Densification and alloying of ball milled Silicon-Germanium powder mixture during spark plasma sintering

In this research, the influence of process parameters such as sintering temperature and current during alloying and densification of silicon-germanium (Si₈₀-Ge₂₀) powder mixture using spark plasma sintering (SPS) was reported. Si₈₀-Ge₂₀ powder mixture was consolidated at the temperature range 900–1200 °C with 40 MPa pressure for 5 min. soaking. X-ray diffraction (XRD) study was made on sintered compacts to confirm the Si(Ge) alloy formation. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to understand the morphology, particle size and distribution of un-milled and milled Si₈₀-Ge₂₀ powder mixture. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) study was made on milled Si₈₀-Ge₂₀ powder mixture and bulk SiGe alloy to confirm the nano-crystallinity and alloy formation. Fracture toughness of sintered bulk SiGe alloy was determined from Palmqvist cracks geometry model using Vickers hardness testing. It is understood that, during spark plasma sintering nano-structured Si₈₀-Ge₂₀ powder simultaneously increases the densification and reaction kinetics. It helps to achieve homogenous nanostructured SiGe alloy of near theoretical density. The superior hardness and benchmarked fracture toughness (K_IC) values of 630 VHN and 2.19 MPa√m was achieved for SiGe alloy sintered at 1200 °C, respectively.     

Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of Si-Mn alloy anode materials for high energy lithium secondary batteries

The Si-Mn alloys as anode active materials were prepared by mechanical milling and calcination at three different temperatures like 600, 700, and 800 degrees C. The alloys were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission-scanning electron microscopy, field emission-transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical cycling within a range of 2.5 V to 0.01 V versus Li/Li+. We found that the Si-Mn alloy calcined at 800 degrees C exhibited (i) an enhanced reversible capacity during the intercalation and de-intercalation process and (ii) a reduction in fading capacity characteristic due to modified structural and interfacial properties. Increasing the calcination temperature could improve the electrochemical performance of these materials, especially at 800 degrees C. Hence this alloy possibly suited to apply for lithium rechargeable batteries. The reversible capability after fourth cycling increases in the range of 95% to nearly 99% coulombic efficiency during the following intercalation and de-intercalation process. The Si-Mn alloy has the potential to be suitable for use as an anode active material in lithium rechargeable batteries.     

Growth of ZnSe∶Mn Nanocrystals from Vapour Phase

ZnSe∶Mn nanocrystals were grown by chemical vapour transport method using the matrix of SiO2 aerogels. The cubic structure of the nanocrystals was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron diffraction (ED) studies. The size of the crystals was observed using transmission electron microscope (TEM). The oxidation state of Mn in ZnSe nanocrystal was found using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrum. The room temperature luminescence measurements show the peaks corresponding to both bandgap of the material and Mn in ZnSe.     

Quick fix for obstacles emerging in management recruitment measure using IOT-based candidate selection

In this paper, decision-making tool is developed for the identification of the optimal aspirant for the recruitment procedure. It is developed using the IoT-based smart sensor architecture and Visual Studio programming language. The ideal candidates are determined by using the objective function, which is extracted from the sequence of the pairwise comparison performed using the combination of MCDM algorithms. Later, after the pairwise comparison, the process is extended to the next step, that is to allocate ranking for the best suitable candidate. This makes the tool more feasible and accurate. To identify the ranking of the finest aspirant, the combination of two MCDM technologies is used that is TOPSIS and GRA. In TOPSIS, mainly two artificial alternatives are used that is positive ideal alternative and negative ideal alternative. The Grey relational grade reduced by Grey theory (Tsai et al. in Int J 11:45–53, 2003) will be used to make an integrated and authentic evaluation system for identifying who is the best aspirant among all the candidates applied for the job of a professor.     

Hierarchical Self‐Organization of Nanomaterials into Two‐Dimensional Arrays Using Functional Polymer Scaffold

Fabrication of two and three‐dimensional nanostructures requires the development of new methodologies for the assembly of molecular/macromolecular objects on substrates in predetermined arrangements. Templated self‐assembly approach is a powerful strategy for the creation of materials from assembly of molecular components or nanoparticles. The present study describes the development of a facile, template directed self‐assembly of (metal/organic) nanomaterials into periodic micro‐ and nanostructures. The positioning and the organization of nanomaterials into spatially well‐defined arrays were achieved using an amphiphilic conjugated polymer‐aided, self‐organization process. Arrays of honeycomb patterns formed from conjugated C₁₂PPPOH film with homogenous distribution of metal/organic nanomaterials. Our approach offers a straightforward and inexpensive method of preparation for hybrid thin films without environmentally controlled chambers or sophisticated instruments as compared to multistep micro‐fabrication techniques.     

化解数字视频的技术障碍

针对安全监控系统而言,主要任务就是需要一种低成本方式,实现在几小时、几天、几周乃至几个月的时间里实现视频影像的传输、存储以及搜索.就此,随着关键技术的不断发展,安全监控行业正经历着重大技术提升.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis and electrochemical characterization of TiNb2O7 microspheres as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

TiNb₂O₇ microspheres are prepared via a microwave-assisted solvothermal method. The microwave irradiation lowers the compound formation temperature to 600°C, and highly crystalline TiNb₂O₇ powders are obtained upon calcination at 800°C. Morphological analysis of the sample shows uniformly distributed microspheres with a particle size of around 1 μm. The Li⁺-ion diffusion coefficient calculated from the electrochemical impedance result is around 1.21 × 10⁻¹³ cm² s⁻¹, which is 1.5 times higher than the sample obtained from the conventional solvothermal method. The TiNb₂O₇ sample derived from microwave yields a high discharge capacity of 299 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 C, whereas the sample synthesized via the conventional solvothermal process yields only 278 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 C. Excellent rate capabilities such as 220 mA h g⁻¹ at 5 C and 180 mA h g⁻¹ at 10 C are also observed for the microwave-assisted solvothermal sample. Moreover, the sample exhibits a large capacity retention of 95.5% after 100 discharge–charge cycles at 5 C. These results reveal the appropriateness of the microwave-assisted solvothermal process to prepare TiNb₂O₇ powders with superior properties for battery applications.     

A deep analysis of object capabilities for intelligence considering wireless IoT devices with the DNN approach

The Journal of Supercomputing - The Internet of Things (IoT) represents a potential paradigm increase in the number of linked devices, referred to as things. Administering these things remains a...     

A simple method for concentrating and detecting viruses in wastewater

A simple method has been developed for routine analysis of sewage and sewage effluents for detecting viruses using adsorption at pH 3 on a 0·45 μm 47 mm diameter membrane filter and elution at pH 8. It was tested on viruses added to autoclaved sewage. Homogenizing the sample for 4 min in a Waring blender and clarification by centrifugation at 1800 g and later at 9230 g facilitated easy filtration without any loss of virus. Retention of the eluant for 30 min on the millipore membrane and then elution in situ under suction provided a sterile eluate with 100 per cent recovery of viruses.

Viruses added to fecal suspensions with 600 mg I⁻¹ BOD were completely recovered when the sample pH was adjusted to 3 and its salt concentration increased by adding 1200 mg l⁻¹ of Mg²⁺ as the chloride. This procedure eliminated the need for passing the samples through ion exchange resins for removing membrane coating components. In a 1 yr programme of monitoring of raw sewage from a middle income group community in Nagpur, a maximum of 3150 PFU/1 during monsoon and 11575 PFU/1 during winter was obtained.

High efficiency and reproducibility of the method allowed the use of sample volumes of 40 ml of raw sewage and 320 ml of treated effluent for the detection of viruses.