A comprehensive review on theoretical framework‐based electric vehicle consumer adoption research

Green vehicles, such as electric vehicles (EVs), are getting noteworthy popularity among consumers worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to establish EVs as a feasible long‐term solution for the future of technology in the vehicle industry, which can decrease the current dependency on fossil fuels and also decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As a part of long‐term benefits, the adoption of EVs gives environmentally friendly innovation to society. Despite positive environmental implications, the total number of EVs in usage is still inadequate. One of the major causes of this insubstantial adoption of EVs is largely dependent on the perceptions of consumers regarding EVs. However, this particular research study offers an inclusive outline on the existing hurdles for consumer adoption of EVs as well as a framework of the theoretical standpoints that were developed for the adoption behaviour, in addition to considering consumer intentions in the direction of EVs. In this particular study, the researcher found that the literature regarding EV adoption tried to address only the diffusion method of EVs. Whereas this study highlights consumer innovations, which provides a wide insight on consumer emotions to overlook the major aspect in consumer EVs' adoption research. The theme of this particular literature can be implemented in order to better understand the consumers' emotions and behaviour towards the adoption of EVs. The scholars further stated that there is a possible cause for more recent developments within the technological adoption part that can assist to be a standard for upcoming developments. For the last few years, knowledge regarding the problems surrounding the adoption and diffusion of EVs has gained less attention. This study expands this line of research by focusing on making a chance for developing the theoretical frameworks in terms of adding emotions in a psychological perspective where consumer behaviour and ethics are considered. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optimization of biohydrogen production by Clostridium butyricum EB6 from palm oil mill effluent using response surface methodology

Clostridium butyricum EB6 successfully produced hydrogen gas from palm oil mill effluent (POME). In this study, central composite design and response surface methodology were applied to determine the optimum conditions for hydrogen production (P_c) and maximum hydrogen production rate (R_max) from POME. Experimental results showed that the pH, temperature and chemical oxygen demand (COD) of POME affected both the hydrogen production and production rate, both individually and interactively. The optimum conditions for hydrogen production (P_c) were pH 5.69, 36 °C, and 92 g COD/l; with an estimated P_c value of 306 ml H₂/g carbohydrate. The optimum conditions for maximum hydrogen production rate (R_max) were pH 6.52, 41 °C and 60 g COD/l; with an estimated R_max value of 914 ml H₂/h. An overlay study was performed to obtain an overall model optimization. The optimized conditions for the overall model were pH 6.05, 36 °C and 94 g COD/l. The hydrogen content in the biogas produced ranged from 60% to 75%.     

Integration of GIS and multicriteria decision analysis for urban aquaculture development in Bangladesh

Site selection is a key factor in any aquaculture operation, affecting both success and sustainability as well as solving land or water use conflicts. This study was conducted to identify suitable sites for carp farming development in urban water bodies (UWBs) of Chittagong, Bangladesh using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) based MultiCriteria Evaluation (MCE) of water, soil and infrastructure database. ASTER imagery and 14 thematic layers were analyzed with ENVI and GIS capabilities, and developed a series of GIS models to identify and prioritize the appropriate UWBs for carp farming. The study identified 487 UWBs occupying 362 ha and revealed 280 ha (77%) is the most suitable, 36 ha (10%) is moderately suitable and 46 ha (13%) is not suitable which was consistent with field verification. The results are encouraging for extension of carp culture and diversify the economic activities of the urban dwellers.     

Novel EDM deep hole drilling strategy using tubular electrode with orifice

Fabrication of deep holes (depth to diameter ratio >10) using electrical discharge drilling (EDD) has gained momentum in the areas of aerospace, automotive and biomedical industries. However, formation of recirculation zones in flushing channel causes accumulation of debris particles at higher depths of drilling. This leads to secondary discharges within the flushing channel resulting in excessive tool wear, dimensional inaccuracy and hole tapering. The present paper proposes a novel tool geometry having orifices at the bottom end of tool electrode with an aim to improve debris evacuation. The effectiveness of proposed method is established through CFD simulations and experiments.     

Structural and opto-electrical properties of pyrolized ZnO-CdO crystalline thin films

A series of ZnO-CdO thin films of different molar ratios of Zn and Cd have been deposited on glass substrate at substrate temperature ~ 360 ℃ by the spray pyrolysis technique at an ambient atmosphere. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies confirmed the polycrystalline nature of the film and modulated crystal structures of wurtzite (ZnO) and cubic (CdO) are formed. The evaluated lattice parameters, and crystallite size are consistent with literature. Dislocation density and strain increased in the film as the grain sizes of ZnO and CdO are decreased. The band gap energy varies from 3.20 to 2.21 eV depending on the Zn/Cd ratios in the film. An incident photon intensity dependent I-V study confirmed that the films are highly photosensitive. Current increased with the increase of the intensity of the light beam. The optical conductivity and the optical constants, such as extinction coefficient, refractive index and complex dielectric constants are evaluated from transmittance and reflectance spectra of the films and these parameters are found to be sensitive to photon energy and displayed intermediate optical properties between ZnO and CdO, making it preferable for applications as the buffer and window layers in solar cells.     

An investigation of sound absorption coefficient on sisal fiber poly lactic acid bio‐composites

In this research, the mechanical, acoustical, thermal, morphological, and infrared spectral properties of untreated, heat and alkaline‐treated sisal fiber‐reinforced poly‐lactic‐acid bio‐composites were analyzed. The bio‐composite samples were fabricated using a hot press molding machine. The properties mentioned above were evaluated and compared with heat‐treated and alkaline‐treated sisal fibers. Composites with heat‐treated sisal fibers were found to exhibit the best mechanical properties. Thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted to study the thermal degradation of the bio‐composite samples. It was discovered that the PLA‐sisal composites with optimal heat‐treated at 160°C and alkaline‐treated fibers possess good thermal stability as compared with untreated fiber. The results indicated that the composites prepared with 30wt % of sisal had the highest sound absorption as compared with other composites. Evidence of the successful reaction of sodium hydroxide and heat treatment of the sisal fibers was provided by the infrared spectrum and implied by decreased bands at certain wavenumbers. Observations based on scanning electron microscopy of the fracture surface of the composites showed the effect of alkaline and heat treatment on the fiber surface and improved fiber‐matrix adhesion. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42470.     

Highly sensitive and selective dopamine detection by an amperometric biosensor based on tyrosinase/MWNT/GCE

Dopamine (3,4-dihydroxylphenyl ethylamine) is the most significant neurotransmitter in the human nervous system. Abnormal dopamine levels cause fatal neurological disorders, and thus measuring dopamine level in actual samples is important. Although electrochemical methods have been developed for detecting dopamine with high accuracy, certain substances (e.g., ascorbic acid) in actual samples often interfere with electrochemical dopamine detection. We developed tyrosinase-based dopamine biosensor with high sensitivity and selectivity. An electrochemically pretreated tyrosinase/multi-walled carbon nanotube-modified glassy carbon electrode (tyrosinase/MWNT/GCE) was prepared as an amperometric biosensor for selective dopamine detection. For optimizing the biosensor performance, pH, temperature, and scan rate were investigated. The electrochemically pretreated tyrosinase/MWNT/GCE exhibited not only the highest sensitivity (1,323 mAM^?1 cm^?2) compared to previously reported tyrosinase-based dopamine sensors, but also good long-term stability, retaining 90% of initial activity after 30 days. Additionally, ascorbic acid, a major interfering substances, was not oxidized at the potential used to detect dopamine oxidation, and the interfering effect of 4mM ascorbic acid was negligible when monitoring 1mM dopamine. Consequently, the electrochemically pretreated tyrosinase/MWNT/GCE is applicable for highly selective and sensitive dopamine detection in actual samples including interfering substances, thereby extending the practical use to monitor and diagnose neurological disorders.     

A review of high energy density lithium–air battery technology

Today’s lithium (Li)-ion batteries have been widely adopted as the power of choice for small electronic devices through to large power systems such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) or electric vehicles (EVs). However, it falls short of meeting the demands of new markets in these areas of EVs or HEVs due to insufficient energy density. Therefore, new battery systems such as Li–air batteries with high theoretical specific energy are being intensively investigated, as this technology could potentially make long-range EVs widely affordable. So far, Li–air battery technology is still in its infancy and will require significant research efforts. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of Li–air batteries, with an emphasis on the recent progress of various elements, such as lithium metal anode, cathode, electrolytes, and catalysts. Firstly, it covers the various types of air cathode used, such as the air cathode based on carbon, the carbon nanotube-based cathode, and the graphene-based cathode. Secondly, different types of catalysts such as metal oxide- and composite-based catalysts, carbon- and graphene-based catalysts, and precious metal alloy-based catalysts are elaborated. The challenges and recent developments on electrolytes and lithium metal anode are then summarized. Finally, a summary of future research directions in the field of lithium air batteries is provided.     

Synthesis of polyamidoxime chelating ligand from polymer‐grafted corn‐cob cellulose for metal extraction

A conventional free‐radical initiating process was used to prepare graft copolymers from acrylonitrile (AN) with corn‐cob cellulose with ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as an initiator. The optimum grafting was achieved with corn‐cob cellulose (anhydroglucose unit, AGU), mineral acid (H₂SO₄), CAN, and AN at concentrations of 0.133, 0.081, 0.0145, and 1.056 mol/L, respectively. Furthermore, the nitrile functional groups of the grafted copolymers were converted to amidoxime ligands with hydroxylamine under basic conditions of pH 11 with 4 h of stirring at 70°C. The purified acrylic polymer‐grafted cellulose and polyamidoxime ligand were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis. The ligand showed an excellent copper binding capacity (4.14 mmol/g) with a faster rate of adsorption (average exchange rate = 7 min), and it showed a good adsorption capacity for other metal ions as well. The metal‐ion adsorption capacities of the ligand were pH‐dependent in the following order: Cu²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Mn²⁺ > Cr³⁺ > Fe³⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Ni²⁺. The metal‐ion removal efficiency was very high; up to 99% was removed from the aqueous media at a low concentration. These new polymeric chelating ligands could be used to remove aforementioned toxic metal ions from industrial wastewater. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40833.