Determination of deuterium site occupancy in ZrCoD3 and its role in improved durability of Zr–Co–Ni deuterides against disproportionation

In the present study, we have for the first time reported the occupancy of deuterium in a new interstitial site of ZrCoD₃ which explain the hydrogen induced disproportionation behavior of ZrCo alloy. We have also reported the effect of Ni substitution on interstitial site occupancy of deuterium in ZrCo_1−xNi_xD₃, which in turn explains the improved durability of these Ni substituted deuterides against disproportionation. The crystal structure of the ZrCo_1−xNi_x (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) deuterides was investigated by X-ray powder diffraction and neutron diffraction methods. The XRD data reveals a single phase formation for all deuterides with varying Ni content (x). The neutron diffraction study shows that deuterium occupies a new site 8e in addition to 4c₂ and 8f₁. Additionally, the Zr–D distance in 8e site is shorter than that in ZrD₂. Therefore, increase in 8e site occupancy will in turn decreases the durability against disproportionation and vice-versa. Furthermore, the neutron diffraction reveals that occupancy of new 8e site decreases and its Zr–D distance increases with increase in Ni content, which explicate the higher durability against disproportionation for Ni rich compound.     

Optimization of Lithium Content and Sintering Aid for Maximized Li+ Conductivity and Density in Ta‐Doped Li7La3Zr2O12

Ta‐doped cubic phase Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ (LLZ) lithium garnet received considerable attention in recent times as prospective electrolyte for all‐solid‐state lithium battery. Although the conductivity has been improved by stabilizing the cubic phase with the Ta⁵⁺ doping for Zr⁴⁺ in LLZ, the density of the pellet was found to be relatively poor with large amount of pores. In addition to the high Li⁺ conductivity, density is also an essential parameter for the successful application of LLZ as solid electrolyte membrane in all‐solid‐state lithium battery. Systematic investigations carried out through this work indicated that the optimal Li concentration of 6.4 (i.e., Li_6.4La₃Zr_1.4Ta_0.6O₁₂) is required to obtain phase pure, relatively dense and high Li⁺ conductive cubic phase in Li_7?xLa₃Zr_2?xTa_xO₁₂ solid solutions. Effort has been also made in this work to enhance the density and Li⁺ conductivity of Li_6.4La₃Zr_1.4Ta_0.6O₁₂ further through the Li₄SiO₄ addition. A maximized room‐temperature (33°C) total (bulk + grain boundary) Li⁺ conductivity of 3.7 × 10^?4 S/cm and maximized relative density of 94% was observed for Li_6.4La₃Zr_1.4Ta_0.6O₁₂ added with 1 wt% of Li₄SiO₄.     

HELP-WSN-A Novel Adaptive Multi-Tier Hybrid Intelligent Framework for QoS Aware WSN-IoT Networks

Wireless Sensor Network is considered as the intermediate layer in the paradigm of Internet of things (IoT) and its effectiveness depends on the mode of deployment without sacrificing the performance and energy efficiency. WSN provides ubiquitous access to location, the status of different entities of the environment and data acquisition for long term IoT monitoring. Achieving the high performance of the WSN-IoT network remains to be a real challenge since the deployment of these networks in the large area consumes more power which in turn degrades the performance of the networks. So, developing the robust and QoS (quality of services) aware energy-efficient routing protocol for WSN assisted IoT devices needs its brighter light of research to enhance the network lifetime. This paper proposed a Hybrid Energy Efficient Learning Protocol (HELP). The proposed protocol leverages the multi-tier adaptive framework to minimize energy consumption. HELP works in a two-tier mechanism in which it integrates the powerful Extreme Learning Machines for clustering framework and employs the zonal based optimization technique which works on hybrid Whale-dragonfly algorithms to achieve high QoS parameters. The proposed framework uses the sub-area division algorithm to divide the network area into different zones. Extreme learning machines (ELM) which are employed in this framework categories the Zone's Cluster Head (ZCH) based on distance and energy. After categorizing the zone's cluster head, the optimal routing path for an energy-efficient data transfer will be selected based on the new hybrid whale-swarm algorithms. The extensive simulations were carried out using OMNET++-Python user-defined plugins by injecting the dynamic mobility models in networks to make it a more realistic environment. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the proposed HELP is examined against the existing protocols such as LEACH, M-LEACH, SEP, EACRP and SEEP and results show the proposed framework has outperformed other techniques in terms of QoS parameters such as network lifetime, energy, latency.     

An approach to quantify the technical benefits of distributed generation

Recent changes in the electric utility infrastructure have created opportunities for many technological innovations, including the employment of distributed generation (DG) to achieve a variety of benefits. After a brief discussion of the benefits, this paper proposes a general approach and a set of indices to assess some of the technical benefits in a quantitative manner. The indices proposed are: 1) voltage profile improvement index; 2) line-loss reduction index; 3) environmental impact reduction index; and 4) DG benefit index. Simulation results obtained using a simple 12-bus test system and a radial system are presented and discussed to illustrate the value and usefulness of the proposed approach.     

Synthesis and characterization of functional gradient materials using Indian corals

The partial conversion of coralline hydroxyapatite (HA) into tricalcium phosphate (TCP) catalyzed by the thermal decomposition of silver oxide was investigated. The thermal analysis of HA powder mixed with 5 mol % Ag₂O indicated the decomposition of silver oxide to be around 550°C in the presence of HA. Subsequently a functional gradient structure was formed by spreading silver oxide on one surface of the HA compact of diameter 10 mm and then firing at 700°C in air. The X-ray powder diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of -TCP induced by the Ag₂O decomposition. The content of -TCP of the sintered pellet was found to decrease with the increasing depth from the surface of the pellet. In vitro solubility study in phosphate buffer of pH 7.2 showed the stability of the biphasic material as in between HA and TCP. © 2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers     

Experimental and economic analysis of energy storage-based single-slope solar still with hollow-finned absorber basin

The paucity of drinking water is an alarming glitch across the globe. The conversion of available seawater into drinking water by utilizing renewable energy is the best way to surmount this challenge. Desalination through solar still is one of the notable, monetary, and viable processes among various desalination approaches. The current research aims to augment the potable water yield of single-slope solar still by using a hollow-finned absorber basin inserted into paraffin wax—phase change material (PCM). The effect of hollow-finned absorber basin on the yield of solar still is investigated separately, with and without PCM, and compared with the results of conventional solar still (CSS). In the first set of experiments, the CSS and solar still with a hollow-finned absorber basin without PCM (SSHF) are investigated. In the second set of experiments, the CSS and solar still with a hollow-finned absorber basin inserted into PCM (SSHFP) are investigated. The experimental results reported that the CSS is having almost the same yield on the 2 days of testing. The yield of SSHF and SSHFP is increased by 15.7% and 52.4%, respectively, when compared with CSS. The results of the economic analysis proved that the payback period and cost per liter of freshwater produced from SSHFP are comparatively better than SSHF and CSS.     

Superconductivity in the two-band hubbard model

We present a study of superconducting correlations in a two-band Hubbard model with a wide band strongly hybridized with a narrow band in which an attractive on-site interaction is operating. The narrow band pairs can induce superconducting correlations in the wide band through hybridization interaction. A generalized gap function for the induced wide-band pairing is obtained and its properties in the intermediate interaction region are analysed. Relevance of the results to high-T _c superconductors is briefly discussed.