Multiple Responses Injection Moulding Parameter Optimisation Via Taguchi Method for Polypropylene-Nanoclay-Gigantochloa

Recently, the reinforcement of natural fibres into the polymer has been the main topic due to ecological which can sustain the life of our earth. Natural plant fibre composite has advantages in production in manufacturing product due to biodegradability and environmental protection. The injection moulding process is a major interest within the field of manufacturing technology because of the issue of archive the good quality of the product while minimizing the defect of the product that has been produced. Therefore, this research purpose describes the effects of gigantochloa scortechinii (natural fibre) mix with the polypropylene-nanoclay by using multiple objective optimisations for instance Taguchi Orthogonal Array method for injection moulding processing condition towards multiple responses such as melt flow index, flexural strength, warpage, and shrinkage. The compounding material used in this research is polypropylene, nanoclay, the compatibilizer which is polypropylene graft maleic anhydride (PP-g-MA), and gigantochloa scortechinii which known as bamboo fibre. For comparison purpose, the contents of natural fibre selected are 0wt.%, 3wt.% and 6wt.% towards the processing condition which are packing pressure, melt temperature, screw speed and filling time. Based on the signal to noise ratio analysis results, the highest value of S/NQP is at 6wt.% which is 160.6451 dBi followed by 3wt.% (158.1919 dBi) and 0wt.% (134.8150 dBi). Furthermore, the most influential parameter changed with the existence of Gigantochloa Scortechinii from melt temperature into packing pressure. In conclusion, the optimum values for multiple responses have been affected by the present of Gigantochloa Scortechinii.

Formulation and Evaluation of 3D Printed Pregabalin Tablets Targeted For Neuropathic Pain By Qbd Approach For Personalized Medicine

The 3D printing technology has been newly employed in the design and formulation of different dosage forms with the aim formulation and evaluation of 3D printed Pregabalin tablets for the treatment of neuropathic pain by QbD approach. Drug (Pregabalin) together with other excipients, were mixed and extruded into filaments by hot melt extrusion. Then with the help of fused deposition modeling these obtained filaments were printed into tablets. Due to the use of different polymers in the printed formulation different release profiles for the 3D printed tablets were obtained. Drug release characteristics change the infill or the size of the printed tablets, allowing the personalization of the tablets. Filaments and tablets were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X- RAY powder diffraction (XRPD), and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The results showed that after printing, the processing condition did not have a significant impact on the stability of the drug and the crystalline nature of the drug remained. FDM 3D printing makes it possible not only to formulate 3D printing Pregabalin tablets for the treatment of neuropathic pain but also to modify the potential of additive manufacturing in the development of personalized dose medicines. This study presents novel formulations containing Pregabalin for prevention of neuropathic pain and investigates 3D printing technology for personalized production of oral solid dosage from enabling adjustable dose as well as drug release properties.

Review on Tailoring PEDOT:PSS Layer for Improved Device Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) has high optical transparency in the visible light range and low-temperature processing condition, making it one of the most widely used polymer hole transport materials inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs), because of its high optical transparency in the visible light range and low-temperature processing condition. However, the stability of PSCs based on pristine PEDOT:PSS is far from satisfactory, which is ascribed to the acidic and hygroscopic nature of PEDOT:PSS, and property differences between PEDOT:PSS and perovskite materials, such as conductivity, work function and surface morphology. This review summaries recent efficient strategies to improve the stability of PEDOT:PSS in PSCs and discusses the underlying mechanisms. This review is expected to provide helpful insights for further increasing the stability of PSCs based on commercial PEDOT:PSS.

Selection of Optimal Processing Condition during Removal of Methylene Blue Dye Using Treated Betel Nut Fibre Implementing Desirability Based RSM Approach

Adsorption of Methylene Blue onto chemically (Na2CO3) treated ripe betel nut fibre (TRBNF) was studied using batch adsorption process for different concentrations of dye solutions (50, 100, 150 and 200 mg/L). Experiments were carried out as a function of contact time, initial solution pH (3 to11), adsorbent dose (10 gm/L – 18 gm/L) and temperature (293, 303 and 313 K). The adsorption was favoured at neutral pH and lower temperatures. Adsorption data were well described by the Langmuir isotherm and subsequently optimised using a second-order regression model by implementing face-centred CCD of Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The maximum sorption capacity (qmax) was found to be 31.25 mg/g. Thermodynamic parameters suggest that the adsorption is a typical physical process, spontaneous, enthalpy driven and exothermic in nature. The maximum adsorption occurred at pH 7.0. The effect of adsorption was studied and optimum adsorption was obtained at a TRBNF dose of15 gm/L.

Effect of Firing Temperature on some Mechanical Properties of Osun State Ceramic Tiles

The work evaluates the effect of firing temperature on the mechanical properties of ceramic tiles. This was with the view to determine the optimum processing condition for Osun State ceramic tiles. Ceramic raw materials collected from Osun State were batched using clay-feldspar-silica sand blending ratio of 5:4:1, 5:3:2, 5:2:3, 5:1:4, 6:3:1, 6:2:2, 6:1:3, 7:2:1, 7:1:2 and 8:1:1 by weight; and homogeneously mixed. Three replica samples were moulded by the method of dry forming, fired at 1200, 1300 and 1400 oC and subjected to breaking and flexural strength tests using the Universal Testing Machine while the hardness test was carried out on a Moh’s scale. The results showed that breaking strength, flexural strength and Moh’s hardness fell within the range 199.43 to 325 N, 11.97 to 19.50 N/mm2 and 2.5 to 4 MH respectively, while Figures revealed that samples with 60% clay, 10% feldspar and 30% silica sand fired at 1320 oC will process the best mechanical properties. In conclusion, ceramic raw materials collected from Osun State are viable for ceramic tile production.

Understanding In Vivo Mastication Behaviour and In Vitro Starch and Protein Digestibility of Pulsed Electric Field-Treated Black Beans after Cooking

The aim of this study was to understand (i) the in vivo mastication behaviour of cooked black beans (chewing duration, texture perception, oral bolus particle size, microstructure, and salivary α-amylase) and (ii) the in vitro digestibility of starch and protein of in vivo-generated black bean oral bolus under simulated gastrointestinal condition. The beans were pre-treated using pulsed electric field (PEF) with and without calcium chloride (CaCl2) addition prior to cooking. The surface response model based on least square was used to optimise PEF processing condition in order to achieve the same texture properties of cooked legumes except for chewiness. In vivo mastication behaviour of the participants (n = 17) was characterized for the particle size of the resulting bolus, their salivary α-amylase activity, and the total chewing duration before the bolus was deemed ready for swallowing. In vitro starch and protein digestibility of the masticated bolus generated in vivo by each participant along the gastrointestinal phase were then studied. This study found two distinct groups of chewers—fast and slow chewers who masticated all black bean beans, on average, for <25 and >29 s, respectively, to achieve a bolus ready for swallowing. Longer durations of chewing resulted in boluses with small-sized particles (majorly composed of a higher number of broken-down cotyledons (2–5 mm2 particle size), fewer seed coats (5–13 mm2 particle size)), and higher activity of α-amylase. Therefore, slow chewers consistently exhibited a higher in vitro digestibility of both the starch and protein of processed black beans compared to fast chewers. Despite such distinct difference in the nutritional implication for both groups of chewers, the in vivo masticated oral bolus generated by fast chewers revealed that the processing conditions involving the PEF and addition of CaCl2 of black beans appeared to significantly (p < 0.05) enhance the in vitro digestibility of protein (by two-fold compared to untreated samples) without stimulating a considerable increase in the starch digestibility. These findings clearly demonstrated that the food structure of cooked black beans created through PEF treatment combined with masticatory action has the potential to modulate a faster hydrolysis of protein during gastrointestinal digestion, thus offering an opportunity to upgrade the quality of legume protein intake in the daily diet.

Synthesis Processing Condition Optimization of Citrate Stabilized Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles using Direct Co-Precipitation Method

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) are commonly prepared by co-precipitation, a convenient and high yield producing method. However, this method produces large particles and wide size distribution. Thus, this study aims to optimize and determine the processing condition during the direct co-precipitation synthesis of citrate stabilized SPION (SPION-C). Processing conditions were optimized to achieve the suitable hydrodynamic size and zeta potential; measured straight after preparation, at weeks 3, 10, and 30. Characterization of optimized SPION and SPION-C was done by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The optimized processing condition (stirring speed of 9000 rpm, stabilizer concentration of 1.006 M, and a 90oC stabilizer adsorption temperature), resulted in suitable SPION-C with a hydrodynamic size of 25.58 ± 7 nm, and zeta potential value of -50.8 ± 3.9. Particles with an almost sphere morphology with below 20 nm size were shown by TEM. The XRD analysis presented magnetite phase with a 2.79 nm core size which indicated the formation of stabilized SPION. The maximum excitation and emission wavelength of SPION after stabilization were proved to be uninterrupted by fluorescence spectroscopy. Further FTIR results supported the successful conjugation of citrate onto SPION. Highly stable and crystalline SPION-C were successfully produced through an optimized processing condition using direct co-precipitation. The obtained SPION-C conveyed desired nanoparticle size with narrow size distribution and stability for 30 weeks of storage at 4oC.

Residual stress in laser-based directed energy deposition of aluminum alloy 2024: simulation and validation

Simulations of laser-based directed energy deposition of metals have received increasing interest aimed at reducing the experimental effort to select the proper processing condition for the repair or overhaul of actual components. One of the main issues to be addressed is the evaluation of the residual stress, which may lead to part failure under nominal loading. In this frame and specifically relating to aluminum alloys, few works have been developed and validated. This lack of knowledge is addressed in this paper: namely, the proper approach to simulate the activation of the deposited metal is discussed in case of single deposition and is shifted to a case of multiple depositions over a substrate. The validation of the predicted residual stress is made by comparison with the actual stress resulting from X-ray diffraction.

The Combination of Taguchi and Proximity Indexed Value Methods for Multi-criteria Decision Making When Milling

Milling is a commonly used method in mechanical machining. This is considered to be the method for the highest productivity among cutting methods. Moreover, the quality of the machined surface is increasingly improved as well as the machining productivity is increasingly enhanced thanks to the development of machine tool and cutting tool manufacturing technology. Therefore, in each specific processing condition (about machine, tool and part material, and other conditions), specific studies are required to determine the value of technological parameters in order to improve productivity and machining accuracy. Only in this way can we take full advantage of the capabilities of modern equipment. The process parameters in the milling method in particular and in the machining and cutting methods in general can be easily adjusted by the machine operator as the parameters of the cutting parameters or the change of tool types. In this article, the combination of Taguchi and Proximity Indexed Value (PIV) methods is presented for multi-criteria decision making in milling. An experimental matrix was designed according to Taguchi method with five input parameters, including the insert materials (TiN, TiCN, and TiAlN), nose radius, cutting velocity, feed rate and depth of cut. The total number of experiments that were performed was twenty-seven. The workpiece used during the experiment was SCM440 steel. At each experiment, the surface roughness was measured and the Material Removal Rate (MRR) was calculated. The weights of these two parameters have been chosen by the decision maker on the basis of consultation with experts. The PIV method was applied to determine the experiment at which the minimum surface roughness and the maximum MRR were simultaneously guaranteed. In addition, the influence of input parameters on surface roughness was also found in this study.

Nanostructuring Bi2Te3-Based Thermoelectric Thin-Films Grown Using Pulsed Laser Deposition

This book chapter reports recent advances in nanostructured Bi2Te3-based thermoelectric (TE) thin-films fabricated by pulsed laser deposition (PLD). By controlling the processing conditions in PLD growths, various fascinating Bi2Te3-based nanostructured films with promising or enhanced TE properties have been successfully fabricated, including super-assembling of Bi2Te3 hierarchical nanostructures, self-assembled Bi2Te3 films with well-aligned 0D to 3D nanoblocks, polycrystalline-nanostructured Bi2Se3 and Bi2Te3 thin-films, etc. In addition, a PLD-growth mechanism for fabricating the super-assembling Bi2Te3 thin-films is presented. This book chapter provides fundamental understanding the relationship amongst processing condition, structure-morphology, and TE property of PLD-growths Bi2Te3-based thin-films. It also presents an overview of TE materials and applications with the challenges and perspectives.