Performance and emission analysis of methyl ester of Azolla algae with TiO2 Nano additive for diesel engine

The present work investigates the effect of using TiO₂ Nanoparticles at a different proportion of Azolla algae methyl ester, in a four-stroke single cylinder diesel engine. Biodiesel can be obtained from Azolla algae due to the presence of high oil content. The oil was extracted from Azolla algae by means of the Soxhlet extraction method which was compared to be more effective than the oil obtained by means of hydraulic pressing machine. The obtained oil was converted to biodiesel by means of transesterification process. The fuel properties of the prepared Azolla methyl ester found to confirm with the ASTM standards. TiO₂ Nanoparticles were synthesized by means of ball milling process and characterized by means of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. In the present study, the performance and emission characteristics of diesel engine were analyzed with the addition of TiO₂ Nanoparticles to Azolla oil methyl ester (25,50,75 and100 ppm) and compared with that of diesel. The % decrease in Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC) for B20 + 25, B20 + 50, B20 + 75 and B20 + 100 were found to be 7.81, 12.05, 19.71, and 23.53, respectively, when compared to B20. The % increase in Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) for B20 + 25, B20 + 50, B20 + 75 and B20 + 100 were found to be 2.60, 8.49, 8.79 and 13.38, respectively, when compared to B20. The % decrease in Carbon monoxide (CO) for B20 + 25, B20 + 50, B20 + 75 and B20 + 100 were found to be 21.15, 51.92, 54.80, and 57.30, respectively, when compared to B20. The % decrease in Hydro Carbon (HC) for B20 + 25, B20 + 50, B20 + 75 and B20 + 100 were found to be 7.53,8.36,10.04 and 12.97, respectively, when compared to B20. The % increase in Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) for B20 + 25, B20 + 50, B20 + 75 and B20 + 100 were found to be 5.44, 7.85, 8.67, and 9.16, respectively, when compared to B20. The % decrease in smoke for B20 + 25, B20 + 50, B20 + 75 and B20 + 100 were found to be 18.02, 30.18, 31.98 and 36.04, respectively, when compared to B20. Addition of TiO₂ Nanoparticles with the Azolla biodiesel is found to be an effective approach to improve the performance and emission characteristics of a diesel engine without any modification.     

Micromachined Si channel width and tortuosity on human osteoblast cell attachment and proliferation

In this study, influence of coating chemistry, channel width and tortuosity of various two-dimensional micro-channels were explored on micromachined Si using osteoblast precursor cells line 1 (OPC1). The rationale for our study is to delineate the influence of different porosity parameters on bone cell attachment and proliferation in vitro. Channel widths of 100, 200, 300, 400, and 600 μm; channel bends of 0, 1, and 2 right angles; and gold and silicon dioxide coatings on single-crystal Si were studied. Experiments were conducted with channel tops under glass covered and uncovered conditions keeping the channel depth at 220 μm. Independent samples were evaluated using SEM imaging and MTT assay to measure bone cell morphology and quantity. Images were taken of micro-channels and exterior chambers at 50×, 500×, 1000×, and 5000× magnifications. Channel and chamber cell densities were scored as follows: bare (score = 0), scattered (1), limited (2), abundant (3), and overflowing (4). Samples were then scored and statistically analyzed for major differences. In general, OPC1 cells proliferated at least 5% or better based on cell numbers under uncovered conditions than glass covered. Channel widths of 100 μm largely prohibited cell proliferation and diffusion by narrow path inhibition with the lowest average score of 1.17. Among channel bends of 0, 1, and 2 right angles, an increase in micro-channel tortuosity from 0–2 bends amplified OPC1 cell growth upwards of ~ 6.6%. A one-way ANOVA showed significant differences in cell quantity for alternating channel tortuosity at a significance level of p < 0.05. No preference was found for gold or silicon dioxide coatings on Si for bone cell proliferation.     

Influence of anion structure on thermal,mechanical, dielectric and electrochemical properties of ZrO2 nanoparticle-pyrrolidinium ionic liquid hybrid electrolytes for the application in energy storage devices

Influence of the two different anion structures viz. bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (FSI^?) and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide (TFSI^?), on the thermophysical, dielectric and electrochemical properties of ZrO₂-nanoparticle tethered pyrrolidinium based nanoscale hybrid ionic fluids (NHIFs) was investigated. Thermal and mechanical properties of NHIFs were found to depend strongly upon the structure of anions and TFSI^? comprising NHIF showed better thermal and mechanical stability then its FSI^? analogue. Temperature dependent electrical conductivity, dielectric and electrochemical properties of different NHIFs were studied. FSI-NHIF displayed higher ionic conductivity, associated with faster structural relaxation dynamics. At all the measured temperature, FSI-NHIF displayed superior electrochemical cycling performance than its TFSI-equivalent. While, electrochemical cell with TFSI-NHIF showed 81% capacitance retentivity after 5000 charge/discharge cycles, FSI-NHIF cell was found to retain >90% of its initial specific capacitance value after the same. Results obtained from the study optimize the applicability of pyrrolidinium based hybrid ionic fluids as electrolytes in secondary energy storage devices.     

Innovative Utilization of Improved n-doped μc-SiOx:H Films to Amplify the Performance of Micromorph Solar Cells

Silicon - Due to in-situ deposition process doped SiOx material attracts the PV community as intermediate reflecting layer (IRL) for the less hazardous deposition process. Previously we have been...     

Optimization of the performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cell membrane-electrode assemblies: Roles of curing parameters on the catalyst and ionomer structures and morphology

In order to understand the origin of performance variations in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), a series of membrane-electrode assemblies (MEAs) with identical electrode layer compositions were prepared using different electrode curing conditions, their performances were evaluated, and their morphologies determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The polarization curves varied markedly primarily due to differences in morphologies of electrodes, which were dictated by the curing processes. The highest performing MEAs (1.46 W cm⁻² peak power density at 3.2 A cm⁻² and 80 °C) were prepared using a slow curing process at a lower temperature, whereas those MEAs prepared using a faster curing process performed poorly (0.1948 W cm⁻² peak power density at 440 mA cm⁻² and 80 °C). The slowly cured MEAs showed uniform electrode catalyst and ionomer distributions, as revealed in SEM images and elemental maps. The relatively faster cured materials exhibited uneven distribution of ionomer with significant catalyst clustering. Collectively, these results indicate that to achieve optimal performance, factors that affect the dynamics of the curing process, such as rate of solvent evaporation, must be carefully controlled to avoid solvent trapping, minimize catalyst coagulation, and promote even distribution of ionomer.     

Special Issue on Applications of Gröbner Bases to Multidimensional Systems and Signal Processing

Multidimensional Systems and Signal Processing -     

Reverse Micelle-Mediated Synthesis and Characterization of Tricalcium Phosphate Nanopowder for Bone Graft Applications

Nanocrystalline β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) powder was synthesized using reverse micelle as a template system. Cyclohexane was used as the oil phase, aqueous solutions of calcium nitrate and phosphoric acid as the aqueous phase, and poly(oxyethylene)₅ nonylphenol ether (NP-5) and/or poly(oxyethylene)₁₂ nonylphenol ether (NP-12) as the surfactants. The powder were synthesized at a fixed Ca/P molar ratio of 1.5 at a pH of 10. The synthesized powder were calcined at 800°C to obtain monophasic β-TCP. Particle size, morphology, and surface area of the synthesized powder were dependent on the chemistry of the surfactant and composition of the microemulsion. The powder were characterized using a BET surface area analyzer, powder X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering technique, and transmission electron microscopy. TCP nanoparticles had a particle size between 32 and 135 nm, and a BET-specific average surface area between 57 and 103 m²/g with controlled morphology. The powder were consolidated and sintered at 1250°C in a 3 kW microwave furnace in the form of a compact disk. Human osteoprecursor cells (osteoblastic precursor cell line 1 [OPC1]) were used to assess the biocompatibility of TCP disks after 1, 5, and 11 days in culture using scanning electron microscopy, MTT assay, and alkaline phosphatase expressions. Disk samples were biocompatible and showed excellent OPC1 cell adhesion, growth, and proliferation. Biocompatible β-TCP nanopowder were synthesized with controlled particle size, morphology, and surface area using a reverse micelle-mediated template system.     

Modeling Evaporation-Seepage Losses for Reservoir Water Balance in Semi-arid Regions

In the water balance of reservoir system, evaporation plays a crucial role particularly so for the reservoir systems of smaller size located in the semi-arid or arid regions. Such regions are most often characterized by significant seepage losses from reservoirs, besides evaporation losses. Usually, in the optimization of a reservoir system, it is a common practice to assume evaporation loss either as some constant value or as negligible. Such assumptions, however, may affect the results of reservoir optimization. This is demonstrated in this study by a case study in the optimal scheduling of Pilavakkal reservoir system in Vaipar basin of Tamilnadu, India. For modeling reservoir losses, many models are available, of which, Penman combination model is most commonly used. In this study, an alternative approach based on Genetic Programming (GP) is proposed. The results of GP and Penman model for both evaporation loss estimation and reservoir scheduling are compared. It is found that while GP and Penman combination model performs equally well for estimating evaporation losses, GP is also able to model seepage losses (or other losses from reservoir) to a much better degree. It is also shown the reservoir scheduling does get influenced based on how the reservoir losses are modeled in the reservoir water balance equation.     

A novel trench clustered insulated gate bipolar transistor (TCIGBT)

A new trench clustered insulated gate bipolar transistor (TCIGBT) is reported. In this device, a multitude of UMOS cathode cells is enclosed within a common n-well and p-well. The TCIGBT provides a unique "self-clamping" feature to protect the trenches from high electric fields. The simulation results based on 1.2 kV nonpunchthrough technology indicate an improvement of 25% in on state and 28% in the turn-off losses in comparison to the state-of-the-art trench IGBT. The saturation current levels of the TCIGBT, which can be designed independent of the forward drop, are also lower.