Morphology,Mineralogy and Mixing of Individual Atmospheric Particles Over Kanpur (IGP): Relevance of Homogeneous Equivalent Sphere Approximation in Radiative Models

Estimation of the direct radiative forcing (DRF) by atmospheric particles is uncertain to a large extent owing to uncertainties in their morphology (shape and size), mixing states, and chemical composition. A region-specific database of the aforementioned physico-chemical properties (at individual particle level) is necessary to improve numerically-estimated optical and radiative properties. Till date, there is no detailed observation of the above mentioned properties over Kanpur in the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP). To fill this gap, an experiment was carried out at Kanpur (IITK; 26.52°N, 80.23°E, 142 m msl), India from April to July, 2011. Particle types broadly classified as (a) Cu-rich particles mixed with carbon and sulphur (b) dust and clays mixed with carbonaceous species (c) Fe-rich particles mixed with carbon and sulfur and (d) calcite (CaCO₃) particles aged with nitrate, were observed. The frequency distributions of aspect ratio (AR; indicator of extent of particle non-sphericity) of total 708 particles from April to June reveal that particles with aspect ratio range >1.2 to ≤1.4 were abundant throughout the experiment except during June when it was found to shift to high AR range, >1.4 to ≤1.6 (followed with another peak of AR i.e. >2 to ≤2.4) due to dust storm conditions enhancing the occurrence of more non-spherical particles over the sampling site. The spherical particles (and close to spherical shape; AR range, 1.0 to ≤1.2) were found to be <20% throughout the experiment with a minimum (11.5%) during June. Consideration of Homogeneous Equivalent Sphere Approximation (HESA) in the optical/radiative model over the study region is found to be irrelevant during the campaign.     

An ocular wavefront sensor based on binary phase element: design and analysis

A modal wavefront sensor for ocular aberrations exhibits two main advantages compared to a conventional Shack–Hartmann sensor. As the wavefront is detected in the Fourier plane, the method is robust against local loss of information (e.g. local opacity of ocular lens as in the case of cataract), and is not dependent on the spatial distribution of wavefront sampling. We have proposed a novel method of wavefront sensing for ocular aberrations that directly detects the strengths of Zernike aberrations. A multiplexed Fourier computer-generated hologram has been designed as the binary phase element (BPE) for the detection of second-order and higher-order ocular aberrations (HOAs). The BPE design has been validated by comparing the simulated far-field pattern with the experimental results obtained by displaying it on a spatial light modulator. Simulation results have demonstrated the simultaneous wavefront detection with an accuracy better that ～λ/30 for a measurement range of ±2.1λ with reduced cross-talk. Sensor performance is validated by performing a numerical experiment using the City data set for test waves containing second-order and HOAs and measurement errors of 0.065?µm peak-to-valley (PV) and 0.08?µm (PV) have been obtained, respectively.     

Microstructure and mechanical properties of friction stir welded oxide dispersion strengthened alloy

Effect of friction stir welding (FSW) on microstructure and mechanical properties of oxide dispersion strengthened alloy MA956 was investigated. Fine grained microstructure was developed in the processed region with slight particle coarsening. Tensile behavior of the processed material was compared with that of the as-received material at room temperature. Results indicated that significant grain refinement during FSW compensated for the reduced particle strengthening contribution and enhanced tensile strength by 145 MPa without loss in ductility. Further analysis indicated a good agreement between experimentally measured yield strength and the strength calculated by Pythagorean superimposition of strengthening contribution in FSWed material.     

Dielectric relaxation in complex perovskite Ba(Bi1/2Ta1/2)O3

A new lead-free perovskite Ba(Bi_1/2Ta_1/2)O₃ was prepared by conventional ceramic fabrication technique at 1,200 °C/4 h in air atmosphere. The crystal symmetry, space group and unit cell dimensions were determined from the experimental results using FullProf software. The crystallite size and lattice strain were estimated from Williamson-Hall approach. XRD analysis of the compound indicated the formation of a single-phase cubic structure with the space group Pm3m. EDAX and SEM studies were carried out in order to evaluate the quality and purity of the compound. Permittivity data showed a low temperature coefficient of capacitance (T _CC  < 4%) up to +125 °C. Complex impedance analyses suggested the dielectric relaxation to be of non-Debye type. Electric modulus studies supported the hopping type of conduction in Ba(Bi_1/2Ta_1/2)O₃.     

A subtle review on the challenges of photocatalytic fuel cell for sustainable power production

The revolution in the arena of functional materials for the development of well advanced engineered photocatalyst can efficiently harness photon energy from a wide spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. These next-generation smart materials would be a spectacular approach in designing devices such as photovoltaic cells, photoelectrochemical cells, and photocatalytic fuel cells. Photocatalytic oxidation of water or wastewater for concurrent production of hydrogen and electric current has turned out as a principal concept for the construction of modern photocatalytic fuel cells (PFCs). Such PFCs mimics reverse photosynthesis process where electrical energy is generated from organic pollutants. In recent years many reviews on focusing the design, fabrication, and theoretical efficiency of the PFCs have been published. Hence the present review is aimed to unveil the wall-to-wall information starting from fundamentals spanning to working principles, structural configuration, electrochemical degradation of pollutants and photoelectrochemical properties, electron transport, thermodynamic behavior and columbic efficiency of studied PFCs.     

Freestanding chemiresistive polymer composite ribbons as high-flux sensors

Chemiresistive polymer composite ribbons that function as chemical detectors were produced from solution-cast films of polymers and carbon composites. An array with multiple polymer sensor threads was exposed to dimethyl methyl phosphonate, a nerve agent simulant, and different interferents in the vapor phase. Principal component analysis was used to differentiate between the analytes. The response of the ribbon sensors as a function of the carbon composite and the host polymer source was investigated. The freestanding threads/sensors were mounted into a cell perpendicular to the gas flow to provide little pressure drop and were imbedded into fabrics to provide an example of a small, low-cost, wearable chemical sensor. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Identification of Natural Products as Potential Pharmacological Chaperones for Protein Misfolding Diseases

Defective protein folding and accumulation of misfolded proteins is associated with neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, secretory, and metabolic disorders. Efforts are being made to identify small-molecule modulators or structural-correctors for conformationally destabilized proteins implicated in various protein aggregation diseases. Using a metastable-reporter-based primary screen, we evaluated pharmacological chaperone activity of a diverse class of natural products. We found that a flavonoid glycoside ( C-10 , chrysoeriol-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside) stabilizes metastable proteins, prevents its aggregation, and remodels the oligomers into protease-sensitive species. Data was corroborated with additional secondary screen with disease-specific pathogenic protein. In vitro and cell-based experiments showed that C-10 inhibits α-synuclein aggregation which is implicated in synucleinopathies-related neurodegeneration. C-10 interferes in its structural transition into β-sheeted fibrils and mitigates α-synuclein aggregation-associated cytotoxic effects. Computational modeling suggests that C-10 binds to unique sites in α-synuclein which may interfere in its aggregation amplification. These findings open an avenue for comprehensive SAR development for flavonoid glycosides as pharmacological chaperones for metastable and aggregation-prone proteins implicated in protein conformational diseases.     

Nanomaterials based biofuel cells: A review

Biofuel cells (BFCs) are the devices made to transform the chemical energy of organic matter to electrical energy utilizing metabolic reactions occurring in microorganisms during degradation of organic contaminants. In spite of having many applications such as waste water treatment, biosensors and portable uses of BFCs, promoting the uses of BFCs is very challenging because of short life-time and low-power density. Most of the BFC developed till date is only capable to fulfill energy needs of biomedical short-term implanted devices. Use of materials with nano dimensions in the construction of BFCs has been studied extensively and reported as a worthwhile strategy to increase its efficiency. Usually, it is difficult to achieve efficient electron transfer on planar electrode from biocatalyst due to its non-specific orientational the interface. Nonmaterials provide close wiring for the electron transfer between biocatalyst and electrode. Use of various nanomaterials is the most effective way to decrease the gap between active sites (electron producing area)deep inside the enzyme or proteins and the electrodes to achieve better electron transfer. Also, various nanomaterials are utilized to improve the membrane materials for better electron barrier. Many carbon nanostructures, conducting polymers, metal and metal oxides are promising nonmaterials to enhance the current output from BFC. This review highlights recent progress registered in the development of various nanomaterials for construction of electrode and membranes of biofuel cells for better efficiency. It also emphasized the utilization of different metallic nanomaterials, inorganic nanomaterials, conducting polymer-based nanomaterials and carbon-based nanomaterials such as graphene, fullerenes, and carbon nanotubes.