Sulfur–soybean oil polymers with tunable thermal insulation properties were synthesized via inverse vulcanization of elemental sulfur and soybean oil, and reinforced with biochar (BC) derived from spent barley biomass. Biopolymer films (F-BP) with sulfur contents ranging from 20 to 70 wt% were prepared, and biochar-filled biocomposites (F-BP-C) were obtained using different filler loadings and processing routes. Their structural, morphological, thermal, mechanical, and surface properties were systematically analyzed to establish structure–property relationships, with particular focus on thermal transport behavior. Differential scanning calorimetry showed that sulfur contents ≤50 wt% favored effective incorporation into the polymer network, reducing the presence of free crystalline sulfur. Scanning electron microscopy and porosity analysis revealed that BC incorporation and processing conditions significantly affected microstructural connectivity and air-filled porosity. As a result, F-BP-C materials exhibited low thermal conductivities, reaching values of ~0.033–0.039 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹, comparable to commercial insulating materials such as cork and polymeric foams. This reduction was attributed to increased structural disorder, high interfacial density, and enhanced phonon scattering within the heterogeneous polymer–BC–air system. These findings demonstrate the potential of these biocomposites as sustainable thermal insulating materials derived from industrial and agricultural waste.

Sulfur–soybean oil polymers with tunable thermal insulation properties were synthesized via inverse vulcanization of elemental sulfur and soybean oil and reinforced with biochar (BC) derived from spent barley biomass. Biopolymer films (F-BPs) with sulfur contents ranging from 20 to 80 wt% were prepared, and biochar-filled biocomposites (F-BP-Cs) were obtained using different filler loadings and processing routes. Their structural, morphological, thermal, mechanical, and surface properties were systematically analyzed to establish structure–property relationships, with particular focus on thermal transport behavior. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed that sulfur contents ≤ 50 wt% favored the chemical incorporation of elemental sulfur into the polymer network via covalent bonding, significantly reducing the presence of free crystalline sulfur in the material. SEM images and porosity analysis revealed that BC incorporation and processing conditions significantly affected microstructural connectivity and air-filled porosity. As a result, F-BP-C materials exhibited low thermal conductivities, reaching values of ~0.033–0.039 W/(m·K), comparable to commercial insulating materials such as cork and polymeric foams. This reduction was attributed to increased structural disorder, high interfacial density, and enhanced phonon scattering within the heterogeneous polymer–BC–air system. These findings demonstrate the potential of these biocomposites as sustainable thermal insulating materials derived from industrial and agricultural waste.

Los implantes dentales se utilizan para la reconstrucción de piezas dentales perdidas. Si bien tienen altas tasas de éxito, todavía se producen fallas. El aspecto difícil de controlar es la interfaz entre el implante y el hueso en el que se inserta. Tradicionalmente se ha utilizado como material para implantes, el titanio y sus aleaciones, y más recientemente se ha propuesto la utilización de materiales poliméricos como el PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone). El presente trabajo propone la utilización de la técnica de Emisión Acústica, para monitorear la estabilidad primaria de la interfase hueso-implante dental, y fundamentalmente, realizar la comparación de las señales obtenidas cuando se pierde la estabilidad primaria de la interfase hueso-implante dental. Para alcanzar el objetivo, primeramente, se realizó la inserción de diversos implantes en un maxilar de material sintético; y seguidamente, se efectuó la comprobación de la estabilidad primaria de la interfase de dicho material sintético con cada implante, mediante la técnica de Emisión Acústica, aplicando para ello, una carga de compresión al conjunto. Los ensayos realizados permitieron destacar las enormes ventajas de la utilización de Emisión Acústica, puesto que se permite determinar la existencia de una mala integración hueso-implante dental.