Kamaraj College of Engineering and Technology (Autonomous) was established in the year 1998. KCET has been granted Autonomous status by UGC for 10 years from 2019 to 2029. It is a technical institution offering undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programs in various disciplines of engineering and technology. The college is located in Madurai district. It is promoted and supported by Virudhunagar Hindu ' Devasthanam, various Hindu' Mahamai Tharappus in Virudhunagar, educational institutions of Virudhunagar and other organizations.
Biofouling remains a major problem in microalgae dewatering with membranes, and sustainable antifouling materials and reliable, low-cost monitoring strategies are needed. In this study, we prepared a porous antifouling membrane by incorporating tannin extracted from the Tamarindus indica seed coat into a poly (lactic acid) (PLA) matrix using phase inversion and Ca2 + post-treatment. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were used to characterise the pristine PLA and tannin-modified membranes, and their filtration performances were assessed in a 100 L laboratory-scale raceway reactor for microalgae dewatering. The tannin-modified membrane showed improved antifouling performance, with the permeate flux decreasing from approximately 100-20 L/m2 & sdot;h over 60 min of filtration, while the pristine PLA membrane showed a more rapid decline in flux. In addition, the EEM analysis indicated a lower release of EPS into the permeate. A low-cost Smart Biofouling Monitoring Device was developed for non-destructive fouling assessment using image processing and spectral reflectance analysis. The device is composed of a Raspberry Pi controller, Pi Camera Module and AS7265x Triad 18-channel multispectral NIR sensor. Feature extraction and visualization was performed by principal component analysis (PCA). Support vector machine (SVM) and support vector regression (SVR) models were employed for fouling classification and prediction. The integrated sensing platform achieved 96% classification accuracy and R2 = 0.913 for fouling severity prediction, demonstrating the potential of low-cost intelligent monitoring for membrane-based microalgal dewatering.
Background: The growing demand for sustainable materials to reduce environmental pollution has increased research into biodegradable polymers as alternatives to conventional plastics.Objective: This study aims to develop and evaluate polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) biofilms reinforced with Benincasa Hispida Peel Powder (BHP), an agricultural waste-derived filler, to improve mechanical, structural, and biodegradability characteristics for packaging applications.Methods: PVA biofilms were fabricated with varying BHP concentrations (0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% by weight). The composites were characterized using FESEM, FTIR, and AFM to assess filler dispersion and matrix compatibility. Mechanical testing was performed according to ASTM standards, while water absorption and soil biodegradation tests were conducted to evaluate functional properties.Results: The incorporation of 10% BHP yielded optimal performance, with tensile strength competitive to conventional polymers. Structural analysis confirmed uniform filler dispersion and strong interfacial bonding between PVA and BHP. Additionally, the composites exhibited enhanced biodegradability and controlled water absorption, highlighting their suitability for sustainable packaging.Conclusion: PVA/BHP composites demonstrate strong potential as biodegradable packaging films, offering an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Future research should focus on optimizing chemical treatments of BHP and exploring scalability and applications in broader industrial sectors.
Water is essential for all living beings, making the preservation of existing sources crucial to addressing water scarcity. However, many water sources are polluted or saline, making them unsuitable for drinking. Converting saline water into fresh water is vital for future demand management. A solar still (SS) based desalination system effectively transforms polluted water into potable water, but traditional systems suffer from low efficiency due to less evaporation and condensation rate. This study proposes a hybrid PV/T (photovoltaic/thermal) system contains conventional SS with a metal scraper (CSSMS), double fan (CSSDF), and both combined (CSSMSDF). The obtained results reveals that the hybrid PV/T system integrated with CSSMSDF exhibits superior performance compared to the other cases, achieving minimum distillation production cost of 0.011 $/L, maximum annual water yield of 948.663 L/m2, payback period of 1.77 years (for energy) and 25.04 years (for exergy), Specifically, it achieves additional energy/exergy efficiency of (8.99 %, 0.52 %) over CSS, (7.69 %, 0.44 %) over CSSMS and (1.04 %, 0.008 %) over CSSDF.
Additive manufacturing using fused deposition modelling (FDM) has emerged as a versatile and resource-efficient route for producing complex polymer and composite structures. However, the quality and sustainability of FDM-printed components are strongly governed by process parameters, nozzle design, and post-processing methods. This review provides a systematic analysis of these factors and their combined influence on mechanical integrity, surface finish, and dimensional accuracy. The study highlights how optimized layer thickness, build orientation, and extrusion temperature enhance interlayer adhesion and structural performance, while advanced nozzle geometries improve melt flow and minimize material waste. Post-processing techniques such as annealing, chemical smoothing, and surface finishing are evaluated for their roles in extending product life cycles and enabling recycled or bio-based polymer feedstocks. By linking process optimization to energy efficiency and material utilization, this review positions FDM as a pathway for sustainable, waste-to-value additive manufacturing. The insights presented support the development of eco-efficient design frameworks for next-generation polymer and composite processing within circular engineering systems.
In the wake of rapid urbanization and increasing demand for sustainable energy, flexible solar photovoltaic (PV) panels offer a promising solution for efficient utilization of unconventional and limited spaces in urban landscapes. This study investigates the performance characteristics of a 125 W flexible solar panel when deployed across four distinct architectural configurations namely a V-shape setup representing inclined small rooftops, a U-shape design mounted on cylindrical water tanks, a dome-shaped terrace conformal installation, and an L-bend structure mimicking wall junctions. The outcomes demonstrate how mounting curvature, tilt angle, and surface orientation significantly influence energy yield and solar irradiance. The study proposes a comparative framework for selecting the optimal configuration based on energy density (kWh/m2), area efficiency, and aesthetic-structural harmony. Flexible PV panels recorded 15.06 % efficiency on South-Inclined surfaces, 13.02 % on Flat surfaces, 11.06 % and 9.53 % on Dome orientations, 9.01 % on V-shape South-North, 8.25 % (East) and 7.57 % (West) on staircase railings, with L-bend walls giving comparatively reduced values, and U-shaped surfaces showing 1.68 %-2.64 %, indicating that efficiency varies distinctly with mounting geometry and orientation.
