This study investigates the tribological and mechanical properties of poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based composites with molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) reinforcements. Polymeric composite materials have gained popularity in various tribology applications due to low weight, reduced wear and friction characteristics, and improved commercial aspects. MoS2 exhibits superior strengthening characteristics and improved tribological functionality depending on its concentration. Mechanical properties were assessed using micro-scratch testing, whereas tribological characteristics were investigated using pin-on-disc arrangement in dry conditions. Counter face discs were made up of 316 L Steel with four different roughness characteristics obtained from common machining operations: polished, turned, milled, and grit-blasted. Friction and wear results were analyzed under three loading conditions and four roughness characteristics. MoS2-reinforced composites exhibited a scratch hardness that is roughly double that of PEEK and around ten times higher than that of PTFE. Simultaneously, adding 3 wt.% of MoS2 in PEEK and PTFE composite reduces both volumetric wear and friction significantly compared to other combinations of materials. This study can, therefore, be practically important to produce direction in order to make a composite such as PEEK-PTFE-MoS2 (1-3 wt%) to achieve tailored tribological performances based on system operational features such as load, speed, temperature, and roughness characteristics. Highlights PEEK and PTFE based composites reinforced with molybdenum disulphide (MoS2). Pin-on-disc and scratch tests are considered for experimental analysis. 3 wt.% of MoS2 base-composite turned out to be the best performer. Investigation progresses with a variation of sliding speed and surface roughness.

The application of polymers and polymer-based composite increasing rapidly in industrial sector, due to its unique properties. In this study, the tribological behaviour of Poly-ether-ether-ketone (PEEK) and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) based composites with different ratio content of molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) is analysed experimentally. The tribological behaviour of these new developed polymeric materials has been observed with the help of pin-on-disc setup for different loading condition. From these observations, 3 wt% of MoS2 base composite turned out to be the best in tribological properties as compared to other variants of composites. The improvement in PTFE due to 3 wt% MoS2 is close to 90–100% in wear and 30–40% in friction, as compared to the PEEK value.

A Phylogenetic tree construction to know to the relationship of the ancestral association of species. The genome sequences, outlining the transmission of functional and genetic classification. Analysing the quantitative conduct of phylogenetics in the conservation of biodiversity and the successful heuristics of obtaining an accurate distribution of trees plays a predominant role. The study to know higher accuracy from efficient algorithm to deducing phylogenetic relationship among Sugarcane (Saccharum) species. A sample of 431 Saccharum genome sequences was drawn from NCBI dataset. Efficient algorithms like Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) method and Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) method were considered to construct the phylogenetic tree. The maximum likelihood with Tamura Nei model, Kimura 2-parameter model and achieves the highest precision, while MLE with Maximum likelihood with Jukes-Cantor model achieves the least. The computational biology of statistically results is justifiable and compares the functional relationship between various models in which error percentage has been reduced. The same algorithms perform on individual species under different models such as maximum likelihood with Kimura 2-parameter model and Tamura Nei model more efficient than others to differentiate the species genomic sequences and group them to correct taxon.

Coefficient of variation (CV) was a measure commonly applied to present variation in agricultural experiments. Its merits are well known, most important being one that CV deals with what we could call the scale-invariant variability in the experiments. It was easier to understand than variance it was based upon. Coefficient of variation used to compare the variation of traits in two (or more) populations or, more commonly, the variation of different traits in a population of the study. If the CV was within certain limits one can say that block has homogeneity in the character under study. Conditional on which distribution was to be used for modelling of the CV data of an experiment, which was a common problem in agricultural science. The six distributions viz., Normal, Lognormal, Gamma, Weibull, Exponential and Beta used for the fitting of distribution study. The test statistic Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Cramer-Von-Mises test, Anderson-Darling test and Chi-Square test for each data set was computed for six probability distributions and used to identify the best-fit distribution. The probability distributions viz., Normal, Lognormal, Gamma, Beta, Weibull, Exponential were identifying to evaluate the best-fit probability distribution for CV value. In addition, the different forms of these distributions also tried and thus the probability distributions applied to find out the best-fit probability distribution and to know the nature and shape of the distribution.

While pure tantalum has excellent corrosion resistance and formability, its high temperature properties and thermal stability are marginal for some intended applications. Traditional approaches for improving these properties have been dispersion and solid solution strengthening. Modifications of properties via an intermetallic precipitation was not considered until recently. Results of an on-going investigation on the processing and evaluation of silicide-strengthened tantalum are presented. Yttrium silicide-containing Tantalum samples were produced via the P/M method. Evaluation consisted of microstructural, mechanical, chemical and functional tests. Results were compared with those of commercially available tantalum. Intermetallics precipitates were found to be very potent in altering these properties. While the preliminary results are encouraging, extensive functional testing is required to assure that there is no unexpected adverse effect.

Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks (MANETs) are the most advancing and popular communication technologies. Mobile Ad-Hoc Networks are the widely used in the areas where a fixed infrastructure is either infeasible or unavailable. In spite of having vast applications areas, it fails in mission critical applications such as crisis management, disaster management and battlefield communications. In such applications, team members might need to work in groups scattered in the applications terrains. This situation raises network partitioning which leads MANET’s unsuitable for use. Our greatest challenge is to design a robust MANETs so that it can minimize network partitions. To address this challenging problem, in this paper we propose a new class of robust mobile ad-hoc networks called Autonomous Mobile Mesh Networks (AMMNETs). The mesh nodes used in AMMNETs has capability of following the mesh clients in the applications terrains maintaining good connectivity for both intragroup and intergroup communications between all nodes even they form different groups. We propose a distributed client tracking solution to deal with the dynamic nature of client mobility, and present techniques for dynamic topology adaptation in accordance with the mobility pattern of the clients. The simulations results shows that the AMMNET is robust against network partitioning and capable of providing high relay through put for the mobile clients.

Thermal processing is the most widely used method of food preservation. Foods may be thermally processed using numerous heating systems such as retorts, direct heating systems, indirect heating systems, volumetric heating systems, and combinations of these. The most common methods of thermal processing include blanching, pasteurization, hot filling, and sterilization. The most common sterilization methods include in-container sterilization (retorting) and in-flow sterilization (aseptic processing). This chapter provides an overview of thermal processing principles and associated kinetics. It starts with a brief introduction to thermal processing. The subsequent sections cover methods of thermal processing, types of microorganisms of concern, kinetics of reactions, process establishment, process calculations, process validation, process monitoring and control, emerging processing technologies, and possible future developments in the area of thermal processing.

Plastic packaging for food and non-food applications is non-biodegradable, and also uses up valuable and scarce non-renewable resources like petroleum. With the current focus on exploring alternatives to petroleum and emphasis on reduced environmental impact, research is increasingly being directed at development of biodegradable food packaging from biopolymer-based materials. The proposed paper will present a review of recent developments in biopolymer-based food packaging materials including natural biopolymers (such as starches and proteins), synthetic biopolymers (such as poly lactic acid), biopolymer blends, and nanocomposites based on natural and synthetic biopolymers. The paper will discuss the various techniques that have been used for developing cost-effective biodegradable packaging materials with optimum mechanical strength and oxygen and moisture barrier properties. This is a timely review as there has been a recent renewed interest in research studies, both in the industry and academia, towards development of a new generation of biopolymer-based food packaging materials with possible applications in other areas.

With the current focus on exploring alternatives to petroleum and emphasis on biodegradability and reduced environmental impact, research is increasingly being directed at the development of natural polymer-based nanocomposite materials as alternatives to plastics for food packaging and other applications. Natural polymer nanocomposites also have great promise in biomedical applications. The present review discusses methods for the synthesis of natural polymer nanocomposites; biopolymers that have been utilized for this purpose include starch, protein, chitosan, poly(lactic acid) and poly(hydroxybutyrate), and various nanofillers such as layered silicates and carbon nanotubes. The enormous enhancement in properties of biopolymers due to nanocomposite technology, as well as existing and potential industrial applications, are also described in detail.

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction History of Aseptic Processing Important Aspects of Aseptic Process Design Regulations Related to Aseptic Processing Case Study: Aseptic Processing of Sweetpotato Purée Future Trends References

The nonbiodegradable and nonrenewable nature of plastic packaging has led to a renewed interest in packaging materials based on bio-nanocomposites (biopolymer matrix reinforced with nanoparticles such as layered silicates). One of the reasons for unique properties of bio-nanocomposites is the difference in physics at nanoscale as compared to that at macroscale. Therefore, the effect of nanoscale on the properties of bio-nanocomposites is discussed. Properties of bio-nanocomposites are governed by the extent of dispersion of nanoparticles in the biopolymer matrix and interaction between nanoparticles and the biopolymer. Selection of proper technique to determine properties of these bio-nanocomposites is very critical in assessing their performance. Experimental techniques (tensile testing, barrier property measurement, dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, rheological measurement) to determine the mechanical, barrier, thermal, and rheological properties of bio-nanocomposites are discussed in terms of methodology, interpretation of results, and application in studying the properties of bio-nanocomposites. Mathematical modeling plays an important role in predicting the properties of bio-nanocomposites and comparing them to the measured properties. This comparison helps in better understanding the mechanism for much improved properties of bio-nanocomposites. Mathematical modeling is also helpful in understanding the effects of different parameters on the properties of bio-nanocomposites. Therefore, the article describes mathematical modeling of mechanical and barrier properties of bio-nanocomposites using analytical micromechanics.