Road distress results in high maintenance costs. However, increased understandings of asphalt behaviour and properties coupled with technological developments have allowed paving technologists to examine the benefits of introducing additives and modifiers. As a result, polymers have become extremely popular as modifiers to improve the performance of the asphalt mix. This study investigates the performance characteristics of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR)-modified hot-mix asphalt. Tests were conducted using ENR–asphalt mixes prepared using the wet process. Mechanical testing on the ENR–asphalt mixes showed that the resilient modulus of the mixes was greatly affected by testing temperature and frequency. On the other hand, although rutting performance decreased at high temperatures because of the increased elasticity of the ENR–asphalt mixes, fatigue performance improved at intermediate temperatures as compared to the base mix. However, durability tests indicated that the ENR–asphalt mixes were slightly susceptible to the presence of moisture. In conclusion, the performance of asphalt pavement can be enhanced by incorporating ENR as a modifier to counter major road distress.

The achievement of a high esthetic value in polycrystalline yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (Y-TZP)-based dental restorations is hindered by the low translucency of Y-TZP. Thus, this study investigated the effects of processing method and sintering temperature on the translucency of Y-TZP for dental applications. Wet (slip casting) and dry (cold isostatic pressing) processing methods were used. Y-TZP specimens were fabricated by applying the processing methods and sintering at different temperatures (1450�1650?�C). The mechanical, morphological, and optical properties of the Y-TZP specimens were examined and compared. The specimens were benchmarked with a commercial Y-TZP, namely, Cercon�. Results showed that wet processing produced higher mechanical properties and translucency than dry processing. This finding can be mainly attributed to the higher capability of wet processing than dry processing in alleviating the agglomeration in Y-TZP. Among the several specimens that were tested, the slip-casted Y-TZP that was sintered at 1600?�C showed the optimum mechanical properties (99.5% density and 12.7?GPa hardness) and translucency (35% light transmission) for dental applications. Furthermore, the light transmission achieved in this study was approximately three times higher than that of the commercial Y-TZP (13%), thereby indicating a potential alternative to replace the commercial Y-TZP. Highly translucent Y-TZP with excellent mechanical properties was developed in this study through wet processing with a sintering temperature of 1600?�C. The developed Y-TZP can be an alternative to commercial products to produce a highly esthetic dental restoration.

A recent discovery on banana leaf that has high potential as the lotus effect has intrigued further investigation particularly on the mechanism of its self-cleaning behaviour. In this paper, the adhesive and the contact angle effects of the banana leaf, named Musa Parasidiaca L. (berangan) surface in determining the self-cleaning effect is discussed especially at high temperatures. Samples were slid against a heated metal plate at two different temperatures; 100 C and 200 C, under different loads; 0.5 kg and 1 kg. Correlation between the leaf morphologies, adhesion force and contact angles were discussed. Measurements were carefully carried out by using the various pressure scanning electron microscopy (VP-SEM), an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a drop shape analysis (DSA). The adhesion force and contact angle were decreased at the highest temperature and load. The adhesion force was found to be reduced from 5.6 nN to 1.9 nN and the value of contact angles was decreased from 108.9 to 99.4 . In short, it is hope that the new discovery of this study can shed light on its importance to mankind particularly in surface modifications for applications at higher temperature.