Polylactic acid (PLA) is a thermoplastic polymer produced from lactic acid that has been chiefly utilized in biodegradable material and as a composite matrix material. PLA is a prominent biomaterial that is widely used to replace traditional petrochemical-based polymers in various applications owing environmental concerns. Green composites have gained greater attention as ecological consciousness has grown since they have the potential to be more appealing than conventional petroleum-based composites, which are toxic and nonbiodegradable. PLA-based composites with natural fiber have been extensively utilized in a variety of applications, from packaging to medicine, due to their biodegradable, recyclable, high mechanical strength, low toxicity, good barrier properties, friendly processing, and excellent characteristics. A summary of natural fibers, green composites, and PLA, along with their respective properties, classification, functionality, and different processing methods, are discussed to discover the natural fiber-reinforced PLA composite material development for a wide range of applications. This work also emphasizes the research and properties of PLA-based green composites, PLA blend composites, and PLA hybrid composites over the past few years. PLA’s potential as a strong material in engineering applications areas is addressed. This review also covers issues, challenges, opportunities, and perspectives in developing and characterizing PLA-based green composites.

Hydraulics is an old technology which is being applied in many applications including large machinery, heavy industries, and early robotics. The traditional features of hydraulics that possess a high power to weight ratio compared to other power transmission system make it suitable to work in a tough and robust environment. However, the trend of hydraulic system has decreased since the introduction and mass usage of the powerful brushless motor and rare earth magnetic motor in industrial sector since the 1980s. Recently, hydraulic systems have shown incremental demand where the innovation of hydraulic actuators and components was actively conducted aimed at compactness, lightweight with higher energy-efficiency, clean and friendly features for many applications in both mobile and industrial hydraulics. This review shows the hydraulic trends in tough robotics applications which focus on legged robots such as humanoid, search and rescue robot and large machinery. New innovations of hydraulic components such as actuators, pump, and other accessories and trends are discussed for future hydraulics in tough robotics applications.

In recent years, many researchers have been focusing on the different novel techniques in designing pneumatic soft actuator that can produce bending motion. This paper presents a novel soft actuator design; a combination of different braided angles of artificial muscle applied on a single chamber soft actuator to produce bending motion. The actuator construction is based on the theory of contraction and extension of artificial muscle. It comprises of fiber-reinforced inside silicone rubber and is capable to create one-sided bending motion. Analysis of nonlinear finite element method is conducted to predict the direction and bending angles of the actuator before a prototype of actuator is fabricated. Based on the results, the developed soft actuator can realize bending motion after standard pressure driving experiment is executed.

COVID-19 epidemic in Malaysia started as a small wave of 22 cases in January 2020 through imported cases. It was followed by a bigger wave mainly from local transmissions resulting in 651 cases. The following wave saw unexpectedly three digit number of daily cases following a mass gathering urged the government to choose a more stringent measure. A limited lock-down approach called Movement Control Order (MCO) was immediately initiated to the whole country as a way to suppress the epidemic trajectory. The lock-down causes a major socio-economic disruption thus the ability to forecast the infection dynamic is urgently required to assist the government on timely decisions. Limited testing capacity and limited epidemiological data complicate the understanding of the future infection dynamic of the COVID-19 epidemic. Three different epidemic forecasting models was used to generate forecasts of COVID-19 cases in Malaysia using daily reported cumulative case data up until 1st April 2020 from the Malaysia Ministry of Health. The forecasts were generated using a Curve Fitting Model with Probability Density Function and Skewness Effect, the SIR Model, and a System Dynamic Model. Method one based on curve fitting with probability density function estimated that the peak will be on 19th April 2020 with an estimation of 5,637 infected persons. Method two based on SIR Model estimated that the peak will be on 20th - 31st May 2020 if Movement Contro (MCO) is in place with an estimation of 630,000 to 800,000 infected persons. Method three based on System Dynamic Model estimated that the peak will be on 17th May 2020 with an estimation of 22,421 infected persons. Forecasts from each of model suggested the epidemic may peak between middle of April to end of May 2020.

Cardiovascular application of nanomaterial’s is of increasing demand and its usage is limited by its mechanical and blood compatible properties. In this work, an attempt is made to develop an electrospun novel nanocomposite loaded with basil oil and titanium dioxide (TiO₂) particles. The composite material displayed increase in hydrophobic and reduced fiber diameter compared to the pristine polymer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed the interaction of the pristine polymer with the added substances. Thermal analysis showed the increased onset degradation, whereas the mechanical testing portrayed the increased tensile strength of the composites. Finally, the composite delayed the coagulation times and also rendered safe environment for red blood cells signifying its suitability to be used in contact with blood. Strikingly, the cellular toxicity of the developed composite was lower than the pristine polymer suggesting its compatible nature with the surrounding tissues. With these promising characteristics, developed material with enhanced physicochemical properties and blood compatibility can be successfully utilized for cardiac tissue applications.