Study of Piezoelectric Vibration Energy Harvester with non-linear conditioning circuit using an integrated model

Piezoelectric vibration energy harvester (PVEH) consists of a cantilever bimorph with piezoelectric layers pasted on its top and bottom, which can harvest power from vibrations and feed to low power wireless sensor nodes through some power conditioning circuit. In this paper, a non-linear conditioning circuit, consisting of a full-bridge rectifier followed by a buck–boost converter, is employed to investigate the issues of electrical side of the energy harvesting system. An integrated mathematical model of complete electromechanical system has been developed. Previously, researchers have studied PVEH with sophisticated piezo-beam models but employed simplistic linear circuits, such as resistor, as electrical load. In contrast, other researchers have worked on more complex non-linear circuits but with over-simplified piezo-beam models. Such models neglect different aspects of the system which result from complex interactions of its electrical and mechanical subsystems. In this work, authors have integrated the distributed parameter-based model of piezo-beam presented in literature with a real world non-linear electrical load. Then, the developed integrated model is employed to analyse the stability of complete energy harvesting system. This work provides a more realistic and useful electromechanical model having realistic non-linear electrical load unlike the simplistic linear circuit elements employed by many researchers.     

Sorghum Proteins: The Concentration,Isolation, Modification,and Food Applications of Kafirins

Abstract: Celiac disease is a serious condition affecting millions of individuals. Those afflicted with this illness are resigned to a lifelong avoidance of products containing the storage prolamin proteins found in cereal grains wheat, rye, and barley. Since many food products are based on these cereals, especially wheat, celiac patients have very limited food choices, and those that are available to them are generally poor in quality, often nutritionally deficient, and expensive. Furthermore, this condition also indirectly affects their families and friends with whom they share meals. Thus, a burgeoning need exists to develop nutritious, palatable, and affordable foods, especially staples like bread and pasta, for these individuals and their families and friends who are accustomed to wheat based products. Grain sorghum and its proteins are safe for celiac patients and individuals with varying levels of gluten intolerances. However, the main sorghum proteins, kafirins, are resistant to digestion. They are also difficult to extract and modify in an industrial-scale process and with food-compatible chemicals, thus limiting their use in foods. This review describes studies on kafirin extraction and methods for modifying sorghum proteins for improved nutrition and functionality, as well as food applications. Armed with this knowledge, scientists and technologists will be in a better position to identify opportunities that will further enhance the nutritional and functional value of sorghum proteins.     

Analytic solution for flow of a micropolar fluid

Summary The time-independent equations for the two dimensional incompressible micropolar fluid have been considered. Using group method the equations have been reduced to ordinary differential equations and then solved analytically. Finally the boundary value problem has been discussed, and the graphical results are in good agreement with the numerical solution.     

Gearbox Fault Detection Using Real Coded Genetic Algorithm and Novel Shock Response Spectrum Features Extraction

This paper presents an intelligent fault detection method for gearbox. The method uses band-pass and wavelet filtering with real coded genetic algorithm (RCGA) and shock response spectrum (SRS) for features extraction. Vibration data acquired from gearbox are adaptively filtered through a band-pass and wavelet filters optimized by the RCGA. The filtering process unveils the fault pulses buried under huge background noise. Shock response spectrum is used to calculate the amount of shock produced by these pulses over a frequency band of interest for features extraction. The proposed method is a combination of intelligent and conventional search techniques, which shows a high performance and accurate fault detection results. The effectiveness, feasibility, and robustness of the proposed method are demonstrated on experimental data. The RCGA has successfully achieved an average speed up factor of 74 %, as compared to conventional genetic algorithms (GA) while preserving the quality of results.     

Comparative studies on molecular changes and pro-oxidative activity of haemoglobin from different fish species as influenced by pH

Oxygenation, autoxidation as well as pro-oxidative activity of haemoglobins from tropical fish (Asian seabass, tilapia and grouper) as influenced by different pH (6, 6.5 and 7) were comparatively studied. Relative oxygenation of all haemoglobins decreased in the acidic conditions. Haemoglobin from Asian seabass was more oxygenated and stable against autoxidation at both pH 6 and 7, compared to those from tilapia and grouper. Haemoglobin from tilapia and grouper was fully oxidised at pH 6 after 120 h. Lipid oxidation of washed Asian seabass mince added with haemoglobin from various fish at different pH (6, 6.5 and 7) was monitored during 10 days of iced storage. Haemoglobins accelerated lipid oxidation more effectively at pH 6, compared with pH 6.5 and 7 as indicated by the higher peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS). At the same pH values, haemoglobins from tilapia and grouper were more pro-oxidative than that from Asian seabass as evidenced by the higher PV and TBARS (P < 0.05). Volatile lipid oxidation compounds detected by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) were also formed at higher rate in the washed mince added with haemoglobin from tilapia or grouper with coincidental stronger fishy odour development, compared to the control and that added with haemoglobin from Asian seabass. Thus, lipid oxidation in fish muscle was more likely governed by haemoglobin, whose pro-oxidative activity varied depending upon the pH as well as molecular properties of haemoglobin.     

Micrometer and nanometer-scale parallel patterning of ceramic and organic–inorganic hybrid materials

This review gives an overview of the progress made in recent years in the development of low-cost parallel patterning techniques for ceramic materials, silica, and organic–inorganic silsesquioxane-based hybrids from wet-chemical solutions and suspensions on the micrometer and nanometer-scale. The emphasis of the discussion is placed on the application of soft-lithographic methods, but photolithography-aided patterning methods for oxide film growth are also discussed. In general, moulding-based patterning approaches and surface modification-based patterning approaches can be distinguished. Lateral resolutions well below 100 nm have been accomplished with some of these methods, but the fabrication of high-aspect ratio patterns remains a challenge.     

Mechanical and microstructural properties of soy protein – high amylose corn starch extrudates in relation to physiochemical changes of starch during extrusion

Mechanical and microstructural properties of expanded extrudates prepared from blends of high amylose corn (Zeamays L. ssp. Mays) starch (HACS) and soy protein concentrate (SPC) were studied in relation to the physicochemical changes in starch. Effects of screw speed (230 and 330 rpm) and SPC level (10%, 20%, 30% and 50%) on expansion and mechanical properties were determined. Compared with 230 rpm, screw speed at 330 rpm resulted in increased specific mechanical energy, expansion ratio, water absorption and water solubility indices and decreased bulk density and piece density. Varying screw speeds did not significantly affect the mechanical strength of extrudates or starch molecular weight distribution. Bulk and piece densities, and water absorption index (WAI) only slightly increased or exhibited no significant trends as SPC level increased to 20%. A substantial increase in bulk and piece densities and decrease in expansion ratio and WAI were observed as SPC level increased from 20% to 30%. The trends were either reversed or moderated as SPC increased to 50%. These results in combination with average crushing force and water solubility index data provided a significant insight into the interactions between HACS and SPC during extrusion processing. As compared to an earlier baseline study by our research group on normal corn starch – SPC extrudates, results from the current study indicated that the expansion of extrudate containing HACS alone was lower than that of extrudates containing normal corn starch. However, expansion of the HACS–SPC blends was not significantly impacted at 10–20% SPC levels, whereas the expansion of normal corn starch was significantly reduced.     

Synergistic effect of tannic acid and modified atmospheric packaging on the prevention of lipid oxidation and quality losses of refrigerated striped catfish slices

Chemical, microbiological and sensorial changes of striped catfish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) slices treated without and with tannic acid (100 and 200 mg/kg) were determined during 15 days of storage at 4 °C in air and under modified atmospheric packaging (MAP, 60% N₂/35% CO₂/5% O₂). The slices consisted of 9.2 g lipid/100 g and the lipid contained 64.55% unsaturated fatty acids and 33.87% saturated fatty acids. During the storage, the sample treated with 200 mg/kg tannic acid and stored under MAP (M₂) had the lowest peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) with the coincidental lowest non-haem iron content, indicating the retarded lipid oxidation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated the formation of primary oxidation products and free fatty acids in M₂ sample after 15 days. Conversely, these compounds were found at lower contents in the control samples kept in air without tannic acid treatment (A₀), suggesting that the deterioration was more advanced. Myosin heavy chain of A₀ was degraded by 17.85% after 15 days of storage, whereas no change was noticeable in M_2, compared with the fresh sample (F). Based on microbiological acceptability limit (10⁷ cfu/g), the shelf-life of A₀ and M₂ was estimated to be 3 and 15 days, respectively. M₂ had the acceptable scores for all sensory attributes up to 15 days, while A₀ was acceptable when stored for 9 days. Therefore, tannic acid exhibited a synergistic effect with MAP on retarding lipid oxidation and microbial growth, thereby increasing the shelf-life of striped catfish slices during refrigerated storage.     

Non-similar solution for the axisymmetric flow of a third-grade fluid over a radially stretching sheet

Summary The problem of axisymmetric flow of a third grade fluid over a radially stretching sheet is studied. By means of similarity transformation, the governing non-linear partial differential equations are reduced to a non-linear ordinary differential equation. The ordinary differential equation is analytically solved using homotopy analysis method (HAM). The solution for the velocity is obtained. The series solution is developed and the convergence of the results is discussed. Finally, the results are discussed with various graphs.