To develop energy-efficient devices for a sustainable future, this study investigated thulium-doped lanthanum zirconate (La2Zr2O7) as a phosphor for solid-state lighting. The material was synthesized via the sol–gel technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to confirm the phosphor phase, with no impurity peaks observed. The phosphor is single-phase, has a pyrochlore cubic formation, and the crystallite size was found to be around 36 nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to identify the various bonds in the host lattice. The energy bandgap of the optimized phosphor was calculated to be 4.87 eV using the diffuse reflectance data by applying the Kubelka–Munk function. Photoluminescence (PL) emission and excitation studies were also conducted on these phosphors. A sharp blue luminescence, centered at 460 nm under 360 nm excitation, was observed, originating from the 1D2 → 3F4 transition. The intensity of this luminescence increased up to 0.05 mol of Tm3+ ions in the host lattice. Dipole–dipole interaction was confirmed as the interaction between the activator ions, leading to the quenching of the concentration. The Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of the prepared phosphors lay in the blue region, with the optimized sample exhibiting the highest color purity of around 76
The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in the financial sector has intensified concerns regarding responsible use, governance, and long-term capability development. While prior studies examine AI adoption, regulation, ethical principles, or performance outcomes, limited empirical research explains how banking and regulated financial service organizations systematically build responsible AI capabilities as part of their strategic management processes. In particular, existing studies do not structurally model the interdependencies among AI management factors nor link them to dynamic organizational capabilities. Addressing this gap, this study presents an original empirical investigation of responsible AI management in commercial banks and regulated financial institutions engaged in risk management, compliance, credit assessment, and customer-facing financial services. The study makes an original theoretical contribution by integrating Fuzzy Interpretive Structural Modelling (FISM) with Dynamic Capabilities Theory (DCT) to develop a new, theory-informed capability-building framework. A three-phase mixed-methods design was employed. In the first phase, open-ended questionnaires and in-depth interviews with 26 domain experts, along with Nominal Group Technique (NGT) sessions involving 11 experts, identified 14 critical factors influencing responsible AI management. In the second phase, FISM was applied to model the hierarchical and contextual interrelationships among these factors. In the final phase, follow-up interviews mapped these factors to the sensing, seizing, and transforming dimensions of DCT. The findings generate new empirical insights demonstrating that responsible AI in banking functions as a second-order dynamic capability extending beyond technological readiness. While financial institutions possess foundational AI resources, they lack specialized skills and governance structures required for responsible AI integration. Ethical governance mechanisms, workforce development, legacy system alignment, and technology partnerships emerge as key driving enablers. The study offers an original, empirically grounded framework that advances responsible AI scholarship by linking structural factor modelling with dynamic capability development, providing a structured roadmap for financial managers and policymakers seeking to align AI innovation with risk management and ethical accountability.
Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) is a highly nutritious and antioxidant-rich root crop that is used for preparation of several food items i.e. candy, paste, halwa etc., as well as natural colorant. The main objective of this research work was to standardize the process for preparation of beetroot candy (BRC) using jaggery as a sweetening agent. The samples were analyzed for sensory characteristics [body and texture (8.62±0.02), flavor (8.56±0.03), color and appearance (8.67±0.03), sweetness (8.46±0.03) and overall acceptability (8.66±0.03)], chemical composition [fat (0.20±0.00
This work explores the role of energy storage technologies, particularly electrochemical energy storage devices (EESD), in converting and storing electric energy for diverse applications. Recent advancements in EESD fabrication focus on unconventional shapes and structures, with additive manufacturing emerging as a promising approach. Specifically, material extrusion processes like fused filament fabrication (FFF) offer advantages such as cost reduction, rapid prototyping, intricate 3D compositions, and enhanced performance. This novel approach comprehensively investigates the mechanical (tensile, compression, impact, and flexural strength), electrical (electrical conduction), and thermal (thermal transition and thermogravimetric behaviour) characterisation of the developed PLA and its sixteen composite filament materials fabricated via FFF. The composites are developed with PLA as the base thermoplastic matrix and different combinations of additives, including carbon fibres, graphene nanoplatelets, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, lithium titanate oxide, and lithium manganese oxide. Through experimentation and analysis, this research aims to deepen the understanding of how additives influence material behaviour, thus laying the groundwork for enhanced design and application in the field of EESD. Additionally, by identifying key filament materials for anode, cathode, and separator, followed by the fabrication, assembly, and testing of EESD prototypes, this work provides tangible proof of concept for the practicality and efficacy of the findings. After the first 60 cycles, the fabricated EESD maintained an average Coulombic efficiency of over 90
The renewed interest in rammed earth (RE) as a sustainable construction material requires addressing its inherent limitations related to moisture sensitivity, low tensile capacity, and variability in mechanical performance. This study investigates a stepwise stabilization strategy combining pine fibers (PF) as discrete reinforcement, limestone dust powder (LSP) as a mineral filler, and limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) as a low-carbon binder to improve mechanical performance, short-term moisture resistance, and microstructural characteristics of RE composites. This approach also supports sustainability by valorizing forest-derived pine biomass associated with wildfire fuel loads and quarry fines, while reducing clinker content through LC3 incorporation. Rammed earth blocks were produced with 1% PF and 10–25% LSP, followed by the introduction of a fixed 10% LC3 dosage into the optimized PF-LSP composition. Performance was evaluated through compaction characteristics, dry and wet compressive strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and 24 h water absorption. Microstructural evolution was examined using FESEM-EDS, XRD, and TGA. Among the tested formulations, SREPF1LS20LC10 exhibited the best overall performance, achieving a dry compressive strength of 5.47 MPa, flexural strength of 1.47 MPa, UPV of 2858 m/s, water absorption of 10.96%, and a wet-to-dry strength ratio of 0.51. Microstructural analyses provided evidence consistent with matrix densification, pore refinement, and the presence of poorly crystalline hydration products and secondary carbonate phases, while fiber-matrix interaction remained predominantly mechanical. Within the investigated design space, the proposed system demonstrates a technically viable and low-carbon pathway for enhancing rammed earth performance, with durability claims limited to short-term moisture resistance indicators.
