Nanoscale CuTe electrocatalyst immobilized at conductor surface for remarkable hydrogen evolution reaction

Hydrogen generation from electrocatalytic water splitting is of supreme significance for resolving energy crisis and environmental concerns. However, developing earth-abundant, efficient, and durable electrocatalyst for high-performance hydrogen evolution and complete water splitting catalysis is a rare instance. We present here the first demonstration of unique copper tellurides nano-structures (CuTe-NS) based electrocatalyst executing HER with high activity and remarkable stability. CuTe-NS based electrocatalysts grown over conductive NiF via drop-casting approach and employed for HER, while achieving a current decade and a current density of 100 mA/cm² just at 0.25 V vs. RHE and 0.27 V vs. RHE, which is comparable to the benchmark Pt/C based HER catalyst. The catalyst demonstrates well-balanced kinetic behavior, low Tafel slope of 36 mV/dec, low charge transfer resistance of 1.71 Ω, high roughness factor, and remarkable stability for more than 60 h of electrolysis. Furthermore, post-catalysis characterizations demonstrate no change in catalyst integrity, morphological, and structural attributes even after many hours of electrolysis which show sustainable behavior of catalyst for long term HER activity. Because of electrochemical and structural stabilities after long term electrolysis experiments, accessible method of preparations, and cost-effectiveness, the catalysis is highly encouraging for real-life applications.     

Effect of fermentation on biochemical and sensory characteristics of millet flour supplemented with whey protein

Pearl millet like other cereals shows qualitative and quantitative deficiency in protein. The main objective of this study was to obtain the food of high nutritive value with high protein content and biological value by supplementing pearl millet, with whey protein. Two levels of whey protein were considered (20% and 25% protein content). Supplemented samples and control were fermented in the presence of starter for 14 h according to the traditional method utilised in Sudan. The pH, crude protein, in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD) and protein fractions of the fermented and supplemented pearl millet were determined at 2‐ h intervals. Supplementation of whey protein resulted in significant increase in protein content compared to the control, i.e. 14.8%, 23.9% and 28.7% for Ashana control (AC), Ashana plus whey protein (20% protein content) (AW₁) and Ashana plus whey protein (25% protein content) (AW₂), respectively. Fermentation was found to cause a highly significant (P ≤ 0.05) improvement in IVPD for AC, AW₁ and AW_2. The major protein fraction in the whey protein supplemented doughs was the globulin. This would indicate an improvement in the nutritional quality of pearl millet. Sensory evaluation revealed higher acceptability for whey protein supplemented formulas compared to control.     

On the use of wind energy to power reverse osmosis desalination plant: A case study from Ténès (Algeria)

The aim of this study was to provide a detailed analysis of wind energy resources for seawater reverse osmosis desalination (SWRO), in a case study region of Ténès Algeria, by using commercial Wasp software. An economic analysis of the environmental benefits was also done using RETScreen software to give details about financial investment hazards and CO₂ emissions reduction. An energy yield and economical analysis was performed of a hypothetical wind farm consisting of 5 wind turbines of type Bonus 2 MW. It was found that wind energy can successfully power a SWRO desalination plant in the case study region.     

Some azine and azole derivatives as antioxidant additives for lithium lubricating grease

Lubricating greases undergo extensive deterioration under the operation conditions and storage. Hydrocarbon chain is one of the major factors resulting in loss of the base fluid quality by formation of products having negative effects on the physicochemical properties in particular the total acid number and dynamic viscosity. Antioxidants are major ingredients that protect the quality of lubricating grease by retarding oxidation reactions. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is a study on the preparation and evaluation of some compounds which act as antioxidants for prepared lithium lubricating grease. These additives are α-(2-amino-3-cyano-6-pyridyl)o-hydroxyl cinnamic hydrazide (compound I), ethoxymethyl enamino derivative (compound II) and 3-amino-5-hydroxyl-4 phenylazo-1H-pyrazole (compound III).The structure of these compounds has been confirmed using elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy. On the other hand, lithium lubricating grease was prepared and evaluated according to the National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) and Egyptian Standard (ES). The antioxidant compounds were tested for the prepared grease with concentration 0.1 wt.%. The efficiency of these compounds has been determined using total acid number. It was found that the prepared lithium grease resists oxidation reaction in the presence of these compounds. A correlation between the chemical structure of these compounds and their efficiency as antioxidants additives was discussed. Data showed that the efficiency of these compounds as antioxidants decreases in the order: compound I > compound II > compound III.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Studies of Some Novel Bis-[,,]thiadiazole and Bis-thiazole Pendant to Thieno[2,3-b]thiophene Moiety

The synthetic utility of 3,3'-(3,4-dimethylthieno[2,3-b]thiophene-2,5-diyl)bis (3-oxopropanenitrile) (1) in the synthesis of some novel bis-[1,3,4-thiadiazole] 6a-g and bis-thiazole 10 and 13 derivatives with thieno[2,3-b]thiophene moiety is reported. Antimicrobial evaluation of some selected examples from the synthesized products was carried out and showed promising results.     

Discrete fractional Fourier transform as a fast algorithm for evaluating the diffraction pattern of pulsed radiation

A technique is proposed for computing the field radiated from a rectangular aperture. This technique, based on the discrete fractional Fourier transform, avoids the complexities of computing the diffraction pattern by the direct evaluation of the Fresnel integral. The advocated approach provides a fast and accurate computational tool, especially in the case of evaluating pulsed fields radiated through two-dimensional screens of complex amplitude. A detailed numerical study that demonstrates the efficacy of this approach is carried out.     

Tibial eminence: a new anatomical risk factor for anterior cruciate ligament injuries

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Recently, the geometry of the tibial plateau has drawn a lot of attention as a source of possible risk factors for anterior cruciate ligament injury. The...     

Graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto hemicellulose using ceric ammonium nitrate

The ability of ceric ammonium nitrate to induce graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto hemicellulose was investigated. The graft yield depends on monomer and initiator concentrations as well as reaction time and temperature. Chemical analysis of the reaction product of hemicellulose and acrylonitrile in the presence of ceric ammonium nitrate revealed that the ceric ammonium nitrate acted as initiator for polymerization of acrylonitrile and as oxidizing agent for hemicellulose. Proof for grafting of hemicellulose was provided through IR analysis.