres that are used as reinforcements for thermoset and thermoplastics are studied. The chemical sources for the treatments include alkali, silane, acetylation, benzoylation, acrylation and acrylonitrile grafting, maleated coupling agents, permanganate, peroxide, isocyanate, stearic acid, sodium chlorite, triazine, fatty acid derivate (oleoyl chloride) and fungal. The significance of chemically-treated natural fibres is seen through the improvement of mechanical strength and dimensional stability of resultant composites as compared with a pristine sample.

Graphene-based materials and their composites: A review on production, applications and product limitations

Abstract: Recent years have perceived many innovations in research and advancement of graphene, the thinnest two-dimensional atomic material. Graphene-based materials and their composites possess promising applications in wide range of fields such as, electronics, biomedical aids, membranes, flexible wearable sensors and actuators. The latest studies and progression in this subject area often produce inconsistent or inconclusive results. This review article assesses and summarises published data so as to provide a critical and comprehensive overview of state of the art. Firstly, the distinct structural nature of the graphene materials available is elucidated, as well as different production techniques available thus far. The assessment then discusses the various composites focusing different sub-functional regimes such as mechanical and collective functional applications such as energy, electronics biomedical, membranes and sensors. The utilisation of graphene and its derivatives in the manufacture of nanocomposites with different polymer matrices has been reconnoitred. Finally, a conclusion and perspective are given to discussing the remaining challenges for graphene nanocomposites in functional science and engineering.

A critical review on nanotube and nanotube/nanoclay related polymer composite materials

Abstract: Since the last decade, research activities in the area of nano-materials have been increased dramatically. More than a 1000 of journal articles in this area have been published within the last 3 years. Materials scientists and researchers have realized that the mechanical properties of materials can be altered at the fundamental level, i.e. the atomic-scale. Carbon nanotubes (hereafter called ‘nanotubes’) have been well recognized as nano-structural materials that can be used to alter mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of polymer-based composite materials, because of their superior properties and perfect atom arrangement. In general, scientific research related to the nanotubes and their co-related polymer based composites can be distinguished into four particular scopes: (i) production of high purity and controllable nanotubes, in terms of their size, length and chiral arrangement; (ii) enhancement of interfacial bonding strength between the nanotubes and their surrounding matrix; (iii) control of the dispersion properties and alignment of the nanotubes in nanotube/polymer composites and (iv) applications of the nanotubes in real life. Although, so many remarkable results in the above items have been obtained recently, no concluding results have so far been finalized. In this paper, a critical review on recent research related to nanotube/polymer composites is given. Newly-adopted coiled nanotubes used to enhance the interfacial bonding strength of nanocomposites are also discussed. Moreover, the growth of nanotubes from nanoclay substrates to form exfoliated nanotube/nanoclay polymer composites is also introduced in detail.

Natural fibre-reinforced composites for bioengineering and environmental engineering applications

Abstract: Recently, the mankind has realized that unless environment is protected, he himself will be threatened by the over consumption of natural resource as well as substantial reduction of fresh air produced in the world Conservation of forests and optimal utilization of agricultural and other renewable resources like solar and wind energies, and recently, tidal energy have become important topics worldwide In such concern, the use of renewable resources such as plant and animal based fibre-reinforce polymeric composites, has been becoming an important design criterion for designing and manufacturing components for all industrial products Research on biodegradable polymeric composites, can contribute for green and safe environment to some extent In the biomedical and bioengineered field, the use of natural fibre mixed with biodegradable and bioresorbable polymers can produce joints and bone fixtures to alleviate pain for patients In this paper, a comprehensive review on different kinds of natural fibre composites will be given Their potential in future development of different kinds of engineering and domestic products will also be discussed in detail

Fast parallel algorithms for short-range molecular dynamics

Abstract: Three parallel algorithms for classical molecular dynamics are presented. The first assigns each processor a fixed subset of atoms; the second assigns each a fixed subset of inter-atomic forces to compute; the third assigns each a fixed spatial region. The algorithms are suitable for molecular dynamics models which can be difficult to parallelize efficiently—those with short-range forces where the neighbors of each atom change rapidly. They can be implemented on any distributed-memory parallel machine which allows for message-passing of data between independently executing processors. The algorithms are tested on a standard Lennard-Jones benchmark problem for system sizes ranging from 500 to 100,000,000 atoms on several parallel supercomputers--the nCUBE 2, Intel iPSC/860 and Paragon, and Cray T3D. Comparing the results to the fastest reported vectorized Cray Y-MP and C90 algorithm shows that the current generation of parallel machines is competitive with conventional vector supercomputers even for small problems. For large problems, the spatial algorithm achieves parallel efficiencies of 90% and a 1840-node Intel Paragon performs up to 165 faster than a single Cray C9O processor. Trade-offs between the three algorithms and guidelines for adapting them to more complex molecular dynamics simulations are also discussed.

Effects of particle size, particle/matrix interface adhesion and particle loading on mechanical properties of particulate–polymer composites

Abstract: There have been a number of review papers on layered silicate and carbon nanotube reinforced polymer nanocomposites, in which the fillers have high aspect ratios. Particulate–polymer nanocomposites containing fillers with small aspect ratios are also an important class of polymer composites. However, they have been apparently overlooked. Thus, in this paper, detailed discussions on the effects of particle size, particle/matrix interface adhesion and particle loading on the stiffness, strength and toughness of such particulate–polymer composites are reviewed. To develop high performance particulate composites, it is necessary to have some basic understanding of the stiffening, strengthening and toughening mechanisms of these composites. A critical evaluation of published experimental results in comparison with theoretical models is given.

A review of recent developments in natural fibre composites and their mechanical performance

Abstract: Recently, there has been a rapid growth in research and innovation in the natural fibre composite (NFC) area. Interest is warranted due to the advantages of these materials compared to others, such as synthetic fibre composites, including low environmental impact and low cost and support their potential across a wide range of applications. Much effort has gone into increasing their mechanical performance to extend the capabilities and applications of this group of materials. This review aims to provide an overview of the factors that affect the mechanical performance of NFCs and details achievements made with them.

Review article: Polymer-matrix Nanocomposites, Processing, Manufacturing, and Application: An Overview

Abstract: This review is designed to be a comprehensive source for polymer nanocomposite research, including fundamental structure/property relationships, manufacturing techniques, and applications of polymer nanocomposite materials. In addition to presenting the scientific framework for the advances in polymer nanocomposite research, this review focuses on the scientific principles and mechanisms in relation to the methods of processing and manufacturing with a discussion on commercial applications and health/safety concerns (a critical issue for production and scale-up). Hence, this review offers a comprehensive discussion on technology, modeling, characterization, processing, manufacturing, applications, and health/safety concerns for polymer nanocomposites.