Hashim W Samsi’s scientific contributions

The bamboo industry is a growing industry that offers various opportunities for both producers and consumers. The global market for bamboo reached USD59.3 billion in 2021. The bamboo industry provides numerous opportunities for the rural communities in Malaysia especially in Sarawak in terms of employment, income generation, and sustainable development. A 10 years program to develop an integrated bamboo industry from 2021 to 2030 is planned to benefit the Sarawak bamboo-based industry, especially the rural communities. Among others, it will involve activities in bamboo farming, handicrafts and furniture production, bamboo panel and composite, bamboo construction, eco-tourism, and carbon sequestration. Thus, rural communities with government support can promote sustainable development of the bamboo industry while generating income and employment opportunities. However, bamboo is susceptible to decay and insect attack if it is not properly treated. Harvested bamboo culms need to be paid for and treated properly in ensuring their durability and prevent decay development. Preservatives such as borax and boric acid, copper sulfate, creosote, and tri-sodium phosphate are the most common ways to treat bamboo. Heat treatment technique which is considered to be eco-friendly is another way to treat the bamboo effectively. Research and development studies in bamboo have been conducted since the late 1980s via the World Bank-assisted Small Scale Entrepreneurship Program in Malaysia. This paper discusses effective techniques in treating, processing and the development of the integrated bamboo industry in Sarawak.

Engineered wood products (EWP) have gained popularity and recognition in Malaysia's construction industry. These products refer to a category of wood products that are manufactured by bonding or combining wood strands, veneers, or fibers with adhesives to create a stronger and more stable material compared to solid wood. In Malaysia, the use of EWP, such as plywood, laminated veneer lumber, glued laminated timber, and particleboard, has been growing steadily. These products offer several advantages over traditional solid wood, including improved strength, dimensional stability, and resistance to warping and splitting. EWP is also often used as a sustainable alternative to solid wood because it utilizes smaller, fast-growing trees and reduces waste. EWP find applications in various construction projects, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. They are commonly used for interior and exterior structural elements, such as beams, columns, trusses, and flooring systems. EWP, such as plywood and particleboard, are also used extensively for wall and roof sheathing, furniture manufacturing, and decorative applications. The Malaysian construction industry has recognized the benefits of EWP in terms of cost-effectiveness, design flexibility, and environmental sustainability. As a result, there has been increased adoption of these products in both large-scale projects and smaller construction ventures.

Wood biofuel pellets are a type of biomass fuel made from compressed wood particles, such as sawdust, wood chips, or other wood waste materials. These materials are compressed under high pressure to form dense, compacted pellets that can be burned as a source of energy. Wood biofuel pellets offer several benefits to rural communities. Wood biofuel pellets are considered a renewable energy source because they are made from wood waste and byproducts that would otherwise go to landfill. As long as sustainable forestry practices are followed, the source of wood can be replenished. Rural communities often rely on traditional fossil fuels or imported energy sources, which can be expensive and subject to price fluctuations. By utilizing wood biofuel pellets, rural communities can reduce their dependence on external energy sources and have more control over their energy supply. Producing wood biofuel pellets can create local job opportunities, particularly in areas with abundant forestry resources. The collection, processing, and manufacturing of wood pellets can provide employment and stimulate local economies. Wood waste generated from forestry operations, sawmills, and wood processing facilities can be efficiently utilized in the production of biofuel pellets. This helps manage wood waste and reduces the environmental impact of disposing of or burning it inefficiently. When wood biofuel is burned, it releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. However, this is offset by the carbon absorbed during the growth of the trees from which the wood is derived. As long as sustainable forestry practices are followed and new trees are planted to replace those harvested, the overall carbon footprint can be minimized, making wood biofuel pellets a carbon-neutral energy source. Wood biofuel pellets are commonly used for heating in residential homes, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities. They can be burned in specialized stoves, furnaces, or boilers designed for pellet fuel, providing a reliable and efficient source of heat and energy. By utilizing wood biofuel pellets, rural communities can reduce their energy costs, create local job opportunities, promote sustainable forestry practices, and contribute to a cleaner and more environmentally friendly energy system.

This paper examined properties that focussed on the microphotographs structure, physical properties, and mechanical characterization of the heat-treated 10-year-old cultivated Tectona grandis wood. The harvested wood was subjected to the heat treatment process at 160°C, 200°C, and 240°C for two hours in an electrically powered oil heat-treatment machine. The heat-treated and the control untreated samples were subsequently exposed in the two (2) years grave-yard tests ground. Selected teak wood was taken out after undergoing a certain period of testing. Moreover, the physical properties, such as the moisture content, maximum density, basic density, and volumetric shrinkage were determined. The mechanical properties were assessed using static bending and compression tests focusing on the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR). The physicomechanical test was carried out according to the ASTM standard. The study revealed that the oil heat-treatment process altered the cell structure of the teak wood, particularly at those exposed to elevated temperatures. Changes were observed in the fibre and parenchyma cells of the wood, and the heat treatment process generally improved the properties of the wood, particularly in the physical properties. The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to study changes in the wood's anatomy and microstructures especially on treated, untreated, and ground test samples. The study results showed that the oil heat-treatment process improved the durability of teak wood against wood-decaying fungi. Nonetheless, extreme heat treatment temperatures altered the teak wood's cells’ structure, leading to reduced strength in the cell walls but at an acceptable level.

The characterizations of composite boards made from two grass family of Gigantochloa scortechinii and Themeda arguens were investigated. The two species were harvested at their respective matured ages. They were segregated, cut and chipped into smaller pieces, and mixed at five different ratios. They were later mixed thoroughly and bonded together using 12 % and 14 % Urea-formaldehyde (UF) and hot pressed into composite boards. Hardener and wax were added at 1% and 3% weights, respectively, during the mixing process. The boards were tested for physical and mechanical characterizations. European standards procedures were followed in the board's preparation and testing. The findings suggest that the ratios and resin contents have great influence on the board characterizations. The GT composite boards produced from 100% G. scortechinii, and boards at ratio 30:70 (G. scortechini and T. arguens) gives the best characterization in terms of the physical, mechanical, and thermal values.

Oil palm fronds are one of the biomass residues originating from oil palm plantations. It has great potential to be used as an alternative material for the composite boards industry to reduce dependency on wood-based raw materials. The fronds are obtainable all the year round and in big quantity. The oil palm fronds had been processed as compressed oil palm fronds to form such a potential composite board in this topic. A composite board from compressed oil palm fronds was produced by removing the fronds' leaflets and epidermis. The sample was sliced longitudinally into thin layers and compressed into an identical thickness at about 2 to 3 mm. Pieces of the sample were dry using the air-dried method. They were then mixed with phenol and urea-formaldehyde of resins in the range of 12-15% and compressed again with another layer forming a composite board. Standard outlined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) tested for their physical and strength properties of composite board. Found that the physical and strength aspects' properties show that the composite board possessed characteristics at par or equivalent. The composite board from compressed oil palm fronds has good prospects to be used as an alternative to wood. Thus, this characteristics can overcome the shortage in materials supply in the wood-based industry.

Performance of the durability of oil heat-treated 16-year-old Acacia mangium through accelerated laboratory tests were studied. A. mangium logs of known age harvested and segregated into the bottom, middle, and top portions. These were oil-heat treated in a tank with oil palm oil as a heating medium at temperatures 180, 200 and 220°C for the duration of 30, 60 and 90 minutes. The wood samples dried and grounded into sawdust were air-dried again before undergoing tests. An accelerated 12 weeks of laboratory durability studies conducted on the treated A. mangium. Fungi of Pycnoporus sanguineus, Gloeophyllum trabeum and Coriolus versicolors inoculated on the woods. Untreated samples used as controls. The results showed that the durability of the wood increases with an increase in temperature and duration of the treatment. The hot oil-treated samples could reduce the attack of G. trabeum from 5.02%, 4.41% and 4.38% in the control samples to 0.54-4.55%, 0.91-4.41% and 1.08-4.38% at the bottom, middle and top portions, respectively. The attack of C. versicolors reduced from 11.48%, 14.27% and 15.68% in the control samples to 1.87-10.19%, 3.10-12.69 and 4.78-15.10% at the bottom, middle and top portions, respectively. However, the attacked of P. sanguineus were less effective with 31.42%, 18.24% and 10.53% in control samples to 3.71-10.18%, 5.74-14.59% and 4.37-17.08% at the bottom, middle and top portions, respectively. Massive colonization of mycelia occurs in vessels of the untreated A. mangium wood in comparison to the oil heat-treated wood observed through the scanning electron microscope.