Green hydroelectrical energy source based on water dissociation by nanoporous ferrite

Dissociation of water molecule occurs on octahedrally coordinated unsaturated suface cations and oxygen vacancies created by lithium substitution in magnesium ferrite. Lower synthesis temperature of ferrite has generated nanopores in microstructure. Dissociated hydronium and hydroxyl ions are transported through surface and capillary diffusion in porous ferrite network towards attached Zn and Ag electrodes. Water molecule dissociation ability of nanoporous ferrite has been exploited to develop a green electrical energy cell, which is a combination of material science and electrode chemistry. The innovated cell has been nomenclatured as hydroelectric cell (HEC). When HEC is partially dipped in deionized water, spontaneously hydroxide and hydronium ions are produced by water molecule dissociation. Hydronium ions trapped in nanopores develop enough electric field that further dissociates physisorbed water molecules. Thereby, the process of water molecule dissociation is accelerated in a bigger way to increase ionic current in the cell. Oxidation of Zn electrode by hydroxide ion and reduction of H₃O⁺ at Ag electrode develop voltage and electric current in the cell. The HEC cell of a 17 cm² area is able to generate a short circuit current of 82 mA and 920 mV emf with a maximum output power of 74 mW, which is three order higher than reported output power 1.4 μW/cm² produced by water in cement matrix. Hydroelectric cell performance is repetitive, stable and possesses potential to replace traditional ways of generating renewable energy in terms of cost and safety. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Investigation of Dissipation,Adsorption, Degradation,and Leaching of Triazophos Pesticide in Various Soils

This study concerns the investigation of dissipation, adsorption, and degradation of triazophos in different soils from Pakistan. These processes help in the disappearance of pesticide from the environment. Gas chromatography was used for dissipation and adsorption analysis while for degradation study mass spectrometer was used in addition of gas chromatography (GC-MS). The dissipation rate of triazophos in three different soils was 90% over 30 days with average half-life of 9.059 days. From dissipation study it was inferred that rate is variable in each soil due to climatic changes, soil nature and soil-pesticide interactions. Adsorption experiment has revealed that the adsorption of this pesticide to soil follows the pseudo first order kinetic model with rate constant value of 0.479/h and Freundlich isotherm with adsorption capacity of 1.832 mol/g. Degradation study has displayed two major metabolites, one is phosphorothioic acid, S-[2-[(1-cyano-1-methylethyl) amino]-2-oxoethyl] O,O-diethyl ester at retention time of 9.136 and the other is sulfotep at 14.304 min. The leaching potential of triazophos was also calculated from its half-life and organic carbon content present in soil which was 1.688 representing it as non leacher pesticide.     

An image differencing method for interface level detection in separation cells

Bitumen extraction from oil sands is carried out in large separation cells using a water-based extraction process. Controlling the Bitumen-froth and Middlings interface in these cells at an optimum level provides significant economical and environmental benefits. Traditional sensors are not reliable in estimating this interface level and novel vision-based sensors have been developed previously to overcome this problem. These sensors estimate the interface level and its confidence for separation cells with a single sight glass. The confidence value only represents the turbidity of the interface and hence cannot be used for control decision making in all process conditions. The current work describes an image differencing algorithm for interface level detection which also facilitates the computation of a confidence estimate that is accurate in most process situations. The confidence value is computed based on noise statistics, an appropriately chosen edge detection method and a change detection algorithm. Another significant advantage of the algorithm is that both the interface level and the confidence estimation procedures can be extended in a straight-forward manner to handle the presence of multiple sight glasses. Off-line results show that the algorithm accurately detects the interface level in normal process conditions (with high confidence values) and outputs correct confidence values in other situations with very low false-positive and false-negative error rates. On-line industrial implementation results show that the vision sensor tracks the interface level very closely and results in significant automation of plant.     

Significant improvement for the functional properties of konjac glucomannan based on phase separation

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) serves as a stabiliser due to its high molecular weight and viscosity. However, these properties limit its addition in food products, especially in drinks. The main aim of this study was to improve the functional properties of KGM by a green and effective method, that is phase separation. It was found that increasing temperature accelerated phase separation of KGM/gum arabic mixture. KGM‐rich phase was characterised and its physical properties were investigated by different methods. Crystal property showed no significant changes after phase separation. Nevertheless, rheological properties indicated that the viscosities of samples after phase separation (FKGM) decreased dramatically. Their emulsifying capacities also improved. Moreover, the differences in molecular rearrangement at the oil–water interface were also studied by using interfacial rheology. These results suggested that FKGM with low viscosity had better interfacial properties, and thus may have potential applications as food ingredients.     

Ultra-light-weight composites from bamboo strips and polypropylene web with exceptional flexural properties

Fine bamboo strips (BSs) have been laid on polypropylene (PP) web, stacked, and compression molded to prepare unconsolidated light-weight (0.312 g/cm³) composites. Composite properties are superior compared with jute-based composites and bamboo strips show potential to replace fiberglass or polyurethane in composites. Flexural strength, modulus, offset yield load, and Noise Reduction Coefficient (NR) of the BS–PP composites are 5.8×, 2.9×, 6.5×, and 1.4× higher, respectively, compared to jute–PP composites. Bamboo-based non-consolidated composites with excellent mechanical and sound absorption properties utilizing the methods described in this research provide an opportunity to manufacture functional composites with bio-based materials leading to reduction of environmental pollution and sustainable manufacturing.     

Characterizing cerebral oxygen metabolism employing oxygen-17 MRI/MRS at high fields

This article provides a comprehensive overview of oxygen (¹⁷O) magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging, including the advantages and challenges offered by the different methods developed thus far. The physiological role and relevance of oxygen, and its participation in aerobic metabolism, are addressed to emphasize the importance of the investigations and the efforts related to these developments. Furthermore, a number of methods employed in the determination of the cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen in neural cells will be presented, focusing primarily on methodologies enabling absolute quantification.