Green composites based on high‐density polyethylene and Saccharum spontaneum: Effect of filler content on morphology,thermal, and mechanical properties

Here we report the preparation and characterization of a green composite based on high‐density polyethylene and Kaans grass (Saccharum spontaneum). The composites were prepared by conventional melt‐mixing method, using maximum loading of Kaans grass in powder form (KG‐filler) to achieve acceptable range of required properties. Maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene was used as compatibilizer to achieve effective interaction for improved surface adhesion which was confirmed by FT‐IR spectroscopy. Morphological studies revealed good interaction between the base polymer matrices and the KG‐fillers that improved the mechanical and thermal properties of the composites up to certain (10 phr) KG‐filler loading. Study on water absorption property revealed moderate increase in weight at higher KG‐filler loadings. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and melt flow index (MFI) studies indicated retention of thermal stability and flow property of the HDPE/KG‐filler composite at lower filler loadings. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:2157–2166, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Enhancement of room temperature ferromagnetism in Cd1−xNixSe nanoparticles

Cd_1?xNi_xSe (x = 0.0, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1) nanoparticles have been synthesized by chemical route. X-ray diffraction analysis shows crystalline nature of synthesized nanoparticles possessing wurtzite phase having hexagonal structure. Transmission electron microscopy depicts spherical morphology and uniform particle size distribution of pure and Ni-doped CdSe nanoparticles. The blue-shift in band gap has been observed with Ni-doping concentration. Photoluminescence study shows the presence of intrinsic defects (V_Cd–V_Se) in the synthesized nanoparticles. Electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis reveals the long range ferromagnetic ordering in pure and doped nanoparticles. ESR study also indicates that Ni ions exist in +2 oxidation state in host nanoparticles. The magnetic hysteresis (M-H) loops display ferromagnetism at room temperature in pure and Ni-doped CdSe nanoparticles. The increase of ferromagnetic behavior has been observed with Ni-doping concentration. M-H analyses indicate that defects and carrier mediated exchange interactions are responsible for ferromagnetic ordering, in the present study.     

Synthesis of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite using surfactant template systems: Role of templates in controlling morphology

Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanopowder was synthesized by reverse microemulsion technique using calcium nitrate and phosphoric acid as starting materials in aqueous phase. Cyclohexane, hexane, and isooctane were used as organic solvents, and Dioctyl sulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT), dodecyl phosphate (DP), NP5 (poly(oxyethylene)₅ nonylphenol ether), and NP12 (poly(oxyethylene)₁₂ nonylphenol ether) as surfactants to make the emulsion. Effect of synthesis parameters, such as type of surfactant, aqueous to organic ratio (A/O), pH and temperature on powder characteristics were studied. It was found that the surfactant templates played a significant role in regulating the morphology of the nanoparticle. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticle of different morphologies such as spherical, needle shape or rod-like were obtained by adjusting the conditions of the emulsion system. Synthesized powder was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), BET surface area and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Phase pure HA nanopowder with highest surface area of 121 m²/g were prepared by this technique using NP5 as a surfactant. Densification studies showed that this nanoparticle can give about 98% of their theoretical density. In vitro bioactivity of the dense HA compacts was confirmed by excellent apatite layer formation after 21 days in SBF solution. Cell material interaction study showed good cell attachment and after 5 days cells were proliferated on HA compacts in OPC1 cell culture medium. The results imply this to be a versatile approach for making hydroxyapatite nanocrystals with controlled morphology and excellent biocompatibility.     

Phenomena of reverse momentum pulse and fluid leak after poison injection in the shut down system of PHWR

The primary function of the shut down system in a nuclear reactor is to terminate any reactivity transient occurring in the core during its entire design life. Normally there is more than one system, which are independent and diverse in its mode of operation. They consist of quick acting mechanisms like dropping of safety rods by gravity, poison injection, etc. Typically in liquid poison injection system wherein high flow velocities are involved, there is significant fluid structure interaction associated with cyclic shock transients in the system. One such phenomenon has been captured and analyzed to understand the dynamics involved in the loop. The trends of loop pressure and vibration indicated presence of more than two pressure transients after complete injection of poison. The first transient arrived after 1.44 s and the second after 0.75 s. The reverse pressure pulses that manifested in the loop as a result of fast injection of fluid has been mathematically characterized by solving basic fluid balance equations. Possibility of ball lifting due to momentum pulse is also discussed.     

A low carbon cooling system using renewable energy resources and technologies

A simulation study to assess the performance of a renewable energy (solar-biomass) based single effect LiBr-water absorption chiller suitable for residential applications was conducted. The model took into account the characteristics of all the components of the system. Using Bangkok meteorological data and component specifications from manufacturers and other sources, the performances of solar collector, storage tank, biomass gasifier and boiler, and the absorption cooling system, as well as the overall system performance on a daily and monthly basis has been evaluated. The chiller and overall system coefficient of performances was found to be 0.7 and 0.55 respectively and the biomass (charcoal) consumption for 24 h operation was 24.44 kg/day. To validate the model formulation and its predictions, experimental observations of a similar system (same chiller size) were compared with the model results. The results of the study indicate that solar-biomass hybrid air conditioning for tropical locations for residential applications is feasible, and can replace conventional vapor compression systems, thus reducing the need for fossil fuel based energy systems for cooling purposes.     

Desirability based multiobjective optimisation of abrasive wear and frictional behaviour of aluminium (Al/3.25Cu/8.5Si)/fly ash composites

Aluminium alloy (Al/3.25Cu/8.5Si) composites reinforced with fly ash particles of three different size ranges (53–75?μm, 75–103?μm and 103–125?μm) in 3, 6 and 9 wt-% were fabricated using liquid metallurgy technique. Pin on disc abrasive wear tests were carried against the disc surface fixed with SiC emery paper (120 grades). A mathematical model was developed to predict the abrasive wear and coefficient of friction of the composites. Analysis of variance technique was used to check the validity of the developed model. Composites reinforced with coarse fly ash particles exhibited better abrasive wear resistance than those reinforced with fine fly ash particles. Abrasive wear in composites with fine fly ash particles is a combination of adhesive wear and abrasive wear. Larger fly ash particles present in composites gets fractured into fine particles and entrapped between the composite pin and the disc, thereby decreasing the wear rate. Worn surfaces of the pins were then analysed using scanning electron microscopy to study the wear mechanisms of the composites. The abrasive wear was optimised using desirability based multiobjective optimisation technique.     

Mechanical and bond properties of coconut shell concrete

The properties of concrete using coconut shell as coarse aggregate were investigated in an experimental study. Compressive, flexural, splitting tensile strengths, impact resistance and bond strength were measured and compared with the theoretical values as recommended by the standards. For the selected mix, two different water–cement ratios have been considered to study the effect on the flexural and splitting tensile strengths and impact resistance of coconut shell concrete. The bond properties were determined through pull-out test. Coconut shell concrete can be classified under structural lightweight concrete. The results showed that the experimental bond strength of coconut shell concrete is much higher than the bond strength as estimated by BS 8110 and IS 456:2000 for the mix selected.     

Biosynthetic approach for the production of new aminoglycoside derivative

Aminoglycoside antibiotics can be classified into two major groups; streptamine containing and 2-deoxystreptamine containing antibiotics. Here, we report a biosynthetic approach for the fusion of spectinomycin and kanamycin biosynthetic gene clusters to yield the new aminoglycoside derivative, oxykanamycinC, in a non-aminoglycoside producing heterologous host.     

SESAME-S: Semantic Smart Home System for Energy Efficiency

As the urgent need for efficient and sustainable energy usage becomes ever more apparent, interest in Smart Homes is on the rise. The SESAME-S project (SEmantic SmArt Metering – Services for Energy Efficient Houses) uses semantically linked data to actively assist end-consumers in making well-informed decisions and controlling their energy consumption. By integrating smart metering and home automation functionality, SESAME-S works to effectively address the potential mass market of end-consumers with an easily customizable solution that can be widely implemented in domestic or business environments, with expected savings of over 20?% from the total energy bill. The developed system is a basis for conceptualizing, demonstrating, and evaluating a variety of innovative end-consumer services and their user interface paradigms. In this paper, we present the SESAME-S system as a whole and discuss the semantically enabled services, demonstrating that such systems may have broad acceptance in the future. The data obtained through such systems will be invaluable for future global energy-efficiency strategies and businesses.     

Nonwoven geotextiles from nettle and poly(lactic acid) fibers for slope stabilization using bioengineering approach

This article deals with needle-punched nonwoven geotextiles prepared from nettle and poly(lactic acid) fibers in different weight proportions for potential slope stabilization application using bioengineering approach. The geotextiles were tested for tensile strength, biodegradability, and enhancement of soil fertility. The tensile strength of the geotextiles was found to decrease with addition of stronger nettle fibers. This apparently surprising behavior was explained in the light of theoretical tensile mechanics of nonwovens. Further, the nettle fibers displayed higher biodegradability than the poly(lactic acid) fibers, and when buried under soil, all the geotextiles exhibited a loss in tensile strength. Interestingly, the fertility of the soil was remarkably improved after biodegradation of poly(lactic acid) fibers. Overall, the nonwoven geotextiles prepared in this work were found to be promising for slope stabilization application.