Boron-doped activated carbon from the stems of Prosopis juliflora as an effective electrode material in symmetric supercapacitors

For a supercapacitor electrode, carbon-based materials have received great attention for their high surface area and stability. In this work, sustainable and cost-effective synthesis of boron-doped activated biomass-derived carbon from the stems of Prosopis juliflora has been reported for supercapacitor applications. The activation by KOH creates pores and boron induces p-type doping in the carbon matrix. The material gave a higher specific capacitance of 307.14 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g. The symmetric supercapacitor device delivered 156.29 F/g of specific capacitance with 98.1% of energy efficiency. The observed energy and power densities were 7.81 Wh/Kg and 150 W/Kg, respectively. The device was further studied with stability test for 1000 charge/discharge cycles and showed 98.6% of capacitance retention and 97.9% of coulombic efficiency.

     

Product mix determination in the presence of alternate process plans and stochastic demand

The product mix problem in the presence of alternate process plans under uncertain demand is formulated as a non-linear programming model. A heuristic solution procedure based on lagrangean relaxation technique is also presented.     

APPLICATION OF RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY FOR THE MAXIMIZATION OF CONCORA CRUSH RESISTANCE OF PAPERBOARD

Response surface methodology is often used by researchers in different fields to determine the optimum values for controlled variables to maximize or minimize the response variables. Either maximization or minimization might be necessary depending on the response property. For example, if the response variable represents the yield of a process, maximization could be necessary; on the other hand, if the response variable is the biological oxygen demand (BOD) of an effluent the aim would definitely be minimization

Response surface methodology can be used two ways. It can be applied to the full-scale production or it can be scaled to a laboratory or the pilot plant. When applied to the full-scale production, the method is known as evolutionary operation (EVOP). EVOP is the continuous optimization of a process. The optimum conditions in a production plant can change depending on many factors such as raw material, ambient temperature, and equipment wear. Therefore, controlled variables should be optimized continuously to keep the response variable as close as possible to the maximum or minimum value. Hence, controlled variables are systematically changed around a center point to depict any shift of the response variable from the extreme. A thorough discussion of EVOP is given by Box, Evolutionary Operation: A Method for Increasing Industrial Productivity, Appl. Statist., 6, 81-101 (1957).     

A New Route for the Synthesis of Tungsten Carbide–Cobalt Nanocomposites

Synthesis of WC–Co nanocomposites generally involves gas-phase carburization. A novel approach in which a polymer precursor such as polyacrylonitrile serves as an in situ carbon source has been developed. The WC–Co nanocomposites formed are characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and electron microscopy. Nearly phase pure WC–Co nanocomposites with a particle size of 50–80 nm have been obtained. The phase purity of the products is strongly influenced by the synthesis and processing conditions such as the firing temperature, time, and atmosphere.     

Growth of ZnSe∶Mn Nanocrystals from Vapour Phase

ZnSe∶Mn nanocrystals were grown by chemical vapour transport method using the matrix of SiO2 aerogels. The cubic structure of the nanocrystals was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron diffraction (ED) studies. The size of the crystals was observed using transmission electron microscope (TEM). The oxidation state of Mn in ZnSe nanocrystal was found using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectrum. The room temperature luminescence measurements show the peaks corresponding to both bandgap of the material and Mn in ZnSe.     

Dyes from the leaves of deciduous plants with a high tannin content for wool

The aqueous leaf extracts of five different deciduous plants, namely, silver oak, flame of the forest, tanner’s senna, wattle and serviceberry, were used on their own and in combination with aluminium sulphate, stannous chloride and ferrous sulphate to dye wool by a simultaneous mordanting technique. The washing and light fastness properties of the developed shades were moderate to good. Based on the CIE 2000 spectral colour coordinate values (K/S, ΔL, Δa, Δb and ΔE), the developed shades were classified into four groups: yellow/brown, yellow, orange and dark grey. The use of aluminium sulphate gave medium shades (K/S = 8.24), while the stannous chloride and ferrous sulphate mordants provided deep shades (K/S = 30.5). Statistical analyses have shown that only the type of mordant and not the dye source significantly influenced the development of colour on wool. Hence, it was theoretically possible to use five selected leaves as a single mixture to produce four different colours on wool.     

Soil–conduit interaction: an artificial intelligence application for reinforced concrete and corrugated steel conduits

Neural Computing and Applications - Marston’s load theory is commonly used for understanding the soil–conduit interaction. However, there are no practical methods available which can...     

Scanning Auger electron spectroscopy study of the oxide film formed on dendritic and interdendritic regions of C containing Fe3Al intermetallic

The oxide films formed during early stage of oxidation at 800 °C on dendritic and interdendritic regions of the cast Fe–16Al–1C (wt.%) alloy were studied using scanning Auger electron spectroscopy. Microhardness measurement and elemental depth profiles by Auger spectroscopy reveal that the carbide, Fe₃AlC_0.69, is the major constituent of the interdendritic region, while dendrites are predominantly Fe₃Al phase. Between the two, the interdendritic region is found to be more prone to oxidation than the dendritic region, which was attributed to presence of carbides with low-Al content. In spite of the difference in oxide film thickness exhibited by both the phases, they consist of an inner aluminium oxide layer and an outer iron oxide layer.