Search

In this paper, energy and exergy analyses have been performed on a 3.5 kW diesel engine for diesel fuel and NB20 (20% blends of neem oil methyl ester) on the basis of experimental data of the engine. The exhaust gas energy loss of diesel is higher than NB20. However, NB20 biodiesel yields a higher rate of heat transfer than diesel. Based on input energy value, less exhaust loss and higher heat loss percentages are obtained for both the tested fuels. The exergy destruction of diesel is higher than that of NB20 whereas the exergy heat loss of NB20 is more than that of diesel. Higher percentages of exergy destruction and less percentage of exergy heat loss are observed for both the tested fuels. Regarding efficiency associated with thermal, combustion and exergetic, NB20 performed well. Moreover, NB20 biodiesel shows similar trends of energetic and exergetic performance with diesel fuel.

The article discusses the development of smart textiles that are likened to the human skin. It notes that these smart materials should be able to sense and react to environmental conditions or stimuli. Smart materials are divided into three, namely passive smart, active smart and very smart materials. Passive smart can only sense environmental conditions while active smart will sense stimuli and react to it. Very smart materials are able to sense, react and adapt themselves accordingly.