Electrochemical conversion of switchgrass and poplar in molten carbonate direct carbon fuel cell

One way of sustaining fuel cell technology is using renewable and sustainable energy means provided by biomass. This article explores switchgrass and poplar in a molten carbonate electrolyte direct carbon fuel cell. It investigates their electrochemical conversions and provides results of power density, current density, open circuit voltage (OCV) and other parameters. The biomasses were pyrolysed at 800°C to produce carbon fuels. Biomass carbon fuels were mixed with molten carbonate and subjected to different operating conditions (600–800°C) in the fuel cell. The electrochemical performances of the poplar fuel were better than those experienced with switchgrass fuel. At 800°C the OCV of poplar fuel (1.08?V) has higher output than switchgrass (0.87?V). The peak power density recorded for poplar fuel was 23.91?mW/cm² while switchgrass fuel was lower at 21.60?mW/cm². Poplar fuel (81.53?mA/cm²) gave a maximum current density with switchgrass fuel lower at 74.00?mA/cm².     

In vitro characterization of microdialysis sampling of macromolecules

Experiments were performed to characterize the in vitro collection of macromolecules using microdialysis. Fluorescently labeled proteins and dextrans ranging from 3000 to 150 000 were sampled using a 10-mm, 100 000 molecular weight cutoff, polyethersulfone microdialysis probe. Published models describing microdialysis mass transport of small molecules were examined to determine their appropriateness for sampling of macromolecules. Collection efficiencies, reported as relative recoveries, for macromolecules from 3000 to 70 000 ranged from 5 to 44%. Collection efficiencies determined for microdialysis sampling of macromolecules follow the functionality of published models, although experimental mass transport resistances are to some extent smaller than predicted. Implications of the current study for in vivo microdialysis sampling of cytokines and growth factors are discussed.     

Culm Morphological Traits Contributing to Lodging Resistance in First Generation NERICA Cultivars Under Foliar Application of Orthosilicic Acid Fertilizer

Silicon - Lodging resistance in upland rice requires adequate knowledge of the mechanical basis of culm morphological traits (CMTs) with potential for improved structural integrity under...     

Chemical composition,amino acid analysis and functional properties of breadnut (Artocarpus altilis) flour

Breadnut flour was processed and evaluated in the laboratory for chemical composition, amino acid and functional properties. The results showed that breadnut flour contained high quality protein with total essential amino acid of 55.1% which is comparable with that of soya flour and egg; while it is better than most nuts and oil seeds. Most of the essential amino acids satisfy the range for infant requirement or even higher than the maximum value of the range. The most predominant amino acids in breadnut are valine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid, while the limiting amino acid is methionine + cystine. Breadnut protein has minimum solubility at pH 5 and maximum solubility at pH 8. Potassium is the most abundant among the minerals determined (0.7 g/100 g) while magnesium (0.08 g/100 g) is the least. The result of the functional properties showed that the flour may be useful as a thickener and protein supplement in diet.     

Polymeric Nanocomposites (PNCs) for Wastewater Remediation: An Overview

A decline in the world’s freshwater resources poses a major domestic and industrial challenge. Amelioration efforts that proffer possible water management and reclamation technology is therefore, of utmost priority. One of the most promising solutions to water conservation is to recycle wastewater. The use of polymeric nanocomposites (PNCs) in water treatment/remediation processes provides possible solution to recycling. This overview focused on PNCs; to highlight trends in their fabrication, characterization and application procedures for wastewater remediation and monitoring. Key issues bothering on the regeneration and reuse of PNCs were discussed, along with projections for their rational design for safe application.     

In vitro multienzyme digestibility of protein of six varieties of African yam bean flours

The in vitro multienzyme protein digestibilities of the flours of six varieties of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa), made from both whole seeds and dehulled seeds were investigated. The multienzyme system consisted of trypsin, chymotrypsin and peptidase. Digestibilities were determined for a 10 min digestion period. Both dehulling and heat treatment improved digestibility. Comparison of flours from raw whole seeds with those from dehulled seeds showed that digestibility was better in the latter, with an increase of 6.78%. Heat-treated whole seed flcurs gave a digestibility increase of 6.06% compared with raw flours whereas in the dehulled samples the digestibility increase of heat-treated flours over raw was 5.19%. Heat-treated dehulled seeds were better, with a digestibility increase of 5.90% over the heat-treated whole seed flours. No significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the digestibilities among the whole seed flours but significant differences were observed in the dehulled seed flours.