Utilization of flyash as filler for polybutyleneterepthalate‐toughened epoxy resin

Flyash, a waste product generated in large quantities in thermal power plants, has been posing problems of disposal. The purpose of the present work was to make a meaningful utilization of flyash as filler in neat epoxy resin matrix and 2% Polybutyleneterepthalate (PBT)/epoxy blend matrix. For this purpose, the tensile, flexural, compression, impact, chemical resistance, and water absorption properties were studied. Composites were made with varying proportion of flyash in epoxy resin and 2% PBT/epoxy blend matrix. Tensile, flexural, and compression properties were measured on a computerized universal testing machine, according to ASTM procedures. Impact strength was determined using izod impact tester for un‐notched specimens. PBT (2%)/epoxy blend matrix composites showed improved mechanical properties over neat epoxy flyash composites. All the composites were found to have good chemical resistance toward acids, solvents, and alkalies. These composites showed better water resistance over neat epoxy flyash composites. POLYM. ENG. SCI. 46:946–953, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Effect of graft chain length of the stabilizer on dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate in petrol

To carry out dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in petrol, we have used a poly(MMA) grafted-poly(12-hydroxystearic acid) copolymer as the stabilizer. This special copolymer was prepared as a solution in a mixture of ethyl acetate and butyl acetate solvents. We investigated the effect of graft chain length of the stabilizer on the dispersion polymerization in petrol. We synthesized the stabilizer copolymer with n = 1–4 and determined the rate and the molecular weight of the PMMA formed. There is no dispersion polymerization for n = 1. However, for any other n, for a given stabilizer concentration, as the chain length of the graft is increased, the molecular weight as well as the rate of PMMA formation increases. As opposed to this for a given graft length as the concentration of the stabilizer increases, the molecular weight of PMMA first rises, but for a larger concentration, it begins to fall after undergoing a maximum. In this work, we modeled the heterogeneity of the reaction mass and proposed a mathematical model for dispersion polymerization of MMA in petrol. The computer results are found to conform to the experimentally observed molecular weight of the PMMA. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

无线仓储管理系统的设计与实现

本系统以水电十三局仓储物流管理应用需求为核心,根据公司仓储运营模式的特性,利用条码、网络等技术,定制开发仓储物流管理软件及配套的数据采集器、平板软件,形成一套多终端开发的无线仓储系统解决方案,实现仓位的精确管理、科学可控的出入库管理以及全方位的数据查询统计功能,并通过数据库复制技术,实现仓储关键数据与公司原有综合项目管理系统数据的无缝对接。     

Kinetics of esterification of cycloaliphatic epoxies with methacrylic acid

The esterification of cycloaliphatic epoxy resins CER I and CER II containing glycidyl and cyclohexane epoxy groups, respectively, as their reactive units was carried out using a 1 : 0.9 stoichiometric ratio of resin and methacrylic acid in the presence of triphenylphosphine. The reaction was performed at 80, 85, 90, 95, and 100°C and it followed second‐order kinetics. The specific rate constants, calculated by regression analysis, were found to obey an Arrhenius expression. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters, activation energy, frequency factor, entropy, enthalpy, and free energy of the reaction, revealed that the reaction was spontaneous and irreversible and produced a highly ordered activated complex. The reactivity of CER II was found to be higher than that of CER I. The difference in the reactivity of the cycloaliphatic epoxies was explained by proposing a reaction mechanism. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 3197–3204, 2002     

Fabrication of co-PVDF/modacrylic/SiO2 nanofibrous membrane: Composite separator for safe and high performance lithium-ion batteries

Highly porous free-standing co-poly(vinylidene fluoride)/modacrylic/SiO₂ nanofibrous membrane was developed using electrically-assisted solution blow spinning method. The performance and the potential of the membrane as a lithium-ion battery separator were investigated. The addition of modacrylic enhanced the solution spinnability that resulted in defect-free membranes. Moreover, the presence of modacrylic enhanced the dimensional and thermal stabilities, while the addition of hydrophilic SiO₂ nanoparticle enhanced both mechanical property and ionic conductivity. Combustion test results illustrated that the presence of modacrylic provide flame retarding property over a set of different polymeric-based membranes. Electrochemical performance results showed that the developed membrane can increase the battery capacity compared with the commercial separator.     

Power efficient scheme for self localization in wireless sensor networks

With the tremendous applications of the wireless sensor network, self-localization has become one of the challenging subject matter that has gained attention of many researchers in the field of wireless sensor network. Localization is the process of assigning or computing the location of the sensor nodes in a sensor network. As the sensor nodes are deployed randomly, we do not have any knowledge about their location in advance. As a result, this becomes very important that they localize themselves as manual deployment of sensor node is not feasible. Also, in WSN the main problem is the power as the sensor nodes have very limited power source. This paper provides a novel solution for localizing the sensor nodes using controlled power of the beacon nodes such that we will have longer life of the beacon nodes which plays a vital role in the process of localization as it is the only special nodes that has the information about its location when they are deployed such that the remaining ordinary nodes can localize themselves in accordance with these beacon node. We develop a novel model that first finds the distance of the sensor nodes then it finds the location of the unknown sensor nodes in power efficient manner. Our simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in terms of controlled and reduced power.     

Energy optimization for CAN bus and media controls in electric vehicles using deep learning algorithms

The Journal of Supercomputing - This study offers a neural network-based deep learning method for energy optimization modeling in electric vehicles (EV). The pre-processed driving cycle is...     

Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by petals extract of Rosa indica L., its formulation as nail paint and evaluation of antifungal activity against fungi causing onychomycosis

Aim: The authors report the biological synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) from the petals extract of Rosa indica L. (rose). Its efficacy was evaluated against two dermatophytes: namely: Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis which cause onychomycosis. The activity of antibiotics against the tested dermatophytes was enhanced, when evaluated in combination with ZnO‐NPs. Methods and results: The synthesised ZnO‐NPs were preliminary detected by using ultraviolet UV visible spectroscopy, which showed specific absorbance. The ZnO‐NPs were further characterised by nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray diffraction and Zetasizer. Moreover, nanoparticles containing nail paint (nanopaint) was formulated and its antifungal activity was also assessed against T. mentagrophytes and M. canis. ZnO‐NPs and formulated nanopaint containing ZnO‐NPs, both showed significant antifungal activity. The maximum activity was noted against M. canis and lesser against T. mentagrophytes. Minimum inhibitory concentration of ZnO‐NPs was also determined against the dermatophytes causing onychomycosis infection. Conclusion: ZnO‐NPs can be utilised as a potential antifungal agent for the treatment of onychomycosis after more experimental trials.Inspec keywords: diseases, zinc compounds, nanoparticles, nanofabrication, antibacterial activity, microorganisms, nanomedicine, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectra, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, biomedical materials, patient treatmentOther keywords: zinc oxide nanoparticle biosynthesis, Rosa indica L petals extract, nail paint, antifungal activity evaluation, dermatophyte, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, antibiotics activity, ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, zetasizer, antifungal agent, onychomycosis treatment     

Biogenic copper nanoparticles promote the growth of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.)

Environmental pollution and toxicity have been increasing due to the overuse of chemical fertilisers, which has encouraged nanotechnologists to develop eco‐friendly nano‐biofertilisers. The authors demonstrated the effect of biogenic copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) on the growth of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.). The UV–visible analysis showed absorbance at 615 nm. Nanoparticle tracking and analysis revealed particle concentration of 2.18 × 10⁸ particles/ml, with an average size of 33 nm. Zeta potential was found to be −16.7 mV, which showed stability. X‐ray diffraction pattern depicted the face centred cubic structure of CuNPs; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated the capping due to acidic groups, and transmission electron micrograph showed nanoparticles with size 20–30 nm. The effect of CuNPs (20 ppm) on plant growth was studied, for the absorption of CuNPs by plants on photosynthesis, which was evaluated by measuring chlorophyll a fluorescence using Handy‐Plant Efficiency Analyser. CuNPs treatment showed a remarkable increase in height, root length, fresh and dry weights and performance index of seedlings. The overall growth of plants treated with CuNPs after 4 weeks was recorded. The results revealed that inoculation of CuNPs contribute growth and development of pigeon pea due to growth promoting activity of CuNPs.Inspec keywords: pollution, toxicology, nanotechnology, cropsOther keywords: biogenic copper nanoparticles, pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan L, environmental pollution, toxicity, chemical fertilisers, nanotechnologists, eco‐friendly nano‐biofertilisers, cash crop, UV‐visible analysis, nanoparticle tracking, zeta potential, X‐ray diffraction pattern, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, acidic groups, transmission electron micrograph, photosynthesis, chlorophyll, fluorescence, Handy‐Plant Efficiency Analyser, performance index     

Efficacy of biogenic silver nanoparticles against clinical isolates of fungi causing mycotic keratitis in humans

Mycotic keratitis is mainly responsible for vision loss caused by various fungi. Sometimes, proper treatment of such infection is not possible due to unavailability of effective antifungal agents and development of resistance of such fungi to antimycotic drugs. Hence, it is necessary to search for potential antifungal agents, which can effectively eradicate fungal infection of eyes. Nanoparticles‐based antifungal drugs overcome this problem by increasing permeability and properties of drug molecules. In the present study, silver nanoparticles were synthesised by using Helminthosporium sp. and Chaetomium sp. following sequential reduction technique. The synthesised silver nanoparticles were detected primarily by UV‐visible spectrophotometer showing absorption spectra at 424 and 433 nm, respectively. Nanoparticles tracking analysis confirmed the mean particle size of silver nanoparticles as 45 and 55 nm. The synthesised AgNPs showed significant antifungal activity against fungi causing mycotic keratitis, when used alone and in combination with ketoconazole and amphotericin B in the range of 30–70 microgram per millilitre of minimum inhibitory concentration. Thus, the synthesised AgNPs can be used to enhance the activities of ketoconazole and amphotericin B.Inspec keywords: silver, nanoparticles, nanomedicine, antibacterial activity, diseases, permeability, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, particle sizeOther keywords: biogenic silver nanoparticles, fungi, mycotitic keratitis, vision loss, infection, antifungal agents, antimycotic drugs, antifungal drugs, permeability, Helminthosporium sp, Chaetomium sp, sequential reduction technique, UV‐visible spectrophotometer, mean particle size, ketoconazole, amphotericin B, wavelength 424 nm, wavelength 433 nm, size 45 nm, size 55 nm, Ag