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    <copyright>Copyright © 2026. National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.</copyright>
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    <managingEditor>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>tris-trb@nas.edu (Bill McLeod)</webMaster>
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      <title>Enhancing the Durability and the Service Life of Asphalt Pavements through Innovative Light-Induced Self-Healing Materials</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1466860</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of a new generation of light-induced polymers in enhancing elasticity and improving the self-healing properties of the asphalt mixture. Light-induced self-healing polymer is an evolving technology that would delay crack propagation in the early stages of crack appearance, resist cracking damage, and therefore, extend the service life of a pavement. A network of self-healing agents will be synthesized through a photocatalytic based chemical method. An optimization procedure will be conducted by varying parameters such as intensity and duration of ultraviolet (UV) exposure, the intensity of sonication, and oxetane-chitosan (OXECHI) ratio. Developed self-healing polymers will be characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). The thermal stability of the prepared polymers will be tested in a controlled laboratory environment to determine their resistance to asphalt production processes. The optimum percentage of self-healing polymers will be evaluated based on the performance of asphalt blends with different percentages of self-healing polymers by weight of binder, using asphalt binder rheological tests and asphalt mixture tests. Detailed steps on how to produce and utilize the proposed technology will be provided to the state agencies to enhance implementation.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sun, 21 May 2017 11:19:18 GMT</pubDate>
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      <title>Influence of Alternative Pretreatment Strategies on Cellulosic Ethanol Production Using Simultaneous Saccharification and Fermentation of High Solids</title>
      <link>https://rip.trb.org/View/1364477</link>
      <description><![CDATA[The objective of this research project is to improve efficiency of ethanol production from Switchgrass through basic research into the inhibitory by-products that build up during conversion process.  The experimental approach - which is  about to commence -- includes two parallel studies with switchgrass and  mixed prairie biomass (MPB). The first study will consist of a series of cellulase binding experiments with swichgrass and MPB, and the second study will use Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to analyze the same biomass substrates.]]></description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2015 01:01:48 GMT</pubDate>
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