Generalised rate N/(N+1) codes

A generalised construction of rate M(N+1) run-length limited codes is presented. The (d, k, l, r) constraints are (0, N/4+1, N/8: N/8). Encoding and decoding based on the use of multiple pivot bits are described. The encoding and decoding are systematic enough to allow the writing of software to generate efficient logic equations for different N. The logic equations can be further minimised using an automatic synthesis tool     

Determination of kinetic parameters for thermal decomposition of bamboo leaf to extract bio-silica

Bio-silica has many applications due to its high reactivity and pozzolanic properties. The extraction of silica from biomass such as bamboo leaf is usually accomplished by thermal decomposition. Currently, the thermal decomposition requires external heat energy input. In this work, the possibility to reuse the heat released during thermal decomposition to make the process self-sustained is explored. The kinetic parameters of the combustion were determined by fitting thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data to the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa model, where the corresponding activation energy and frequency factor are 211.7 ± 3.8 kJ mol^?1 and 4.5 × 10¹⁵ s^?1, respectively. The lower heating value of bamboo leaf determined is 8.709 kJ g^?1, which is comparable to common wood fuels. Hence, the heat released in the combustion of bamboo leaf can be reused to make the process self-sustainable.     

A least squares method for a longitudinal fin with temperature dependent internal heat generation and thermal conductivity

Approximate but highly accurate solutions for the temperature distribution, fin efficiency, and optimum fin parameter for a constant area longitudinal fin with temperature dependent internal heat generation and thermal conductivity are derived analytically. The method of least squares recently used by the authors is applied to treat the two nonlinearities, one associated with the temperature dependent internal heat generation and the other due to temperature dependent thermal conductivity. The solution is built from the classical solution for a fin with uniform internal heat generation and constant thermal conductivity. The results are presented graphically and compared with the direct numerical solutions. The analytical solutions retain their accuracy (within 1% of the numerical solution) even when there is a 60% increase in thermal conductivity and internal heat generation at the base temperature from their corresponding values at the sink temperature. The present solution is simple (involves hyperbolic functions only) compared with the fairly complex approximate solutions based on the homotopy perturbation method, variational iteration method, and the double series regular perturbation method and offers high accuracy. The simple analytical expressions for the temperature distribution, the fin efficiency and the optimum fin parameter are convenient for use by engineers dealing with the design and analysis of heat generating fins operating with a large temperature difference between the base and the environment.     

Natural antimicrobial/antioxidant agents in meat and poultry products as well as fruits and vegetables: A review

Synthetic preservatives are widely used by the food industry to control the growth of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms and to inhibit the process of lipid oxidation extending the shelf-life, quality and safety of food products. However, consumer's preference for natural food additives and concern regarding the safety of synthetic preservatives prompted the food industry to look for natural alternatives. Natural antimicrobials, including plant extracts and their essential oils, enzymes, peptides, bacteriocins, bacteriophages, and fermented ingredients have all been shown to have the potential for use as alternatives to chemical antimicrobials. Some spices, herbs and other plant extracts were also reported to be strong antioxidants. The antimicrobial/antioxidant activities of some plant extracts and/or their essential oils are mainly due to the presence of some major bioactive compounds, including phenolic acids, terpenes, aldehydes, and flavonoids. The proposed mechanisms of action of these natural preservatives are reported. An overview of the research done on the direct incorporation of natural preservatives agents into meat and poultry products as well as fruit and vegetables to extend their shelf-life is presented. The development of edible packaging materials containing natural preservatives is growing and their applications in selected food products are also presented in this review.     

Temperature Measurement Challenges and Limitations for In-Flight Particles in Suspension Plasma Spraying

Suspension plasma spraying (SPS) acquires a significant interest from the industry. The deposited coatings using this technique were proved to have unique microstructural features compared to those built by conventional plasma spraying techniques. In order to optimize this process, in-flight particle diagnostics is considered a very useful tool that helps to control various spraying parameters and permits better coating reproducibility. In that context, the temperature of in-flight particles is one of the most important key elements that helps to optimize and control the SPS process. However, the limitations and challenges associated with this process have a significant effect on the accuracy of two-color pyrometric techniques used to measure the in-flight particle temperature. In this work, the influence of several nonthermal radiation sources on the particle temperature measurement is studied. The plasma radiation scattered by in-flight particles was found to have no significant influence on temperature measurement. Moreover, the detection of the two-color signals at two different locations was found to induce a significant error on temperature measurement. Finally, the plasma radiation surrounding the in-flight particles was identified as the main source of error on the temperature measurement of in-flight particles.     

Novel g-C3N4 nanosheets/CDs/BiOCl photocatalysts with exceptional activity under visible light

We fabricated novel ternary nanocomposites through integration of C-dots (carbon dots), BiOCl, and nanosheets of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄ nanosheets) by a cost-effective route. The fabricated photocatalysts were subsequently characterized by XRD, EDX, TEM, HRTEM, XPS, FT-IR, UV-vis DRS, TGA, BET, and PL methods to gain their structure, purity, morphology, optical, textural, and thermal properties. In addition, the degradation intermediates were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Photocatalytic performance of the synthesized samples was studied by photodegradations of three cationic (RhB, MB, and fuchsine), one anionic (MO) dyes, one colorless (phenol) pollutant and removal of an inorganic pollutant (Cr(VI)) under visible light. It was revealed that the ternary nanocomposite with loading 20% of BiOCl illustrated superlative performances in the selected photocatalytic reactions compared with the corresponding bare and binary photocatalysts. Visible-light photocatalytic activity of the g-C₃N₄ nanosheets/CDs/BiOCl (20%) nanocomposite was 42.6, 27.8, 24.8, 20.2, and 15.9 times higher than the pure g-C₃N₄ for removal of RhB, MB, MO, fuchsine, and phenol, respectively. Likewise, the ternary photocatalyst showed enhanced activity of 15.3 times relative to the g-C₃N₄ in photoreduction of Cr(VI). Moreover, the ternary nanocomposite exhibited excellent chemical stability and recyclability after five cycles. Finally, the mechanism for improved photocatalytic performance was discussed based on the band potential positions.     

Development of gallic acid sensors based on polyimide-modified platinum electrode

A series aromatic polyimide (PI) membranes in the form of permselective films was synthesised from different dianhydrides with two diamine monomers for gallic acid (GA) measurement. The obtained PI films were examined by Spectroscopic techniques, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and thermal analysis techniques and then used to fabricate the selective films on the modified electrode. Because of their excellent film properties, as the permselective polymeric membranes were used for determination of GA in the presence of various interferences and real sample. The PI-1-modified Pt electrode showed a very high R-value (0.9935) and reproducibility for GA determination, as well as high selectivity.     

A Fully Coupled Thermomechanical Model of Friction Stir Welding(FSW) and Numerical Studies on Process Parameters of Lightweight Aluminum Alloy Joints

This paper presents a new thermomechanical model of friction stir welding which is capable of simulating the three major steps of friction stir welding(FSW) process, i.e., plunge, dwell, and travel stages. A rate-dependent Johnson–Cook constitutive model is chosen to capture elasto-plastic work deformations during FSW. Two different weld schedules(i.e., plunge rate, rotational speed, and weld speed) are validated by comparing simulated temperature profiles with experimental results. Based on this model, the influences of various welding parameters on temperatures and energy generation during the welding process are investigated. Numerical results show that maximum temperature in FSW process increases with the decrease in plunge rate, and the frictional energy increases almost linearly with respect to time for different rotational speeds. Furthermore, low rotational speeds cause inadequate temperature distribution due to low frictional and plastic dissipation energy which eventually results in weld defects. When both the weld speed and rotational speed are increased, the contribution of plastic dissipation energy increases significantly and improved weld quality can be expected.     

Evolution in the surface modification of textiles: a review

The development of technical textiles allows the introduction of new, interesting and original multi-functionalities in textiles through development of the architecture of fibres, yarns and fabrics, their morphology and surface functionalization without altering their physico-chemical proprieties. This issue of Textile Progress reports different techniques used to impart new functionalities to the surfaces of textiles during the last decade. Following a short, context-setting historical introduction, the preparatory processes which need to be applied to textile matrices to make them clean and ready for functionalization are examined prior to a comprehensive review of techniques and research related to the development of functional textiles ranging from the more-traditional techniques through to more-recent developments. The challenge now is to bring new performance features to bear whilst maintaining environmental sustainability, chemical toxicological acceptability, high performance and cost effectiveness. In this context, the review reports on developments in the use of polymerization, nanotechnologies, plasma treatment, electrospinning, microencapsulation and sol gel techniques to impart novel properties to a textile surface such as water-repellent, flame-retardant and antibacterial properties.     

Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A/chitosan‐graft‐polyaniline composites with electromagnetic interference shielding properties: Synthesis,characterization, and curing kinetics

Conducting filler based on chitosan and grafted polyaniline (Ch‐g‐PANI) was prepared with different grafting ratios and used as fillers for polyester powder coating system. Differential scanning calorimetry is applied to study the effect of Ch‐g‐PANI on the curing of the polyester powder coating. The activation energy calculated by isoconversional Kissinger method was increased by either increasing the Ch‐g‐PANI content or the content of polyaniline in the filler, suggesting the contribution of the filler in the curing reactions. The cured samples were characterized using FTIR and TG analyses. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the total thermal stability was enhanced upon the filler addition as detected from the values of integral procedural decomposition temperature. Furthermore, a dielectric study showed that the dielectric constant and loss were increased upon increasing of the filler. Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann equation was well‐fitted when used to examine the dependence of α‐relaxation on the temperature and the dielectrically calculated T_g values were comparable to that measured by DSC. The shielding effectiveness toward microwaves was enhanced by increasing the filler content. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:372–381, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers