The Effect of Low Levels of Sulphite on the Swelling and Solubility of Starches

The effect of low levels of sulphite on the swelling volume and release of polysaccharide from a range of starches pasted at 95°C and 121°C has been investigated. In all cases the addition of 0.01% sulphite enhanced the release of polysaccharide on heating at 95°C and for potato, cassava and sago starches the measured volume showed a marked reduction. In the case of rice and wheat starches, sulphite only had a large effect on the swollen volume at pasting temperatures of 121°C, whereas, even at this temperature, maize was little affected. The addition of the polar antioxidant propyl gallate completely nullified the sulphite effect, with the exception of potato starch, suggesting that sulphite could act by promoting oxidative reductive de-polymerisation of the polysaccharide. The effect of 0.01% sodium chloride was also investigated. It was found to have a similar effect to sulphite in the case of potato starch but did not influence the swelling volume or solubility of the other starches.     

Facile Fabrication and Developing the Structural,Optical and Electrical Properties of SiC/Y2O3 Nanostructures Doped PMMA for Optics and Potential Nanodevices

Silicon - This work aims to improve the structural, optical and electrical characteristics of silicon carbide(SiC) yttrium oxide(Y2O3) nanostructures doped poly-methyl methacrylate(PMMA) to utilize...     

Optimizing the distributed generators integration in electrical distribution networks: efficient modified forensic-based investigation

Neural Computing and Applications - As a result of various loads, including critical installations (industries, nuclear facilities, etc.), electrical distribution networks (EDNs) must operate...     

Tuning the Spectroscopic and Electronic Characteristics of ZnS/SiC Nanostructures Doped Organic Material for Optical and Nanoelectronics Fields

Silicon - The current work aims to investigate of designing the polystyrene(PS)/zinc sulfide(ZnS)/silicon carbide(SiC) new nanostructures as a potential materials for optical and nanoelectronics...     

Controlling the Structural and Dielectric Characteristics of PS-PC/Co2O3-SiC Hybrid Nanocomposites for Nanoelectronics Applications

Silicon - This paper aims to fabricate of polystyrene(PS)-polycarbonate(PC)/Cobalt oxide(III) nanoparticles (Co2O3 NPs)-Silicon carbide nanoparticles (SiC NPs) nanocomposites films to use in...     

An approach for monitoring the chilling injury appearance in bananas by means of backscattering imaging

The non-invasive detection of chilling injury (CI) symptoms in banana may potentially be approached by means of monitoring changes in the pigment contents and texture of the exocarp. In the present study, laser diodes emitting at 660 and 785 nm were applied to acquire images of backscattered light from intact banana fruits. The idea was to monitor chlorophyll and texture changes by means of relevant wavelengths, respectively. Bananas were stored for 2 days at 13 °C (control), 6 °C (chilling temperature), and subsequently 1 day at ambient temperature to allow the symptom development. Parameters obtained from the backscattering images and their combinations were applied for detecting chilling injury. Significant (P < 0.05) interaction of backscattering properties and treatment factors (temperature, ripening stage, and treatment time) were found. Classification of control and chill-injured samples in ripe fruits measured at 660 nm and 785 nm resulted in misclassification error as low as 6% and 8% for early detection, and 0.67% and 1.33% for detection after storage, respectively. The physiological relevance of the variation measured at the two wavelengths was pointed out by means of destructive pigment and water analyses.     

Design and simulation of a novel solar photovoltaic system assisted single-slope solar still distillation unit

Water is an essential component of our lives. Conventional seawater desalination, based on fossil fuel energy, is primary in meeting freshwater demands. Thus, solar desalination still emerged as an alternative technology that employs environmentally friendly renewable energy. Here, we aim to design and simulate a novel hybrid solar photovoltaic (PV) system coupled with a single-slope solar still unit for freshwater production. Various design techniques were utilized to fine-tune the model towards producing 3–4.6 kg/m² · day of distillate water, thereby calculating the design aspects such as tank size, energy, and cost. The results revealed that a conventional solar desalination system had 22% lower efficiency than the proposed novel still distillation unit assisted with a solar PV system (connected to a heating element). The maximum efficiency of 45% has been recorded at the peak solar insolation due to the combination of the solar PV system. According to our design constraints, only a 3 m² basin area was required to achieve a productivity of ${\mathit{P}}_{\mathit{st}}$ = 1–5 kg/day. Design analysis showed that the total capital cost of a conventional still can be significantly reduced from 2600 to 1500 $/unit with PV system integration at the specified productivity and optimal solar radiation of ~17 MJ/m² · day at peak time (02.00 PM). This work paves the way towards maximizing solar energy utilization from PV integration with solar desalination to achieve high freshwater productivity in single-basin solar still systems.     

Exploring the Design and Spectroscopic Characteristics of PVA/Si3N4/SiBr4 New Structures for Electronics and Optics Devices

Silicon - This work aims to design of silicon nitride (Si3N4) and silicon bromide (SiBr4) doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as promising semiconductors materials which can be used in various...     

Synthesis and Characteristics of SiC/MnO2/PS/PC QuaternaryNanostructures for Advanced Nanodielectrics Fields

Silicon - This work aims to synthesize of silicon carbide(SiC)/manganese oxide(MnO2)/polystyrene(PS)/ polycarbonate(PC) quaternarynanostructures to use in various advanced electronics nanodevices....