Compaction modelling of textile preforms for composite structures

This paper deals with modelling the compaction behaviour of dry fibre assemblies using an energy minimisation scheme. Compaction behaviour of textile preforms can significantly influence the resin permeability, fibre volume fraction and the geometry of individual tows. Tow geometry will in turn affect the elastic properties of the laminate, mode of damage initiation and progression. In this work, constitutive properties of yarns in bending and transverse compression were measured using Kawabata Evaluation System, and used for computing the potential energy stored in individual yarn segments within a preform. The compaction model has been experimentally verified for single and multi-layer 2D fabrics and 3D fabrics.     

New CFOA-based floating immittance emulators

This paper presents four new topologies for emulating floating immittance functions. Each circuit uses two or three current-feedback operational-amplifiers (CFOAs) and three passive elements. The proposed topologies can emulate positive/negative lossless and lossy floating inductances, and positive/negative capacitance, resistance and inductance multipliers in addition to floating frequency-dependent positive and negative resistances. The functionality of the proposed circuits is verified using the Advanced Design System software and the AD844 CFOA. The simulation results are in excellent agreement with the theoretical calculations.     

Catalysis by β‐Cyclodextrin Hydrate – Synthesis of 2,2‐Disubstituted 2H‐Chromenes in Aqueous Medium

A cost‐effective, operationally simple and eco‐compatible protocol for the one‐pot synthesis of photochromic pyrans by the reaction of propargyl alcohols as well as propargyl ethers with differently substituted phenols under ambient atmosphere in aqueous medium has been developed using β‐cyclodextrin hydrate as an efficient, recyclable and stable catalyst. This is the first report where β‐cyclodextrin hydrate acted as a catalyst for an organic transformation but β‐cyclodextrin alone failed.

     

A high-resolution Navier–Stokes solver for direct numerical simulation of free shear flow

Abstract

A high-resolution, Navier–Stokes solver is developed for direct numerical simulation (DNS) of free shear flow. All terms in Navier–Stokes equations are discretized using higher order methods. Diffusion term is discretized using fourth order central difference scheme while second order Adams–Bashforth is used for time derivative. Advecting velocity is approximated using fourth order Lagrangian interpolation. For the approximation of advected velocity, a blended fifth order-upwind scheme is proposed. Developed high resolution solver is used for DNS of round jet in transitional and turbulent regimes. A novel open outlet boundary condition (OOBC) is proposed which has the ability to dynamically adjust according to prevailing local condition at the outlet thereby minimizing reflections from outlet. Ability of blended fifth order upwind scheme and fifth order WENO is assessed in terms of algorithmic efficiency as well as fidelity of simulations. It is demonstrated that the proposed blended fifth order upwind scheme outperforms the WENO scheme in terms of algorithmic efficiency. Assessment of fidelity of simulations reveals that WENO displays a tendency to over-predict momentum advection in transitional as well as fully turbulent regime of the round jet. In contrast, the proposed advection scheme is not faced with such limitation.     

Synthesis,structure and electrical studies of praseodymium doped barium zirconium titanate

Praseodymium (Pr) doped barium zirconium titanate with nominal composition (Ba_1−xPr_x)(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ (x = 0.1 and 0.2) were synthesized using solid state reaction method. X-ray analysis conform the formation of cubic phase Pr-doped barium zirconium titanate along with minor pyrochloric phase. The increase in grain size after primary investigation reveals the influence of Pr ions on the domain structure and its microstructure. In order to correlate the effect of the chemical composition with the conduction mechanism, different AC electrical parameters have been addressed. The frequency dependant tangent loss of the sample was less for both the ceramics. The temperature dependence results show that the dielectric parameters and resistivity increases as Pr-content in the ceramic increases; this is attributed to the grain size and dipole dynamics. Complex impedance (Z*) plots show frequency dependent behavior as the response for the grain resistance mechanisms. This mechanism has been represented by an equivalent circuit. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient showed n-type non-degenerated semiconductor in the measured temperature range. The temperature dependent conductivity measurement suggests a novel negative temperature coefficient of resistance behavior of the samples. Furthermore, the frequency dependent conductivity plot shows increasing behavior.     

Study of structural and magnetic properties of (Co–Cu)Fe2O4/PANI composites

The nanocomposites of the polyaniline and Co_1−xCu_xFe₂O₄ (PANI/CoCuFe) were prepared by in-situ oxidative polymerization of aniline. Prepared nanocomposites samples were characterized by using various experimental techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Mössbauer spectroscopy and ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry (UV–VIS). The elemental analysis as obtained from the energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) measurement is in close agreement with the expected composition from the stoichiometry of the reactant solutions. XRD result confirms that all the samples have the single phase cubic spinel structure. Unit cell parameter ‘a’ is found to decrease with the increase in copper ion substitution. The crystallite size was investigated by using the Debye–Scherer formula and it was found in the range of ∼28–37 nm. FE-SEM confirmed the homogeneous and well defined surface morphology of the synthesized samples. FT-IR study showed the main absorption bands corresponding to the spinel structure those arose due to the tetrahedral and octahedral stretching vibrations. Cation distribution was estimated using XRD data. Hysteresis measurements revealed that the saturation magnetization decreased with increase in Cu²⁺ substitution. Magnetic environment of ⁵⁷Fe in Cu-doped cobalt ferrite was investigated by using Mössbauer spectroscopy. Mössbauer study evidenced the ferrimagnetic behavior of the synthesized samples.     

Optimization and evaluation of microwave-assisted synthesis of magnetite as a carrier for targeted drug delivery system

ABSTRACT

The present research work is a novel cost-effective method for synthesis of magnetite. Magnetite is a carrier which is used in the targeted drug delivery system. The conventional methods of preparation of magnetite take around 6–7 h for the completion of reaction; moreover, the particle size of magnetite which we get by the conventional methods is above 5 µm, so the present work aims at preparing magnetite with microwave assistance which has found to reduce reaction time with particle size obtained below 5 µm. The aim of this study was to optimize magnetite synthesis using 2³ factorial design by Design-Expert software. Magnetites were synthesized using oxidation of ferrous sulfate. In the next step, the effects of different variables on particle size are studied, including the stirring speed, microwave power (W), and stirring time. Based on the type and the variables studied, eight formulations were designed using factorial design method, and were then prepared, and their particle size was determined. Finally, selected magnetite syntheses were evaluated from the viewpoints of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Results revealed that magnetite obtained from the solutions generated Design-Expert software could be selected as the best and optimized formulations due to their lowest particle size.     

Improved Fermentation of Cocoa Beans with Enhanced Aroma Profiles

The cocoa (Theobroma cacao) fermentation was carried out using starter consortia of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Acetobacter aceti with 10% inoculum. The fermented beans were soaked with sterile water (1:3 wt/v) for the duration of 1, 3, and 5 h. The treated beans were dried to the moisture content of 7 ± 1%. The samples were then roasted, ground and subjected to steam distillation. The volatiles were extracted and identified using GC-MS. The samples soaked for 1 h scored 100% cut score along with 0.85% fermentation index. The volatile and non-volatiles were associated with beans treated in water after fermentation. Volatile compounds were classified as esters, alcohols, acids, aldehydes, ketones, pyrazines, hydroperoxides, and hydrocarbons. Most of the oxygenated aliphatic compounds and aromatics were potentially derived via an acetic acid and shikimic acid pathways, respectively. Untreated cocoa beans contained 12 sesquiterpene hydrocarbons potentially derived through the mevalonic acid pathway and contributed to harsh notes. Also, these metabolites were completely absent in the treated samples indicating depletion while soaking. Thus, the treated samples (1 h) had enhanced quality with high flavor notes with 8.5 rating on sensory evaluation. Thus, these soaking treatments with fermentation lead to improvement of flavor profiles which confers improved cocoa quality.     

Preparation and characterization of Co2+ substituted Li–Dy ferrite ceramics

Stoichiometric compositions of ferrites with the chemical formula Li_0.5?0.5xCo_xFe_2.4?0.5xDy_0.1O₄ with x=0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 were prepared by the standard double sintering ceramic method. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the cubic spinel structure of the prepared samples. The structural, morphological and magnetic properties were studied by X-ray diffraction, infra-red spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) and ac susceptibility measurements. Lattice constant, grain size and density increase whereas porosity decreases with the increase in Co²⁺ substitution. IR measurements show the characteristic ferrite bands. Spectral absorption bands were observed in IR spectroscopic analysis at ν₁=564?601 cm^?1, ν₂=486?519 cm^?1 and ν₃=551?578 cm^?1. The cation distribution estimated by the X-ray diffraction is supported by magnetization and susceptibility studies. The saturation magnetization decreases from 44.25 to 17.14 emu/g whereas coercivity remarkably increases from 240.69 to 812.14 emu/g with increasing Co²⁺ substitution. The mechanisms involved are discussed.