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Search results for: WHEAT STRAW · CHEMICAL-TREATED TORREFACTION · ENERGY DENSITY · OPTIMIZATION · RSM
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Modelling of Abdominal Wall Under Uncertainty of Material Properties
PublicationThe paper concerns abdominal wall modelling. The accurate prediction and simulation of abdominal wall mechanics are important in the context of optimization of ventral hernia repair. The shell Finite Element model is considered, as the one which can be used in patient-specific approach due to relatively easy geometry generation. However, there are uncertainties in this issue, e.g. related to mechanical properties since the properties...
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Processing of Biomass Prior to Hydrogen Fermentation and Post-Fermentative Broth Management
PublicationUsing bioconversion and simultaneous value-added product generation requires purifica- tion of the gaseous and the liquid streams before, during, and after the bioconversion process. The effect of diversified process parameters on the efficiency of biohydrogen generation via biological pro- cesses is a broad object of research. Biomass-based raw materials are often applied in investigations regarding biohydrogen generation using...
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Mixed integer nonlinear optimization of biological processes in wastewater sequencing batch reactor
PublicationWastewater treatment plays a key role for humanity. The waste entering lakes, rivers, and seas deteriorates daily quality of life. Therefore, it is very important to improve the efficiency of wastewater treatment. From a control point of view, a biological wastewater treatment plant is a complex, non-linear, multidimensional, hybrid control system. The paper presents the design of the optimizing hierarchical control system applied...
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Obtaining and Characterization of the PLA/Chitosan Foams with Antimicrobial Properties Achieved by the Emulsification Combined with the Dissolution of Chitosan by CO2 Saturation
PublicationA new method of obtaining functional foam material has been proposed. The materials were created by mixing the poly lactic acid (PLA) solution in chloroform, chitosan (CS) dissolved in water saturated with CO2 and polyethylene glycol (PEG), and freeze-dried for removal of the solvents. The composite foams were characterized for their structural (SEM, FT-IR, density, porosity), thermal (DSC), functional (hardness, elasticity, swelling...
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Experimental and predicted physicochemical properties of monopropanolamine-based deep eutectic solvents
PublicationIn this work, the novel deep eutectic solvents (DESs) based on 3-amino-1-propanol (AP) as hydrogen bond donor (HBD) and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) or tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) or tetraethylammonium chloride (TEAC) as hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs) were synthesized with different molar ratios of 1: 4, 1: 6 and 1: 8 salt to AP. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy measurements were performed to provide an evidence...
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Experimental and predicted physicochemical properties of monopropanolamine-based deep eutectic solvents
PublicationIn this work, the novel deep eutectic solvents (DESs) based on 3-amino-1-propanol (AP) as hydrogen bond donor (HBD) and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) or tetrabutylammonium chloride (TBAC) or tetraethylammonium chloride (TEAC) as hydrogen bond acceptors (HBAs) were synthesized with different molar ratios of 1:4, 1:6 and 1:8 salt to AP. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy measurements were performed to provide an evidence...
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Obtaining and Characterization of the PLA/Chitosan Foams with Antimicrobial Properties Achieved by the Emulsification Combined with the Dissolution of Chitosan by CO2 Saturation
PublicationA new method of obtaining functional foam material has been proposed. The materials were created by mixing the poly lactic acid (PLA) solution in chloroform, chitosan (CS) dissolved in water saturated with CO2 and polyethylene glycol (PEG), and freeze-dried for removal of the solvents. The composite foams were characterized for their structural (SEM, FT-IR, density, porosity), thermal (DSC), functional (hardness, elasticity, swelling...
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Chemical, Physical, and Mechanical Properties of 95-Year-Old Concrete Built-In Arch Bridge
PublicationThis research aimed to determine the durability and strength of an old concrete built-in arch bridge based on selected mechanical, physical, and chemical properties of the concrete. The bridge was erected in 1925 and is located in Jagodnik (northern Poland). Cylindrical specimens were taken from the side ribs connected to the top plate using a concrete core borehole diamond drill machine. The properties of the old concrete were...
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Hydrogen Storage in Geological Formations—The Potential of Salt Caverns
PublicationHydrogen-based technologies are among the most promising solutions to fulfill the ze- ro-emission scenario and ensure the energy independence of many countries. Hydrogen is considered a green energy carrier, which can be utilized in the energy, transport, and chemical sectors. However, efficient and safe large-scale hydrogen storage is still challenging. The most frequently used hydrogen storage solutions in industry, i.e., compression...
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Net-zero carbon condition in wastewater treatment plants: A systematic review of mitigation strategies and challenges
PublicationThe wastewater sector accounts for up to 7 and 10% of anthropogenic CH4 and N2O emissions, respectively. Nowadays wastewater treatment plants are going through a paradigm shift to approach a net-zero carbon condition. Numerous ongoing measures have taken place to identify the sources of greenhouse gases and minimize the carbon footprint. This paper systematically reviews all known practices leading towards net-zero carbon wastewater...
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Cu-Doped Layered Double Hydroxide Constructs the Performance-Enhanced Supercapacitor Via Band Gap Reduction and Defect Triggering
PublicationLayered double hydroxides (LDHs) are regarded as the excellent electrode materials for supercapacitors because of their high theoretical capacitance and abundance. However, the poor conductivity and limited reaction kinetics of LDHs restrict their practical application severely. Herein, Cu is chosen from groups VIII/IB/IIB as dopants for Co-based LDH (CuCo-LDH). The designed metal–organic framework-derived hierarchical CuCo-LDH...
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Effects of Bromine Doping on the Structural Properties and Band Gap of CH3NH3Pb(I1–xBrx)3 Perovskite
PublicationAn experimental and theoretical study is reported to investigate the influence of bromine doping on CH3NH3Pb(I1−xBrx)3 perovskite for Br compositions ranging from x = 0 to x = 0.1, in which the material remains in the tetragonal phase. The experimental band gap is deduced from UV−vis absorption spectroscopy and displays a linear behavior as a function of bromine concentration. Density functional theory calculations are performed...
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A Theoretical and Experimental Study of Moderate Temperature Alfa Type Stirling Engines
PublicationThe Stirling engine is a device that allows conversion of thermal energy into mechanical energy with relatively high efficiency. Existing commercial designs are mainly based on the usage of high temperature heat sources, whose availability from renewable or waste heat sources is significantly lower than that of moderate temperature sources. The paper presents the results of experimental research on a prototype alpha type Stirling...
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Optimized photodegradation of palm oil agroindustry waste effluent using multivalent manganese–modified black titanium dioxide
PublicationThis article presents a methodological approach to use manganese (Mn3+Mn7+)-modified black titanium dioxide (Mn/BTiO2) as a photocatalyst to optimize and improve visible-light-driven photodegradation of treated agro-industrial effluent (TPOME). A modified wet chemical process was used to prepare BTiO2. The BTiO2 was then wet impregnated with Mn and calcined at 300 °C for 1 h to produce Mn/BTiO2. The activity of Mn/BTiO2 was investigated...
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Influence of alkaline and oxidative pre-treatment of waste corn cobs on biohydrogen generation efficiency via dark fermentation
PublicationStages of waste corn cobs processing leading to the production of biohydrogen via dark fermentation are presented and discussed in this paper. Firstly, the effects of pretreatment conditions i.e. alkaline, alkaline-oxidizing and Fenton oxidizing pre-treatment of lignocellulosic biomass on the removal of lignin were examined. The solid residue obtained in the first stage was subjected to saccharification by means of enzymatic hydrolysis....
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A Nonlinear Model of a Mesh Shell
PublicationFor a certain class of elastic lattice shells experiencing finite deformations, a continual model using the equations of the so-called six-parameter shell theory has been proposed. Within this model, the kinematics of the shell is described using six kinematically independent scalar degrees of freedom — the field of displacements and turns, as in the case of the Cosserat continuum, which gives reason to call the model under consideration...
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Weak localization competes with the quantum oscillations in a natural electronic superlattice: The case of Na1.5(PO2)4(WO3)20
PublicationWe report an investigation of the combined structural and electronic properties of the bronze Na1.5(PO2)4(WO3)20. Its low-dimensional structure and possible large reconstruction of the Fermi surface due to charge density wave instability make this bulk material a natural superlattice with a reduced number of carriers and Fermi energy. Signatures of multilayered two-dimensional (2D) electron weak localization are consequently reported,...
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Squashed entanglement for multipartite states and entanglement measures based on the mixed convex roof
PublicationNew measures of multipartite entanglement are constructedbased on two definitions of multipartite information anddifferent methods of optimizing over extensions of the states. Oneis a generalization of the squashed entanglement where one takesthe mutual information of parties conditioned on the state's extensionand takes the infimum over such extensions. Additivity ofthe multipartite squashed entanglement is proved for both versionsof...
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Napawanie elementów wymiennika ciepła austenitycznym drutem proszkowym
PublicationNa potrzeby przemysłu energetycznego produkuje się wymienniki ciepła przeznaczone do eksploatacji w warunkach agresywnych chemicznie, np. w środowisku siarkowodoru. Z przyczyn ekonomicznych często stosuje się w takim przypadku materiały bimetaliczne wytwarzane procesami napawania. W artykule przedstawiono wyniki badań nieniszczących, pomiarów twardości, analizy składu chemicznego, pomiarów ferrytu delta oraz badań makro- i mikroskopowych...
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A new type of (TiZrNbTaHf)N/MoN nanocomposite coating: Microstructure and properties depending on energy of incident ions
PublicationA novel (TiZrNbTaHf)N/MoN nanocomposite coatings, which consist of the nitride of the high-entropy alloy and the binary nitride, were synthesized by vacuum-arc deposition at various substrate biases. The elemental composition, chemical bonding state, phase structure, microstructure and mechanical properties of the coatings were studied by high-resolution experimental methods: SIMS, GDMS, XPS, XRD, HR-TEM and nano-indentation. It...
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Charge-based deep level transient spectroscopy of B-doped and undoped polycrystalline diamond films
PublicationThe undoped and B-doped polycrystalline diamond thin film was synthesized by hot filament chemical vapor deposition and microwave plasma, respectively. The structural characterization was performed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. The electrical properties of synthesized diamond layer were characterized by dc-conductivity method and charge deep level transient spectroscopy. The B-doped...
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A Comprehensive Experimental and Theoretical Study on the[{(η5-C5H5)2Zr[P(µ-PNEt2)2P(NEt2)2P]}2O Crystalline System
PublicationThe structure of tetraphosphetane zirconium complex C52H100N8OP10Zr21 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystal belongs to the monoclinic system, space group P21/c, with a = 19.6452(14), b = 17.8701(12), c = 20.7963(14)Å, α = γ = 90°, β = 112.953(7)°, V = 6722.7(8)Å3, Z = 4. The electronic structure of the organometallic complex has been characterized within the framework of Quantum Chemical Topology....
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Carbon Nanomaterials From Metal-Organic Frameworks: A New Material Horizon for CO2 Reduction
PublicationThe rise of CO2 in the atmosphere, which results in severe climate change and temperature increase, is known as the major reason for greenhouse effect. Reducing CO2 to value-added products is an attractive solution to this severe problem, along with addressing the energy crisis, to which the catalysts being employed are of vital importance. Due to their high porosity and tunable compositions, Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) show...
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On Nature-Inspired Design Optimization of Antenna Structures Using Variable-Resolution EM Models
PublicationNumerical optimization has been ubiquitous in antenna design for over a decade or so. It is indispensable in handling of multiple geometry/material parameters, performance goals, and constraints. It is also challenging as it incurs significant CPU expenses, especially when the underlying computational model involves full-wave electromagnetic (EM) analysis. In most practical cases, the latter is imperative to ensure evaluation reliability....
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Hybrid metal and non-metal activation of Oxone by magnetite nanostructures co-immobilized with nano-carbon black to degrade tetracycline: Fenton and electrochemical enhancement with bio-assay
PublicationElectrochemically synthesized magnetite nanostructures (ESMNPs) as a metal activator and nano-carbon black (NCB) as a non-metal activator were co-immobilized by alginate natural polymer to activate Oxone for the degradation of tetracycline (TC) antibiotic. The formation of sulfate radical was indirectly confirmed during the Oxone/ESMNPs/NCB/alginate process via the addition of scavenging compounds. This study revealed the high...
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Progress in used tyres management in the european union: a review
PublicationThe dynamic increase in the manufacture of rubber products, particularly those used in the automobile industry, is responsible for a vast amount of wastes, mostly in the form of used tyres, of which more than 17 million tonnes are produced globally each year. The widely differing chemical compositions and the cross-linked structures of rubber in tyres are the prime reason why they are highly resistant to biodegradation, photochemical...
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Elucidating the impact of enzymatic modifications on the structure, properties, and applications of cellulose, chitosan, starch and their derivatives: a review
PublicationPolysaccharides, as one of the most prominent natural biopolymers, display numerous biological activities and industrial applications. Nevertheless, some polysaccharides lack biological properties or display weak biological activities. Besides, practical usages of polysaccharides still remain challenging because of their poor solubility and inappropriate hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance. Hence, enzymatic or chemical modifications...
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Mechanical Behavior of Bi-Layer and Dispersion Coatings Composed of Several Nanostructures on Ti Substrate
PublicationThree coatings suitable for biomedical applications, including the dispersion coating composed of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), MWCNTs/TiO2 bi-layer coating, and MWCNTs-Cu dispersion coating, were fabricated by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) on Ti Grade II substrate. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and nanoindentation were applied to study topography, chemical, and...
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Influence of Two-Stage Anodization on Properties of the Oxide Coatings on the Ti–13Nb–13Zr Alloy
PublicationThe increasing demand for titanium and its alloys used for implants results in need of such innovative surface treatment that may jointly increase corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, and demonstrate antibacterial protection at no cytotoxicity. The purpose of this research was to characterize the effect of two-stage anodization, performed for 30 min in phosphoric acid, at the presence of hydrofluoric acid in the second stage....
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Machine learning for the management of biochar yield and properties of biomass sources for sustainable energy
PublicationBiochar is emerging as a potential solution for biomass conversion to meet the ever increasing demand for sustainable energy. Efficient management systems are needed in order to exploit fully the potential of biochar. Modern machine learning (ML) techniques, and in particular ensemble approaches and explainable AI methods, are valuable for forecasting the properties and efficiency of biochar properly. Machine-learning-based forecasts,...
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Laser Beam as a Precision Tool to Increase Fatigue Resistance in an Eyelet of Undercarriage Drag Strut
PublicationThe article contains the results of tests on a laser-processed eyelet of undercarriage drag strut to increase its fatigue strength. Laser processing concentrated on both sides around the hole of eye for connecting the undercarriage drag strut caused that the material in this area withstood more than twice the number of load cycles established for this material. In order to determine the reasons for the increase in fatigue strength,...
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Binder-induced surface structure evolution effects on Li-ion battery performance
PublicationA comparative investigation on binder induced chemical and morphological evolution of Li4Ti5O12 electrodes was performed via X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical measurements. Composite electrodes were obtained using three different binders (PAA, PVdF, and CMC) with 80:10:10 ratio of active material:carbon:binder. The electrochemical performances of the electrodes, were found to be...
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Interface analysis of compatibilized polymer blends
PublicationThis chapter seeks to address the interface location in the compatibilized polymer blends and paves the way for quantitative analysis of interface in terms of interfacial tension and interfacial adhesion to provide support for understanding the relationship between morphology and ultimate properties in the compatibilized polymer blends through the lens of interface. Since understanding and analysis of interfacial phenomena in the...
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Theoretical designing of selenium heterocyclic non-fullerene acceptors with enhanced power conversion efficiency for organic solar cells: a DFT/TD-DFT-based prediction and understanding
PublicationIn this study, we have designed and explored a new series of non-fullerene acceptors for possible applications in organic solar cells. We have designed four molecules named as APH1 to APH4 after end-capped modification of recently synthesized Y6-Se-4Cl molecule. Density functional theory and time dependent-density functional theory have been employed for computing geometric and photovoltaic parameters of the designed molecules....
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Wear Resistance Enhancement of Al6061 Alloy Surface Layer by Laser Dispersed Carbide Powders
PublicationIn this paper, results of the experimental study on improving wear resistance in sliding friction of Al-based alloy are presented. The technique used involves the formation of a metal matrix composite (MMC) in the alloy surface layer by laser dispersion of carbide powders such as WC, TiC and SiC. For WC and TiC MMC surface coatings fabricated under conditions typical for most of the technologically relevant solid-state lasers (wavelength...
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Deep eutectic solvents – Ideal solution for clean air or hidden danger?
PublicationThe industrial sector is one of the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gases, due to its excessive energy consumption to meet the rapidly growing demand for energy-intensive products. The use of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) has been studied extensively in order to cope with these harmful gases, but their usage can be an issue in respect to ecological reasons. Do deep eutectic solvents harm the atmosphere? Yes, these solvents...
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Key issues in modeling and optimization of lignocellulosic biomass fermentative conversion to gaseous biofuels
PublicationThe industrial-scale production of lignocellulosic-based biofuels from biomass is expected to benefit society and the environment. The main pathways of residues processing include advanced hydrolysis and fermentation, pyrolysis, gasification, chemical synthesis and biological processes. The products of such treatment are second generation biofuels. The degree of fermentation of organic substances depends primarily on their composition...
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Tensile failure study of 3D printed PLA using DIC technique and FEM analysis
PublicationThe paper presents the experimental and numerical study of the failure behaviour of Fused Filament Fabricated (FFF) Polylactic Acid (PLA) samples subjected to tensile load. The examined samples are printed in flat orientation with 0◦, 45◦ and 90◦ raster angles. During the experiments the deformation of the specimens is continuously scanned with the 3D Aramis measuring system utilizing the digital imaging correlation technique,...
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Spontaneous electron emission vs dissociation in internally hot silver dimer anions
PublicationReferring to a recent experiment, we theoretically study the process of a two-channel decay of the diatomic silver anion (Ag2-), namely the spontaneous electron ejection giving Ag2 + e- and the dissociation leading to Ag- + Ag. The ground state potential energy curves of the silver molecules of diatomic neutral and negative ion were calculated using proper pseudo-potentials and atomic basis sets. We also estimated the non-adiabatic...
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The Influence of Cooperation on the Operation of an MPC Controller Pair in a Nuclear Power Plant Turbine Generator Set
PublicationThe paper discusses the problem of cooperation between multiple model predictive control (MPC) systems. This approach aims at improving the control quality in electrical energy generation and forms the next step in a series of publications by the authors focusing on the optimization and control of electric power systems. Cooperation and cooperative object concepts in relation to a multi MPC system are defined and a cooperative control...
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Harmony Search for Self-configuration of Fault–Tolerant and Intelligent Grids
PublicationIn this paper, harmony search algorithms have been proposed to self-configuration of fault-tolerant grids for big data processing. Self-configuration of computer grids lies in the fact that new computer nodes are automatically configured by software agents and then integrated into the grid. A base node works due to several configuration parameters that define some aspects of data communications and energy power consumption. We...
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LC-MS and LC-NMR as Complementary Techniques for the Determination of Pharmaceuticals in Dosage Formulations
PublicationPharmaceuticals contain not only pharmacologically active compounds but also a range of excipients. The danger exists that impurities may also be present in such drugs, which may adversely affect their efficacy and even endanger patient health and life. Monitoring the composition of pharmaceutical products is therefore essential. The trace amounts of such impurities in pharmaceuticals are often identified and determined with liquid...
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A novel luminescent chemical sensor for the determination of Pb 2+ and Cu 2+ ions
PublicationSilica xerogel surface grafted with aminopropyl (PrNH2) groups was additionally treated by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant and ascorbic acid (asc) in alkaline solution. This material symbolized as SiO2-PrNH2-CTAB/asc, proved to be a stable luminescent material, exhibited an emission band peaked at 393 nm under excitation wavelength 335 nm. Time evolution of the band intensity suggests changes of defect concentration...
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Prediction of energy consumption and evaluation of affecting factors in a full-scale WWTP using a machine learning approach
PublicationTreatment of municipal wastewater to meet the stringent effluent quality standards is an energy-intensive process and the main contributor to the costs of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Analysis and prediction of energy consumption (EC) are essential in designing and operating sustainable energy-saving WWTPs. In this study, the effect of wastewater, hydraulic, and climate-based parameters on the daily consumption of EC by...
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Social media and efficient computer infrastructure in smart city
PublicationSocial media require an efficient infrastructures of computer and communication systems to support a smart city. In a big city, there are several crucial dilemmas with a home and public space planning, a growing population, a global warming, carbon emissions, a lack of key resources like water and energy, and a traffic congestion. In a smart city, we expect an efficient and sustainable transportation, efficient management of resources...
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Medium-Voltage Drives: Challenges and existing technology
PublicationThe article presents an overview of state-of-art solutions, advances, and design and research trends in medium-voltage (MV) drive technologies - and also discusses the challenges and requirements associated with the use of such drives. The choice and deployment of MV drives in industries are associated with numerous requirements related to the front-end converter (grid side) and inverter (machine side). The focus is on solutions...
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Diamondized carbon nanoarchitectures as electrocatalytic material for sulfate-based oxidizing species electrogeneration
PublicationThe introduction of nanotechnology seems to be an imperative factor to intensify the synergic effects of electrocatalytic materials to produce strong oxidant species or to increase the active sites on their surfaces as well as to enhance the conversion yield in a fuel cell, high-added value products, electrolytic treatment for environmental protection or the detection limit in electroanalysis. Recently, a new type of 3D-diamond...
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Aluminum-TiO2 NPs Composites as Non-precious Catalysts for Efficient Electrochemical Generation of Hydrogen
PublicationIn this paper, we demonstrated, for the first time, aluminum titania nanoparticle (Al-TiO2 NP) composites with variable amounts of TiO2 NPs as nonprecious active catalysts for the electrochemical generation of H2. These materials were synthesized by mixing desired amounts of hydrogen titanate nanotubes (TNTs), fabricated here by a cost-effective approach at moderate hydrothermal conditions, with aluminum powder (purity 99.7%; size...
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Dissociative electron attachment to benzoic acid (C7H6O2)
PublicationThe dissociative electron attachment (DEA) to benzoic acid (C6H5COOH) has been studied using an experimental crossed beam setup of a quadrupole mass spectrometer and a trochoidal electron monochromator. Relative partial cross sections for the DEA to produce negative ion fragments show the main channels for dissociation. The comparison of the present results with the ultraviolet photoelectron spectrum of benzoic acid [J. Meeks,...
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Ligand-Modified Boron-Doped Diamond Surface: DFT Insights into the Electronic Properties of Biofunctionalization
PublicationWith the increasing power of computation systems, theoretical calculations provide a means for quick determination of material properties, laying out a research plan, and lowering material development costs. One of the most common is Density Functional Theory (DFT), which allows us to simulate the structure of chemical molecules or crystals and their interaction. In developing a new generation of biosensors, understanding the nature...