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Casein is an important protein in the raw milk and many approaches have been established to separate casein to make cheese. This study mainly deals with the analysis of casein protein (19 kDa, pI 4.6) transport characteristics through ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. Polysulfone (PS) based polymer membranes are used and modified with polyethylene imine (PEI), polydiallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (PDDA) and polyacrylic acid (PAA). The fabricated membranes are characterized by contact angle and Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The UF process was conducted with a dead-end filtration unit and the volumetric flux and transmission values are recorded and that varies with pressure and pH. The experimental results are explained using the concentration polarization and irreversible thermodynamics model. The characteristics of the transport of casein are determined from the values of the parameters such as the solute concentration near the surface of the membrane [Cm], the solute permeability [Pm], mass transfer coefficient [k], and the reflection coefficient [σ]. From the results, it is concluded that the casein transport through the UF membrane was controlled by convection with decrease in casein rejection. Although, this model predicts the transmission behavior as a function of flux and supports the experimental results for both membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local delivery of antibiotics utilising bone cement is a well-known approach for controlling postoperative infections related to implant. 1, 5 and 10 wt.% of clindamycin (Cli) was embedded into polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)–based bone cement for inhibiting postsurgical infection. Clindamycin antibiotic drug was homogeneously embedded into the matrix of PMMA-based cement. The results revealed that the fabricated PMMA-based cement loaded with Cli presented a high compressive strength (~120 MPa). The PMMA-based cement loaded with low Cli presented better cytocompatibility compared with its counterpart loaded with high Cli owing to the better cell attachment on the surface of the cement with a lower release of Cli. The embedding of Cli into the cement improved its antibacterial performance, as implied by the considerably improved inhibition zone with amplifying Cli concentration. Taken together, PMMA-based cement loaded with 1–5 wt% Cli might be a promising antimicrobial bone cement to be employed in orthopaedic surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, porous magnesium-xzeolite (x= 0, 3, 5 and 7 wt.%) composite scaffolds containing different amounts of zeolite were synthesized through combination of powder metallurgy (PM) and space holder (SH) techniques. The findings demonstrated that incorporation of zeolite into Mg composite scaffolds leads to higher compressive strength and corrosion resistance than Mg scaffolds without Zeo. Moreover, the Mg/Zeo composite scaffold presented good bioactivity, high capability in MG63 cell attachment and viability whereas a smaller number of cells could attach to the Mg scaffold without Zeo. The antibacterial response of these Mg/Zeo-Ag composite scaffolds against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Gram negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) indicates the positive role of silver-zeolite in suppressing the bacteria growth. The aforementioned tests indicated that the articulated magnesium composite scaffold containing 7 wt.% Zeo with suitable mechanical strength and excellent biological activity may be considered as a promising biomaterial for bone substitution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, low cost ceramic supports were prepared from kaolin via phase inversion technique with two kaolin particle sizes, which are 0.04-0.6 μm (denoted as type A) and 10-15 μm (denoted as type B), at different kaolin contents ranging from 14 to 39 wt.%, sintered at 1200 °C. The effect of kaolin particle sizes as well as kaolin contents on membrane structure, pore size distribution, porosity, mechanical strength, surface roughness and gas permeation of the support were investigated. The support was prepared using kaolin type A induced asymmetric structure by combining macroporous voids and sponge-like structure in the support with pore size of 0.38 μm and 1.05 μm, respectively, and exhibited ideal porosity (27.7%), great mechanical strength (98.9 MPa) and excellent gas permeation. Preliminary study shows that the kaolin ceramic support in this work is potential to gas separation application at lower cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofluids with their enhanced thermal conductivity are believed to be a promising coolant in heat transfer applications. In this study, carbon nanotube (CNT) nanofluids of 0.01 wt%, stabilised by 1.0 wt% gum arabic were used as a cooling liquid in a concentric tube laminar flow heat exchanger. The flow rate of cold fluid varied from 10 to 50 g/s. Both experimental and numerical simulations were carried out to determine the heat transfer enhancement using CNT nanofluids. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were carried out using Fluent v 6.3 by assuming single-phase approximation. Thermal conductivity, density and rheology of the nanofluid were also measured as a function of temperature. The results showed thermal conductivity enhancement from 4% to 125% and nearly 70% enhancement in heat transfer with increase in flow rate. Numerical results exhibited good agreement with the experimental results with a deviation of. CNT nanofluids at 0.01 wt% CNTs showed Newtonian behaviour with no significant increase in the density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experimental study reports on the stability and thermal conductivity enhancement of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanofluids with and without gum arabic (GA). The stability of CNT in the presence of GA dispersant in water is systematically investigated by taking into account the combined effect of various parameters, such as sonication time, temperature, dispersant and particle concentration. The concentrations of CNT and GA have been varied from 0.01 to 0.1 wt% and from 0.25 to 5 wt%, respectively, and the sonication time has been varied in between 1 and 24 h. The stability of nanofluid is measured in terms of CNT concentration as a function of sediment time using UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Thermal conductivity of CNT nanofluids is measured using KD-2 prothermal conductivity meter from 25 to 60°C. Optimum GA concentration is obtained for the entire range of CNT concentration and 1–2.5 wt% of GA is found to be sufficient to stabilise all CNT range in water. Rapid sedimentation of CNTs is observed at higher GA concentration and sonication time. CNT in aqueous suspensions show strong tendency to aggregation and networking into clusters. Stability and thermal conductivity enhancement of CNT nanofluids have been presented to provide a heat transport medium capable of achieving high heat conductivity. Increase in CNT concentrations resulted in the non-linear thermal conductivity enhancement. More than 100–250% enhancement in thermal conductivity is observed for the range of CNT concentration and temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Carbon membranes prepared by pyrolysis/carbonization of polymeric precursors have been studied in the last few years as a promising candidate for gas separation process. As the aim of this paper, a review on polymer precursor selection and effect of pyrolysis conditions on carbon membrane characteristics and performances were discussed in detail. A number of different polymer precursors have been surveyed for their utility as materials in carbon membrane fabrication. The gas transport properties of various types of carbon membrane that produced by different researchers was summarized. Furthermore, the potential applications and future directions of carbon membrane in gas separation processes were also briefly identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]