Preparative linear ion trap mass spectrometer for separation and collection of purified proteins and peptides in arrays using ion soft landing

A preparative mass spectrometer for microarray fabrication is reported. The instrument includes an atmospheric pressure ionization source, a linear ion trap mass analyzer, an ion collection surface positioning system, and a surface loading chamber with independent vacuum pumping. It was designed for the production of protein arrays using the ion soft-landing technique to collect ions on a surface after separation by mass/charge ratio. Small microarrays have been prepared by isolating and soft landing individual protein or peptide ions after electrospray ionization of mixtures. The composition and purity of the separated materials has been confirmed using independent external mass spectrometric analysis of rinse solutions of the collected spots, either by the new method of electrosonic spray ionization MS or by nanospray ionization MS. The ability to retain bioactivity in the mass-selected and collected biomolecules has been demonstrated in particular cases. The reported instrument has also been characterized as an analytical mass spectrometer.     

Wind Energy Conversion Systems as a Distributed Source of Generation

As a result of the worldwide energy crisis, research and development activities in the field of wind energy have been gaining momentum for the last few years in many countries. Although this technology has been greatly improved during that time, the available technical know-how is not yet adequate to develop reliable wind energy converting systems for Indian conditions at low wind speeds. In spite of a few indigenous efforts, the developments of wind energy converting systems working at low wind speeds of 2–5 m/s, which is available for a considerable period of the year in the major part of the country, remain unfulfilled. This issue continues to be a matter of great concern for the Indian researchers. This paper introduces a new concept of amplifying the wind speed before it comes in contact with the rotor blades of a Savonius turbine by using a convergent nozzle. This novel work emphasizes the improvement of the efficiency of Savonius rotors, which normally extract less than 25% of the power in the wind and have been commercially unsuccessful. A research program involving wind tunnel tests of five different nozzle models has been conducted. Some necessary modifications in the design of the turbine have been suggested and verified practically with the help of working models. Analysis of different nozzle dimensions has also been outlined. The variation of the output speed with different values of input wind speed and different lengths placed at different distances from the wind tunnel are presented in the paper.     

Characterization of Barley β-Amylase for Application in Maltose Production

A simple procedure is devised to extract β-amylase preparation in a form suitable for commercial applications from germinated barley. α-Amylase activity in the β-amylase preparation was negligible to warrant its further purification. This preparation showed enzymatic activity over a broad pH and temperature range, suitable for conversion of starch to high purity maltose.