Effect of Kollidon VA®64 particle size and morphology as directly compressible excipient on tablet compression properties

The study evaluates use of Kollidon VA^®64 and a combination of Kollidon VA^®64 with Kollidon VA^®64 Fine as excipient in direct compression process of tablets. The combination of the two grades of material is evaluated for capping, lamination and excessive friability. Inter particulate void space is higher for such excipient due to the hollow structure of the Kollidon VA^®64 particles. During tablet compression air remains trapped in the blend exhibiting poor compression with compromised physical properties of the tablets. Composition of Kollidon VA^®64 and Kollidon VA^®64 Fine is evaluated by design of experiment (DoE). A scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of two grades of Kollidon VA^®64 exhibits morphological differences between coarse and fine grade. The tablet compression process is evaluated with a mix consisting of entirely Kollidon VA^®64 and two mixes containing Kollidon VA^®64 and Kollidon VA^®64 Fine in ratio of 77:23 and 65:35. A statistical modeling on the results from the DoE trials resulted in the optimum composition for direct tablet compression as combination of Kollidon VA^®64 and Kollidon VA^®64 Fine in ratio of 77:23. This combination compressed with the predicted parameters based on the statistical modeling and applying main compression force between 5 and 15?kN, pre-compression force between 2 and 3?kN, feeder speed fixed at 25?rpm and compression range of 45–49?rpm produced tablets with hardness ranging between 19 and 21?kp, with no friability, capping, or lamination issue.     

Generischer Steuerungs-Algorithmus zur Erstellung von Modulen für die Steuerungssoftware von ortsfesten Materialflusssystemen

Automated material handling systems are increasingly used in industry due to short process times and high throughputs. These systems have to be custom-built in order to utilize their full potential and therefore require individually created control software. To create this individual control software extensive manual programming is required, since a modular structure of the control algorithm with predefined modules is often missing. We fill this gap and describe such a modular control structure, which is based upon a two-layer architecture separating the hardware control from the material flow control. Our control structure uses a five-phase generic control algorithm, which represents a template by which the modules can be worked out. We describe this five-phase generic control algorithm, implement it for a demonstrator scenario and show its proper functionality. We show that with our two-layer architecture and the generic control algorithm predefined modules for the conveyor hardware and material flow elements can be created and then assembled in the needed configuration. Therefore, the presented method allows to create the control software for a custom-built material handling system by arranging predefined modules, thus without manual programming.     

A review on the features and technologies for energy efficiency of smart grid

In today's world striving for efficiency in every sector, especially power generation and distribution, smart grids emerge as the solution for efficiently meeting the increasing demand. They adjust themselves to optimally deliver energy at the lowest cost and highest quality possible. The grid successfully makes use of renewable energy resources, electric vehicles, and smart pricing techniques in its attempt to achieve energy efficiency. It also promotes a greener environment by striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Information communication technology (ICT) helps the grid in collecting consumption data from the consumers and in sharing tariff information. ICT also helps to gather information about the status of the grid with regard to aspects like power quality, faults etc. The purpose of this paper is to review recent literature with a view to comprehensively present the technologies employed in the smart grid for achieving energy efficiency and the challenges involved therein.     

Kinetics of Coloration in Hydrogenated Vanadium Pentoxide Films under an Internal Electrochromic Effect

The kinetics of coloration in thin hydrogenated vanadium pentoxide films under the internal electrochromic effect is studied alongside with the influence of their hydrogenation by means of plasma-immersion ion implantation on this process. The variant of uniform implantation and the nonuniform case when a film is partially subjected to ion treatment are considered. Based on the experiments on measuring the electrochromically colored surface area growth rate and the passing current, it has been revealed that the electrochromic effect becomes much stronger in the nonuniform variant, when the cathode is placed on the nonhydrogenated part of a film, and the anode is located on its hydrogenated part.     

Influence of Turbine Wheelspace Temperature on Measurements of Radial and Axial Displacements of Blade Tips

This paper presents the results of a simplified analysis of a differential measuring circuit with pulsed supply of the single-coil eddy current sensors connected to the circuit, with approximate differentiation of currents, and with an ADC at the output. The circuit is designed as part of automation systems for tests of gas turbine engines. Methods for eliminating the temperature influences on the sensors using the hardware and software of the measurement system are considered. Using a model of the measuring circuit, we determined the families of conversion functions (dependences of the code on the desired radial and axial displacements) for normal and nominal temperatures and then, from their difference, the families of functions of temperature influence on code changes, which characterize possible errors. Quantitative estimates of the maximum values of the influence functions were obtained which confirm the efficiency of the proposed methods.     

Oxygenated VOCs,aqueous chemistry,and potential impacts on residential indoor air composition

Dampness affects a substantial percentage of homes and is associated with increased risk of respiratory ailments; yet, the effects of dampness on indoor chemistry are largely unknown. We hypothesize that the presence of water‐soluble gases and their aqueous processing alters the chemical composition of indoor air and thereby affects inhalation and dermal exposures in damp homes. Herein, we use the existing literature and new measurements to examine the plausibility of this hypothesis, summarize existing evidence, and identify key knowledge gaps. While measurements of indoor volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are abundant, measurements of water‐soluble organic gases (WSOGs) are not. We found that concentrations of total WSOGs were, on average, 15 times higher inside homes than immediately outside (N = 13). We provide insights into WSOG compounds likely to be present indoors using peer‐reviewed literature and insights from atmospheric chemistry. Finally, we discuss types of aqueous chemistry that may occur on indoor surfaces and speculate how this chemistry could affect indoor exposures. Liquid water quantities, identities of water‐soluble compounds, the dominant chemistry, and fate of aqueous products are poorly understood. These limitations hamper our ability to determine the effects of aqueous indoor chemistry on dermal and inhalation exposures in damp homes.     

Fluorescence Enhancement Through Incorporation of Chromophores in Polymeric Nanoparticles

Incorporation of a pyrene chromophore on the surface of polymeric nanoparticles results in its fluorescence enhancement. Quantum yield and lifetime measurements suggest that the enrichment in fluorescent signal is due to the increase in the rigidity of the environment surrounding the fluorophores and that it is dependent on the particle size.