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To get you up to speed, F1 ditched its situational Drag Reduction System for a much more extensive implementation of active aerodynamics this season. Seeing an opportunity, Ferrari used practice sessions to test a rear wing flap that rotates open 225 degrees into place. With the wing upside down, it cuts drag more significantly than its rivals and can even generate lift. Ferrari's macarena wing made its competitive debut at May's Miami Grand Prix. Red Bull introduced its macarena wing at the same race without publicly testing it. Apparently, champions test in production.

If an F1 driver says something is super dangerous, the FIA won't ignore it

Sona Maleterova/Getty Images

Por segunda semana consecutiva, según ha confirmado Red Bull, un problema en el ala trasera ha dejado a Verstappen fuera de pista. Sumado a la falta de ritmo, no lo que necesita Red Bull para darle la confianza hacia el futuro. #f1 pic.twitter.com/QByzCsVE3X

— Diego Mejia (@diegofmejia) July 5, 2026

While Ferrari has seen no issues, there have been two high-profile Red Bull crashes. First, Max Verstappen crashed out of qualifying at the Austrian Grand Prix. He lost control of his car in the Red Bull Ring's penultimate corner and hurtled into the barriers. The four-time world champion then had a similar crash during the closing laps of Sunday's British Grand Prix. In both cases, the rear wing failed to close completely, meaning it wasn't producing its normal level of downforce. According to the Race, Verstappen said after Silverstone:

"Well, at that point it's super dangerous, because you can really hurt yourself, two times! I was lucky in Austria, I was lucky here, but that's why you get really fed up with it."

Moving up and down, side-to-side like a Macarena Wing in FP1! 😮‍💨↕️#F1 #AustrianGP pic.twitter.com/eB1YhMiNlH

— Formula 1 (@F1) June 26, 2026

The alleged danger may stem from the key difference between the Ferrari and Red Bull macarena designs. Red Bull's flap backflips shut, generating even more lift in the split second it closes. Ferrari's wing is inherently fail-safe because its flap front-flips shut, stalling as it transitions. Both designs were approved by the FIA before their introduction. The technical regulations stipulate that the wings must transition between closed and open states within 400 milliseconds, but the FIA may impose additional restrictions to ensure safety. The governing body could also take the nuclear option: ban the macarena concept entirely for the 2027 season. %!s()

Alkali treatment has long been used to improve natural-fiber composites, but whether it actually strengthens the fibers themselves has remained unclear.

A new study by Thanistha Akarapoowadol, Kheng Lim Goh and Taweechai Amornsakchai, published in ACS Omega, builds on this longer history of use by examining how a simple and widely used alkali treatment can more consistently improve the fiber's structural and mechanical properties for epoxy composite reinforcement.

Alkali treatment, usually carried out using sodium hydroxide, is already one of the most common methods for improving natural fiber composites. It is typically understood as a way to clean the fiber surface by removing noncellulosic materials such as lignin and hemicellulose, thereby improving bonding between the fiber and polymer matrix.

However, this explanation is incomplete. Many previous studies have attributed better composite performance mainly to improved fiber–matrix adhesion, even though composite testing alone cannot easily separate interfacial effects from changes occurring within the fiber itself.

Moreover, improvements in the intrinsic mechanical properties of natural fibers after alkali treatment are not universal. While some fiber species show enhanced performance, others exhibit little improvement or even reduced stiffness following treatment. These differences suggest that the response to alkali treatment depends strongly on the internal structure of each fiber.

The new study shows that alkali treatment can strengthen the fiber itself, rather than merely improving its bonding with the surrounding polymer. Using X-ray diffraction, the researchers found that the cellulose I crystalline phase was retained, while the crystalline order of the fiber increased. This structural refinement was linked to the removal of amorphous components such as hemicellulose and lignin.

To measure the fiber's intrinsic mechanical properties, the team used the Impregnated Fiber Bundle Test, which reduces the influence of fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion. The results showed that alkali treatment increased the fiber modulus from 18 to 29 GPa and the fiber strength from 390 to 530 MPa. These findings provide direct evidence that alkali treatment strengthens the fiber itself, rather than improving composite performance solely through better fiber–matrix bonding.

These fiber-level improvements translated into stronger composites. When 20 wt% treated pineapple leaf fiber was incorporated into epoxy, the resulting unidirectional composites showed increases of 200% in flexural modulus, 180% in flexural strength and 400% in notched impact resistance compared with neat epoxy.

The findings help clarify why alkali treatment can work effectively for pineapple leaf fiber composites. Rather than improving performance only through better adhesion, the treatment can also reinforce the fiber's internal structure. This provides a clearer basis for designing stronger, more reliable biobased composites from agricultural residues.

Because pineapple leaves are an abundant agricultural byproduct in many tropical countries, including Thailand, improving their reinforcing performance could increase the value of agricultural waste, reduce reliance on synthetic reinforcements and support the development of sustainable materials within the circular bioeconomy. More broadly, the work illustrates how agricultural residues can be converted into value-added materials for advanced engineering applications.

Publication details

Thanistha Akarapoowadol et al, Effect of Alkali Treatment on the Mechanical and Structural Properties of Pineapple Leaf Fiber for Epoxy Composite Reinforcement, ACS Omega (2026). DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.5c07292

Who's behind this story?

Lisa Lock

BA art history, MA material culture. Former museum editor, paramedic, and transplant coordinator. Editing for Science X since 2021. Full profile →

Andrew Zinin

Master's in physics with research experience. Long-time science news enthusiast. Plays key role in Science X's editorial success. Full profile →

Citation: Simple treatment strengthens pineapple leaf fibers for sustainable composites (2026, July 8) retrieved 13 July 2026 from https://phys.org/news/2026-07-simple-treatment-pineapple-leaf-fibers.html

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The midfielder recovered in time to win the World Cup with Spain in 2023 and was part of the squad that finished runners-up to England at Euro 2025.

In short, she had won it all and sources say she felt it was time for a change.

With her contract expiring at Barcelona, Putellas made the decision to leave and it is believed she always liked the idea of a move to the WSL.

That put London City Lionesses in the driving seat and they pursued her for some time despite competition from the majority of the world's top clubs.

She had offers from England, Mexico and the United States, with sources close to the player stating Boston Legacy provided the stiffest competition.

However, it's believed she admired US billionaire Kang's ambitions for the women's game, having been a long-standing rival to the owner's successful French club Lyon.

There was a connection between Putellas and Kang, with sources close to the owner suggesting a business partnership beyond the midfielder's playing career is likely to establish and flourish.

The Spaniard revealed on Wednesday the pair first met in Miami four years ago when they had dinner, and they discussed their vision for the game.

Putellas' hopes were to join a club she could impact off the pitch, as well as on it, and to leave a legacy which will help grow the future of the game.

She has given up the chance of playing Champions League football this season - a huge decision for someone who captained Barcelona to victory in 2026.

But it is in London City's five-year plan to be competing for trophies and they hope to challenge for a European qualification spot in the WSL this season.

With a World Cup looming next year, Putellas would have wanted to have been settled in 2027, with a three-year deal in Bromley securing her future.

Kang's influence was massive on Putellas with the US owner engaging in regular conversation at events and award ceremonies.

As a result, London City Lionesses were always confident they could persuade Putellas to join, despite only agreeing terms in recent weeks.

The club did not put in a request to Barcelona to approach Putellas in January, which they would have been eligible to, because she had stated she wanted to see out the season with no distractions.

Her contract was signed this month and it is understood Putellas did not discuss her decision with any team-mates.

Naturally, Kang's money was helpful. She could provide the funds needed to pay Putellas what she is worth and make her the club's highest paid player.

Sources at London City say she is earning less than £1m as a base salary, though potential add-ons and bonuses will increase it. There are no image rights deals.

WSL players cannot earn higher than 80% of the club's total revenue, plus any additional investment up to £4m.

For example, the WSL's highest earners Arsenal and Chelsea had revenue of £21.5m and £21.3m in 2025, meaning they had a potential wage structure of around £21m if they had the £4m extra investment.

For London City, that investment is from Kynisca (Kang's business) and Putellas' wages must sit within their soft salary cap. Their total revenue has not been released yet having only earned promotion to the WSL last year.

But it was the project Kang has funded - an ambitious independent club, with hopes of competing for a European spot, and with intentions to grow the women's game - which largely attracted Putellas.

There is also Spanish influence at London City Lionesses with General Manager Gonzalo Rodriguez Garcia and former Barcelona executive Markel Zubizarreta in key organisation roles, as well as manager Eder Maestre.

Putellas' close friend Jana Fernandez has flourished since her move from Barcelona to London City last year, and the arrival of Spain defender Mapi Leon is imminent.

Putellas is expected to join London City's leadership group and there are hopes she will set the standards in training and with her professionalism.

It's understood she is arriving in London earlier than planned for pre-season, turning down commercial opportunities at the men's World Cup.

Her profile will help grow London City's brand and marketing opportunities - crucial components for a club building a fanbase from scratch.

Her arrival could also be the catalyst for other top players to join the club. Sources at London City say they have already had enquiries based on their links to Putellas.

But for London City Lionesses' rivals, Putellas' arrival is a terrifying sight.

Kang and Putellas symbolise a powerful partnership which can help propel WSL football, as well as launch the club into one of Europe's powerhouses.

It is likely to cause a stir among the WSL's elite as they will know they need to continue to invest to stay ahead. That is a good thing for the competition.

While the United States has historically dominated the international scene and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) remains an attractive league, they are falling behind the WSL's ability to bring in the world's best players.

Spain, the reigning world champions, are losing more players to the WSL, with London City Lionesses set to have at least seven Spaniards in their squad this season.

There is also a question of financial disparity. While Putellas joined on a free, the ability of top clubs to pay substantial wages is worrying for teams in the bottom half of the WSL.

It could spark new debate on the WSL's salary cap and whether it helps boost investment, or hinders the development of other clubs who simply don't have the capacity to grow at the same rapid rate.

There will also be one eye on Uefa's ruling which prevents multi-club owners from having more than one club in the Champions League.

Will Kang stand down at Lyon or London City Lionesses should the latter achieve their ambitions? %!s()

Beaumont, now 35 and having just announced her retirement from international cricket after this week's Test against India, refers to her debut as a whirlwind.

It is also a fitting word to describe a career that has seen her bat in every position from one to 11, become a World Cup winner, an Ashes double-centurion and now bowing out in the historic occasion of a first women's Test at Lord's from Friday.

"It's been an emotional week since I made the final decision," Beaumont told BBC Sport.

"At the end of the 50-over World Cup last year, there were a few doubts. I didn't necessarily have the lightbulb moment when I knew.

"But I had a few conversations with Lottie [head coach Charlotte Edwards] over the past few months about where the team was going and I didn't really see myself in that, so I made the decision about a week ago, to definitely go for it."

It has also been a career of resilience, though Beaumont jokingly refers to her dad's speech at her wedding in which he used that word in inverted commas to mean "stubborn" instead.

After a fluctuating start in the international game, it was in 2016 when then-coach Mark Robinson promoted her to open and she never looked back.

A year later, she was player of the tournament and leading run-scorer during England's 50-over World Cup win at home soil.

From there, she was one of the first names on the teamsheet with her consistency at the top of the order but another turning point came in 2022 when she was left out of the T20 side and missed a home Commonwealth Games as a result.

Earlier this summer, though, when Edwards left Beaumont out of the one-day international squad against New Zealand, there was a difference.

The stubbornness was not kicking in.

And last week, when men's Test captain Ben Stokes announced his retirement, Beaumont found herself drawing comparisons.

"I think that was the first time that I had been left out of a squad and not had that fire to go again, to prove people wrong one more time, and force my way back in," Beaumont said.

"When I heard Ben Stokes talking about 'going back to the well', I don't think I've ever connected with someone else more.

"I've said many times that you get knocked down seven times and get up eight. But that moment was a bit of a wake-up call - the moment where I thought I couldn't keep doing it and didn't want to."

Beaumont has always been outspoken and honest as a cricketer, whether that is about her own highs and lows or the issues facing the women's game, and even when discussing her retirement has continued to rally for more Test matches going forward.

Lord's is fresh from hosting more than 28,000 people for the Women's T20 World Cup final on Sunday, when Nat Sciver-Brunt's England lost to Australia and another healthy crowd is expected this week, but the timing of the match is peculiar and tricky to attach relevance to.

"People always ask me what's my favourite format and I could never say Test cricket, even though it hands down would be if we had the opportunity to play it enough," Beaumont added.

"This will be my 12th Test in 17 years so you're always feeling like you're playing catch-up.

"In the men's game, you still have players being defined as great by their Test records and I think for me, the women's game has lagged behind in that.

"Most of us want to play Test cricket but not in a tokenistic kind of way, in a way that we can really sink our teeth into it and try to master it. We're all professional sportspeople at the end of the day, we want to be great at what we do, and playing one Test every two years kind of puts a halt to that."

But it is when discussing her team-mates when Beaumont becomes the most emotional, fighting to hold back tears.

Alongside the likes of Sciver-Brunt, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Amy Jones and Heather Knight, it feels like a core group who have grown up together.

The first central contracts, a World Cup win and a couple of defeats, weddings, babies - now on to retirements.

As Beaumont says, it is simply the next chapter, although she has not quite mapped out how that will look yet, other than knowing she will continue playing domestically.

Once the media duties are done, it is straight back to the nets and Beaumont asks where she is supposed to be.

"Short-leg practice," is the answer.

Stood at close range to the batter, right in the firing line, one of the most challenging jobs in Test cricket - and yet she seems genuinely excited by it.

It sums up Tammy Beaumont perfectly. %!s()