Symmetry and the Shannon entropy

Some equivalent systems of postulates characterizing the Shannon entropy of a finite discrete complete probability distribution are proposed.     

Cooling potential of an evaporative cooling tower: Parametric studies

Dependence of the cooling potential of an evaporative cooling tower on the tower parameters (height h, cross-sectional area A_t, evaporative pad area A_p, packing factor of evaporating pads F_p and flow resistance f) has been investigated. The performance of the tower is studied for two different climates, namely hot-dry and composite, typified by Jodhpur and Delhi.     

Use of immobilized Pseudomonas sp. as whole cell catalyst for the transesterification of used cotton seed oil

Lipase enzyme producing bacteria, Pseudomonas sp., have been grown at varying oil concentrations to make it adaptive for high oil concentrations and it was found to show the maximum growth and maximum lipase activity when 40- and 30-vol% of oil respectively was used as a source of carbon in growth medium. Bacteria was immobilized with sodium alginate and used as whole cell catalyst for the transesterification of used cotton seed oil. Preliminary experiments resulted about 70% transesterification of used cotton seed oil with methanol as calculated by proton NMR technique.     

Lamellar phase supported synthesis of colloidal gold nanoparticles, nanoclusters, and nanowires

Gold nanoparticles (Au NP) have been synthesized in aqueous phase under ambient conditions in the presence of a series of various cationic double chain as well as dimeric (gemini) surfactants. The spacer chain and twin tail length of these surfactants has been systematically varied to see the effect of hydrophobicity on their capping ability. It has been observed that the increase in the length of spacer chain (from 12-2-12 to 12-6-12) and twin tails (from 10-2-10 to 14-2-14) significantly increases the lamellar phase formation and which in return acts as a wonderful template to accommodate the NP in the form of nanoclusters and nanowires. The lamellar phase practically facilitates the nucleation of Au degrees and produces large NP (15 +/- 2 nm). All reactions have also been carried out in the presence of beta-cyclodextrin (CYC) which has strong ability to complex with surfactant tail. The presence of CYC induces a tendency to form nanowire and it is more prominent in the case of surfactants with longer spacer group.     

Determination of Solvent Contamination and Characterization of Ultrafine HNS Particles after Solvent Recrystallization

Solvent–antisolvent recrystallization employed for size reduction of HNS has been described and the effect of various parameters such as stirring rate, effect of antisolvent type, antisolvent temperature, ultrasonication, etc. was investigated. Purified HNS, produced by hot solvent recrystallization of production grade crude HNS, of mean particle size ∼95 μm was used for preparation of ultrafine particles of HNS. Solvent contamination in terms of residual solvent was determined by ¹H NMR and GC‐MS analysis. In addition, ultrafine HNS has been characterized for purity (HPLC, ¹H NMR), particle size and shape (PSA and SEM), specific surface area (BET analysis), thermal behavior (TGA, DSC), sensitivity (impact, friction), etc. The results have been compared with C‐HNS. UF‐HNS was >99% pure with mean particle size <1 μm. SEM showed submicrometer size rods like particles of HNS as the final material.