Multi-objective Binary Reinforced Cuckoo Search Algorithm for Solving Connected Coverage target based WSN with Critical Targets

In the stream of WSN, covering the targets using sensors and communication among the sensors to forward the data packets is a prime challenge due to the sparse target locations. Dedicated sensors lead more installation cost and significant amount of maintenance needs to be charged. Coverage of multiple targets by few sensors leads to network failure in case if any sensor runs out of power. Targets in sparse region also should be considered into account while sensing the environment. Hence in this paper, an effective multi-objective connected coverage target based WSN algorithm is proposed namely Multi-Objective Binary Cuckoo Search algorithm. The proposed model also handles the critical targets in the given sensing region. The algorithms hold the potentiality to handle minimized sensor deployment, maximized coverage and connectivity cost simultaneously. The proposed model is compared with the state of art algorithms to prove its significance. Two dedicated simulation region is developed in a large scale to examine the efficiency of the proposed algorithm. The results shows the significance of the proposed model over existing algorithms.

     

Synthesis of Fe/ZnO composite nanocatalyst and its sonophotocatalytic activity on acid yellow 23 dye and real textile effluent

Nanocatalysts such as ZnO, Fe and Fe/ZnO composite were synthesized for better treatment of dye than the conventional treatment methods. The catalysts were characterized using SEM, EDAX, BET surface area, XRD and DRS. The degradation of acid yellow 23 dye in aqueous solution has been investigated using sonolysis, photolysis and sonophotocatalysis. The effect of different conventional operating parameters such as initial solution pH, gas purging (Argon, Oxygen, Air and Nitrogen) and H₂O₂ addition, under sonolysis (13 and 25 mm probe tip diameter) and photolysis (UV light), showed a maximum of 41 % colour removal for 0.0187 mmol/L dye solution under photolysis with 88.2 mmol/L H₂O₂ addition. Among the catalysts used, 98 % dye colour removal was obtained with 0.2 g/L Fe/ZnO composite under 60 min of sonophotolysis that had been benefitted by the synergistic effects. The HPLC spectrum of the untreated dye and treated dye supports the claim of eradication of the parent dye compound. Sonophotocatalytic treatment of real textile effluent in the presence of 6 g/L Fe/ZnO composite and 264.6 mmol/L H₂O₂ reduced the COD level from 792 to 174.4 mg/L in 240 min to meet the allowable effluent discharge standard into running water streams. The studied treatment methods were found to be effective for the degradation of acid yellow 23 dye and subsequently in real textile effluent too.     

Biosynthesis of reduced graphene oxide using Turbinaria ornata and its cytotoxic effect on MCF‐7 cells

Graphene‐based nanomaterials are gaining importance in biomedicine because of their large surface areas, solubility, and biocompatibility. Green synthesis is the most economical method for application, as it is rapid and sustainable. Biofunctionalized reduced graphene oxide (TrGO) nanosheets were synthesized using methanol extract of Turbinaria ornata, and bioreduction of graphene oxide was primarily confirmed and characterized using UV‐visible, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy and further characterized by zeta potential and transmission electron microscopy. The FTIR spectra of TrGO showed a decrease in the band intensities of oxygen groups, thus confirming effective deoxygenation. The zeta potential value of −34.6 mV revealed that synthesized TrGO was highly stable. The cytotoxic effect of TrGO against MCF‐10A and MCF‐7 cells was ascertained using MTT assay, showed a greater cytotoxic effect on MCF‐7 cells. The IC₅₀ of TrGO treatment against MCF‐7 was calculated to be 31.25 µg, which is onefold lower than the cytotoxic effect of methanolic extract of T. ornata (60.0 ± 1.14 µg/ml). In addition, there was a statistically significant difference in cell viability between MCF‐10A and MCF‐7 cells in the treatment of TrGO. Hence, this study results in an efficient green reductant for producing rGO nanosheets that possess cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells.     

Analysis of electrical motors load factors and energy savings in an Indian cement industry

Electric motors consume in between 30% and 80% of the total industrial energy use for few selected countries around the world. It was identified that many motors are operated under loaded conditions. In some cases, motors are operated even at 3-16% of their full loads. These low loads can be optimized with the application of variable speed drives (VSD) to match the load requirements. Based on the estimation, it has been found that annually about 1,865,925 MWh of energy can be saved for 60% speed reduction when VSDs are used. It was also found that about 2,122,675 tons CO₂emission could be avoided annually by using VSDs for Low Tension (LT) motors for 60% speed reduction. It was also estimated that annually about 4,600,386 MWh of energy can be saved for High Tension (HT) motors for 60% speed reduction using VSDs. The average payback period (PBP) for implementing VSDs for LT and HT motors found to be very low (i.e. about 2 days). In this particular study it is observed that installing both LT and HT capacitors to improve power factor found to be not economically viable owing to low level of energy savings.     

Multi-ring modes generation in Yb:YAG ceramic laser

A short-focus glass lens with strong spherical aberration was used for mode selection in the cw LD-end-pumped Yb:YAG ceramic laser. Sequence of low to very high order Laguerre-Gaussian (LG_pl) modes with different combinations of radial, p and azimuthal, l indices (p ? 10, l ? 28), with output beam diameters 2-13 mm and power up to 30 mW was obtained. Peaked and hollow multi-ring beams with near-diffraction free propagation of the central minimum or maximum over 40 m distance from the laser resonator were observed. Mechanisms of mode selection and possible applications of the proposed laser scheme are considered.     

A comparative study on chitosan nanoparticle synthesis methodologies for application in aquaculture through toxicity studies

Chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) have been recently used for various applications in aquaculture, especially as drug carriers. The aim of this study was to synthesise and investigate a superlative method of CSNP synthesis for application in aquaculture through aquaculture‐based toxicology screening methods. Two different methods were analysed: the first a direct ionic gelation method (A) and the other involving a low‐molecular‐weight chitosan microparticle intermediate method (B). Dynamic light scattering characterisation revealed that the CSNP particle sizes were 192.7 ± 11.8 and 22.9 nm from methods A and B, respectively. The LC₅₀ values for brine shrimp toxicity were found to be 1.51 and 0.02 ppt in 24 h for methods A and B, respectively. Acute toxicity studies in Litopenaeus vannamei rendered LC₅₀ values of 3235.94 and 2884.03 ppt in 24 h for methods A and B, respectively. Zebrafish toxicity studies revealed mortality rates of 21.67% and 55% at 20 mg/L concentration for methods A and B, respectively, with an increased expression of intracellular reactive oxygen species in method B. From these findings, it can be concluded that a comparatively reduced toxicity of CSNPs derived from ionic gelation method makes it more appropriate for application in aquaculture.     

Sonophotocatalytic treatment of methyl orange dye and real textile effluent using synthesised nano‐zinc oxide

In this work, experiments were carried out by combining the sonication technique with the photocatalytic technique (ultraviolet light source) for the degradation of methyl orange dye and real textile effluent. Studies were performed with variation in parameters such as oxidant (sodium persulfate), commercially available zinc oxide, methyl orange concentration, and sonochemically synthesised zinc oxide. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction analysis of synthesised zinc oxide showed that the particle size was in the nano range. Near‐complete colour removal by sonophotocatalytic treatment was observed for a concentration of 10 mg l^?1 of methyl orange with 1 g l^?1 of synthesised zinc oxide and 1500 mg l^?1 of sodium persulfate. For 100 mg l^?1 of methyl orange, the colour removal was 77% for 1 g l^?1 commercially available zinc oxide and 84% for 1 g l^?1 synthesised zinc oxide respectively, with 1500 mg l^?1 sodium persulfate. Similar experimental conditions were applied for the sonophotocatalytic treatment of real textile effluent with different dilutions (1:100, 1:10, and 1:1) and raw effluent. For real textile effluent, sonophotocatalytic treatment was found to be highly effective both in colour and chemical oxygen demand removal. The chemical oxygen demand removal was 88, 65, 63, and 41% for 1:100, 1:10, and 1:1 dilutions and raw effluent respectively.     

A review of solar thermal technologies

The use of solar energy in recent years has reached a remarkable edge. The continuous research for an alternative power source due to the perceived scarcity of fuel fossils is its driving force. It has become even more popular as the cost of fossil fuel continues to rise. The earth receives in just 1 h, more energy from the sun than what we consume in the whole world for 1 year. Its application was proven to be most economical, as most systems in individual uses requires but a few kilowatt of power. This paper reviews the present day solar thermal technologies. Performance analyses of existing designs (study), mathematical simulation (design) and fabrication of innovative designs with suggested improvements (development) have been discussed in this paper.