Flow of granular materials in a bladed mixer: Effect of particle properties and process parameters on impeller torque and power consumption

The torque and power needed to drive an impeller are important quantities that can indicate flow behavior and can be used to control processes, especially mixing and granulation in the pharmaceutical industry. In this study, experiments were conducted on monodisperse spherical glass beads flowing in a cylindrical bladed mixer agitated by an impeller. The impeller torque was measured using a rotating platform and a data recording device, and the power draw for the motor driving the impeller was measured using a power meter. The effect of various impeller blade designs and material properties on the torque and power were investigated as a function of the impeller blade rotation rate. It was found that the torque exerted on a granular bed and the power consumption were a strong function of the impeller blade configuration, the position of the blades in a deep granular bed, the fill height of the glass beads, and the size and friction coefficient of the particles. It was observed that the time-averaged torque and power consumption for different particle sizes qualitatively scaled with particle diameter. A scale-up relationship for a deep granular bed was developed: the time-averaged torque and average adjusted power consumption scaled with square of the material fill height.     

Coverage and Connectivity-Based 3D Wireless Sensor Deployment Optimization

The wireless sensor network technology of Internet of Things (IoT) senses, collects and processes the data from its interconnected intelligent sensors to the base station. These sensors help the IoT to understand the environmental change and respond towards it. Thus sensor placement is a crucial device of IoT for efficient coverage and connectivity in the network. Many existing works focus on optimal sensor placement for two dimensional terrain but in various real-time applications sensors are often deployed over three-dimensional ambience. Therefore, this paper proposes a vertex coloring based sensor deployment algorithm for 3D terrain to determine the sensor requirement and its optimal spot and to obtain 100% target coverage. Further, the quality of the connectivity of sensors in the network is determined using Breadth first search algorithm. The results obtained from the proposed algorithm reveal that it provides efficient coverage and connectivity when compared with the existing methods.

     

Genetic Variability Studies in Seed Biochemical Traits of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre Accessions

A genetic variability study of oil content, fatty acid composition and karanjin content of seeds was carried out in candidate plus trees of Pongamia pinnata from selected agro-ecological zones of southern peninsular India. Significant zonal variation (P < 0.01) for biochemical traits was recorded. Significant positive correlation (P < 0.05) was recorded for latitude with oleic acid. Longitude showed significant negative correlation with palmitic acid and oleic acid. Altitude positively correlated with oleic acid and linolenic acid; negatively correlated with linoleic acid and seed oil content. Phenotypic co-efficient of variation was higher than the genotypic co-efficient of variation for all the biochemical traits. The oleic acid positively correlated with seed oil content (P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with linoleic acid and linolenic acid (P < 0.01). The zone 1, zone 2, zone 3 and zone 4 showed high heritability and genetic advance for oleic acid, linoleic acid and oleic to linoleic acid ratio. Based on Ward's method, the pongamia accessions were grouped into three major clusters and four sub-groups depending on their geographical locations. Further, the results obtained in this study could be used as background information for biofuel programs in India and other tropical countries.     

Optimum anamorphic image generation using image rotation and relative entropy

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Anamorphosis is related to the art that gives illusion (distortion) over the image or object when the viewer looks the original image or from the random...     

In vitro evaluation of biodegradable nHAP‐Chitosan‐Gelatin‐based scaffold for tissue engineering application

The present study focuses on fabrication and characterisation of porous composite scaffold containing hydroxyapatite (HAP), chitosan, and gelatin with an average pore size of 250–1010 nm for improving wound repair and regeneration by Electrospinning method. From the results of X ‐Ray Diffraction (XRD) study, the peaks correspond to crystallographic structure of HAP powder. The presence of functional group bonds of HAP powder, Chitosan and scaffold was studied using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The surface morphology of the scaffold was observed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The Bioactivity of the Nano composite scaffolds was studied using simulated body fluid solution at 37 ± 1°C. The biodegradability test was studied using Tris‐Buffer solution for the prepared nanocomposites [nano Chitosan, nano Chitosan gelatin, Nano based Hydroxyapatite Chitosan gelatin]. The cell migration and potential biocompatibility of nHAP‐chitosan‐gelatin scaffold was assessed via wound scratch assay and were compared to povedeen as control. Cytocompatibility evaluation for Vero Cells using wound scratch assay showed that the fabricated porous nanocomposite scaffold possess higher cell proliferation and growth than that of povedeen. Thus, the study showed that the developed nanocomposite scaffolds are potential candidates for regenerating damaged cell tissue in wound healing process.Inspec keywords: nanofabrication, tissue engineering, electrospinning, wounds, cellular biophysics, scanning electron microscopy, surface morphology, X‐ray diffraction, biomedical materials, nanomedicine, porosity, biodegradable materials, nanoporous materials, calcium compounds, gelatin, nanocomposites, Fourier transform infrared spectra, nanoparticles, precipitation (physical chemistry)Other keywords: average pore size, wound repair, crystallographic structure, HAP powder, functional group bonds, simulated body fluid solution, biodegradability test, Tris‐Buffer solution, cell migration, wound scratch assay, tissue engineering, electrospinning method, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, biocompatibility, cytocompatibility, porous nanocomposite scaffold, cell tissue, nHAP‐chitosan‐gelatin scaffold composites, wet chemical precipitation method, surface morphology, nanohydroxyapatite‐nanochitosan‐gelatin scaffold composites, cell proliferation, wound healing, (Ca₁₀ (PO₄)₆ (OH)₂)     

Production of layered coatings of Fe-Ni alloy for enhanced corrosion protection

Layered Fe-Ni alloy coatings have been galvanostatically developed on copper using dual and triple square current pulse from acid sulfate bath. The cyclic cathode current density (CCCD) and number of layers have been optimized for enhanced performance of the coatings against corrosion. Corrosion behavior of the coatings is evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods in 1 M HCl solution. The polarization study confirms that coatings developed using triple square pulses are more corrosion resistant than those deposited by dual square pulses. The improved corrosion behavior of layered coatings is due to the changed intrinsic electric properties evidenced by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Under optimal conditions, the coatings developed using dual and triple square current pulse have been found to be by about 23 and 57 times, respectively, more corrosion resistant than the monolithic alloys. Surface morphology and layered coatings have been examined by scanning electron microscopy. Saturation of corrosion resistance at a high degree of layering was found, which is attributed to a shorter relaxation time for redistribution of metal ions during plating.     

Oil, Fatty Acid Profile and Karanjin Content in Developing Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre Seeds

Oil content, fatty acid composition and karanjin content were studied in developing pongamia seeds, at intervals of 3?weeks from 30?weeks after flowering up to 42?weeks. Three marked stages in seed development were observed at the early green pod stage, the middle half brown stage and the late dark brown stage. Significant variation in seed biomass, pod and seed characteristics were observed. A significant (P?<?0.01) decrease in the moisture content of the seeds was observed during seed development. The oil content gradually increased from 32.06 to 36.53?% as the seed matured. A significant variation in fatty acid composition was detected across all stages of seed development. Palmitic acid (16:0) content marginally decreased from 11.81 to 10.18?%, while stearic acid (18:0) and linolenic acid (18:3) remained constant at all stages of seed maturity. A steady increase in oleic acid (18:1) content from 38.11 to 49.11?% was observed, while the linoleic acid (18:2) content decreased from 30.14 to 18.85?%. The iodine value increased, while the saponification number of oil decreased during seed development. The increase in karanjin content was steady. Seeds harvested after 42?week after flowering yielded the maximum oil with high oleic acid content which could be suitable for biodiesel production.