Ashutosh Tiwari
Abstract
The world is facing major problems related to global warming, climate change, anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental degradation. They implicate a major worry to take immediate measures to rectify the ways and methods to build a clean world for the future generation to live blissfully. ...
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The world is facing major problems related to global warming, climate change, anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, and environmental degradation. They implicate a major worry to take immediate measures to rectify the ways and methods to build a clean world for the future generation to live blissfully. The technological revolution paves a way to combat the current terrible situation using numerous sustainable measures by the advancement of materials. The clean energy transition is mostly adopting in the transport and mobility sectors for reducing the emissions of vehicles. The present scenario of the global climate sets urgent needs to demonstrate country-wise a long-term policy for clean, renewable, and net-zero waste power generation in line with climate neutrality goals.

S. Fakirov
Abstract
In this short communication, an attempt is undertaken to demonstrate that the widely used practice to call the electrospun polymers from their solutions and melts “polymer nanofibers” is hardly correct for the following reasons. The polymer fibers prepared by means of the common melt-spinning ...
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In this short communication, an attempt is undertaken to demonstrate that the widely used practice to call the electrospun polymers from their solutions and melts “polymer nanofibers” is hardly correct for the following reasons. The polymer fibers prepared by means of the common melt-spinning are characterized by perfect molecular orientation of the parallel aligned macromolecules leading to superior mechanical performance. The electrospun polymers are also flexible cylindrical formations but with macromolecules in isotropic, non-oriented state and distinguished by poor mechanical properties, frequently inferior than those of the same polymer in isotropic state. For this reason, it is suggested to call these materials “fiber-like nanomaterials” instead of “polymer nanofiber”. The real target of the communication is to challenge the electrospinning community to modify the manufacturing process in such a way that the final nanomaterial is characterized by perfect molecular orientation resulting in excellent, typical for polymer fibers mechanical properties, which will offer wide real applications of these nanofibers.

Mariya Aleksandrova
Abstract
Portable and smart electronic devices are powered by batteries whose life is limited. On the other hand, in recent years the idea of renewable energy and methods of its obtaining by environmentally friendly technologies gained popularity. The conversion of energy from various sources in the surrounding ...
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Portable and smart electronic devices are powered by batteries whose life is limited. On the other hand, in recent years the idea of renewable energy and methods of its obtaining by environmentally friendly technologies gained popularity. The conversion of energy from various sources in the surrounding environment (energy harvesting) solves the problem of battery-less power supply and satisfies the modern concepts of "clean" energy. One of the mechanisms for electrical energy generation is the piezoelectric effect, which relies on mechanical activation (vibrations, pressure, force) and the corresponding devices are piezoelectric energy harvesters. This article has overviewed the global situation, efforts, and prospects of the development of piezoelectric materials and harvesting devices in terms of research interest, industrial implementation, sectors of application and market forecasts.

YuanTong Gu
Abstract
I know Prof. Prasad Yarlagadda for around 15 years since I joined Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane as Lecturer in 2007. I still remembered that Prasad welcomed me to QUT in my first day commencing in QUT. At that time, he was leading Built Environment Engineering (BEE) Faculty ...
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I know Prof. Prasad Yarlagadda for around 15 years since I joined Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane as Lecturer in 2007. I still remembered that Prasad welcomed me to QUT in my first day commencing in QUT. At that time, he was leading Built Environment Engineering (BEE) Faculty as Deputy Director, Centre for Built Environment Engineering Research and also Assistant Dean (Research) in BEE faculty. In addition, he was Director, Smart Systems Research theme and Head, Discipline of Mechanical, Manufacturing and Mechatronics Engineering in QUT.
Shubhajit Roy Chowdhury; Gaurav Sharma; Yashika Arora
Abstract
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is increasingly becoming popular for monitoring cerebral oxygenation level by measuring the time variations in the concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Hb). Studies on cross section of the cerebro-vascular artery suggest that impaired ...
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Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is increasingly becoming popular for monitoring cerebral oxygenation level by measuring the time variations in the concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Hb). Studies on cross section of the cerebro-vascular artery suggest that impaired haemodynamics of cerebrovascular artery is followed by transient ischemic attack (TIA) and ischemic stroke. Here, cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) signifies the dilation capacity of blood vessels, and is a remarkable bio-marker for brain vascular reserve. The CVR may be effectively studied by monitoring cerebral oxygenation level, which if coupled with anodal transcranial direct current stimulation can serve as an important biomarker to classify between stroke and non-stroke patients, thereby providing for an imminent screening and monitoring tool. The neural activity of cerebral cortex may be controlled with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) where the NIRScan be used to capture CVR during anodal tDCS. The responses measured during NIRS are measured through temporal changes in HbO2 and Hb concentration — which provide more information than those available from basic fMRI. This article first reviews the general principles and progress in the development of NIRS, throwing a light on the applications of NIRS in stroke diagnosis.

Anshuman Mishra; Santanu Patra; Sudheesh K. Shukla; Pavan Pandey; Yogesh Shukla; Pavel Osmera; Pankaj Yadav; Manoj Pandey; Rajiv Gupta; Franck Molina; Carlos E. Semino; Ashutosh Tiwari
Abstract
World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed great concern about the pandemic of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and said that there is a need to control it at the high end. To strengthen this fight against COVID-19, International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) intends to provide a forum for high-tech ...
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World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed great concern about the pandemic of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and said that there is a need to control it at the high end. To strengthen this fight against COVID-19, International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) intends to provide a forum for high-tech healthcare. Foreseeing the current crisis, IAAM called a multi-lateral consortium to discuss the possibilities of developing a medical technology to control the spreading of coronavirus with the help of interdisciplinary experts from multiple countries. This innovation is perpetuated to create multi-lateral cooperation in the area of ‘healthcare innovation and technology’. Adaptation of advanced technologies and their logical integration according to contemporary healthcare measures could be a smart strategy for epidemic management activities. Establishing an advanced phenotype model for prognosis is an important step in the prevention of infectious disease management such as COVID-19. This article has overviewed the global situation, efforts, and prospective of coronavirus pandemic.

Davor Daniloski; Davor Gjorgjijoski; Anka Trajkovska Petkoska
Abstract
In the process of controlling the quality and safety characteristics of foods the essential step has been maintained by the packaging. The food packaging can protect the food products from the surrounding environment, increase the shelf-life of the product and provide proper product’s information ...
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In the process of controlling the quality and safety characteristics of foods the essential step has been maintained by the packaging. The food packaging can protect the food products from the surrounding environment, increase the shelf-life of the product and provide proper product’s information to the consumers. Numerous important characteristics of food can be lost as a result of the possible changes in the products throughout their storage and transportation. In order to supply longer shelf-life, safety, freshness and quality of the food products, novel packaging technologies, such as active packaging and nanotechnology have been developed in the market. Nanotechnologies and active packaging might be useful for extending the shelf life of food products by increasing the material barrier properties. Moreover, incorporation of natural antioxidants and antimicrobial agents into the food packaging materials decrease the process of oxidation, inhibits the growth of microorganisms on food (meat) surfaces and therefore increases their stability. This review informs about the principles of active packaging and their current application in the meat and dairy technology.

Ashutosh Tiwari
Abstract
Researcher of the year is considered one of the highest honors for a researcher working in a diverse background, either from Physical, Chemical, Biological, Engineering, Mathematical and Medical Sciences along with their substantial contribution towards ‘research perspective, expanding education, ...
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Researcher of the year is considered one of the highest honors for a researcher working in a diverse background, either from Physical, Chemical, Biological, Engineering, Mathematical and Medical Sciences along with their substantial contribution towards ‘research perspective, expanding education, promoting materials research and its applications at a global standard’, mentoring professionals and series of advancements on the related topics.

Sandra Afflerbach; Wolfgang Krumm; Reinhard Trettin
Abstract
Within the past decade, ecological issues accompanying energy generation and utilization have gained increasing interest, thereby creating a need for new scientific and technical solutions on the path to a sustainable energy future. Besides switching the basis of the electricity sector from fossil fuels ...
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Within the past decade, ecological issues accompanying energy generation and utilization have gained increasing interest, thereby creating a need for new scientific and technical solutions on the path to a sustainable energy future. Besides switching the basis of the electricity sector from fossil fuels to renewables, also the heat sector is to be transformed. A major obstacle accompanying this energy transition is the temporal intermittency of power generation from renewables. However, these hurdles can be overcome by design of systems for energy storage and conversion. Within the growing field of solutions for thermal storage, thermochemical systems move into the focus as they provide comparably highest storage densities but at the same time also options for heat conversion. This concise review summarizes the background and the scope of possible applications discussed in recent literature. A focus is set on the identification and modification of new reaction systems, criteria for material selection are presented and different classes of reaction systems are discussed with regard to their operating temperature ranges. It is concluded, that an evaluation of possible use cases with precise definition of their respective thermal boundary conditions would be of high value for a purposeful continuation of future screening approaches.

Manuel Fernandes; Kshitij RB Singh; Tanushri Sarkar; Pooja Singh; Ravindra Pratap Singh
Abstract
Magnesium oxide nanoparticles have emerged as a potential candidate for meeting ends of various problems due to its unique properties such as biodegradability, non-toxicity, inhibition of biofilm growth and degradation of harmful dyes such as methyl violet and many more. Along with its easy synthesis ...
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Magnesium oxide nanoparticles have emerged as a potential candidate for meeting ends of various problems due to its unique properties such as biodegradability, non-toxicity, inhibition of biofilm growth and degradation of harmful dyes such as methyl violet and many more. Along with its easy synthesis by methods such as sol-gel technique, precipitation method, and green synthesis, it is widely applicable for toxic waste remediation, antibacterial materials, removal of industrial pollutants and also used in anti-arthritic and anti-cancer activities. Prior reviews have laid focus on singular domains whereas our review clubs three major domains i.e., clinical, agricultural and environmental that are involved in the day to day life of plants as well as animals. Besides the above information, properties, synthesis, nanotoxicity and future perspectives of magnesium oxide nanoparticles have also been elaborated in this review.

Nadezhda Milanova Sertova
Abstract
Nanotechnology is the ability to manipulate individual atoms and molecules in a way to create nano-structured materials and objects from 1 to 100 nanometers. Because of the size new changes in their chemical and physical structure may occur, which could indicate higher reactivity and solubility. Nanotechnology ...
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Nanotechnology is the ability to manipulate individual atoms and molecules in a way to create nano-structured materials and objects from 1 to 100 nanometers. Because of the size new changes in their chemical and physical structure may occur, which could indicate higher reactivity and solubility. Nanotechnology as a new empower technology, has opened up new horizons for applications in many fields including human and veterinary medicine. Examples of potential applications of nanotechnology in the science and engineering include disease treatment, delivery systems, new materials for pathogen detection, etc. The variety of nanomaterials that are used for disease diagnosis, treatment, drug delivery, animal nutrition, animal breeding, reproduction and value addition to animal products; these are metallic nanoparticles, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, magnetic nanoparticles, nanoporous membranes. For a long time, nanoparticles have been used as diagnostic and therapeutic agents in human and veterinary medicine, although their use in animal production is still relatively new. Areas of particular interest for animal and human health include disease diagnosis, target drug delivery systems, vaccine transfer, and nutrition. Research in the field of nanotechnology will contribute to improving animal and human health and will help to increase livestock production.

K. Arunprasath; V. Arumugaprabu; P. Amuthakkannan; V. Manikandan
Abstract
The application of flax fiber is vast in the various fields in the world, the well-known in the area of as textiles many of the countries they used the flax fiber mixture with linen, traditionally used for making of bed sheets, underclothes and table linen. The specific properties of flax fiber responsible ...
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The application of flax fiber is vast in the various fields in the world, the well-known in the area of as textiles many of the countries they used the flax fiber mixture with linen, traditionally used for making of bed sheets, underclothes and table linen. The specific properties of flax fiber responsible for the potential platform to next-generation structural applications in automobile and other consumer works. Due to its mechanical properties, flax fiber composites possess good strength and durability. In this review paper, the various proportion on evaluation of work done to know about the amount of research undergone with flax fiber composite in various fields. From this review paper, the utilization of flax fiber has gap in variety of applications in various fields. To identify the research gap and its utilization, quantum of work to be done in the all of the areas was analyzed in that 36% of work done on mechanical property, 30% in novel performance work like simulation and model analysis, 18% of work going on marine, aeronautical related applications and only 16% work carried out in structural related applications using flax fiber composite, flax fiber composite products are potentially used because of their lighter weight and lower cost. Most of the automobile components are replaced by flax fiber composite, these composite components are sound in the capability to reduce the weight for fuel efficiency. Other developing market applications such as tiles, marine piers and flower pots are now a day manufactured from flax fiber composite. In the future, the flax fiber will reduce the utilization of synthetic fiber, by producing an eco-friendly environment in all type of products, wherever replacement is possible with some synergic property.
Kavita Singhal; Sameena Mehtab; Bharat Bhushan Upreti; MGH Zaidi
Abstract
Biochar, also known as black carbon, has been studied extensively for both agricultural and environmental benefits. Biochar has ability to improve the soil quality, to remove inorganic pollutant and to reduce CO2 emission rate. All these qualities of biochar are based on its physical and chemical properties, ...
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Biochar, also known as black carbon, has been studied extensively for both agricultural and environmental benefits. Biochar has ability to improve the soil quality, to remove inorganic pollutant and to reduce CO2 emission rate. All these qualities of biochar are based on its physical and chemical properties, such as macro and micro porosity, particle density, high surface area etc. The recent studies on biochar have been suggested that the developments in activation procedures and precursors improve its pore structure and surface properties. These improved characteristics have widened the application of biochar in energy storage devices (ESDs). Biochar as energy storage material is an important aspect to report that has not been reviewed well in recent past. This review elucidated the modification methods applied for biochar improvement and their significant applications in ESDs as supercapacitor (SCs). The brief explanations of biochar production process, modification methods that affect biochar performance, followed by potential applications in energy storage domain are also addressed.
Ajinkya Kailas Pote; Pooja Jayram Jadhav; Vishal Vijay Pande; Mahendra Ashok Giri; Shubham Rameshrao Pandit
Abstract
Nanotechnology has proved an emerging field in diagnostic in drug delivery. The current review has done special emphasis on the history of nanobubble, nomenclature, stability of nanobubble, physico-chemical properties, characterization of nanobubble, method of preparation and applications. The nanobubbles ...
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Nanotechnology has proved an emerging field in diagnostic in drug delivery. The current review has done special emphasis on the history of nanobubble, nomenclature, stability of nanobubble, physico-chemical properties, characterization of nanobubble, method of preparation and applications. The nanobubbles has now been explored for its antibiotic delivery, gene delivery, targeting drug delivery, anticancer drug delivery, improving cellular uptake of chemotherapy drugs into cancer cell lines. Nanobubbles (NBs) opened a new field of ultrasound imaging and used as a diagnostic method. The article explored a novel application like oxygen delivery through nanobubble which is highly beneficial in most of the diseases.

Richa Baronia; Jyoti Goel; Sunil K. Singhal
Abstract
In the fabrication of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) having high performance the essential conditions are (i) the design and construction of a suitable anode electrocatalyst comprising of Pt or a Pt based alloy nanoparticles methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) efficiently and effectively (ii) nature ...
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In the fabrication of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) having high performance the essential conditions are (i) the design and construction of a suitable anode electrocatalyst comprising of Pt or a Pt based alloy nanoparticles methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) efficiently and effectively (ii) nature of support materials onto which these nanoparticles are anchored. In MOR one of the major problems is the adsorption of poisoneous carbonmoxide and other similar intermediates near the active surface of Pt active leading to its deactivation and also the crossover of methanol solution towards the cathodic side. All these factors, therefore, lower the overall electrochemical performance of the electro-catalysts. In the present review paper we report some of our important results of the synthesis of different Pt and Pt based anode electro-catalysts (Pt, PtCo alloys, PtCu alloys) anchored on different support materials such as reduced graphene oxide (rGO), Nitrogen doped rGO and a hybrid of rGO/CNTs for MOR and compared with few of those already reported recently. A detailed characterization of raw materials and the electro-catalysts synthesized in this work is also discussed using XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM etc. The electrochemical measurements were made using cyclic voltammetry in acidic medium at room temperature.
Manish Kumar Mishra; P.M. Mishra; Vikas Dubey; Isharat Khan; Taranjeet Sachdev
Abstract
Herein review work for luminescence property of materials, their detection techniques and the possibilities for combining the Luminescence properties of materials & MEMS technology is reported. The core objective of this review work is to through light on the probable areas and prospects of integration ...
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Herein review work for luminescence property of materials, their detection techniques and the possibilities for combining the Luminescence properties of materials & MEMS technology is reported. The core objective of this review work is to through light on the probable areas and prospects of integration of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) dependent sensing and actuating devices with using the wide-ranging properties of luminescent substances, which can be able to symbolize a new species of genetically engineered sensing and actuating devices. This work discusses about the various visible features and advantages with the applications of such genetically engineered micro-organisms/systems as environmentally friendly bio-correspondents. In this work the various fabrication technique for luminescence material-based semiconductors are discussed, which are similar to the fabrication of MEMS devices.

N.S. Abbas; S.K. Shukla
Abstract
The present review paper describes the advances in materials, mechanisms, and techniques for humidity sensing along with their applications in terms of parameters, utility, durability, and spectrum. Advances in different types of humidity sensing materials are described along with their processing techniques, ...
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The present review paper describes the advances in materials, mechanisms, and techniques for humidity sensing along with their applications in terms of parameters, utility, durability, and spectrum. Advances in different types of humidity sensing materials are described along with their processing techniques, significance in humidity sensing properties, and applications. The newer application for the use of humidity sensors i.e. monitoring of respiration, metabolic rate, quality of organic solvents, packaging, power plants, agriculture practices, and forensic cases was also explained with suitable illustrations and current references. Although humidity sensing is a very old analytical tool but still suffers from several challenges for appropriate applications. In conclusion, a road map for the nexus between materials science, technology, applications, and existing challenges are presented about humidity sensors.

Bindu Mangla; Vitashi Kaul; Nitika Thakur; Sudheesh K. Shukla
Abstract
Nanoparticles (NPs) are strong colloidal particles with diameters ranging from 1nm–100 nm. They comprise of macromolecular materials and can be utilized therapeutically as adjuvant in immunizations or as medication transporters. In this paper two fundamental sorts of nanoparticles are discussed ...
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Nanoparticles (NPs) are strong colloidal particles with diameters ranging from 1nm–100 nm. They comprise of macromolecular materials and can be utilized therapeutically as adjuvant in immunizations or as medication transporters. In this paper two fundamental sorts of nanoparticles are discussed i.e., metallic nanoparticle and polymeric nanoparticle. Metallic nanoparticle is nano-sized metals with measurements (length, width, thickness) inside the size range of 1nm - 100nm. The properties, advantages, disadvantages and characteristics of metal nanomaterials are discussed in brief in this review. Polymers are the most common materials for constructing nanoparticle-based drug carriers. Polymers used to form nanoparticles can be both synthetic and natural polymers. This review summarizes the synthesis and fabrication of nanomaterials. It describes about synthesis of metallic and polymeric nanomaterials as well as synthesis of quantum dots. It gives insights of fabrication of nanomaterials. Applications of nanomaterials are also included in this review mainly focusing on biosensor, gas sensor, wastewater treatment and environmental applications. The tunable surface and optical properties of nanomaterials make the perfect contender for biosensing including the analysis of ailments, cellular imaging of cancerous cell and so on. Gas sensors have been utilized in numerous applications like monitoring the oxygen content in fuel mixture, observing food decay, health monitoring etc. Nanomaterials offer the potential for the productive expulsion of pollutants and biological contaminants thus extremely valuable in environment and wastewater treatment. Nanomaterials are highly recommended in future for these properties, mainly for their use in healthcare sector.
Neeraj Kumar; V. Sorna Gowri; Pushpesh Ranjan; Mohd. Abubakar Sadique; Shalu Yadav; Ayushi Singhal; Alka Mishra; S. Murali; Raju Khan
Abstract
Oral tumours are the sixth most incessant infection with high mortality and morbidity rates in human beings and they pose a serious threat worldwide owing to their soaring case-fatality rate and metastatic characteristics of spreading to other parts of the body. Nanomaterials as of late have become indispensable ...
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Oral tumours are the sixth most incessant infection with high mortality and morbidity rates in human beings and they pose a serious threat worldwide owing to their soaring case-fatality rate and metastatic characteristics of spreading to other parts of the body. Nanomaterials as of late have become indispensable components for biosensor platforms due to their fantastic mechanical, electronic, and optical properties. Specific emphasis is laid in this review on electrochemical biosensors working at the molecular levels, which can be classified into mainly three groups i.e., DNA biosensors, RNA biosensors, and protein biosensors as indicated by the type of the analytes. The carbon-based and non-carbon-based nanomaterials utilizing electrochemical procedures for recognizing oral cancer biomarkers are also reviewed. An extensive review has been made to cover ongoing advancements in the field of nanomaterials based as electrochemical biosensors. This study mostly sums up the significant electrochemical methods, the ongoing advancements of electrochemical technique-based biosensor frameworks for the discovery of oral cancer biomarkers. This effort aims to provide the reader with a concise view of new advances in areas on oral cancer biomarkers for electrochemical signal amplification and the innovative electroanalytical techniques which have been utilized in the miniaturization and integration of the sensors.
Sugam Shivhare; Praveen Kumar Loharkar; Supriya Vyas; Malvika Sharma; Vivekanand S. Bagal
Abstract
The discovery of conjugated, conducting polymers (CPs) polyacetylene (PA) in 1977 opened up a new frontier in the field of polymer science for both academia and industries. CPs possess characteristics such as excellent tunability, ease of synthesis, eco-friendliness, processability etc. These features ...
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The discovery of conjugated, conducting polymers (CPs) polyacetylene (PA) in 1977 opened up a new frontier in the field of polymer science for both academia and industries. CPs possess characteristics such as excellent tunability, ease of synthesis, eco-friendliness, processability etc. These features have enabled the exploration of its applicability in energy and electronics devices. It has also paved way for extensive research world over to develop novel methods for synthesizing CPs with required properties. An important area in the field of synthesis of CPs is to produce conducting nanocomposites with the combination of conducting polymers and inorganic materials in order to achieve high magnitude of electrical conductivity. Several polymeric materials such as, as poly(3,4ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT), polypyrrole (PPy), and polyaniline (PANI) have exhibited potential in various applications such as, “energy harvesting”, “energy storage”, “light emitting”, and “sensing”. The objective of this review is to develop better understanding on conducting polymers used for energy and electronics application. The review presents the state of research in the development of CPs with a focus on general synthesis method, morphology and dependent properties along with the discussion on challenges with possible solutions.

Computational Materials and Modelling
Aristides D. Zdetsis; Shanawer Niaz
Abstract
We demonstrate that a suitable atomistic method with judicially selected nanoclusters/ nanocrystals (in real space) supplemented with general symmetry and dimensionality arguments, can give surprisingly good results for macroscopic properties of the infinite crystalline solid, such as bandgaps, cohesive ...
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We demonstrate that a suitable atomistic method with judicially selected nanoclusters/ nanocrystals (in real space) supplemented with general symmetry and dimensionality arguments, can give surprisingly good results for macroscopic properties of the infinite crystalline solid, such as bandgaps, cohesive energies, as well as aromaticity (if any), at minimal computational cost and maximum physical insight. For graphene on top of these properties the present approach can successfully describe in real space and illuminate many of its exotic properties, which are usually introduced in k-space, such as Dirac points or topological insulators. An early version of this methodology has been very successfully applied and extrapolated to Si, Be, BeH, CdSe, MgH, crystals and nanocrystals, with almost chemical accuracy in most cases. Here, after a pedagogical and critical review of the earlier results, we introduce a new combined and expanded approach to comparatively describe the electronic and cohesive properties of diamond and graphene. For the later a drastically enlarged sequence of “nanocrystals” of well-chosen geometries and sizes up to 1440 atoms or 8190 electrons is used to verify earlier predictions and results. We have obtained in a simple and fast way the bandgap (5.4 eV) and the cohesive energy (7.34 eV/atom) of diamond with almost chemical accuracy; and we have fully rationalized (in a different perspective and prospective) the electronic and cohesive properties of graphene, with a tentative value of cohesive energy of 7.52 eV/atom. Strangely enough this value is larger than the one for diamond and is currently under investigation. Finally, we suggest that this methodology in its current simple and transparent form can be a first-line diagnostic, functional, and inexpensive computational tool. This is particularly true for quick assessments and comparative estimates, size-dependence studies, or cases where standard k-space methods or other advanced techniques either fail or demand unavailable computational resources.

Aparna Pandey; Pratibha Singh; Divya Gupta; Abreeq Fatima; Sheo Mohan Prasad
Abstract
Soil pollution cannot be directly assessed or visually perceived generally and has become a hidden danger. It is mainly contributed by contamination from chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and persistent organic pollutants. Soil pollutants are antagonistic to ...
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Soil pollution cannot be directly assessed or visually perceived generally and has become a hidden danger. It is mainly contributed by contamination from chemicals, heavy metals, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and persistent organic pollutants. Soil pollutants are antagonistic to diversified life forms on earth ranging from soil microbes, plants, and mankind to water inhabitants and aerial lives, food security, agricultural productivity thereby exerting detrimental effects and so need immediate attention. The remediation of contaminated soil is necessary for sustainable development and continual existence of life forms on the planet. Ecological remediation depends chiefly on utilizing different innovations like adsorption, assimilation, compound responses, photo-catalysis, and filtration for the expulsion of contaminants from natural media like soil. This review elucidates various soil pollutants from natural to manmade sources and its affect on the environmental components. It further aims to look at recent advances in various remediation technologies for removing contaminants from soil. Besides the traditional methods of remediation, techniques involving biological methods, biotechnological approach and nanotechnology have been focused. Some possible opportunities and challenges of varying soil remediation strategies are discussed. It would suggest new perspectives and future challenges in soil remediation.

Vikas Sawant; D.A. Lavate; A.S. Khomane
Abstract
Aim of this work is to study the synthesis of CdS thin films by eco-friendly rout and analyze the change in structural and optical properties of material due to use of biomolecules as a stabilizing agent. The CdS thin films were deposited in lemon extract and ammonia solution separately by maintaining ...
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Aim of this work is to study the synthesis of CdS thin films by eco-friendly rout and analyze the change in structural and optical properties of material due to use of biomolecules as a stabilizing agent. The CdS thin films were deposited in lemon extract and ammonia solution separately by maintaining the same physical parameters and analyzed for tailoring of structural and optical properties. Green-CBD method minimizes the use of toxic precursors and volatilization of ammonia solution. X-Ray Diffraction study indicates formation of face centered cubic crystalline phase predominantly for CdS thin films materials with change in grain size. SEM analysis revealed the formation of CdS nanospheres in ammonia while CdS nanocubes in lemon extract. The direct allowed band gap energy was observed in the order of 2.45 eV and 2.25 eV which were interesting for optical studies. UV-Vis Absorption spectra and PL spectra of thin films indicates the CdS thin film material has absorption maxima in visible (400-800 nm) region. As synthesized CdS thin films were applied for photodegradation of Rhodamine-B dye solution under sunlight. The CdS thin film material deposited by Green-CBD rout shows high efficiency for degradation of Rhodamine-B solution as compared to films deposited by CBD method.
Eckart Uhlmann; Patrick John
Abstract
The main advantages of cutting with liquid jets are the flexibility and consistently sharpness of the tool, which allows the machining of a variety of materials and complex shapes. Unfortunately, the humidification of the components can be a problem for certain applications and inhibits the spread of ...
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The main advantages of cutting with liquid jets are the flexibility and consistently sharpness of the tool, which allows the machining of a variety of materials and complex shapes. Unfortunately, the humidification of the components can be a problem for certain applications and inhibits the spread of jet technology. Besides, the dry and residue-free cutting of materials is an important topic of today’s research in manufacturing engineering. Due to these advantages, high-pressure liquid CO2 jet cutting has the potential to open new fields of applications in which water jet cutting is not suitable. The liquid CO2 jet with a pressure of up to 300 MPa can be used to machine various materials and functional surfaces before it expands to gas and atmospheric pressure. However, the transition from liquid to gaseous phase implicates density differences which change the cutting performance. As a result, the knowledge about waterjets cannot be adapted to CO2 jets and further investigations are necessary. A new test stand was put into operation and a feed line with abrasives was added. Technological investigations concerning the formation of kerfs with high-pressure liquid CO2 and water jets were performed with and without abrasives as well as subsequently analyzed. The cutting tests were carried out on parts of various metals and technical plastics. The influence of the fluid on the attained cutting surfaces and kerfs produced by the jet was investigated. The experiments indicate that the performance of the CO2 jet as well as of the waterjet depends mainly on pressure and nozzle diameter but show different separation behavior. Especially the impact of the working distance will be discussed. The investigations reveal that high-pressure liquid CO2 jet cutting has a high potential in the field of dry and residue-free cutting of metals, technical plastics and CFRP. Furthermore, no temperature influence was observed and the potential for jet cutting in 3D-applications and for hollow profiles was proven.

Zhongsen Yang; Guangjun Zhou
Abstract
Hydrophobic CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were embedded in a transparent functional silica film with thickness of 10-15 µm using a sol-gel method. Namely, the QDs were prepared through an organic synthesis using hexadecylamine as a capping agent. When partially hydrolyzed 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane ...
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Hydrophobic CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were embedded in a transparent functional silica film with thickness of 10-15 µm using a sol-gel method. Namely, the QDs were prepared through an organic synthesis using hexadecylamine as a capping agent. When partially hydrolyzed 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APS) sol was mixed with a toluene solution of the QDs, the ligand exchange occurred. With subsequent addition of pure H2O, the QDs were transferred into APS sol accompanied with a phase separation. The APS sol with the QDs was condensed to adjust its’ viscosity by the evaporation of solvents at room temperature. After that, functional SiO2 films with tunable QD concentrations and high photoluminescence (PL) efficiency were fabricated by a spin-coating strategy using the condensed APS sol with the QDs. The absorbance at first absorption peak of the QDs revealed a liner increase against the QD concentrations in these films. The PL peak wavelength and full width at half maximum of PL spectra of the QDs in these films remained unchange compared with their initial values in toluene. The QDs were mono-dispersed in these films according to transmission electron microscopy observation. Due to unique properties, these films are utilizable for further applications in optical and electronic devices.