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Plant fibers over the years have succeeded in generating interest among researchers about their use. This is mainly due to several ecological legislations put in place by nations to counter the rise in global warming levels. Although plant fiber-based polymer composites are penetrating various domains, concern regarding their suitability and challenges related to manufacturing techniques needs to be addressed. This review attempts to discuss various aspects of plant fibers, their processing with polymer, and methods to improve the fib-matrix interaction. The article also presents an insight into different 3D printing techniques such as fused deposition modeling, laminated object manufacturing, stereolithography, selective laser sintering, and inkjet printer for processing fiber-based polymer composites. The use of technologically advanced 4D printing of fiber-polymer composites is also discussed. Challenges and futuristic opportunities associated with recent works on 3D printing techniques are analyzed toward the end. The paper is structured in the following manner: the first part focuses on natural fibers with their constituents, their processing, and manufacturing techniques with polymers, while the second part of the paper discusses various 3D printing techniques with their challenges and opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An engine bracket is one of the most critical components of the engine used for mounting and supporting the engine in the vehicles. Today, the automobile industry requires lightweight components, which will reduce the car's overall weight when fitted into the vehicle. Topology optimization is a technique with the help of which the surface of a component is optimized to get the required shape for having reduced weight. The weight is reduced by optimizing the material on the surface of the details. In this paper, the work done is the application of topology optimization on the surface of the engine bracket arm. Then the optimized model is tested computationally using realistic conditions. Bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization is used as a technique for topology optimization. With the help of the BESO method, the material optimization is done, and then the weights are compared with the original component. A new algorithm is developed using MATLAB codes. The sensitivity ratio is considered using the von Mises strength as a critical parameter for the BESO method for optimization. The optimized bracket model is then assembled with the hub of the component, and then the assembly is simulated for verification using standard conditions. A comparison of weight reduction is there using topology optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endodontic file is a tapered, needle shape body used for the preparation of curved human root canals. During the preparation, process files get failed due to the locking action offered by the canal wall. The present study aimed to find the fatigue life of endodontic files at 23°, 33° and 43° root canal curvature angles. Four brands of files were selected for the present study viz. Hyplex CM, Pro-Taper Next, Hero Shaper, Pro-File Vortex. The strain life analysis done using ANSYS showed that the Hyplex CM file gives the highest fatigue life at 23°, 33° and 43° root canal curvature angles. Therefore, Hyplex CM file was selected for DoE Taguchi Optimization study. Each experimental reading was conducted on X Smart Plus experimental setup under purely rotary and combined reciprocating-rotary motion, at 500 rpm, 600 rpm and 700 rpm and 23°, 33° and 43° root canal curvature angles. Hyplex CM file given maximum fatigue life at 23° root canal curvature angle and 500 rpm speed of rotation. But if file motion is combined rotary-reciprocating, life reduces. The ANNOVA study showed that P-value and significance F are very small, which represented that the regression model is effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research introduces an innovative method for creating a digital twin (DT) of heat energy storage and retrieval system (HESRS) for real-time monitoring and performance analysis. The HESRS, type of HVAC system, is evaluated based on parameters like stored heat energy, heat extraction via heat transfer fluid (HTF), and Phase Change Material (PCM) temperatures. Data from temperature sensors is sent to the cloud in real-time. A reduced-order model (ROM) analyses it on the cloud and sends results to an Android app. The DT is then simulated in augmented reality through our app, Twin-X, marking distinctive approach to digital twin development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a convolutional neural network (CNN) model of the signal distribution control algorithm (SDCA) to maximize the dynamic vehicular traffic signal flow for each junction phase. The aim of the proposed algorithm is to determine the reward value and new state. It deconstructs the routing components of the current multi-directional queuing system (MDQS) architecture to identify optimal policies for every traffic scenario. Initially, the state value is divided into a function value and a parameter value. Combining these two scenarios updates the resulting optimized state value. Ultimately, an analogous criterion is developed for the current dataset. Next, the error or loss value for the present scenario is computed. Furthermore, utilizing the Deep Q-learning methodology with a quad agent enhances previous study discoveries. The recommended method outperforms all other traditional approaches in effectively optimizing traffic signal timing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many research and significant worldwide efforts have been made to combat climate change. The purpose of this research was to maximize the productivity of a flat-plate hybrid collector with two kinds of cooling medium, namely water and water-based Al2O3 nanofluid. Effects of single-volume concentration (0.1%) of Al2O3 nanoparticles and four types of volume flow rates such as 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 litres/minute (LPM) were also examined which found that the best performance is achieved with 2.0 LPM. The experimental results found that the hybrid collector significantly depends on solar radiation, the surface geometry of the cooling channels, and the volume flow rates of the working medium. In addition, the performance of the hybrid collector improved with increasing volume flow rate. Maximum glazing surface temperature has been attained by water collector was 68.2°C, whereas water-based nanofluid has achieved its glazing surface temperature 63.8°C. As a result, the life of the solar panel has been increased significantly. This occurred because an increase in the volume flow rate increased the turbulence of the working medium, thus resulting in better performance of the hybrid collector. Besides, the results also showed that the distribution of working medium in the channel had played a major role in the heat transfer rate. The thermal efficiency was found to vary from 13.9% to 60.7% for all the four-volume flow rates of water. Similarly, thermal efficiency was attained from 16.8% to 79.4% for all the four-volume flow rates of Al2O3 nanofluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface integrity is one of the key elements used to judge the quality of machined surfaces, and surface roughness is one such quality parameter that determines the pass level of the machined product. In the present study, AISI D2 steel was machined with electric discharge at different process parameters using Jatropha and EDM oil. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanopowder was added to the dielectric to improve surface integrity. Experiments were performed using the one variable at a time (OVAT) approach for EDM oil and Jatropha oil as dielectric media. From the experimental results, it was observed that response trends of surface roughness (SR) using Jatropha oil are similar to those of commercially available EDM oil, which proves that Jatropha oil is a technically and operationally feasible dielectric and can be efficiently replaced as dielectric fluid in the EDM process. The lowest value of S.R. (i.e., 4.5 microns) for EDM and Jatropha oil was achieved at current = 9 A, Ton = 30 μs, Toff = 12 μs, and Gap voltage = 50 V. As the values of current and pulse on time increase, the S.R. also increases. Current and pulse-on-time were the most significant parameters affecting S.R. Machine learning methods like linear regression, decision trees, and random forests were used to predict the surface roughness. Random forest modeling is highly accurate, with an R2 value of 0.89 and an MSE of 1.36% among all methods. Random forest models have better predictive capabilities and may be one of the best options for modeling complex EDM processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The present study aimed to improve the aqueous solubility, permeability, bioavailability, and nootropic potential of standardized Emblica officinalis extract (EOE) by developing a novel phytosomal formulation. Method. Emblica officinalis extract-loaded phytosomes (EOPs) were prepared using solvent evaporation. The EOP was prepared at different molar ratios of extract and phospholipid. Herein, the effects of phospholipid extract ratio (A), temperature (B), and reaction time (C) were systematically investigated on entrapment efficiency using Box-Behnken design. In vitro and in vivo characterizations of the optimized formulation were performed. Results. Optimized EOP formulation (89.90 ± 0.24 μg/ml) exhibited improved aqueous solubility than plain EOE (11.85 ± 0.25 μg/ml). The optimized formulation's particle size and Zeta potential were 198.4 ± 0.20 nm and −39.0 ± 0.40 mv. DSC and XRD studies confirmed the partial amorphization of EOE in phytosomes. Optimized formulation exhibited 69.82 ± 0.17% of EOE release at 12 h and followed zero-order release kinetics. Moreover, the phytosomal formulation of EOE exhibited its rationality with an improvement of bioavailability by 2.7 folds compared with pure EOE. Compared to EOE, EOP showed significantly ( p < 0.05 lower escape and transfer latencies on both days in MWMT and EPMT, indicating more effective memory-enhancing activity. Furthermore, EOP-treated rats exhibited improved acetylcholine (Ach) levels than EOE. Brain tissue concentrations measured following EOP oral administration (1.06 ± 0.04 μg/ml) were substantially greater (p < 0.05) than those following EOE (0.32 ± 0.07 μg/ml). The brain dopamine and serotonin concentration were found to be higher (16.27 ± 1.209 and 43.28 ± 1.550 ng/ml) in the EOP-treated group as compared to the pure extract-treated group (10.40 ± 1.185 and 32.79 ± 1.738 ng/ml). Conclusion. Improvement of aqueous solubility, permeability, dissolution, bioavailability, and narrower particle size distribution could facilitate enhancement in the nootropic potential of EOE phytosomal formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic steels are one of the most important in fuel cladding materials for 4th Generation nuclear reactors because of their excellent mechanical properties such as irradiation resistance, swelling resistance, and elevated temperature tensile/compressive strength. Mechanical alloying (MA) is one of the most promising routes for developing nanocrystalline ferritic ODS steel materials. For the production of nanocrystalline ferritic ODS steel powders, the most influencing factor is the milling speed and milling time during the mechanical alloying process. With the improper selection of milling time and speed, the final milled powders become an amorphous structure consisting of high impurity inclusions in the microstructure, and strength was also affected. In order to overcome these drawbacks, the present investigation was taken into account for the selection of appropriate mechanical milling speed and time, which was optimized through Taguchi analysis followed by the MA process. The optimized mechanical milling speed and time of milled powders were characterized through X-Ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The findings of the experimental study into optimizing the heat transfer rate of a PCM-based heat sink for high-power LEDs are presented in this work. The study investigated five heat sink types, with and without PCM. The LED case and junction temperatures, LED module temperatures, heat storage and release rate analyses, analyses of three types of cyclic operation modes, luminous flux, and heat sink thermal resistance were all examined independently. The results indicated that the PCM-based LED heat sink had improved thermal performance. The LED junction temperature of the PCM-equipped E-20 heat sink is nine degrees Celsius lower at 10 W than that of the heat sink without PCM. Furthermore, the E-20 heat sink with PCM extends the LED module's critical lifespan. As a bonus, the E-20 with PCM had a 38.19 percent lower thermal resistance at 10 W than the E-20 without PCM. According to these results, the heat sink E-20 emits 715 lm at 10 W when operated without a phase-change material (PCM). With the same input power, the luminous flux of an E-20 equipped with a heat sink and a phase-change material (PCM) is 750 lm, a gain of 4.7%. Finally, clearly recommend the heat E-20 sink with PCM suitable for high-power LED thermal management system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to provide a new, easy, accurate, cost-effective, exact, sensitive, specific, robust, and rugged method for quantifying Epigallocatechin 3 gallate in wistar rat plasma using reverse phase high-performance chromatography (RP-HPLC). The stationary phase was a Zorbax SB C18 5µ (4.6*150) mm column, while the mobile phase was water with 0.1 percent formic acid (A) and acetonitrile (ACN) with 0.08 percent formic acid (B). The experiment was conducted at 30°C with a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min with PDA detectors at 274 nm. With an r2 of 0.9999, the method was shown to be linear in the concentration range of 0.2-25 µg/ml. At the same retention time (Rt) of epigallocatechin 3 gallate, no interference of co-eluting peaks of endogenous chemicals from the biological matrix was found. The intraday and interday precision RSD (%) was found to be within acceptable limits (less than 2%). The overall mean recovery percentage was determined to be 96.92 %. The LOD and LOQ were determined to be 0.0682 ± 0.0011 µg/ml and 0.205 ± 0.004 µg/ml, respectively. In short-term and long-term stability tests, auto sampler, bench-top, and freeze-thaw stability tests were found to be stable. The developed approach reported was determined to be well within acceptable limits. As a result, in the future, this method can be successfully employed in clinical laboratories to estimate epigallocatechin 3 gallate alone or in conjunction with other analytes or markers in pharmacokinetic, bioequivalence, and therapeutic drug monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-exhaust brake dust and pollution arising from metal, semi-metal, and ceramic brake pads have made recent research consider their replacement by potential natural fibers such as hemp, flax, sisal, etc. These natural fibers are lightweight, biodegradable, and cheap. This paper discusses the wear and friction analysis of hemp fiber reinforced polymer brake pad material. Three test specimens viz. HF4P20, HF5P20, and HF6P20 were prepared per ASTM G99 standards for the pin-on disc tribo-test. The test trials and validation were done using the Taguchi design of experiments and ANOVA. The optimum result showed a consistent coefficient of friction and lowered specific wear rate for HF6P20 brake pad material. Worn surface morphology was done using scanning electron microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current experimental investigation focused on the 16 W Light Emitting Diode (LED) with Phase Change Material (PCM)-filled heat sinks to augment consistency, high luminous flux and heat sink with low thermal resistance. Parameters such as input power, fin pitch value and quantity of fins were varied to study the heat transfer performance of the heat sink without and with PCM. Experimental results reveal that the hexagonal heat sink having a pitch of 10 mm performed well due to the increased melting rate of PCM as compared to other heat sinks. The thermal resistance of the H-10 heat sink with PCM was observed to be 3.3 °C/W, which is 73% lower than that of the H-10 heat sink without PCM at 16 W. The junction temperature enhancement ratio of 3.625 was observed for the H-10 heat sink with PCM at 16 W power input for SCT of 90 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron beam melting (EBM) is a new and rapidly developing metal additive manufacturing (AM) technology. The unique capabilities of EBM have opened the door for this technology in high-performance applications such as medical implants, aerospace, automotive, etc. However, the building of overhang surfaces without support structure leads to dross formation, distortions and warping. Using the support structures is the solution to avoid the mentioned problems, but increased support structure leads to increased use of materials, and post-processing time, which eventually increases the costs of the final process. This study aims to investigate the effect build parameters EBM process on the warping deformation. The main process parameters are considered and evaluated. The results indicate that the process parameter play a role in overhang structure warping deformations. The minimum deformation (0.28 mm) is resulted with 15 mA current, 4530 mm/s scan speed, 3 mm focus offset and 0.3 mm line offset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an additive manufacturing (AM) technology, fused deposition modeling (FDM) is widely used to fabricate highly complex components. Polymer components fabricated by FDM technique have weak mechanical properties. To enhance the mechanical properties, 3D printing of polymer composites is done by reinforcing particles, nanomaterials, short and continuous fibers into thermoplastic polymers. The thermal, flame retardant, and impact properties of a continuous kevlar fiber‐reinforced onyx 3D‐printed composite are investigated in this study. Additionally, the effect of fiber arrangement and orientation (0°, 90°, 0°/90°, and +45°/−45°) on the impact strength of 3D‐printed composites have been investigated. The impact strength of the 3D‐printed composite specimens was determined using izod impact testing. It was found that specimens with fiber arrangement having fiber and matrix layer configuration as 21O|20K|20O|20K|21O have a higher impact strength and specimens with fiber arrangement as 31O|40K|31O have lower impact strength. Furthermore, specimen 3D printed with a unidirectional 0° fiber angle had the highest impact strength, while specimen 3D printed with a unidirectional 90° fiber angle had the lowest impact strength. Furthermore, flammability tests and thermogravimetric analysis were performed to investigate the flame retardant and thermal properties of 3D‐printed composites. Morphological study of onyx and kevlar fiber filament was also done using scanning electron microscope (SEM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study performed a steady-statenumerical analysis to understand the temperature in different heat sink configurations forLEDapplications. Seven heat sink configurationsnamed R, H-6, H-8, H-10,C,C3, and C3E3 were considered. Parameters like input power, number of fins, heat sink configuration were varied, and their influence on LED temperature distribution, heat sink thermal resistance and thermal interface material temperature were studied. The results showed that the temperature distribution of the H-6 heat sink decreased by 46.30%compared with theCheat sink for aninput power of 16W. The result of theH-6 heat sink shows that the heat sink thermal resistance was decreased by 73.91% compared with the Cheat sink at 16W. The lowest interface material temperature of 54.11 °C was achieved by the H-6 heat sink when the input power was used 16W. The H-6 heat sink exhibited better performance due to more surface area with several fins than other heat sinks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abrasive characteristics of LM6 alloys are difficult to machine, so designing a technology that allows for effective machining is essential. This paper aims to evaluate the effect of process variables, namely feed rate, spindle speed and drill material, towards the responses likeThrust force, Surface roughness and burr height when drilling of LM6 alloy. LM6 aluminium alloy was fabricated by the stir casting process. Experiments were conducted using L9 orthogonal array in a Vertical Machining Centre coupled with a dynamometer for measuring thrust force. Surface roughness was found by Surface roughness tester and burr heightwasmeasured using Vision Measuring System. The findings showthat the created model can accurately estimate the thrust force (TF), surface roughness (SR) and burr height (BH) in LM6 alloy drilling within the parameters examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric, hybrid, and fuel cell vehicles are the future of the automobile industry, and power source design is one of the most crucial steps in designing these vehicles. This paper aims to design and structurally simulate a custom accumulator—which powers an electric vehicle, for a lightweight, single-seater formula-style racecar. The work is dependent on the model-based design and CAD model approach. Mathematical modeling on SCILAB is used to model equations to get the characteristics of the accumulator, such as the energy, capacity, current, voltage, state of charge, and discharge rates. The output of this model gives the configuration of the battery pack as several cells in series and parallel to adequately power the tractive system. An accumulator container is designed to safeguard the cells from external impacts and vibrational loads, which otherwise can lead to safety hazards. Following this, the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) performed on the accumulator resulted in maximum peak deformation of 0.56 mm, ensuring the safety check against various external loads. Further, the finer stability of the battery pack was virtually validated after performing the vibrational analysis, resulting in a deformation of 3.5493 mm at a 1760.8 Hz frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]