Copper chloride‐doped polyaniline/multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites: Superior electrode material for supercapacitor applications

In this study, copper chloride (CuCl₂)‐doped polyaniline (PANI)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) nanocomposite (PANI C2 CNT), CuCl₂‐doped PANI (PANI C2) and pure PANI was synthesized by in situ oxidative polymerization method, using ammonium peroxodisulfate as oxidant in HCl medium. These composites were investigated as electrode materials for supercapacitors. The interaction of metal cation (Cu²⁺) with PANI was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The morphology of the composites was characterized by field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis. Electrochemical characterizations of the materials were carried out by three electrode probe method, where platinum and saturated standard calomel electrode were used as counter and reference electrode, respectively. 1 M KCl solution was used as electrolyte for all the electrochemical characterizations. The transition metal ion doping enhanced the electrochemical properties of the conducting polymer. Among all the composites, CuCl₂‐doped PANI/MWCNT showed highest specific capacitance value of 724 F/g at 10 mV s⁻¹ scan rate. The Nyquist plot of the polymeric materials showed low equivalent series resistance of the electrode materials. Thermal stability of the composites was examined by thermogravimetric analysis.POLYM. COMPOS., 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Safety evaluation of ambrette (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Abelmoschus moschatus</Emphasis> linn) seed oil

The seeds of ambrette (Abelmoschus moschatus Linn), after selective extraction of fragrance from the seed coat, are flaked and extracted with hexane to obtain a fatty oil. The FA composition and iodine value of the oil indicate it possesses saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated FA in ratios close to the recommendations of the United Nations World Health Organization; these characteristics make it suitable as an edible oil. Acute oral toxicity and safety evaluation in a 13-wk feeding trial on albino rats showed the oil is comparable to groundnut oil in all the parameters and is suitable for edible use.     

Nanocomposites from Polycaprolactone (PCL)/Soy Protein Isolate (SPI) Blend with Organoclay

New biobased, ecofriendly nanocomposites were prepared from polycaprolactone (PCL)/soy protein isolate (SPI) blend (80/20 wt/wt) with organically modified clay, by melt compounding. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that an intercalated nanocomposite was formed and the silicate layers of the clay were uniformly dispersed at a nanometer scale in matrix polymer. There was great enhancement of both tensile and dynamic mechanical properties in the nanocomposite. A rheological study revealed that the nanocomposite exhibits strong shear-thinning behavior in the melted state, and a percolated network of clay particles was formed in the melted state.     

Ureidosulfocoumarin Derivatives As Selective and Potent Carbonic Anhydrase IX and XII Inhibitors

Owing to severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) and resistance exhibited by sulfonamide-based carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitors, non-classical or non-sulfonamide CA inhibitors are gaining increased attention by medicinal chemists. In this context, we report the design and synthesis of 30 new non-sulfonamide sulfocoumarin derivatives as CA inhibitors. They were investigated against hCA I and II (cytosolic isozymes) as well as hCA IX and XII (transmembrane, tumor-associated enzymes). All compounds showed prominent selectivity for the tumor-associated isoenzymes hCA IX and XII over the cytosolic isoenzymes hCA I and II. Among all synthesized compounds, 1-(2,2-dioxidobenzo[e][1,2]oxathiin-6-yl)-3-(o-tolyl)urea( 5 j )and1-(3-fluorophenyl)-3-(8-methoxy-2,2-dioxidobenzo[e][1,2]oxathiin-6-yl)urea( 5 q )were found to be more potent and to have better inhibition constant values against hCA IX than the standard acetazolamide (AAZ), with K_i values of 23.6 and 23.3 nM, respectively. All other compounds were found to be active under K_i=920 nM against hCA IX and XII.This study provides a new perspective for the future development of non-sulfonamide derivatives as selective CA inhibitors.     

Feasibility Evaluation of Pressurized Irrigation in Canal Commands

India has one of the largest and most ambitious irrigation programme in the world with net irrigated area exceeding 47 million hectares. However, the overall project efficiency from the headwork to the farmer’s field has been quite low which leads to not only poor utilization of irrigation potential created at huge cost, but also aggravates the degradation of soil and water resources and thereby endangers the sustainability of agricultural production system. As the cost of creating additional irrigation potential in terms of financial, human and environmental aspects has increased tremendously, need of the hour is to increase the irrigation efficiency of existing projects and use saved water for irrigating new areas or meeting the demand of non-agricultural sector. The contribution of application efficiency to poor irrigation efficiency is quite high and therefore increasing application efficiency by a shift in application method from surface to pressurized system has potential of vastly improving irrigation efficiency. To evaluate feasibility of this concept, a pilot study was initiated at Water Technology Centre for Eastern Region, Bhubaneswar, on one outlet of a minor irrigation command. The system has been designed in such a way that it provides pipe conveyance and surface irrigation for rice cultivation during monsoon season and pressurized irrigation during post monsoon period through a hybrid system of sprinkler and drip with four outlets for sprinkler irrigating 2.8 ha area and two outlets for drip irrigating 1.9 ha area. The system is also capable of providing irrigation through drip to part of a command during summer for third crop using water stored in service reservoir after the canal is closed in first week of April. To take care of sediment in the canal water, there are three stages of filtration: first by hydrocyclone filter which filters heavy suspended materials viz. sand, silt, etc., then by the sand filter and finally by the screen filter. The filtration at three stages reduces the turbidity to the desired level. It has been found that three-stage filtration reduced the turbidity to two NTU which is within permissible limit. Considering the cost of water saved, a benefit-cost ratio of the system was found out to be 1.126. This B: C ratio can be further increased by increasing the productivity of the fish and papaya in service reservoir area and better crop management during summer season.     

Graft copolymerization with new class of acidic peroxo salts as initiators. I. Grafting of acrylamide onto cotton–cellulose using potassium monopersulfate,catalyzed by co(II)

Graft copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) onto cotton–cellulose has been studied using a new class of acidic peroxo-salt “potassium monopersulfate” as initiator catalyzed by Co(II). It is observed that the graft yield is influenced by the reaction time, temperature, and concentrations of the monomer, catalyst, initiator, at fixed weight of the polymer. Maximum graft yield (30.8%) is obtained at 40°C under nitrogen atmosphere for the concentrations of monomer 1.2M; initiator 4.83 × 10^?3M; Co(II) 5 × 10^?4M for 4 h of reaction time. The graft copolymers after proper purification have been subjected to IR analysis, testing of their water-retention properties, rot resistance, tensile properties, and behavior towards acids and alkalies. The results of such analysis are compared with the base. Suitable mechanism for the graft copolymerization is suggested and grafting rate has been evaluated.     

An improved output feedback controller design for linear discrete-time systems using a matrix decomposition method

This paper presents the design of output feedback controllers for discrete-time (DT) linear systems. New sufficient LMI conditions are derived for designing static $H_2$ and $H_{\infty }$ controllers using decomposition of an auxiliary matrix. The decomposition facilitates linearization of nonlinear term of reduced size to obtain linear matrix inequality criteria. This leads to less conservative results as shown in the numerical examples. In addition, the proposed static output feedback criteria is also used for designing dynamic output feedback controllers for DT systems. Furthermore, a comparative study is also made for the proposed design method with the results existing in the literature. Finally, a DT static output feedback $H_{\infty }$ controller is designed for a quarter-car suspension system. Simulation results are provided to show the efficacy of the proposed design method.     

Recent trends in the total characterization of new‐generation base fluids

The quality of lubricating base oils used worldwide is changing rapidly as a result of stringent environmental regulation and the pressing need for oils to perform well under severe operating conditions. For example, although the base oil market in India now depends entirely on conventional group I base oils, group II and III base oils will soon be mandatory in lubrication formulation. These oils are generally more stable towards oxidation due to the virtual absence of heteroatom‐containing compounds and to their low aromatic content. The analytical procedures developed over the years for the characterization of new and used group I mineral base oils will not be successful for all the requirements of these new oils. Thus, a systematic study is required to test the universal validity of characterisation methodology for these new‐generation base fluids. This paper focuses on the use of various analytical techniques for base oil characterization and the methodology required for the total characterization of new‐generation base oils.