Efficient heat exchanger design is paramount in optimizing chemical processing operations, where energy consumption and cost considerations are crucial. Traditional design approaches rely on empirical correlations and iterative simulations, often resulting in suboptimal solutions due to the complex and nonlinear nature of heat transfer phenomena. In this study, the research proposes a novel approach to enhance heat exchanger design using an autoencoder model for predicting both efficiency and cost. The autoencoder model, a type of artificial neural network, is trained on a comprehensive dataset encompassing various operating conditions, geometric configurations, and material properties of heat exchangers. By learning the underlying patterns and relationships within the data, the autoencoder can effectively capture the nonlinear mappings between design parameters and performance metrics. Through extensive validation and testing, the proposed autoencoder model demonstrates superior accuracy in predicting heat exchanger efficiency and cost compared to conventional methods. Furthermore, the model enables rapid exploration of design alternatives and sensitivity analysis, facilitating informed decision-making in the design phase. By leveraging machine learning techniques, this approach offers a promising avenue for advancing heat exchanger design towards higher efficiency and lower cost in chemical processing applications. The framework demonstrates considerable promise in bolstering efficiency and enhancing economic viability, boasting a correlation coefficient of 0.98171 and a normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) of 0.001523.

TiO2 a wide bandgap material has a great potential for use in semiconductor industry due to its better electronic properties combined with low cost, chemical stabilioty and nontoxicity. Further metal doping is found to modify the conductivity, electrical, and optical characteristics. In this research, deposition of Sn-doped TiO2 was carriedout using the spray pyrolysis technique. The electrical properties were obtained by using the Hall effect technique and structural properties of the film were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and EDAX Scanning electron microscopy. The result of X-ray diffraction showed that the thin film deposited by spray pyrolysis is polycrystalline with preferential orientation in the direction of (002) fields. SEM analysis exhibited membrane structure for the thin film deposited by spray pyrolysis. The results of electrical conductivity were obtained by using the Hall effect technique.

This study has clarified the pump laser with Er-doped multimode fibers integrated with modified Mach–Zehnder modulators for medium reach applications. Optimum electrical base band power form amplitude is demonstrated with time durations in the presence of pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) line coding. The max base electrical power form with the spectral frequency based on the NRZ line coding is studied. Max electrical base band power form with the spectral frequency in the presence of PAM line coding is simulated. Total electrical base band power form amplitude in the presence of non-return-to-zero (NRZ) line coding is demonstrated. The total base band electrical form power amplitude based on PAM line coding is illustrated. The max optimum Q base band form Factor-min BER values based on both PAM and NRZ line coding. The base signal base band/base band form noise ratio after APD photodetector with refractive index contrast is simulated numerically. Total lighted signal base band power through measured index multimode fiber with refractive index contrast is demonstrated clearly. Besides, the optimum Q base band factor after APD photodetector with refractive index contrast is studied.

The increasing demand for eco-friendly materials and technology has made the industry focus on bio-compatible composites. This made the researchers explore the potential of eco-friendly, bio-degradable, and inexpensive banana fibre for automotive applications. This work reports the preparation and testing of banana fibre natural hybrid composite fibres randomly oriented with and without adding silica filler (5–15 wt.%) through a hand lay-up process. The mechanical properties such as tensile modulus, flexural modulus, hardness, impact strength, and water absorption capacity were measured. Composite specimens having a fibre length of 30 mm (15 wt.% of silica) exhibited better mechanical properties. The hardness, tensile, flexural, and impact strength measured were 46.74 HV, 54.71 MPa, 127.94 MPa, and 15.19 kJ/m2. The results showed significant improvement in mechanical properties in silica-reinforced hybrid composite compared to composites without silica filler. The wt.% of banana fibre increases, and the number of free hydroxyls (-OH) groups increases in cellulose, increasing moisture absorption. The pattern in which the composite absorbs the moisture at room temperature is called “Fickian behaviour.” Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM) characterisation studied the interaction between fibre matrix and the distribution of silica reinforcement. This research concludes that bio-composites that exhibit improved mechanical properties are eco-friendly and are found to be suitable for automotive applications that meet present-day requirements.

A wide recognition for cordierite ceramic due to its superior mechanical and electrical properties made cordierite a candidate for study. A simple approach of synthesis of cordierite and cordierite zirconia (5-15 wt %) was tried at the stoichiometric composition with standard raw material of high purity. The binder, lubricant and flux such as polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene glycol and sodium hydroxide respectively were added with 1 wt%. The powders were mixed, wet milled, dried at 100°C for 12 h, compacted and sintered at different temperatures between 600-1400°C for 3 h. The studies on XRD, FTIR and TG/DTA were carried out and the results from the studies confirmed the presence of cordierite phase alone for pure cordierite and cordierite along with zircon for cordieritezirconia compositions.

For the past two decades, research is under progress seeking alternative materials for titanium and titanium alloys that are used as dental metal restorations. Favorable characteristics of zirconia (ZrO2) ceramic replaced metal-free restorations. This paper provides an insight on ZrO2 potential with a novel silane couplant as a material for dental applications, its mechanical properties, biological characteristics and optical properties. Review shows ZrO2's tooth like color, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and low plaque affinity makes as it a suitable implant material. It is designed to produce the shape and functions of natural teeth by filling, denture and implant. Hence, ZrO2 replaced the titanium implants as an alternate with integrated CAD/CAM techniques. The research on surface modification of ZrO2 and its capability to chemically activate the surface is critical in achieving adhesive bonding. The chemical inertness shows difficulty in achieving the reliable bonding between the resin composite cements and ZrO2 ceramics. The silanization of zirconia reported promising results confirming the stability of zirconia in the long-term.

A356 aluminum casting alloys are used in fabrication of aircraft components where high strength is a requirement. The requirement of parts with light weight and high strength is constantly increasing. Aluminium matrix composites are considered to be new generation potential materials for many engineering applications. A356 alloy reinforced with Al2O3, SiC and Gr particulates with varied wt% was used to fabricate the hybrid composites by using squeeze casting method. The prepared composites were investigated for its structural and mechanical properties such as density, microstructural characterization, hardness, tensile strength, yield strength and elongation%. The composite density increased with increase in wt% of reinforcement. Microstructural examination revealed uniform distribution of reinforcement and XRD identified the presence of A356 matrix alloy and reinforcement Al2O3, SiC and Gr. A356/3wt%Al2O3/3wt%SiC/3wt%Gr exhibited superior hardness and tensile strength value of 119 BHN and 315 MPa. Gr reinforcement known for its soft characteristics compromised the addition of Al(2)O(3)and SiC reinforcement towards the improved mechanical properties. The results obtained encouraged that A356 composite showed 40% improved hardness and 35%. The improved hardness and tensile strength than squeeze cast pure A356 aluminum alloy clearly shows it remains a clear substitute for aircraft components with high strength.

Abundant availability of fly ash due to the combustion of coal in thermal power plants presents a major threat to rising environmental pollution. To preserve the environment, fly ash was explored as the starting material for cordierite synthesis. Cordierite ceramics are widely used in the production of microelectronic components, catalyst substrate material for internal combustion engine. Hence, this research was pursued to fabricate the cordierite in a cost effective manner using fly ash containing the major constituent’s silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3). Cordierite synthesis is carried out using raw materials fly ash, magnesia and dopants such as ZrO2, CeO2 and TiO2 at different composition (5–20 wt%). The properties and the microstructure of prepared samples were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), and scanning electron microscopy. Their mechanical and thermal properties such as the hardness, the fracture toughness, the flexural strength and the thermal expansion coefficient (CTE) were studied and compared with their morphology. It was found that the hardness, the fracture toughness, and the flexural strength were improved on the addition of the dopant in the cordierite matrix. The cordierite-ZrO2 ceramics (CZr20) exhibited a Vickers hardness value of 7.04 GPa, the fracture toughness of 3.47 MPa m½, and flexural strength of 196.72 MPa. The results confirm the cordierite synthesized with fly ash along with dopants is found suitable for use as catalytic substrate materials with improved mechanical properties.

Increasing environmental pollution globally demands gas sensors for monitoring urban air quality, fire and exhaust from automobiles. The need for high performance gas sensors requires a good control over sensing material structure. This paper studies the suitability of Al-doped ZnO thin films for development of CO gas sensors. Deposition of Al-doped ZnO thin films on Si substrates by the radio frequency sputtering technique was carried out to study the influence of process parameters. The process parameters selected for the analysis were power, deposition time, substrate temperature and working pressure. An orthogonal array L16 ( $$4^{4}$$ ), signal-to-noise ratio and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed to optimize the electrical resistivity, deposition rate and sensitivity of the thin films using the Taguchi method. Grey relational grade (GRG) was performed to obtain multiple-performance characteristics of the thin films by optimizing the process parameters. GRG analyses identified the process parameters: power 150 W, deposition time 35 min, substrate temperature $$25^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$$ and working pressure 1.5 Pa showed optimal multiple-performance characteristics. ANOVA analyses indicate that power and substrate temperature show significant effect compared with other parameters. Thin films at the annealing temperature ( $$450^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$$ ) showed a decrease in electrical resistivity and an increase in sensitivity. At the sensor operating temperature of $$150^{\circ }\mathrm{C}$$ , Al-doped thin films exhibited the lowest resistivity $$3.76 \times 10^{-3}\,\Omega $$ -cm and the highest sensitivity of 59%. The optimal multiple-performance characteristic of thin film sample identified is found suitable for CO gas-sensing applications.

Gas sensors used in automobiles needs to be operated at temperatures above 250 degrees C. Recently, high K-material TiO2 thin films have gained an important role as a high-temperature gas sensor. Al doped TiO2 thin films show maximum gas sensitivity at 600 degrees C. Fabrication of a sensor that operates at relatively low temperatures remains a big challenge for manufacturing of small size and low power consumption gas sensors. The operating temperature plays a crucial role in the performance of the gas sensors. The improved response to different gases is primarily attributed to the highly single crystalline surfaces. This paper investigates the process parameters influencing the Al doped TiO2 thin films deposited on silicon wafer substrate by using RF magnetron sputtering technique. The process parameters power, deposition time, substrate temperature and working pressure were selected to study the electrical resistivity, deposition rate and sensitivity. An orthogonal array L16 (4(4)) was developed using Taguchi technique to study the effect of process parameters; signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Confirmation tests identified the optimal depositional process parameters. ANOVA analyses indicate power, deposition time and substrate temperature showed substantial effect on thin film deposition. The optimum process parameters identified were 150 W power, 30 min deposition time, 150 degrees C substrate temperature and 1 Pa working pressure. At the operating temperature 400 degrees C, thin film samples annealed at 900 degrees C showed the lowest electrical resistivity and highest sensitivity for the 200 ppm CO gas concentration. The resistivity and sensitivity measured 5.31 x 10(-3) Omega-cm and 55% exhibited the best multiple performance characteristics of the Al doped TiO2 thin films. XRD results showed anatase structure was present as a single phase up to the annealing temperature 900 degrees C. Al doped TiO2 thin films stands out as a promising material for CO gas sensors.

Al doped ZnO (AZO) thin films for different compositions were deposited by using sol-gel technique. Thin film preparation, structural, optical and electrical properties have been studied. Investigations on the effect of structural, optical and electrical properties revealed the relationship that exists between these properties and the film lattice defect distribution. XRD studies showed that AZO thin films a preferred orientation (002) direction, and decrease in the lattice distance indicating a less defected structure. The electrical and optical properties of AZO films have reached a good level. Films with electrical resistivity as low as 1.84 x 10(-3) Omega cm and 90 % optical transmittance in the visible region, which is suitable for gas sensing applications. It is found that electrical resistivity was due to increase in concentration of donor atoms.