Runda Aduldejcharas, awarded a gold medal for Best Poster Presentation at the 26th Assembly of the Advanced Materials Congress in Sweden.
The congress organised by the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) promotes scientific research on composite materials. It took place from 10-13 June 2019 at the Conference Centre, Stockholm, Sweden.
Runda’s poster contribution was on “The Morphogenesis of Interlocking Brick: Bioactive Composite Materials in a Tropical Zone (Thailand). The Possibility of Use of Perna Viridis and Pomacea Canaliculata Shells for Interlocking Brick (CSEB)”
Her research focused on the development of rural area community products, which have been manufactured from agricultural waste, fishery waste and vernacular materials. A comparative analysis was undertaken as a means of investigating the scientific values of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Following this, the capabilities of two types of shells were tested through the use of an electric furnace to burn them to ashes at different temperatures. The shells’ mineral structures and water loss when burnt into ashes were examined, to analyse the feasibility of replacing or reducing the proportion of Portland cement.
Runda acquired information about local culture from villagers in some of Thailand’s remote communities, identifying the most appropriate methods for producing interlocking bricks for them. Moreover, the interlocking bricks’ capabilities remained underpinned by the community product standard MorPorChor 602/2547. Improvements made to the interlocking bricks for communities will be beneficial for diminishing the costs of wall construction adhering to sustainable architecture principles.
Runda grasped this opportunity to present her research findings, saying:
I was able to enhance my research prospects and exchange and integrate knowledge with different researchers from various agencies across an array of fields.