A sustainable green synthesis of zeolite from kaolin was incorporated into loam to reduce leaching and improve environmental sustainability. This research determined the effects of a cation-binding mineral zeolite on nitrogen leaching, nitrogen absorption, and cherry tomato yield in pots. There are seven distinct experimental handlings: Control High (CH); Control Attainment (CS); Control Low (CL); 2g of zeolite(2gZ); 4g of zeolite(4gZ); 6g of zeolite(6gZ); and 6g of commercial zeolite (6gIZ) grown in a greenhouse. A design replicated 30 times. The implementation of the Least Significant Difference (LSD) post-hoc test (P≤0.05) enables the effectiveness measurement of all loam handlings towards leaching and N utilisation in loam. According to the results, 6g of zeolite shows the smallest, highly significant difference in the mean concentrations of nitrite and nitrate compared with the other handlings (p < 0.05). Regarding the average nitrogen concentration in the loam at each harvest, the 6 g zeolite handling distinctly increased the average loam nitrogen concentration compared to other handlings (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in fruit mass between handlings (p > 0.05); however, the handling with 6 g of zeolite produced the highest mean fruit mass overall. In conclusion, with the zeolite capacity expressed as Cation exchange capacity (CEC), this green-synthesised zeolite reduced water discharge from a container while increasing the average nitrogen concentration in the loam.
The impact of Nb content on the characteristics of oxide scale formation was studied during isothermal oxidation tests of the HR120 Fe-40Ni-24Cr alloy. The oxidation kinetics, phase analysis, and surface morphology were studied using samples with low grain diameter (LGD) and high grain diameter (HGD) obtained by heat treatment at 1050 °C and 1150 °C, respectively. The LGD and HGD samples were then subjected to isothermal oxidation tests at 500 °C for 500 hours. The oxidation kinetics were measured by tracking the time for weight changeovers. Phase analysis was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and surface morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and field-emission SEM (FESEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The oxidation kinetic plots exhibited an increasing weight gain trend for LGD and HGD samples, and followed a parabolic rate law. A lower parabolic rate constant was recorded by LGD sample of 7.38 × 10⁻⁹ mg²·cm⁻⁴·s⁻¹, indicating a lower oxidation rate, hence having good oxidation resistance. Phase analysis recorded Cr₂O₃ and MnCr₂O₄ oxides formed on both samples. Surface morphology analysis revealed a uniform oxide layer coexisting with a protruding Nb-rich oxide structure, further confirmed by EDX, and the LGD sample exhibited good scale integrity. The HGD samples displayed overgrown protruding oxide structures with non-adherent oxide scale, with evidence of oxide exfoliation. These findings support the proposed oxide diffusion mechanism, indicating that Nb content has the greatest impact on oxide growth in the HGD samples.
Accurate determination of transistor size parameters is necessary to provide ideal operating conditions and performance. Using Design of Experiments (DoE) techniques to enhance device performance and efficiency, this work explores the Taguchi strategy for optimizing device parameters in a 7 nm Silicon FinFET. This study examines how geometric scaling influences FinFET performance, focusing on the ratio of on-state current (ION) to off-state current (IOFF), threshold voltage (VTH), subthreshold swing (SS), and drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL). The Taguchi method is used to improve the FinFET model, leading to better performance. In addition, the study of the impact of improved FinFETs on the performance of logic circuits, especially regarding delay and power requirements. Silvaco TCAD Simulator is used in this work for simulation and analysis. The Taguchi method was used to identify the optimal factor combination for robust device performance, with orthogonal arrays and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) as the selected quality parameter. The parameters considered in the Design of Experiments (DoE) include Length (LG), Fin Height (HFIN), and Fin Width (WFIN) in the top region. The parameters for the ION/IOFF ratio, VTH, DIBL, and SS were identified using Taguchi’s robust performance signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The VTH value is 0.7461V for the FinFET, with LG, WFIN, and HFIN ranging 13 nm, 7 nm, and 35 nm, respectively. FinFET yielded a current ratio of 262.072 and SS of 72 mV/dec when LG was 13 nm, WFIN was 5 nm, and HFIN was 40 nm. When the FinFET has LG, WFIN, and HFIN of 10 nm, 10 nm, and 35 nm, respectively, it produces the optimum DIBL of 232 mV/V. Overall, the analysis demonstrates that FinFET performance can be substantially enhanced by dimension optimization. Additionally, the Taguchi approach effectively identified the optimal parameter combinations, which were then employed in logic circuits to create low-power FinFETs.
Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have excellent characteristics, including mechanical strength and durability, as well as electrical and thermal conductivity, which make them desirable for materials science, sensing, and nanotechnology applications. MWCNTs are hydrophobic and chemical inert materials, therefore causing considerable agglomeration and poor dispersion when they are to be dispersed in a polar liquid. This study investigated the effectiveness of the MWCNT surface modification via functionalization (adding functional groups to the surface of MWCNTs) and dispersion properties of MWCNTs after mild-acid sonication with either mixed-acid (6 M Nitric Acid and Sulfuric Acid) or single acid (6 M Nitric Acid). The functionalization and dispersion properties were characterized by using FTIR, Raman, XRD, and SEM. FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of oxygen-containing functional groups, with a characteristic C=O peak at ~1720 cm-1. Raman analysis showed that functional groups formed covalent bonds and that there was no significant structural degradation. SEM analyses indicated that there is a large difference between pristine MWCNTs, as agglomerated (pristine) and functionalized and dispersed (uniformly dispersed). It was determined that although the mixed-acid sonication approach produced more stable dispersions than single-acid sonication did, there was no difference in MWCNT structures (functional group formation relative to preservation of MWCNT structural integrity). The optimal sonication duration time to achieve the best balance of MWCNT functional group incorporation and MWCNT structural integrity was 2-4 hours. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that functionalizing and dispersing MWCNTs using a mild mixed-acid sonication treatment is an effective and simple way to achieve those goals.
Diabetes is a global health issue that affects approximately 537 million people. The prevalence of diabetes is projected to reach 783 million by 2045. Invasive glucometers and patch sensors provide effective management through continuous monitoring, but these devices are inconvenient and lead to poor compliance. Alternative methods such as non-invasive near-infrared (NIR) monitoring offer continuous monitoring, but these devices are also often vulnerable to ambient light interference and absorption by substances such as ascorbic acid. Recent studies have shown that ultrasound can enhance optical interactions and increase measurement sensitivity in complex fluids. In this study, a proof-of-concept system combining 1 MHz ultrasound with a 940 nm NIR LED-photodiode circuit was developed. Ultrasound-assisted glucose detection was evaluated under controlled fluid-solution conditions at glucose concentrations ranging from 0 to 300 mg/dL. To assess selectivity, samples were tested with and without 30 mg/dL ascorbic acid under ultrasound and non-ultrasound conditions. The results showed that ultrasound increased the sensitivity from 113 µV/(mg·dL⁻¹) to 124 µV/(mg·dL⁻¹) in glucose-only samples and from 71 µV/(mg·dL⁻¹) to 74 µV/(mg·dL⁻¹) in glucose-ascorbic acid samples. The result corresponds to an increase insensitivity improvement from 7.37% to 19.60%. Ultrasound also improved linearity (R²) and reduced Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) across all test conditions, indicating improved consistency. In terms of selectivity, the measurement remained high (>98%), with voltage differences below 2% between glucose-only and glucose-ascorbic acid samples. This confirms the minimal influence of external factors under the tested conditions. Overall, these findings indicate that combining ultrasound and NIR for glucose detection can improve the sensitivity and reliability of the signals in water-based glucose solutions. Further validation, such as using tissue-mimicking phantoms and in vivo studies, is required before this approach can be considered for non-invasive glucose monitoring applications.
