Characterization of banana, sugarcane bagasse and sponge gourd fibers of Brazil

In recent times, increasing attention has been paid to the use of renewable resources particularly of plant origin keeping in view the ecological concerns, renewability and many governments passing laws for the use of such materials. On the other hand, despite abundant availability of lignocellulosic materials in Brazil, very few attempts have been made about their utilization, probably due to lack of sufficient structure/property data. Systematic studies to know their properties and morphology may bridge this gap while leading to value addition to these natural materials. Chemical composition, X-ray powder diffraction, and morphological studies and thermal behavior aspects in respect of banana, sugarcane bagasse sponge gourd fibers of Brazilian origin are presented. Chemical compositions of the three fibers are found to be different than those reported earlier. X-ray diffraction patterns of these three fibers exhibit mainly cellulose type I structure with the crystallinity indices of 39%, 48% and 50% respectively for these fibers. Morphological studies of the fibers revealed different sizes and arrangement of cells. Thermal stability of all the fibers is found to be around 200 degrees C. Decomposition of both cellulose and hemicelluloses in the fibers takes place at 300 degrees C and above, while the degradation of fibers takes place above 400 degrees C. These data may help finding new uses for these fibers. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Students Working on Telephone Poles at the New York Trade School

A group of twelve students are learning how to work on telephone poles at the New York Trade School. Black and white photograph with some minor damage to the image in the bottom left hand corner.

New York Trade School Administration [1]

A group of administrators from the New York Trade School posing in front of a building. Black and white photograph.

New York Trade School Administration [2]

A group of administrators from the New York Trade School pose in front of the school's building on East 67th Street. The photograph is black and white.

New York Trade School Administration [3]

This black and white photograph features two administrators positioned at desk.

New York Trade School Administration [4]

A New York Trade School administrator is posed for a formal photo. Black and white photograph.

New York Trade School Administration [5]

This New York Trade School administrator is posed in front of a wall plaque dedicated to the founder of the school. Photograph is black and white.

Students working in a class at the New York Trade School

A group of four students are working in a classroom at the New York Trade School while a professor looks on.

Students Working in Carpentry Shop at the New York Trade School

This black and white photograph shows students at work benches in part of the carpentry workshop at the New York Trade School. Beyond the benches two students can be seen working on framing in the rear of the classroom.

Students Working on a Model House at the New York Trade School

Students, likely studying carpentry, are shown working on the roof of a model of a house in a classroom at the New York Trade School. Black and white photograph.

Classroom at the New York Trade School

An empty classroom is shown here at the New York Trade School. This was likely a piano tuning classroom. Black and white photograph with some damage around the edges.

View of the library at the New York Trade School

This photograph shows several empty tables and a few shelves in the library at the New York Trade School. Black and white photograph.

Piano Performance at the New York Trade School

A piano player is shown performing at the New York Trade School. He is likely playing on a piano tuned or built by students in the Piano Crafts Department at the school. Black and white photograph.