Doughnut-shaped ferroelectric barium titanate (BTDS) and cobalt-doped barium titanate (CBTDS) [CoxBaTi1-xO3 (x = 0 or 0.05 mol%)] nanostructures have been synthesized from hydrogen titanate nanowires for use as efficient photon energy conversion materials in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and photocatalytic dye degradation applications. The morphological and structural analyses have revealed that the perovskite BDTS and CBDTS nanostructures exhibit toroidal ferroelectric characteristics, which are reinforced by the formation of oxygen vacancies and Ti3+ ions within their lattices. The DSSC bilayer photoanodes constructed using mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles (TNP) as the underlayer and CBTDS as the light-scattering and charge-collecting upper layer have shown the highest photovoltaic efficiency of 10.29 +/- 0.44% due to the greater light scattering, light absorption extended to the near-infrared region, and toroidal ferroelectric field-induced slower charge recombination effects that collectively boosted the photovoltaic performance. Moreover, the photocatalytic dye-degradation performance of the CBTDS photocatalyst has demonstrated a maximum dye degradation efficiency of 86.74% over 75 minutes, indicating a respectable photocatalytic activity compared to the BTDS photocatalyst. These results have confirmed that superior morphology control, oxygen vacancy, and Ti3+ ion formation in the BTDS and CBTDS nanostructures strongly influence toroidal ferroelectric field-induced charge separation and light-harvesting ability in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and photocatalysts, leading to superior performance.

The present study investigates the influence of nanoclay (NC) incorporation on the thermal and sorption properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) blends, which are compatibilised with polyethylene-grafted maleic anhydride (pEMAH). Different weight percentages of NC were dispersed in HDPE/PP/pEMAH in a melt blender. The differential scanning calorimetry results indicate that the relative crystallinity increases with a higher NC content. The Avrami model analysis of relative crystallinity exhibits that a higher NC content facilitates the nucleation rate during crystallization. The Ozawa exponent increases with temperature, thereby increasing the crystallization rate of the process. According to the Mo model, higher cooling rates result in better relative crystallinity. The fold surface free energy evaluated is 1.84 x 10-5 J/m2, 4.41x 10-6 J/m2, and 3.45x 10-6 J/m2 for HDPE/PP, 1.5% NC, and 3% NC, respectively. The polymer chain segments of the nanocomposites with NC are more readily folded onto the nucleus surface as they require less energy. The NC content significantly influences solvent diffusion in the polymer matrix and the dispersion of the clay, thus determining the diffusion coefficient. SEM micrographs reveal a continuous distribution of NC within the HDPE/PP, while the incorporation of pEMAH enhances interfacial adhesion, thereby improving blend compatibility.

Polymeric blends of poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PMMA–PVDF) were prepared by solvent blending and analyzed for dielectric loss, dielectric modulus, thermal properties, and spectral analysis. The X-ray diffractometry provides prominent peaks at 20.15° and 81.81°, representing the polymeric gel electrolyte. The maximum degradation of the polymer occurs between 392.65 and 472.65 °C. The PMMA–PVDF electrolyte shows high thermal stability for various applications. The percentage relative crystallinity of the PMMA–PVDF polymer blend is 7.37

In this work, the direct hydrothermal synthesis of barium strontium titanate (Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3, BST) and the niobium (Nb+5)-doped BST (Ba0.6Sr0.4Ti1−xNbxO3, BSTNb) nanopowders, their phase control, and dielectric analysis are investigated. Pure BST has been prepared from its stoichiometric amounts of metal halide precursors and titanium oxide nanopowders in alkaline conditions at different hydrothermal temperatures and reaction times. X-ray diffraction analysis has demonstrated that different weight percentages of Nb doping in cubic-phase BST induce tetragonal distortions, enable controlled phase transformations, and improve crystallinity. Also, Raman analysis has indicated the tetragonal phase transformation induced by the Nb dopant concentrations. UV–visible absorption spectral analysis suggests a band gap narrowing from 2.9 eV to 2.0 eV, while increasing Nb+5 dopant concentration. By introducing Nb+5 ions, the lattice expands, the average size of nanoparticles decreases, and surface morphology improves, which significantly affects the total surface area and dielectric and optical properties of BST. The dielectric analysis has indicated that the dielectric constant of BST decreases, and dielectric loss increases with increasing dopant concentration due to the defect dipole formation up to a certain level, and the dielectric performance of Nb-doped BST has been found superior to that of pure BST.

Our research investigates the effects of various process conditions on reducing the kappa number in pulp bleached with sodium carbonate peroxy hydrate. These conditions include consistency, reagent dosage, and reaction temperature. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies determine the presence of different bond stretches and bending vibrations in unbleached and bleached samples. The analysis of bleached pulp in an X-ray diffractometer estimated the crystallinity index. Additionally, we examined the pulp samples in FT-Raman spectra to estimate the removal of chromophoric groups containing lignin and changes in the cellulose I to cellulose II structure. The analysis of pulp samples using a scanning electron microscope illustrated the loss of the fibrillar network of lignin on the fiber surface, indicating the extent of delignification. The studies on the reaction kinetics of pulp delignification resulted in a rate constant of 0.0056 min-1 and an activation energy of 5.4 kJ/mole. The increase in crystallinity after bleaching indicates reduced amounts of residual lignin and hemicellulose, which contribute to the amorphous pulp sample. The delignification process using sodium carbonate peroxy hydrate effectively removes chromophores containing lignin from unbleached pulp. The height of the peak decreased from 1600 cm-1 to 1096 cm-1 with a reduction in kappa value in FT-Raman studies.

The study presents the effect of the reinforcement of carbon nanotubes (CNT) into high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) blends. The Avrami exponent of CNT blends ranges within the 1.3-1.6 range. It demonstrates the 3D growth of crystals and nucleation activity during crystallization. The change in the Ozawa exponent indicates a two-stage crystallization process. The values of the Mo exponent show that the nucleation activity is affected by changing temperatures during the cooling process and the formation of high-quality crystal growth. The activation energy of the HDPE/PP matrix is 420.5 kJ/mol and adding 1.5% CNT resulted in 369.9 kJ/mol for Run-3. The polymer chains encounter difficulties in transitioning during the cooling process and release a significant amount of energy. The composition of the nanofiller in the blend affects the nucleation activity of the crystals. The permeability of the pure HDPE/PP sample obtained from sorption studies is 1.05 x 10-5 m2/s and adding 1.5% CNT in Run-3 provides a permeability of 5.2 x 10-5 m2/s. The CNT has a homogeneous dispersion in the matrix to form a net-like morphology. The crystallinity index calculated using the Seagal method for HDPE/PP, Run-3, Run-4 and Run-5 is 75%, 75.8%, 77.34% and 78%, respectively.

Plastic is replacing metal components for brake shoe components in the automotive sector. Mold flow analysis is a valuable tool for investigating the possibility of replacing metal with plastic in the injection molding process for brake shoe material. The aluminum metal previously used in brake shoes is now replaced by a blend of polypropylene and high-density polyethylene. The design and analysis of injection-molded polymer composites tested the plastic products in their working conditions to ensure the brake shoe could withstand the loading conditions. The moldflow check is good. It helps to stimulate the process in the mold without doing injection molding. This helps save time and cut mold making costs. In this work, studies were carried out on brake shoes to detect and eliminate defects such as sink marks, weld lines, shrinkage, and warpages to minimize the reject rate. Before carrying out mass production using injection molding, it is instrumental in performing flow analysis. Things made with injection molding come in different sizes and shapes. You put material in a hopper. It goes through a heater and then through a nozzle into a mold. Designers use a computer to make a model and see how it will work. They study the model to see if it is good. Analysis of shrinkage and warpage has yielded positive results for the injection-molded brake-shoe component.

Our study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of solar power systems by developing dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with an electrolyte of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) dispersed in poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Photovoltaic and impedance spectral studies showed that a polymer electrolyte with 3% carbon nanotubes resulted in an efficiency of solar power conversion of 7.40% and a photovoltaic current per unit cross-sectional area of 17.13 mA/cm(2) in DSSCs. The optimal distribution of CNT fillers decreased the charge recombination of the titanium dioxide-dye-CNT-PMMA electrolyte surface. The X-ray diffraction spectrum showed characteristic peaks of PMMA and CNT at 28.6 degrees and 63.0 degrees, respectively, obtained in pure form and composites with dispersed carbon nanotubes. The peak intensity increased with the addition of CNTs in the polymer. A Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy investigation revealed the bonding within the CO and CH of PMMA and CNT to the polymer composite. The dielectric constant increased from 2.9 to 4.4, and the dielectric loss increased from 0.10 to 0.90 at 1 MHz for the dispersion of 6% CNT in PMMA. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the internal particle structure and porosity had changed due to the presence of the CNTs in the PMMA. The dispersion of CNTs into the PMMA increased the maximum voltage of the polymer electrolytes. A breakdown voltage of 7.4 kV was attained with 6% CNTs in the polymer.

Polymer composites containing poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and barium titanate (BaTiO3) were synthesized using the solution mixing method. The electrical conductivity of PMMA is 6 x 10-9 S/cm, and adding 2% fillers reduces to 5 x 10-9 S/cm. The melting point of PMMA is 373 degrees C, and adding 2% and 4% fillers increased it to 376 degrees C and 379 degrees C, respectively. The polymer chains become less mobile and block macromolecules on the filler surface. The modulus of elasticity and mechanical tensile stress of the polymer composites with a 5-wt% of BaTiO3 are 759.3 MPa and 75.6 MPa, respectively. The breakdown strength of PMMA is 203 KV and reduces with the addition of 5% filler to 144 KV. The values of Ec/Em evaluated using the Tsai-Pagano, Christensen-Waals, ROM, Mori-Tanaka, and Halpin-Tsai models underpredict the modulus compared to experimental Ec/Em values. Fourier spectroscopy confirmed the presence of Ti-O and BaTiO3 bonds in the polymer composite. Scanning electron microscope images reveal spherical aggregates of BaTiO3 coated with PMMA and an interparticle network. The dielectric constant of PMMA is 3 and increased with the addition of 2% and 4% fillers to 4 and 4.3, respectively.

Inorganic perovskite barium titanate nanowires (BTNWs) and their nanocomposites comprised of different weight percentages (1, 2, and 3 wt%) of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) are synthesized via a hydrothermal method and used as photoanode materials of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Morphological analysis of the BTNWs and BTNWs + GNP composites has indicated that the one-dimensional BTNWs and two-dimensional GNP are formed as uniformly distributed, well-connected mesoporous microstructures. UV-visible absorption and Raman studies of the BTNWs + GNP composites have revealed a narrowing bandgap, improved visible light absorption with increasing GNP content, and a superior light-scattering effect of BTNWs. Besides, four different DSSC bilayer photoanodes comprising titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TNP) underlayer and an upper layer with BTNWs + (0, 1, 2, and 3 wt%) GNP composites are fabricated to elucidate the TNP + BTNWs and BTNWs + GNP composite sublayer(s) influences on the photovoltaic performance. The TNP + BTNWs + 2 wt% GNP composite bilayer photoanode has demonstrated a higher power conversion efficiency of 9.92 % as compared to that of the other TNP + BTNWs + GNP composite bilayer photoanodes in DSSCs, due to the higher charge recombination resistance, faster charge transport, superior charge collection ability and carrier lifetime of its sublayers.

This work introduces a new type of high temperature material processing technique for the preparation of a bilayer TiO2-coated ITO PET polymer photoanode of flexible dye-sensitized solar cells producing a maximum power conversion efficiency of 6.33%.

The poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) reinforced with multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) polymer composites is studied to improve thermal and mechanical properties. The composite of 4% CNT blend (473.53 °C) shows higher degradation temperature when compared to the pure PVDF (472.81 °C) from thermo gravimetric analysis. The addition of 2% CNT into PVDF provides tensile strength larger than 30MPa. The Young’s modulus larger than 900 MPa was obtained for dispersion of 4% CNT in PVDF polymer. The XRD patterns presented that the characteristic peaks of PVDF are preserved in the case of the pure form as well as in MWCNTs filled composite form. Scanning electron images shows agglomeration and presence of good dispersion at higher magnification.

The effect of reinforcement of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) into poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is studied to improve thermal, electrical and dielectric properties. The differential scanning calorimetry determined the melting temperature (159.67 °C) and crystallization temperature (136.19 °C) of polymer composite. The composite of 4% CNT blend (473.53 °C) has higher degradation temperature than pure PVDF (472.81 °C) as observed in thermogravimetric analysis. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy peak observed at 1401cm-1 signifies CH3 and CH2 deformation stretching vibration. The breakdown strength of polymer composites reduced with addition of CNT fillers to polymer matrix. At high frequencies, the dielectric constant of PVDF increases from 2.9 to 5.5 with addition of MWCNT by 2% and to 8.5 with addition of MWCNT.

The Web search engines have been instrumental in providing information from all over the globe to the user. The advent of the Web search engines has resulted in obtaining the relevant information at the user's location. The central theme of all Web search engines is to provide the relevant information expected by the user. To address this issue, many sophisticated ranking functions have been developed, which rank the documents based on their relevance to the user's query. The ranking component is one of the most important components for designing Web object search engines. This component helps in contributing toward the activeness of Web object search engine w.r.t. user relevance. Designing of active result ranking functions, which also considers the geographical proximity of the queries, is extremely important to provide user relevant results.

The traditional bleaching methods used chlorine as bleaching agent which produced large amount of chlorinated organic compounds including dioxins which are persistent environmental pollutants. The alternate methods using peroxides and enzymes were developed to achieve total chlorine free bleaching. The xylanase enzyme was used as bleaching agent in this study. The delignification study was performed to evaluate the optimum conditions required for obtaining minimum kappa number of the pulp to remove maximum lignin from the wood fibres. The interactions of various factors such as pulp consistency, enzyme dosage and temperature were studied. The best conditions for enzymatic bleaching obtained were 10% consistency, 50 IU of enzyme dosage and 52oC in the range studied. The predicative mathematical models were developed for enzymatic bleaching. The activation energy for xylanase delignification of paper pulp was 13.989kJ/mol. The significant functional groups in bleached pulp samples were analysed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the surface morphology of pulp fibres was studied using Scanning electron microscopy images.

The extraction of phenols from coal tar oils using acetonitrile solutions of ionic liquids (ILs) through a new extraction method is studied. The IL containing acetonitrile solution formed a clear immiscible layer with hexane containing coal tar oil, which facilitated superior extractions of phenol and p-cresol with high distribution coefficient values. The IL with lower carbon chain length (three carbons) showed extraction efficiency greater than 96% for phenol and p-cresol extractions from coal tar oil. The process models for extraction of phenol and p-cresol from coal tar oil were studied to comprehend the interactions of various factors. [Received: December 23, 2017; Accepted: March 7, 2018]

The synthesis of biodiesel from cottonseed oil using heterogeneous calcined clam shells by transesterification was studied. The effects of the amount of catalyst and the oil-to-methanol ratio on the yield of the biodiesel produced were determined. A maximum yield of 84% biodiesel was obtained. Various characterization tests such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy were carried out to ascertain the functional groups and compounds available in the product biodiesel obtained. The properties of the biodiesel using the calcined clamshell catalyst, such as density, viscosity, saponification value, iodine value and ester value, were estimated and compared with the American Society for Testing Materials standard values to determine the quality of the biodiesel produced. The yield of the biodiesel produced was modelled using response surface methodology, and contour regions were obtained. The surface morphology of the catalyst was studied using a scanning electron microscope. From the kinetics results obtained, the forward rate constant of the adsorption of methanol onto the catalyst surface was found to be very low (1.467 x 10(-4)), confirming that the kinetics of biodiesel production is limited by adsorption of methanol onto the active sites of the catalyst.

Quality of service (QoS) in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) has got limited attention due to multiple bottlenecks such as limited bandwidth and energy storage. Until now, most of the focus has been to develop energy efficient routing schemes for WSN. It is important to provide effective QoS mechanism along with energy efficient data transmission. In this work, QoS mechanism is incorporated inside energy aware routing protocol proposed in Shah and Rabaey (2002). This new integrated protocol achieves dual goal of energy efficient data transmission and effective QoS functionalities. Empirical results are demonstrated on NS3 simulator. The proposed approach is compared against existing state of the art technique. The proposed approach outperforms the existing state of the art technique in prolonging the network lifetime.

One of the foremost decease causes in the world is the Liver Cancer. Using practical radiology the liver lesions can be determined with accurate dramatization, due to the hurt caused by wound or disease, those ranges of tissues are damaged the body are liver lesions Those anomalous tissues which are found in the liver are referred as liver lesions. These damaged regions having different intensities of pixel can be recognized by differentiating it from other regions, in the CT scan. The most prohibitive, difficult and time-consuming task is physical cleavage of this CT scan in proper clinical treatment. On the other hand, automatic segmentation is identical challenging task, due to several factors, including liver stretch over 150 slices in a CT image, having small ferocity conflict between lesions and other nearby similar tissues and indefinite shape of the lesions is to detected An important prerequisite task before any surgical intervention is liver tumors segmentation. This paper reviews a variety of liver tumor detection algorithms and methodologies used for liver tumor analysis. The proposed deep learning approach such as Probabilistic neural network is proposed to detect the liver tumor and diagnose with the experimental results and it is compared with different methodologies.

The delignification of kraft pulp with sodium dithionite was studied to remove lignin content in the pulp. The sodium dithionite dissolves the chromophoric groups and residual lignin present in the pulp. The increase in dosage of sodium dithionite and reaction temperature of delignification has positive effect on kappa reduction of pulp. X ray diffraction was used to determine the crystallinity index of bleached pulp. The crystallinity increased from 83.3% for unbleached pulp to 86.7% after delignification. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy shows the reduction in hydrogen bonding in bleached pulp and also the conversion of cellulose I to cellulose II. FT-Raman spectra shows that the fluorescence observed in the spectra of unbleached pulp reduced significantly in comparison to the spectra of bleached pulp resulting in removal of residual lignin and chromophoric groups present in the pulp. Scanning electron imaging shows the smoothening of fiber surface after bleaching. The delignification reaction followed first-order kinetics and activation energy is 33.57kJ/mol.