Development of cBN reinforced Ti6Al4V MMCs through laser sintering and process optimization

In this work, a systematic study and optimization on direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) of a cBN reinforced Ti6Al4V metal matrix composite (MMC) has been carried out using the response surface methodology (RSM). Variable process parameters such as volume % of cBN (5–15%), laser power (50–60?W), scanning speed (3500–4500?mm/min), and constant parameters such as laser spot diameter (0.2?mm), hatching gap (0.2?mm), and layer thickness (0.4) were considered for the experiments. The RSM was employed to establish a regression equation to predict different output parameters of the sintered samples such as the wear rate, relative density, and microhardness. Based on the developed model, the influence of process parameters on the wear rate, density, and microhardness were accomplished with optimized results. Hence, the result, thus, obtained showed the maximum hardness and density of 519 HV_0.2 and 4.23?g/cm³, respectively, and the minimum wear of 26.49?µm in a testing time duration of 10 minutes. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis of the fabricated MMC confirms the presence of different phases such as cBN, AlN, TiN, TiB₂, and TiO₂ as a consequence of a series of chemical reactions among cBN and different elements of Ti6Al4V in an argon atmosphere.     

Structural properties of high-protein,low glycaemic index (GI) rice flour

Low glycaemic index (GI) rice flour was prepared by the enzymatic hydrolysis method. The protein content of treated (high-protein, low GI) rice flour was about 3.5 times higher than untreated rice flour, suggesting its use in infant formula or other protein-fortified food products. The GI of untreated and treated rice flour was found to be 88.0 ± 0.2 and 46.1 ± 0.2, respectively. High-protein, low-GI rice flour was studied for thermal and structural properties, which showed significant (p < 0.05) differences from untreated rice flour. The results of thermal properties showed a decrease in transition temperatures and enthalpy of gelatinization. The ratio of peaks at 1045 cm^?1 and 1015 cm^?1 of treated rice flour was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of untreated rice flour. This could be ascribed to the loss of crystallinity due to enzymatic degradation. These results further support the decrease in transition temperatures and enthalpy of gelatinization. The results of the rheological studies of high-protein, low-GI rice flour revealed that both untreated and treated rice flour samples exhibited non-Newtonian shear-thinning flow behaviour (n < 1), which is characterized by a decrease in viscosity with an increase in shear rate.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of quince fruit pulp collected from different locations

This study was carried out to examine the physicochemical and functional characteristics of quince fruit pulp. The matured quince fruits were collected from different locations of Poonch, AJ&;K, Pakistan. Significant differences (P ? 0.05) were found among fruits collected from these locations. The quince pulp has the following characteristics: pH (3.43), total soluble solids (14.22°Brix), acidity (1.25%), carbohydrate (13.38 g/100 g), reducing sugar (5.15 g/100 g), non-reducing sugar (4.61 g/100 g), moisture (84.27 g/100 g), ash (0.62 g/100 g), fat (0.24 g/100 g), protein (0.49 g/100 g), fiber (1.65 g/100 g), ascorbic acid (15.46 mg/100 g), and total phenolic (68.13 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g) and antioxidant activity (50.05%). This exploration is the basic direction, which highlights the nutritional characteristics of quince fruit grown in AJ&;K, Pakistan.     

Large-area,transferable sub-10 nm polymer membranes at the air–water interface

Nano Research - Large-area, pinhole-free, and ultrathin polymer membranes with thicknesses of only a few nanometers have attracted increasing attention for their applications in molecular...     

Desulfurization of Model Oil through Adsorption over Activated Charcoal and Bentonite Clay Composites

Adsorption of dibenzothiophene (DBT) from model oil was investigated using composites of pure activated charcoal and pure bentonite clay. DBT adsorption was carried out in batch mode experiments at laboratory scale, where the developed composite materials showed a synergistic effect in removal of DBT from the model oil in terms of improved surface acidity of the pure activated charcoal and mesoporous structure of the pure bentonite clay. Thermodynamics, kinetics, and optimization of various adsorption parameters were investigated. Kinetic analyses proved that DBT adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. To study the thermodynamics of the adsorption, different isotherm adsorption models were applied. The Langmuir isotherm best fitted to the adsorption data. Various thermodynamic parameters were evaluated, including Gibbs free energy, entropy, and enthalpy.     

Examination of optimum benefits of customer and LSE by incentive and dynamic price-based demand response

ABSTRACT

The balancing approach of electricity generation and consumption is an essential part of a reliable power system. The mismatch between supply and demand may also cause fluctuation in the power system. This study proposes an incentive and penalty-based demand response (I&P-DR) program for improving the profitability of both LSE and customers. First, we use a parameter that weighs the financial benefits of LSE and customers and provides considerable economic benefits to both sides. Second, an incentive and penalty (I&P) price scheme have been employed to recompense and penalize customers and reduce the electricity demand at peak hours. Finally, the study analyzes the importance of (I&P-DR) and its impact on customers’ sensitivity during peak intervals. Simulation results showed that the flexibility to consumption can be brought through the application of the proposed (I&P-DR) program and also provide the financial benefits to both, customers and LSEs.     

Genetic algorithm based adaptive offloading for improving IoT device communication efficiency

Wireless Networks - Improving the communication of Internet of Things (IoT) network is a challenging task as it connects a wide-range of heterogeneous mobile devices. With an extended support from...