Design and Performance of a Laboratory Spray Dryer to Realize Evaporation-Induced Self-Assembly of Nanoparticles

This work discusses the design, development, and performance of an indigenous laboratory spray dryer with a relatively slow drying rate. The drying time of droplets of colloidal silica (5 wt%) and sodium chloride solution (20 wt%) in this spray dryer was nearly 10 s. The present system was composed of a four-jet compressed air nebulizer that generates a droplet size of 2–5 µm with a nebulization rate of nearly 60 mL/h. The generated powder can be collected using a cyclone or a wire mesh collector. Design and characterization of this system as well as characterization of the micrometric self-assembled powder grains obtained by this spray dryer are discussed.     

Improving the transport performance in delay tolerant networks by random linear network coding and global acknowledgments

We propose and study a new set of enhancement features to improve the performance of reliable transport in Delay Tolerant Networks (DTNs) consisting of both unicast and multicast flows. The improvement in reliability is brought in by a novel Global Selective ACKnowledgment (G-SACK) scheme and random linear network coding. The motivation for using network coding and G-SACKs comes from the observation that one should take the maximum advantage of the contact opportunities which occur quite infrequently in DTNs. Network coding and G-SACKs perform “mixing” of packet and acknowledgment information, respectively, at the contact opportunities and essentially solve the randomness and finite capacity limitations of DTNs. In contrast to earlier work on network coding in DTNs, we observe and explain the gains due to network coding even under an inter-session setting. Our results from extensive simulations of appropriately chosen “minimal” topologies quantify the gains due to each enhancement feature. We show that substantial gains can be achieved by our proposed enhancements that are very simple to implement.     

Monitoring the Key Components and Elimination of Asphaltenes Precipitation in Crude by a New Alternative Route

The crude composition was determined by distillation on a true boiling point apparatus individually. Then crude naphthas were introduced to a gas chromatograph and asphaltenes were determined by extraction. Quantities of key components were calculated by prescribed mathematical equations. On the basis of relative quantities of key components, 21 blends of 12 crudes were prepared caused asphaltenes precipitation in desalter. Seven blends remained successful, causing no further asphaltenes precipitation, and one of the successful blends was chosen to prepare a batch of 55,000 barrels and was passed through desalter. No further asphaltenes precipitation was found during the whole operation.     

Reinforcement effect of nanodiamond on properties of epoxy matrix

Epoxy/nanocrystalline diamond nanocomposites composites were prepared by dispersing ultrasonically, 0.4, 0.7, 1.0, and 4.0 wt% acid‐treated nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) powder in epoxy matrix. Fourier infrared spectroscopy was utilized to study the moieties attached to the nanodiamond particles. The trace elements present in NCD powder before and after acid treatment were analyzed by ion beam techniques. Thermomechanical properties of the nanocomposites showed that incorporation of low content (0.4 wt%) of nanodiamond powder into epoxy matrix enhanced the storage modulus, loss modulus, and hardness by ∼68, ∼55, and ∼86%, respectively, over neat epoxy. By increasing the concentration of modified NCD to 0.7 wt% resulted in lower values of hardness and thermomechanical properties but still remain higher than neat epoxy. An increasing trend in properties was again observed at 4 wt% concentration of modified nanofiller. The glass transition temperature was up shifted to ∼110°C over neat epoxy. The mechanisms responsible for enhanced properties of epoxy matrix are also discussed in detail. POLYM. COMPOS., 34:811–818, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Comparison of artificial neural network and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system for predicting the wrinkle recovery of woven fabrics

The aim of this study was to compare the artificial neural network (ANN) and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) models for predicting the wrinkle recovery of polyester/cotton woven fabrics. The prediction models were developed using experimental data-set of 115 fabric samples of different constructions. Warp and weft yarn linear densities, ends/25 mm and picks/25 mm, were used as input/predictor variables, and warp and weft crease recovery angles (CRA) as output/response variables. It was found that the prediction accuracy of the ANN models was slightly better as compared with that of ANFIS models developed in this study. However, the ANFIS models could characterize the relationships between the input and output variables through surface plots, which the ANN models could not. The developed models may be used to optimize the fabric construction parameters for maximizing the wrinkle recovery of polyester/cotton woven fabrics.     

Feasibility study of use of recycled High Density Polyethylene and multi response optimization of injection moulding parameters using combined grey relational and principal component analyses

Usability of recycled High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) as substitute for virgin HDPE is investigated. Optimization design of the injection moulding parameters for recycled HDPE products is presented. Tensile, compressive and flexural strengths are selected to evaluate the process performance and the corresponding moulding parameters are melt temperature, holding pressure, injection time, and holding time. Optimal combination of injection moulding parameters is determined using Grey relational analysis. The principal component analysis is applied to evaluate the weighting values corresponding to various performance characteristics. Tensile, compressive and flexural strengths of the recycled HDPE are found close to that of virgin HDPE. Thus, recycled HDPE is a good substitute for virgin HDPE. Optimal combination of the process parameters for the multi-performance characteristics of the recycled HDPE is the set with melt temperature at 240 °C, holding pressure at 255 N/m², injection time at 0.6 s and holding time at 30 s.     

Issues and strategies in composite fabrication via friction stir processing: A review

Friction stir processing (FSP) is an expeditiously emerging novel technique involving exterior layer modification, which enables one to successfully fabricate surface composites (SCs) as well as bulk composites of the metal matrix. SCs constitute an exclusive class of composites which exhibit improved surface properties while retaining the bulk properties unaltered. During initiative years, FSP was employed in development of SCs of light metal alloys like aluminum. But, nowadays, it has gained a shining role in the field of SC fabrication of various nonferrous alloys like aluminum, magnesium, copper, and even ferrous metals like steel etc. This article reviews the current trends, various issues, and strategies used to enhance the efficiency of the fabrication process of SCs. Factors involved in the process of SC fabrication are discussed and classified with a new approach. Also, variation of microstructural and mechanical characteristics with these factors is reviewed. In addition to a brief presentation on the interaction between various inputs and their effects on properties, a summary of literature on SC fabrication for different metals is tabulated with prominent results. Subsequently, shortfalls and future perspectives of FSP on SC fabrication domain are discussed.     

A novel kinetic approach to crystallization mechanisms in polymers

Kinetics of polymer crystallization is capable of modeling the polymer crystallization processes by revealing their mechanisms. Although complexities of polymer crystallization processes are familiar, a generalized approach for their kinetic modeling has not yet been suggested. This paper presents a concise review of the pre-existing kinetic approaches to polymer crystallization, including their pros and cons, putting a special emphasis on the necessity of approaches to polymer crystallization. A systematic and advanced approach comprising an innovative kinetic framework to model polymer crystallization processes is put forward using Hoffman-Lauritzen theory. Kinetic functions are developed for predicting the crystallization mechanisms of simple as well as complicated polymer crystallization processes. The suggested kinetic approach is experimentally justified by its effective applications to non-isothermal glass and melt crystallization of poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate). An account of the soundness of the proposed kinetic approach and its prospective applications are also discussed.     

Development of optimized triaxially electrospun titania nanofiber-in-nanotube core-shell structure

One dimensional (1D) nanostructures and its derivatives can be manipulated to serve special functions like hollow structure, and higher surface area. 1D TiO₂ nanotube-in-nanofibers (NF@NT) are developed through triaxial electrospinning followed by a calcination process. A blended solution of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and tetra-butyl titanate is used in outer and inner layers of nanofibers, respectively, while paraffin oil is used in the middle layer. The optimized triaxial nanofibers of 669.4 ± 52.43 nm are developed at 7.5 w/w% concentration, 28 kV applied voltage, and 24 cm spinning distance. TiO₂ NF@NT structure is obtained through calcination of optimized triaxial nanofibers at 550°C. Subsequently, the morphology of TiO₂ NF@NT and its uniform diameter distribution is confirmed through scanning electron microscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results indicates the formation of TiO₂ NF@NT. X-Rays diffraction pattern peaks also reveals the presence of both anatase and rutile crystalline phases. The presence of only titanium (Ti) and oxygen (O) elements in the TiO₂ NF@NT is confirmed through energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis indicates that TiO₂ NF@NT has a higher specific surface area of ~141.68 m²/g compared with the solid TiO₂ nanofiber (~75.31 m²/g). This study can be adopted to develop TiO₂ NF@NT for wide range of application.     

Performance optimization of microfluidic paper fuel-cell with varying cellulose fiber papers as absorbent pad

Miniaturization of devices, combined with other features such as portability, proneness to automation, rapid performance, amenability to integration, multiplexing, and cost-effectiveness, is rapidly increasing for various sensing and energy harvesting applications. One such emerging area is the development of microfluidic fuel cell on cellulose papers, which has enormous scope to optimize its performance. This is primarily because such devices eliminate the need for membranes as well as external pumps since they have built-in colaminar flow embedded capillaries. Such peripherals are usually used in conventional microfluidic fuel cells, which are fabricated using methods like photolithography, PDMS lithography, and 3D printing. This paper presents investigations on microfluidic paper–based fuel cells (MPFCs) with different cellulose absorbent pads for their performance optimization. Herein, the MPFC utilizes formic acid as fuel, oxygen from quiescent air as oxidant, and sulfuric acid as electrolyte for conducting ionic exchange under colaminar flow. The electrodes are realized through simple pencil strokes depositing a thin layer of graphite. The porous graphite electrodes act as diffusion agents breathing oxygen directly from the atmospheric air. Such an MPFC configuration, costing less than US $1, was optimized to achieve maximum energy density by examining various combinations of absorbent pads with different grades of cellulose papers. It is seen that the maximum open circuit potential is 0.46 V, while the maximum current and power densities are 1505.66 μAcm⁻² and 173.97 μWcm⁻², respectively, with a grade 6 absorbent pad. Such performance can be further enhanced by investigating MPFCs with various graphite pencils with a diverse number of strokes at different concentration levels.