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AbstractNiFe2O4/polythiophene nanocomposite was synthesized by in situ chemical oxidative polymerization of thiophene in NiFe2O4 nanoparticles presence, whereas NiFe2O4 nanoparticles were prepared via coprecipitation method. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Visible, and SEM, EDX techniques were used for characterization of the nanocomposite. The effect of various parameters such as adsorbent dose, contact time, initial dye concentration, and initial pH of solution on the adsorption of Janus green B (JG) and Fuchsin basic (FB) onto the nanocomposite was optimized by batch studies. The equilibrium uptake data ascribed well to the Langmuir model with maximum adsorption capacity of 143 and 498 mg/g at 303 K for JG and FB, respectively. The exceptional high adsorption capacity of NiFe2O4/polythiophene nanocomposite for JG and FB was ascribed to π‐π and electrostatic interactions. Kinetics studies pointed out that JG and FB removal followed pseudo‐second order model. The negative values of ΔH° (JG: –47.28; FB: −38.00 kJ/mol) and ΔG° (JG: −9.347 to −6.442; FB: −14.16 to – 12.85 kJ/mol) pointed out the feasibility, spontaneity, and exothermic nature of removal process. Negative value of ΔS° (JG: –0.125; FB: –0.078 kJ/mol) suggested decrease in randomness at the solid/liquid interface. The results showed that NiFe2O4/polythiophene is an appealing adsorbent for the uptake of JG and FB dyes from aquatic environment.

In a study of the electrochemical behavior of low-cyanide silver plating baths and of the properties of the deposits obtained, it was found that the current-potential curve obtained with a solid electrode showed a two-step reduction wave, the height of the first being 1/5 that of the second. Analysis of the results of polarographic and rotating disk electrode measurmenents sugests that the rate-controlling steps wereAgCN+e-_??_Ag+CN-……(1)Ag(CN)2-+e-_??_Ag+2CN-……(2)for the first and second waves respectively. The Tafel plots of the two waves showed linear relationships at their rising portions, and the reactions are accordingly concluded to be slow chargetransfer controlled.In baths to which selenocyanate ion was added, the increase in current was markedly greater for the second wave than for the first, and the wave was shifted to the positive side. Potential decay curves for the baths containing selenocyanate ion obtained by the current interrupter method showed lower differential capacities than those for baths that were free of selenocyanate ion. This indicates that the selenocyanate ions were adsorbed preferentially at the electrode, suppress the adsorption of cyanide ions and enhancing the silver deposition reaction.Deposits obtained by jet plating were matt at current densities lower than 50A/dm2, and their appearance was not affected by the addition of selenocyanate ion. At above 50A/dm2, deposits obtained from selenocyanate-free baths were burnt, but deposits obtained from baths with selenocyanate ion added were mirror-bright with a strong (200) orientation up to around 150A/dm2.

AbstractRecently, modern power systems depend heavily on MicroGrids (MGs), which can accommodate Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) economically and with high flexibility. MGs integrated with DERs can assist in enhancing energy security, significant cost savings, and reduction in emission of greenhouse gases. In this paper, the assessment of operating performance of proposed MG system with DERs is employed to investigate the multi‐objective problems of cost optimization and economic scheduling. A grid‐connected Micro‐grid (MG) combined with solar photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine (WT), fuel cell (FC), and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is implemented to model the problem. This proposed model is considered as a test system for cost optimization and battery charging/discharging optimization. The developed framework is presented as multi‐objective function with constraints that can be tackled using an effective optimization technique. The above stochastic multi‐objective problem is optimized using various commonly used Physics based Meta‐heuristic techniques such as Simulated Annealing (SA), Harmony Search (HS), Slime Mold Algorithm (SMA), Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA), Black Hole Optimization (BHO), Sine Cosine Algorithm (SCA), Multiverse optimization (MVO) and Lightning Search Algorithm (LSA). The assessment of the aforementioned physics‐based optimization techniques used on the proposed MG test system is compared using the results. According to the analysis, Black Hole Optimization (BHO) and Lightning Search Algorithm (LSA) both provide greater cost savings overall and for battery charging, respectively. The suggested optimization methods will take the BESS charging/discharging pattern and total cost savings into account.

Polymer-based multicolor emissive materials have growing demand due to their potential applications in various fields such as full-color displays, bioimaging, and light sources because of their processability and high stability. Herein, we report dual-color emissive hybrid materials based on biocompatible poly(l-lactide) and polyethylene glycol-modified two-dimensional layered double hydroxide quantum dots (PEG-LDHQDs). The morphology of polymer films tunes the spatial distribution of QDs within the polymer matrix, modulating the energy transfer between the QDs and affording the dual emission behavior in the aggregated states. The amorphous hybrid films show single emission (blue) from the finely dispersed QDs (mostly isolated) within the polymer matrix. In contrast, dual emission (blue and red) was observed when the polymer was crystallized due to the possible accumulation of QDs at the interface of crystalline and amorphous phases in the lamellar structure. Furthermore, the dual emission could be enhanced by the aggregation of QDs on the pores of the breath figure pattern constructed on the surface of the hybrid film.

AbstractIn the present study, effect of internals and other hydrodynamic variables on pressure drop and expansion ratio were examined. The parameters studied include inlet air flow rate, bed height, spacing of internal, column diameter and percentage open area. Disc promoters of three different percentages of open area (48.03%, 55.15%, 66.26%) were used. The pressure drop was found to increase significantly with increase in bed height and decrease with open area of internals. As the spacing was decreased, the pressure drop increased first and then decreased due to effective breaking of bubbles in the presence of internals. The expansion ratio was seen to decrease significantly with decrease in the internal spacing and decrease in open area of internals. Correlations for pressure drop and expansion ratio have been found using dimensional analysis. The calculated values of pressure drop and expansion ratio were compared with experimental values. Several models have been developed using the Artificial Neural...

Large-size woody biomass is a valuable renewable resource to replace fossil fuels in biorefinery processes. The preprocessing of wood chips and briquettes is challenging to manage, especially in an industrial setting, as it generates a significant amount of dust and noise and occasionally causes unexpected accidents. As a result, a substantial amount of resources, energy, labor, and space are needed. The thermochemical conversion behavior of large-size woody biomass was studied to reduce energy consumption for chipping. Large-size wood was 1.5 m in length, 0.1 m in breadth, and stacked 90 cm in height. This strategy has many benefits, including increased effectiveness and reduced CO2 emissions. The target of this paper presents the thermochemical process, and large-size wood was chosen because it provides high-quality product gas while reducing the preprocessing fuel cost. This review examines the benefits of thermochemical conversion technologies for assessing the likelihood of carbon neutrality.

Energy conservation potential of the evaporative roof cooling technique for a cinema house in a composite climate (characterized by Delhi) has been evaluated. Thermal loads due to heat conduction through the building envelope, the required ventilation and the occupants have been taken into account. Life-cycle-cost analysis has been employed to evaluate the cost effectiveness of this energy conservation technique. It is seen that evaporative cooling on the roof leads to a net saving of 14% in the initial investment and 17% in the annual cost.

Cooperative learning seems to be the right methodology to tackle the development of the teamwork competence inside the process of teaching?learning at the University. That strategy has been used by lecturers of different faculties and schools of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU who have sorted an Educational Team on cooperative learning. The experience was developed in six different groups which add up as 185 students. The outcome of that experience was analysed by means of a questionnaire which gathers the main competences of teamwork. The analysis of the dimensions of the questionnaire shows a structure with two dimensions: (1) 'interpersonal competences' and (2) 'instrumental competences'. Students seem to prioritise the most technical or procedural competences (instrumental) over personal and relationship competences (interpersonal) in their formative process and assessment of their learning.