Extensive employment of biomaterials in the areas of biomedical and microbiological applications is considered to be of prime importance. As expected, oil based polymer materials were gradually replaced by natural or synthetic biopolymers due to their well-known intrinsic characteristics such as biodegradability, non-toxicity and biocompatibility. Literature on this subject was found to be expanding, especially in the areas of biomedical and microbiological applications. Introduction of porosity into a biomaterial broadens the scope of applications. In addition, increased porosity can have a beneficial effect for the applications which exploit their exceptional ability of loading, retaining and releasing of fluids. Different applications require a unique set of pore characteristics in the biopolymer matrix. Various pore morphologies have different characteristics and contribute different performances to the biopolymer matrix. Fabrication methods for bio-based porous materials more related to the choice of material. By choosing the appropriate combination of fabrication technique and biomaterial employment, one can obtain tunable pore characteristic to fulfill the requirements of desired application. In our previous review, we described the literature related to biopolymers and fabrication techniques of porous materials. This paper we will focus on the biomedical and microbiological applications of bio-based porous materials.
The paper reconsiders the problem of the mixed convection boundary layer flow near the lower stagnation point of a horizontal circular cylinder with a second order slip velocity model and a constant surface heat flux studied recently by RoKa et al. (2013). The ordinary (similarity) differential equations are solved numerically using the function bvp4c from Matlab for different values of the governing parameters. It is found that the similarity equations have two branches, upper and lower branch solutions, in a certain range of the mixed convection parameters. A stability analysis has been performed to show that the upper branch solutions are stable and physically realizable, while the lower branch solutions are not stable and therefore, not physically possible. This stability analysis is different by that presented by RoKa et al. (2013), who have presented a time-dependent analysis to determine the stability of the solution branches.
Hydraulic fracturing becomes more difficult when confronted with a formation of high fracturing pressure. In such formations, acidizing before the main fracturing treatment provide a method to reduce fracture pressure. The aim of this paper was to investigate the evolution of fracture pressure in a wellbore with acidizing. Five experiments were conducted to study the mechanisms of acid damage on reservoir minerals and cementing materials properties. Consequently, a mathematical model to predict fracture pressure with acidizing has been established and verified by field data. The analysis results showed that it is possible to reduce fracture pressure with decreased rock strength and fracture critical stress intensity factor by means of acid damage. Acid damage destroys the crystal structure of mineral particles, breaks the crystalline layers in cementing materials, increases rock porosity and reduces the rock strength. In addition, as the acid concentration, formation temperature and acid treatment time increased, it was useful to reduce fracture pressure in the wellbore. Using the proposed model, we were able to select the optimal acid damage construction parameters to reduce fracture pressure.
A new type of cyclone design configuration called MR-deDuster, which contains multi cyclone, has been developed.
A theoretical study had been carried out to evaluate and predict the performance of a MR-deDuster. In this paper, a
comparative study was done to investigate the performance of MR-deDuster with other conventional cyclones in terms
of collection efficiency and pressure drop. The performance of MR-deDuster was measured by its collection efficiency
based on the particle size distribution of activated carbon. It was found that MR-deDuster is able to collect as high as
94% of PM10 which is high comparing with many other conventional cyclones. In addition, the pressure drop of the unit
is relatively low compared to the other cyclones which highlight the ability of the unit to capture the fine particle at low
pressure drop.
The paper is aimed at studying fluid flow heat transfer in the axisymmetric boundary layer flow of a viscous incompressible fluid, along the axial direction of a vertical stationary isothermal cylinder in presence of uniform free stream with momentum slip. The equations governing the flow i.e. continuity, momentum and energy equation are transformed into non-similar boundary layer equations and are solved numerically employing asymptotic series method with Shanks transformation. The numerical scheme involves the Runge-Kutta fourth order scheme along with the shooting technique. The flow is analyzed for both assisting and opposing buoyancy and the effect of different parameters on fluid velocity, temperature distribution, heat transfer and shear stress parameters is presented graphically.
On the basis of landslide surge model test by adopting generalized simulation of waterways, this paper, for the first time, established a four-dimensional mathematical model between wave height transmissibility rate and the initial wave height, water depth, azimuth angle as well as propagation distance through utilizing the method of tensor space mapping. Using the new model, we proposed an empirical wave field covering all areas of the channel including the attenuation area within the width of a landslide mass, the straight channel attenuation area outside the width of the landslide mass, the curved channel attenuation area and the after-curve attenuation area, which comprehensively reflects the progressive changes of surge wave factors. The transmissibility of wave height and propagation distance are in a bivariate negative exponential distribution, and the wave height gradually reduces and the attenuation also slows down as the propagation distance increases; wave height transmissibility rate, azimuth and propagation distance are in a trivariate negative exponential distribution, the attenuation of the wave height in the straight channel within the width of the landslide mass was the slowest, followed by that of wave in the straight channel outside the width of the landslide mass, and the attenuation of the wave height in the curved channel is the greatest. This empirical wave field was based on test data, scientifically abstracted the general regularity of the propagation and attenuation of landslide surge, which can be applied to similar analyses and forecasts on landslide surge and can scientifically and accurately determine the damage range of landslide surge.
A large number of shallow buried tunnels are built in the city nowadays and the special strata such as large upper-soft and lower-hard ground often encountered. Deformation control of strata is the focus issue related to the construction safety. Based on Dalian metro Hing Street station with the classical geological condition of upper-soft and lower-hard ground, this paper fully used a combined control method including six different support measures to control the deformation of surrounding rock. 3D finite element model was setup to analyze the construction effect of combined control measures and the monitoring in-site was carried out to verify the deformation control effect of combined control method. It shows that the maximum surface subsidence value is gradually reduced with the support measures gradually increasing. In the case of various supports the maximum sedimentation value is 2.67 cm, which is 42. 1% lower than that of not using control method and the control effect is obvious. In addition, it can be seen that the two-layer initial support and additional large arch foot have the best effect on controlling the ground surface settlement with reduction of 11.7% and 20.2%, respectively. The research results can provide practical experience for the construction of such tunnels, and guide the design and construction of the tunnel in the future.
In this paper, Taguchi experimental design technique was applied for optimization of chromium (Cr)/silver (Ag)/indium
tin oxide (ITO) SPR sensor for operation in near infrared region. Four factors were considered which include wavelength,
thickness of Cr, thickness of Ag, and thickness of ITO. Finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) method was used in numerical
analysis for minimum reflectance (Rmin) and full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) performance parameters. The results
obtained from the Taguchi method shows that the optimized parameter for Rmin was 785 nm of wavelength, Cr (1 nm),
Ag (40 nm) and ITO (20 nm), whereas the optimized parameter for FWHM was 785 of wavelength, Cr (0 nm), Ag (40 nm)
and ITO (0 nm). In short, the optimum parameters for achieving the desired performance of sensor were successfully
predicted using Taguchi optimization method.
This paper is about the reduction of the overall size of metal blanking sheet that is being used to form a stamping product or car body panel of a car manufacturer in Malaysia. The current blanking sheet produces extra waste which will be recycled and does not contribute to increase productivity but increases inventory cost. The reduction in the blanking sheet size will lead to the reduction of raw material hence reduced the production cost. However, the reduced size of blanking sheet could affect the yield strength of the product. The study of the yield strength and yield improvement of the product are done by simulating stress analysis by using CATIA software. The results show that the new proposed size of the metal blanking sheet provides accuracy of the product dimension as well as maintaining the yield strength of the product and it reduced a significant amount of metal scrap which is nearly 4% of material weight and save around 10% of inventory cost.
Algae biomass comprises variety of biochemicals components such as carbohydrates, lipids and protein, which make them a feasible feedstock for biofuel production. However, high production cost mainly due to algae cultivation remains the main challenge in commercializing algae biofuels. Hence, extraction of other high value-added bioproducts from algae biomass is necessary to enhance the economic feasibility of algae biofuel production. This paper is aims to deliberate the recent developments of conventional technologies for algae biofuels production, such as biochemical and chemical conversion pathways, and extraction of a variety of bioproducts from algae biomass for various potential applications. Besides, life cycle evaluation studies on microalgae biorefinery are presented, focusing on case studies for various cultivation techniques, culture medium, harvesting, and dewatering techniques along with biofuel and bioenergy production pathways. Overall, the algae biorefinery provides new opportunities for valorisation of algae biomass for multiple products synthesis.
Quantifying the elevated temperature strengths of cement-based material is crucial to the design of building structural systems for fire resistance purpose. This paper collates a database of elevated temperature axial compressive and flexural strengths of coir fibre reinforced foamed concrete exposed to heating temperatures of 105 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C, 700 °C and 800 °C. There were four densities of foamed concrete of 700, 1100, 1500 and 1900 kg/m3 were prepared and tested. The untreated coir fibre was added in foamed concrete in percentages of 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%, and 0.6% by mix volume fraction. The database can aid in prediction of elevated temperature strengths of fibre reinforced foamed concrete which can be exploited to assist manufacturers to develop their products without having to perform numerous large-scale elevated temperature tests in the future.
This procedure is easy to use and is cost-effective because it uses equipment that exist in any office or institution. The material used, transparency film for use with plain paper copier, is less expensive than either photographic slide film or normal slide films. Moreover, the transparency sheet can be used again for photocopying until the sheet is fully used up. There is no added cost of development of film, or is it necessary to wait for the whole roll of film to be used before the label can be retrieved and used. The background of the label is clear and only the black images of the characters of the label can be clearly seen. The effect of the transparency film, photocopy ink, and adhesive glue is not known. But no adverse effects have been noted. Microlabels have advantages over conventional labels with characters in font size 8 to 12, because more information, such as the full name of the patient, sex, country of origin, and national identification number can be incorporated. With more detailed information, quick identification of a deceased person can be made. Microlabels with a clear background will have minimal esthetic impact on the patient. The disadvantages of the technique is that it may not withstand a fire. In situations where the deceased body is badly burned, the denture and its identification strip may be burned, too. However, this risk can be minimized by placing the strip in the most posterior part of the denture-palatal in the maxillary denture and distal lingual in the mandibular denture. For testing of durability, dentures with the labels were placed in water for up to 4 months. The labels showed no sign of fading or deterioration.
Sludge and scales produced during oil and gas production contain enhanced naturally occurring
radioactive material (NORM). Sludge and scales are under the jurisdiction of Department of
Environment (DOE) and also Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB). AELB has issued a
guideline regarding the disposal of sludge and scales as in its guideline (LEM/TEK/30 SEM.2,
1996). In this guideline, Radiological Impact Assessment (RIA) should be carried out on all
proposed disposals and has to demonstrate that no member of public will be exposed to more than
1 mSv/y. This paper presented RIA analysis using RESRAD computer code for the disposal of
treated sludge. RESRAD (RESidual RADioactive) developed by Argonne National Laboratory is to
estimate radiation doses and risks from residual radioactive materials. The dose received by the
member of public is found to be well below the stipulated limit.
In the last two decades, a variety of techniques for signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation in scanning electron microscope (SEM) images have been proposed. However, these techniques can be divided into two groups: first, SNR estimators of good accuracy, but based on impractical assumptions; second, estimators based on realistic assumptions but of poor accuracy. In this paper we propose the implementation of autoregressive (AR)-model interpolation as a solution to the problem. Unlike others, the proposed technique is based on a single SEM image and offers the required accuracy and robustness in estimating SNR values.
The sample size calculation for a prevalence only needs a simple formula. However, there are a number of practical issues in selecting values for the parameters required in the formula. Several practical issues are addressed and appropriate recommendations are given. The paper also suggests the application of a software calculator that checks the normal approximation assumption and incorporates finite population correction in the sample size calculation.
This paper introduces a method for modification of the formula of the fractal box counting dimension. The method is based on the utilization of the probability distribution formula in the fractal box count. The purpose of this method is to use it for the discrimination of oil spill areas from the surrounding features e.g. sea surface and look-alikes in RADARSAT-1 SAR data. The result showed that the new formula of the fractal box counting dimension was able to discriminate between oil spills and look-alike areas. The low wind area had the highest fractal dimension peak of 2.9, as compared to the oil slick and the surrounding rough sea. The maximum error standard deviation of the low wind area was 0.68 which performed with a 2.9 fractal dimension value.
In this paper, the problem of steady laminar boundary layer flow of an incompressible viscous fluid over a moving thin needle is considered. The governing boundary layer equations were first transformed into non-dimensional forms. These non-dimensional equations were then transformed into similarity equations using the similarity variables, which were solved numerically using an implicit finite-difference scheme known as the Keller-box method. The solutions were obtained for a blunt-nosed needle. Numerical computations were carried out for various values of the dimensionless parameters of the problem which included the Prandtl number Pr and the parameter a representing the needle size. It was found that the heat transfer characteristics were significantly
influenced by these parameters. However, the Prandtl number had no effect on the flow characteristics due to the decoupled boundary layer equations.
Almost a half century after it was introduced, Wilks’ statistic has come into application in industrial manufacturing process variability monitoring. This is an important breakthrough in the way experts monitor the variability of manufacturing processes which is vital in modern industry. It leaves behind the traditional practice characterized by the use of sample size n which equals 1, if the process variability monitoring is based on individual observations and is greater than the number of variables p if one works with subgroup observations. The use of Wilks’ statistic allows us to work with n < p. This paper contains a review on process variability monitoring based on individual observations. First, some historical backgrounds of process variability monitoring in the general scheme was reviewed before it was revealed where the philosophy of Wilks’ statistic could be further interpreted. Subsequently it was indicated that the way to monitor the process variability depended on how the variability itself was measured. Finally, a new statistic for detecting the shift in variability based on individual observations was introduced and then a new control chart was proposed. The performance of the proposed chart as compared with Wilks chart, was quite promising. Therefore, some recommendations were given to better understand the history of manufacturing process variability.
Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in 1991, a fundamental question still remained on how to control morphologically the synthesis of CNTs. This task has always been a challenge. In this paper, we report the results that we have published previously with the aim of sharing the possible controlled synthesis approach via this novel production method. Findings demonstrated that various CNTs could be synthesized by using specially developed supported catalysts from the catalytic decomposition of methane. These synthesized CNTs include carbon nanofibres, single-walled and multi-walled CNTs, Y-junction CNTs and CNTs with special morphologies. It was also revealed that catalyst composition and reaction parameters played an important role in controlling the morphology and type of CNTs formed. The synthesis of CNTs with various morphologies is important because this can enrich the nanostructures of the carbon family. This finding also provides useful data for better understanding of the parameters that govern the growth mechanism of CNTs which may be required in the near future for enhanced controlled synthesis of CNTs.
The importance of zeolite surface area and pore volume in adsorption processes has been much reported in literature. In addition to that, structural framework and pore network system may also influence the adsorption capacity and selectivity of methane on zeolite. This paper discusses the characteristics of methane adsorption based on several physical properties of the adsorbents such as surface area, pore volume, pore network system and its interaction with adsorbate. The study, using FTIR spectroscopy showed that the adsorbed methane at room temperature was detected in the FTIR region between 3200 cm–1 – 1200 cm–1. Based on the physical properties of the adsorbents and the FTIR spectra of adsorbed methane, the surface area was not the only factor that determined methane adsorption; in fact the type of pore network system of the adsorbent also affected the interaction, thus affecting the adsorption of methane in zeolite.