Effect of dilute concentrations of Sm on the temperature‐dependent electrical and dielectric properties of ZnO

Compounds of undoped and samarium (Sm) doped ZnO have been prepared by standard solid‐state reaction method. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Williamson‐Hall (W‐H) analysis, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), temperature‐dependent electrical and dielectric studies have been done to characterize these materials. Inclusion of Sm as dopant in hexagonal wurtzite ZnO changes the lattice parameters to a small extent with some Sm aggregation at higher concentration. Also, the mean particle sizes of ZnO:Sm compounds showed an inter‐correlation with the Scherrer method, W‐H analysis as well as with TEM results. The electrical resistivity depicts an exponential decay and metal‐semiconductor transition (MST) at ~300 K for the pristine sample whereas there is large decrement in the resistivity with Sm doping. The analysis of σ_ac of ZnO suggests that the power law is obeyed and indicated an increase in the ac conductivity with Sm content. The mechanism behind this type of conductivity is elucidated by small polaron tunneling (SPT) model of conductivity. The dependence of ln dc on the temperature inverse shows that the traps of electrons are thermally activated such that low and high temperature activation energies confirm the presence of vacancies and interstitials of both O and Zn ions. Thus, a high value of dielectric constant makes these materials suitable for high frequency and charge storage device applications.     

An energy optimization in wireless sensor networks by using genetic algorithm

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are used for several commercial and military applications, by collecting, processing and distributing a wide range of data. Maximizing the battery life of WSNs is crucial in improving the performance of WSN. In the present study, different variations of genetic algorithm (GA) method have been implemented independently on energy models for data communication of WSNs with the objective to find out the optimal energy \(\hbox {(E)}\) consumption conditions. Each of the GA methods results in an optimal set of parameters for minimum energy consumption in WSN related to the type of selected energy model for data communication, while the best performance of the GA method [energy consumption \((\hbox {E}=3.49\times 10^{-4}\,\hbox {J})\)] is obtained in WSN for communication distance (d) \({\ge }87\,\hbox {m}\) in between the sensor cluster head and a base station.     

Coating characteristics of electron beam cured bisphenol A diglycidyl ether diacrylate resin containing 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate on wood surface

Electron beam curing of bisphenol A diglycidyl ether diacrylate resin (BDGDA) mixed with varying amount of 1,6-hexanediol diacrylate monomer (HDDA) was investigated using low energy DC electron beam accelerator. Cured coating films were analyzed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel fraction, swelling ratio and thermogravimetric (TG) techniques. The wood surfaces cured with different coating compositions were tested for their end use performance properties like gloss, pencil hardness, scratch resistance, mar resistance, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance, steam resistance and cigarette burn resistance. FTIR studies indicated that the density of acrylate functionality and degree of curing increased with the HDDA content in the feed mixture. This observation was supported by gel fraction and swelling studies as well. The thermal stability, pencil hardness, mar resistance, abrasion resistance and solvent resistance properties of coating were observed to improve with the incorporation of HDDA. However, there was significant decrease in gloss and scratch resistance at higher HDDA content. The coating showed excellent steam and stain resistance but poor resistance to cigarette burns.     

Effects of iodine doping on optoelectronic properties of diamond-like carbon thin films deposited by microwave surface wave plasma CVD

We report the effects of iodine (I) doping on the electrical and optical properties of diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films grown on silicon and quartz substrates by microwave surface wave plasma chemical vapor deposition at low temperature (<100 °C). For film deposition, we used argon gas with methane or camphor dissolved with ethyl alcohol composition as plasma source. The optical gap and photoconductivity measurements of the samples were carried out before and after the iodine doping. The results show that optical gap dropped from 3.4 to 0.9 eV corresponding to nondoping to iodine-doping conditions, respectively. The photovoltaic measurements show that the open-circuit voltage (V_oc) and short-circuit current density (J_sc) of I-doped DLC film deposited on n-type silicon substrate under light illumination (AM1.5, 100 mW/cm²) were approximately 177 mV and 1.15 μA, respectively, and the fill factor was found to be 0.217.     

Interferometric optical vortex array generator

Two new interferometric configurations for optical vortex array generation are presented. These interferometers are different from the conventional interferometers in that they are capable of producing a large number of isolated zeros of intensity, and all of them contain optical vortices. Simulation and theory for optical vortex array generation using three-plane-wave interference is presented. The vortex dipole array produced this way is noninteracting, as there are no attraction or repulsion forces between them, leading to annihilation or creation of vortex pairs.     

Fiber optic Raman sensor to monitor the concentration ratio of nitrogen and oxygen in a cryogenic mixture

A spontaneous Raman scattering optical fiber sensor was developed for a specific need of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for long-term detection and monitoring of the purity of liquid oxygen (LO(2)) in the oxidizer feed line during ground testing of rocket engines. The Raman peak intensity ratios for liquid nitrogen (LN(2)) and LO(2) with varied weight ratios (LN(2)/LO(2)) were analyzed for their applicability to impurity sensing. The study of the sensor performance with different excitation light sources has helped to design a miniaturized, cost-effective system for this application. The optimal system response time of this miniaturized sensor for LN(2)/LO(2) measurement was found to be in the range of a few seconds. It will need to be further reduced to the millisecond range for real-time, quantitative monitoring of the quality of cryogenic fluids in a harsh environment.     

A cellular Trojan Horse for delivery of therapeutic nanoparticles into tumors

Destruction of hypoxic regions within tumors, virtually inaccessible to cancer therapies, may well prevent malignant progression. The tumor's recruitment of monocytes into these regions may be exploited for nanoparticle-based delivery. Monocytes containing therapeutic nanoparticles could serve as "Trojan Horses" for nanoparticle transport into these tumor regions. Here we report the demonstration of several key steps toward this therapeutic strategy: phagocytosis of Au nanoshells, and photoinduced cell death of monocytes/macrophages as isolates and within tumor spheroids.     

A comparative study of performance and combustion characteristics of a CI diesel engine fuelled with B20 biodiesel blends

This paper aims to study the diesel engine performance and combustion characteristics fuelled with Banalities aegyptiaca oil methyl ester, palm oil methyl ester, sesame methyl ester oil, rapeseed methyl ester oil, soybean oil methyl ester and diesel fuel. In this present work, only 20% of each biodiesel blends was tested in diesel engine; stated that the possible use of biodiesel of up to 20% in a diesel engine without modification in literature. A single-cylinder, auxiliary water-cooled and computer-based variable compression ratio diesel engine was used to evaluate their performance at constant speed and at measured load conditions. The performance and combustion tests are conducted using each of the above test fuels, at a constant speed of 5000?rpm. Thus, the varying physical and chemical properties of test fuels against pure diesel are optimised for better engine performance.

Abbreviations: BP: brake power; BSFC: brake-specific fuel consumption; BTE: brake thermal efficiency; CO: carbon monoxide; CP: cylinder pressure; DP: diesel pressure; EGT: exhaust gas temperature; HC: hydrocarbon; HRR: heat release rate; NO _x : nitric oxides; PM: particulate matter; TDC: top dead centre; VCR: variable compression ratio     

Novel oil extraction technologies: Process conditions,quality parameters,and optimization

Conventional techniques of extracting oil using organic solvents pose health, safety, and environmental concerns. In modern extraction methods, green solvents such as water, ethanol, ethyl acetate, carbon dioxide, ionic liquids, and terpenes are currently gaining prominence. These green solvents present no signs of pollution and remain in liquid form over a temperature range of 0 to 140 °C. Other techniques covered in this review include microwave‐assisted enzymatic extraction, ultrasound‐assisted extraction, supercritical fluid technology, high pressure–assisted extraction, and pulse electric field–assisted extraction. These techniques are considered environmentally friendly because they exhibit less hazardous chemical synthesis, use renewable feedstock, and reduce the chemical load and emissions generated by organic solvents. Aqueous enzymatic extraction is a novel technique that uses enzymes as the medium for extraction of oil. Selection of the enzymes solely depends on the structure of the oilseed and the composition of the cell wall. Studies reveal an enzyme to substrate ratio of 1% to 8%, the temperature of 40 to 55 °C, and a pH of 4 to 8 to be typical for enzymatic extraction of oil from different oilseeds. Microwave‐assisted extraction has proven to impart significant effects on mass transfer and offers high throughput and extraction efficiency. A microwave power of 275 to 1,000 W and a temperature range of 30 to 60 °C are noticed in the different studies. The review presents a comprehensive account of the modern extraction techniques, the parameters responsible for yield and quality, and their industrial applications. Besides, the review highlights the optimized parameters for oil extraction from different oil‐bearing materials.     

Physicochemical characteristics,bioactive compounds and industrial applications of mango kernel and its products: A review

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is a fruit plant of family Anacardiaceae, widely grown all over the world, and is a very popular fruit in the world market. Mango fruit is the second most traded tropical fruit and fifth in terms of production globally. Large quantities of mango processing coproducts are generated (peels and seeds), which usually are discarded as waste, yet are a potential source of fat, protein, carbohydrate, and certain bioactive compounds. Mango kernel is a remarkably rich source of macronutrients and micronutrients including calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins A, E, K, and C. Phytochemicals with a notable therapeutic potential such as tocopherols, phytosterols, carotenoids, polyphenols (gallotannins, flavonols, benzophenone derivatives, mangiferin, homomangiferin, isomangiferin, anthocyanins, kaempferol, and quercetin), and phenolic acids (4‐caffeoylquinic acids, caffeic, coumaric, ellagic, gallic, and ferulic acid) are reported. The phytochemicals have high antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, and, antiproliferation activities and could be used for food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications. The nutritional composition of mango kernel constitutes 32.34% to 76.81% carbohydrate, 6% to 15.2% fat, 6.36% to 10.02% protein, 0.26% to 4.69% crude fiber, and 1.46% to 3.71% ash on a dry weight basis. The nutritional profile of the kernel suggests its usability as a food ingredient in the development of value‐added products such as mango kernel oil, mango kernel butter, mango kernel flour, and biofilms among other diverse products. This comprehensive systematic review explores mango kernel as a potential and novel food ingredient to meet the needs of a health‐conscious population. The review also provides a remedy to waste management and environmental pollution.