003969   Nazari A (Materials Science and Engineering Dep, Saveh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran) : Artificial neural networks for prediction of percentage of water absorption of geopolymers produced by waste ashes. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(6), 1019-29.

Percentage of water absorption of geopolymers made from seeded fly ash and rice husk bark ash has been predicted by artificial neural networks. Different specimens, made from a mixture of fly ash and rice husk bark ash in fine and coarse form together with alkali activator made of water glass and NaOH solution, were subjected to permeability tests at 7 and 28 days of curing. The curing regime was different: one set cured at room temperature until reaching to 7 and 28 days and the other sets were oven cured for 36 h at a range of 40-90°C and then cured at room temperature for 7 and 28 days. To build the model, training and testing using experimental results from 120 specimens were conducted. According to these input parameters, in the neural networks model, the percentage of water absorption of each specimen was predicted. The training and testing results in the neural networks model have shown a strong potential for predicting the percentage of water absorption of the geopolymer specimens.

7 illus, 5 tables, 26 ref

003968   Mohanapriya S;Tintula K K;Bhat S D;Pitchumani S;Sridhar P (NO, CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute-Madras Unit, CSIR Madras Complex, Taramani, Chennai-600 113, Email: psridhar55@csircmc.res.in) : Novel multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)-based nanocomposite for PEFC electrodes. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(3), 297-303.

Novel nanocomposite comprising MWNTs and mixed-conducting polymeric components (electronic and ionic) is prepared, characterized and investigated as a support for platinum (Pt). Nanocomposite of MWNTs and poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT-PSS) is prepared by in situ polymerization and characterized using Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies are also carried out to characterize the surface topography of MWNTs/PEDOT-PSS nanocomposite. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studiesreveal that MWNTs/PEDOT-PSS nanocomposite provides better backbone for the improved dispersion of Pt as evidenced by the reduced Pt crystallite size over MWNTs/PEDOT-PSS nanocomposite compared to MWNTs. Electrochemical characterization studies performed with Pt/nanocomposite and Pt/MWNTs demonstrate the superior catalytic activity of Pt/nanocomposite under reduced Nafion loadings in relation to Pt/MWNTs. It is observed that mixed conducting nanoporous network of MWNTs/PEDOT-PSS composite structure promotes the catalytic activity of Pt by enhancing catalyst utilization.

7 illus, 25 ref

003967   Mengatto L;Cabrera M I;Luna J A (Laboratorio de Qu¡mica Fina, INTEC - UNL - CONICET, Centro Cient¡fico Tecnol¢gico, Ruta Nacional, 168 Paraje El Pozo, Santa Fe, Argentina, Email: imengatto@santafe-conicet.gov.ar) : Response surface method applied to optimization of estradiol permeation in chitosan membranes. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(3), 481-7.

The present work deals with the study of estradiol permeation in chitosan membranes. A fractional factorial design was built for the determination of the main factors affecting estradiol permeation. The independent factors analysed were: concentration of chitosan, concentration of cross-linking agent, cross-linking time and thermal treatment. It was found that concentration of chitosan and cross-linking time significantly affected the response. The effects of thermal treatment and concentration of cross-linking agent were not significant. An optimization process based on response surface methodology was carried out in order to develop a statistical model which describes the relationship between active independent variables and estradiol flux. This model can be used to find out a combination of factor levels during response optimization. Possible options for response optimization are to maximize, minimize or move towards a target value.

4 illus, 3 tables, 31 ref

003966   Manjot Kaur (NO, Baba Banda Singh Bahadur Engineering College, Punjab, Email: manjot.mini@gmail.com) : Inventory cost optimization in supply chain system through Case-based Reasoning. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2012, 1(5), 20-3.

Under the mode of the supply chain management, the inventory is always the biggest obstacle. The inventory not only influences the integrated cost of a single enterprise, but also restricts the performance of the whole supply chain. The past single enterprise inventory management approach already cannot adapt the request of the supply chain management. However, the simulation approach is not an optimization approach and it cannot provide the optimal solution or the satisfactory solution of the problem. So the simulation is combined with the optimization to form the simulation-based optimization (SBO) approach, which can achieve the system optimization in a real sense. In this paper, case-based reasoning approach is being applied to optimize the inventory cost in supply chain system. The solutions are stored for future use for this purpose.

2 illus, 15 ref

003965   Mallakpour S;Madani M (Chemistry Dep, Advanced Materials Institute, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, I. R. Iran, Email: mallak@cc.iut.ac.ir) : Use of silane coupling agent for surface modification of zinc oxide as inorganic filler and preparation of poly(amide-imide)/zinc oxide nanocomposite containing phenylalanine moieties. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(3), 333-9.

Series of novel poly(amide-imide)/ZnO nanocomposites with modified ZnO nanoparticles contents was prepared by ultrasonic irradiation. For this purpose, surface of ZnO nanoparticle was modified with γ -aminopropyltriethoxysilane as a coupling agent. Then the effect of surface modification on dispersion of nanoparticles, thermal stability and UV absorption property of the obtained nanocomposites were investigated. The resulting novel nanocomposites were characterized by several techniques. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analyses of the nanocomposites were performed in order to study the dispersion of nanofillers in the polymer matrix. According to thermogravimetry analysis results, the addition of ZnO nanoparticles improved thermal stability of the obtained nanocomposites. Since the resulting nanocomposites contain phenylalanine amino acid and ZnO, they are expected to be biocompatible as well as biodegradable.

8 illus, 35 ref

003964   Larijani M M;Khamse E J;Asadollahi Z;Asadi M (NO, Nuclear Science and Technology Research Institute (NSTRI), Karaj, Iran, Email: mmojtahedzadeh@nrcam.org) : Effect of aligned carbon nanotubes on electrical conductivity behaviour in polycarbonate matrix. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(3), 305-11.

This article reports effects of alignment of embedded carbon nanotubes in a polycarbonate polymer matrix under magnetic, direct and alternating current electric fields on the electrical properties of the resulting nanocomposites. Composites consisting of different quantities of carbon nanotubes in a polycarbonate matrix have been prepared using a solution casting technique. The effects of field strength and nanotube concentration on the resulted network structure and conductivity of the composites were studied by in situ optical microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and four-point probe technique. The results showed that the composites prepared in the presence of field had better conductivity than those of as-prepared composites. It was also concluded that the application of alternating current electric field and magnetic field in this system led to the formation of relatively continuing networks while direct current electric field only prevented agglomeration of the carbon nanotubes in the polycarbonate matrix and created relatively uniform distribution of nanotubes in the matrix.

9 illus, 1 table, 21 ref

003963   Kyada T K;Hadiya K D;Ghava K R;Mathane V V; Soman S N (NO, Welspun Corp Ltd, Anjar, Gujarat, Email: tushalkyada90@yahoo.com) : Electrolytic smoothening technique for AISI 316 LN. J Mater metall Engng 2013, 3(2), 33-40.

Increasing applications of stainless steel in various fields where corrosion resistance is of prime importance, electrolytic polishing enhances the corrosion resistance of the component by decreasing the micro roughness. The current paper focuses on study of electrolytic smoothening technique for AISI316LN and the factors affecting the process as well. Factors which affect this process are composition of electrolytic bath, time, current-voltage relationship, temperature, stirring rate, etc. Detail analysis has been carried out on electro-polishing of AISI316LN with different electrolyte with respect to time. Roughness test has been carried out on the samples to determine the smoothening effect in correlation with electrolyte composition and time.

9 illus, 5 tables, 6 ref

003962   Kazeminezhad M (Materials Science and Engineering Dep, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Avenue, Tehran, Iran, Email: mkazemi@sharif.edu) : Modeling of austenite to ferrite transformation. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(3), 395-8.

In this research, an algorithm based on the Q-state Potts model is presented for modeling the austenite to ferrite transformation. In the algorithm, it is possible to exactly track boundary migration of the phase formed during transformation. In the algorithm, effects of changes in chemical free energy, strain free energy and interfacial energies of austenite-austenite, ferrite-ferrite and austenite-ferrite during transformation are considered. From the algorithm, the kinetics of transformation and mean ferrite grain size for different cooling rates are calculated. It is found that there is a good agreement between the calculated and experimental results.

3 illus, 9 ref

003961   Kakhani M (Faculty of Engineering and Technology, MITS University, Laxmangarh, Sikar, Rajasthan, Email: manishkakhani@gmail.com) : Novel adaptive spatio-temporal thresholding policy for background subtraction algorithms. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2012, 1(5), 24-8.

Automatic segmentation of foreground from background in video sequences has attracted lots of attention in computer vision.A commonly used technique is background subtraction. In background subtraction technique, each frame is compared against the background model or reference frame. If the difference is greater than given threshold, than it is considered to be foreground otherwise it is background. A thresholding policy plays a critical role in identifying foreground object in a video sequence. Proposed a new thresholding policy that uses spatial and temporal information of input video sequence for foreground detection. This thresholding policy embedded with the existing algorithms shows significant improvement in foreground detection by existing algorithms.

4 illus, 10 ref

003960   Juan Li;Ruisong Guo;Hong Jiang (Key Laboratory of Advanced Ceramics and Machining Technology, Ministry, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China, Email: rsguo@tju.edu.cn) : Preparation and electrochemical properties of SrCe_0.4Zr_0.4 Yb_0.2O_2.9 electrolyte. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(6), 957-60.

The perovskite Yb-doped strontium cerate-zirconate material, SrCe_0.4Zr_0.4Yb_0.2O_2.9, was prepared by solid-state reaction and the structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction. The calcination process of the powder was investigated by thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The high temperature conductivities were measured by d.c. four-probe technique in the temperature range from 500 to 950 ° C in wet hydrogen and effect of temperature on conductivity was investigated. The conductivity increased with the elevation of temperature from 500 to 950°C. The highest conductivity of 4.4x10^-2S.cm^-1 was observed for SrCe_0.4Zr_0.4Yb_0.2O_2.9 at 950°C. The current-voltage (I-V) and current-power (I-P) characteristics of the single cell (H₂, Pt/SrCe_0.4Zr_0.4Yb_0.2O_2.9/Pt, O₂)at temperature range from 600 to 850°C were tested. With the temperature increasing from 600 to 850°C, the open circuit voltage (OCV) decreased from 1.164 to 1.073 V and the ionic transfer number decreased from 0.996 to 0.946. At 850°C, the maximum power density of 25.2mW.cm^-2 was observed.

5 illus, 1 table, 25 ref

003959   Jianing L;Chuanzhong C;Cuifang Z (Key Laboratory for Liquid-Solid Structural Evolution and Processing of, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, Shandong, China, Email: czchen@sdu.edu.cn) : Effect of nano-CeO₂ on microstructure properties of TiC/TiN+nTi(CN) reinforced composite coating. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(3), 399-404.

TiC/TiN+TiCN reinforced composite coatings were fabricated on Ti-6Al-4V alloy by laser cladding, which improved surface performance of the substrate. Nano-CeO₂ was able to suppress crystallization and growth of the crystals in the laser-cladded coating to a certain extent.With the addition of proper content of nano-CeO₂, this coating exhibited fine microstructure. In this study, the Al₃Ti+TiC/TiN+nano-CeO₂ laser-cladded coatings were studied by means of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The X-ray diffraction results indicated that the Al₃Ti+TiC/TiN+nano-CeO₂ laser-cladded coating consisted of Ti₃Al, TiC, TiN, Ti₂Al₂₀Ce, TiC_0.3N_0.7, Ce(CN)₃ and CeO₂, this phase constituent was beneficial to increase the microhardness and wear resistance of Ti-6Al-6V alloy.

8 illus, 1 table, 18 ref

003958   Jatain D;Manoj Kumar (NO, CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute, Pilani, Rajasthan, Email: divya.jatain.88@gmail.com) : FEM based Optimization of Microstructure Membranes. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2012, 1(5), 10-4.

Membranes are the most fragile part of microstructures which can face ductile failure if the thickness of a membrane is not capable of handling the pressure exerted on it during fabrication. This work presents the method for optimizing thin membrane structures typically used in thermal applications such as micro-heaters and thermoelectric devices. Membrane width and thickness plays a major role in deciding its capability for handling stress. The work compares the different sized membranes to optimize the dimensions against the load exerted during lithography process for a thermoelectric device structure. Analysis is done for membrane widths ranging from 200μm to 600μm at a thickness level ranging from 10μm to 90μm. Value of applied load is taken as 80000N/m² as obtained from SUSS Micro-Tec Lithography process which exerts a pressure of 0.8bar on target structure. The wider membranes (~600æm) with less thickness (~30μm) are found highly stressed. For successful fabrication and operation of a device it is necessary that before moving to the fabrication stage, the proposed micro-structure device must be analyzed and optimized by structural modeling to avoid any kind of undesirable deformation or ductile failure.

4 illus, 3 ref

003957   Iqbal Y;Jamai A;Ullah R;Khan M N;Ubic R (Materials Research Laboratory, Institute of Physics & Electronics, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 25120, Pakista, Email: dryaseeniqbal@yahoo.co.uk) : (NULL). Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(3), 387-94.

Various fluxing materials are added to technical ceramics in an attempt to lower their sintering temperatures and make their rocessing economical. The effect of 0.3 wt% Li₂CO₃ addition on the phase, microstructure, phase transition temperatures and dielectric properties of BaTiO₃ was investigated in the present study. The addition of 0.3 wt % Li₂CO₃ was observed to lower the optimum sintering temperature by~200°phaseformation and cause a five-fold reduction in grain size. Rhombohedral-to-orthorhombic and tetragonal-to-cubicphase transitions at the expected temperatures tetragonal phase transition was not clearly discernible. in the flux-added materials indicated that the phase transitions occurred relatively slowly. A decrease in dielectric constant of Li₂O-aded BaTiO₃ in comparison to pure BaTiO3may be due to the diminished dielectric polarizability of Li⁺ in comparison to Ba²⁺.

8 illus, 25 ref

003956   Hegde G M;Kulkarni V;Nagaboopathy M;Reddy K P (Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, Aerospace Engineering Dep, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560 012, Email: hegopal@aero.iisc.ernet.in) : Structure and morphology studies of chromium film at elevated temperature in hypersonic environment. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(3), 341-5.

This paper presents the after shock heated structural and morphological studies of chromium film coated on hypersonic test model as a passive drag reduction element. The structural changes and the composition of phases of chromium due to shock heating (2850 K) are characterized using X-ray diffraction studies. Surface morphology changes of chromium coating have been studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after shock heating. Significant amount of chromium ablation and sublimation from the model surface is noticed from SEM micrographs. Traces of randomly oriented chromium oxides formed along the coated surface confirm surface reaction of chromium with oxygen present behind the shock. Large traces of amorphous chromium oxide phases are also observed.

5 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

003955   Hamdoun S;Kchaou M;Karra C (Mechanics Modelling and Production Research Unit, National School of Engineers of Sfax, BP.W, 308. Sfax, Tuniosia, Email: chafik.karra@ipeis.rnu.tn) : Influence of thermal tempering on the bending behavior of the silico soda lime glass material. J Mater metall Engng 2012, 2(3), 50-8.

Examines the mechanical behavior of tempered soda-lime-silica glass plates and show that improvements in performance can be achieved through the change of the structural and mechanical properties. Tests of thermal tempering by air jet have been performed on glass plates of different dimensions. Three-point bending tests have been conducted on nontempered and fully tempered float glass plates of four different sizes. A parametric study on the thickness of the plate and the conditions of tempering has been performed. The experimental results show that the thermal tempering improves the rupture resistance of glass plates. This experimental study has been supplemented by a numerical finite element simulation of the stress state which has shown a satisfactory comparison with experimental results. Finally, the numerical results show that the design deflection of tempered glass is much less than commonly assumed.

8 illus, 9 ref

003954   Gupta S;Dash K;Ray B C (Metallurigal and Materials Engineering Dep, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela-769 008, Email: khushbudash@gmail.com) : Analysis of properties of copper-alumina composites produced by various processing routes. J Mater metall Engng 2012, 2(3), 11-23.

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are of keen interest in the recent years because of their pervasive application in automotive and aerospace industries. Summarizes the Cu/Al₂O₃ composites prepared by various fabrication routes and their results. The copper-alumina MMCs are gaining importance increasingly and act as good alternatives to be used for functional applications mainly microwave tubes, electrical equipment, high temperature conductors, automobile and aerospace industries. Cu/Al₂O₃ composites have come to a huge demand in the recent decades and hence have driven the need for alternative cheaper and effective production routes concentrating more on demerits which usually occur in a composite like the matrix-reinforcement bonding, porosity, distribution of the secondary phase and also not compromising on the strength factors. The purpose is to detail the various fabrication techniques for the manufacture of this MMC and their results. The alumina reinforcement as a particulate and as a fiber has been discussed and results of such forms of reinforcement are explained.

^iia9 illus, 67 ref

003953   Govindaradjane S;Sundararajan T;Sivasankaran M A;Nehru Kumar V (Civil Engineerig Dep, Pondicherry Engineering College, Puducherry-605 014) : Performance study of a HUASB reactor for treating tapioca-based starch industrial waste stream. Pollut Res 2010, 29(1), 105-10.

Performance of a HUASB reactor for treating a tapioca-based starch industrial waste stream has been studied and compared with that of a UASB reactor under identical conditions of operation. Six influent COD concentrations ranging from about 1700-5800 mg/L and five HRTs (8 to 24 hrs) were considered and performance of the reactors evaluated based on pre-set criteria i.e., on COD removal (%) and bio-gas yield. From an overall assessment, the HUASB reactor has performed better than the UASB reactor for treating the above waste stream.

9 illus, 3 tables, 10 ref

003952   Govindaradjane S;Sundararajan T;Sivamurthy Reddy S;Arutchelvan V (Civil Engineering Dep, Pondicherry Engineering College, Puducherry-605 014) : Startup characteristics of HUASB ad USAB reactors for treating tapioca-based starch industrial waste stream : a comparison. Pollut Res 2010, 29(1), 99-104.

Start-up characteristics of HUASB and UASB reactors for treating tapioca-based starch industrial waste stream has been studied under identical conditions of operation. Various effluent characteristics (pH, alkalinity, VFA, VSS, COD removal-%, bio-gas) were studied until the attainment of steady state. It is found that from an overall assessment the HUASB reactor has performed better than the UASB reactor during the start-up process, for treating the tapioca-based starch industrial waste stream.

11 illus, 2 tables, 11 ref

003951   Dudita M;Isac L;Duta A (Renewable Energy Systems and Recycling Dep, Transilvania University of Brasov, Eroilor 29, 500 036 Brasov, Romania, Email: mihaela.dudita@unitbv.ro) : Influence of solvents on properties of solar selective coatings obtained by spray pyrolysis. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(6), 997-1002.

Solar selective coatings for solar thermal flat-plate collectors consisting of crystalline copper oxides and amorphous nickel oxide composites were obtained by robotic spray pyrolyzed deposition. The parameters were optimized for increased spectral selectivity (S): high solar absorptance and low thermal emittance. The coatings were deposited using nickel and copper acetate, dissolved in mixed solvents with various water: ethanol ratios. The coatings' properties were characterized in terms of crystalline composition (XRD), surface morphology (AFM, contact angle) and optical properties (solar absorptance, thermal emittance and spectral selectivity). Considering the pre-cursor solutions composition (solvent, wetting behaviour), the growth processes were modelled for two different systems: predominant hydrophilic and predominant hydrophobic. The high selectivity values (S<62>30) of the optimized composite coatings were explained based on two parallel mechanisms: intrinsic absorption and multiple reflections generated when absorbers with controlled roughness are deposited.

4 illus, 3 tables, 18 ref

003950   Dongyun G;Wei M;Yan Q;Zhixiong H;Chuanbin W; Qiang S;Lianmeng Z (State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis an, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, China, Email: guodongyun@gmail.com) : Damping properties of epoxy-based composite embedded with sol-gel-derived Pb(Zr_0.53Ti_0.47)O₃ thin film with different thicknesses. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(3), 353-6.

Pb(Zr_0.53Ti_0.47)O₃ (PZT) thin films were prepared on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrate by sol-gel method. The effect of film thickness on microstructure, ferroelectric and dielectric properties was investigated. The single-phase PZT films were obtained with different thicknesses. PZT films with a thickness of 190-440 nm had better dielectric and ferroelectric properties. The epoxy/PZT film/epoxy sandwiched composites were prepared. The thickness of PZT films influenced their damping properties of the composites, and the epoxy-based composites embedded with 310 nm-thick PZT films had the largest damping loss factor of 0.915.

5 illus, 20 ref

003949   Dinesh Kumar;Gurav S;Jayaram V;Biswas S K (Materials Engineering Dep, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560 012, Email: dkumar_2008@yahoo.co.in) : Synthesis and characterization of nickel/barium hexaaluminate composite coatings. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(6), 977-88.

Electrodeposition of nickel/barium hexa-aluminate (Ni/BHA) composite coatings has been carried out from a Watt's bath on mild steel substrate. BHA powders with plate habit were synthesized by solution combus-tion synthesis followed by heat treatment to ensure complete conversion to the hexa-aluminate phase. Heat treated material was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) combined with X-ray analysis. The dispersion behaviour and stability of BHA suspensions with cationic and anionic surfactants at room temperature were studied by dynamic light scattering under different pH. The influence of BHA concentration in the electrolytic bath, deposition temperature, pH, current density and duty cycle on particle incorporation in the coatings were studied and conditions for maximum particle incorporation were established. Coatings with a rough-ness of about 0.4μm were produced by using this technique. Effect of BHA content on microhardness was also investigated. A reasonably good thickness of the coatings was achieved in a given set of conditions.

12 illus, 3 tables, 45 ref

003948   Delia S (NO, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Email: smithdelia89@gmail.com) : Classification of Bio-logical Sequence. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2012, 1(5), (NULL).

Enormous popularity of Hidden Markov models (HMMs) in multiple observation sequence is largely due to the ability to "learn" model parameters from observation sequences Through the Baum-Welch and other re-estimation procedures. In this study, HMM parameters are estimated from an ensemble of models trained on individual observation sequences. The proposed methods are shown to provide superior classification performance to competing methods. The Baum-Welch algorithm is an Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm invented by Leonard E. Baum and Lloyd R. Welch [8].

5 illus, 10 ref

003947   Chandan Kumar P;Rao P M (Civil Engineering Dep, Gitam University, Visakhapatnam-530 045) : Reuse of rice husk ash in concrete. Pollut Res 2010, 29(1), 157-63.

Feasibility study is made to use Rice Husk Ash as an admixture to an already replaced Cement with fly ash (Portland Pozzolana Cement) in Concrete, and an attempt has been made to investigate the strength parameters of concrete (Compressive and Flexural). For control concrete, IS method of mix design is adopted and considering this a basis, mix design for replacement method has been made. Five different replacement levels namely 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5% and 15% are chosen for the study concern to replacement method. A range of curing periods starting from 3 days, 7 days, 28 days and 56 days are considered in the present study. A replcement of 7.5% RHA concrete shows better strength properties comparitively.

6 illus, 17 tables, 10 ref

003946   Chandan Kumar P;Murali M;Potharaju M;Rao P M (Civil Engineering Dep, GITAM Institute of Technology, GITAM, Visakhapatanam) : Reuse of industrial wastes. Pollut Res 2010, 29(2), 301-4.

Disposal of industrial solid wastes has emerged as major environmental problem. The suitability and demand for usage of different industrial wastes like flyash, slag etc. in favoured to conserve the natural resources base and reduction in consumption of naturals materials in construction to attain sustainable development. An attempt has be made to study the improvement of strength and durability of concrete by using industrial waste (Flyash). The study focuses on the durability characteristics of M20 grade concrete with partial replacement of fly ash 00/0, 250/0, 35% and 45% in cement for this 100 x 100 x 100 mm cubes were cast and immersed in the Sulphuric acid solution of 0.1, 1 and 3 percentages of concentration. The reduction in strengths and weight has been found at intervals of 3 days up to 28 days. The final characteristic strength results shows beneficial effects of increase in durability with higher percentage of fly ash repayment compared to normal concrete when exposed to various concentrations of acid. Use of flyash observed, to have a significant impact is strength and durability of concrete when the flyash is available locally in large quantities.

6 illus, 1 table, 7 ref

003945   Chakraborty S;Maitra A (Electronics and Communication Engineering Dep, JIS College of Engineering, Kalyani, Nadia-741 235, Email: swas_jis@yahoo.com) : Interrelation between microphysical and optical properties of cloud and rainfall in the Indian region. Indian J Radio Space Phys 2013, 42(2), 105-12.

Ground and satellite based measurements of microphysical and optical parameters of cloud are analysed for three tropical locations Kolkata, Guwahati and Bangalore during the year 2006 to find an interrelation between cloud optical depth, cloud effective radius, cloud liquid water content and rain. The study suggests that a relation exists between cloud effective radius and cloud liquid water content. A minimum threshold of cloud optical depth is required for the precipitation to initiate. However, the threshold value depends on weather conditions of the tropical location. Cloud droplets with effective radii above 8 micron are mostly effective for the rain formation. Again, a threshold value of 5 is obtained for cloud optical depth for precipitation formation. There also exists a positive relation of accumulated rainfall with cloud effective radius and cloud optical depth as observed at a particular location.

3 illus, 32 ref

003944   Behera A;Mishra S C (Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Dep, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela-769 008, Email: ajit.behera88@gmail.com) : Improvement of mild steel surface properties by Fly-ash + Quartz + illmenite composite coating. J Mater metall Engng 2012, 2(3), 32-8.

Plasma spray of fly-ash composite gives a stable improvement of surface properties for industrially used materials/equipments, which has become a major technological research area encompassing studies in a broad range from medical field, chemical field to ceramic field. In the present investigation, coatings are developed on mild steel substrates using fly-ash + quartz + illmenite composite (in a weight percentage ratio of 60:20:20) at various plasma torch input power levels ranging from 11 to 21 kW DC. Metallographic and chemical characterization of the produced composite coatings was performed with the aid of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD analysis. The adhesion strength was measured by using coating pull-out method. Maximum adhesion strength 6.56 MPa was found between coating and mild steel substrate. The adhesion strength was found to be higher than that of other fly-ash composite coatings. It was found that the quality and properties of the composite coating are significantly affected by the operating power level of the plasma spray torch.

6 illus, 1 table, 17 ref

003943   Behera A;Mishra S C (Metallurigal and Materials Engineering Dep, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagapur-721 302, Email: ajit.behera88@gmail.cm) : Application of neural network analysis to correlate the properties of plasma spray coating. J Mater metall Engng 2012, 2(3), 1-10.

Thermal spray coatings are more often being demanding process at the recent stages of industrial design processes to become fundamental element of the engineering system. The aim of the study is to develop a model-based estimation and control for regulating the coating adhesion strength, by using neural network. This proposed model permits cost reduction by the possibility of adjusting the parameter of the process for each of the desired properties, which can directly act as a quality control process. By this artificial neural network (ANN) technique, the possibility of adhesion strength of the mixture of fly-ash, quartz and illmenite (which is deposited on the mild steel and copper substrates) can be predicted as well as adhesion strength, merits of ease of fabrication, and high quality deposits, which optimize the amount of specified coating materials to achieve the desired properties. This technique involves database training to optimize the property parameter evolutions in processes having a large number of interdependent variables such as plasma current, voltage, powder feed rate and travel speed in this plasma spray coating deposition. By this neural network, it is observed that the coating adhesion strength largely depends on arc current, voltage, torch to base distance, powder size, etc.

10 illus, 25 ref

003942   Barik D;Murugan S (Mechanical Engineering Dep, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, Email: debabrata93@gmail.com) : Design and development of floating type biogas digester for power generation. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2012, 1(5), 1-6.

World is very keen to produce the first generation biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel) for replacement of petroleum fuels. However, the second generation biofuels are also considered for the same purpose as they can be produced from various organic substances that are not convertible by the fermentation and transesterification which are the processes used to produce first generation biofuels. Biogas produced by the anaerobic digestion from various organic substances offers low cost and low emissions than any other secondary fuels. This paper provides a short review on the biogas production. And also the paper describes the design and development of a floating type biogas digester.

3 illus, 4 tables, 18 ref

003941   Banerjee S;Satta A;Bhaumik A;Chakravorty D (Materials Science Dep, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Scie, , Kolkata-700 03, Email: mlsde@iacs.res.in) : Magneto-dielectric effect in Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ filled nanoporous Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ composite. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(6), 919-24.

Nanoporous Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ particles of diameter,~9.5 nm, were synthesized by citric acid assisted thermal decomposition in an autoclave. The BET surface area measured was 80 m²g^-1 and the average pore diameter was 25 nm. By soaking the particles in a suitable precursor solution and then subjecting them to a heat treatment at 923 K for 3 h, Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ was grown within the nanopores. X-ray and electron diffraction studiesconfirmed the presence of both these phases. The nanocomposites showed ferromagnetic behaviour over the temperature range 2-300 K. No ferroelectric hysteresis loop could be found which was consistent with the earlier theoretical prediction of loss of ferroelectricity below a critical thickness of 2.4 nm. Good magneto-dielectric response of the order of 7% at a magnetic field of 9 kOe was recorded for the present system. This is believed to arise due to a negative magnetostriction coefficient of Ni_0.5Zn_0.5Fe₂O₄ which exerted a compressive strain on Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ thereby lowering the tetragonality in its crystal structure.

10 illus, 1 table, 36 ref

003940   Bagheripour M H;Shooshpasha I;Afzalirad M (Civil Engineering Dep, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, P.O. Box 133, 76156, Kerman, Iran, Email: Shooshpasha@nit.ac.ir) : Genetic algorithm approach for assessing soil liquefaction potential based on reliability method. J Earth Syst Sci 2012, 121(1), 45-62.

Deterministic approaches are unable to account for the variations in soil's strength properties, earthquake loads, as well as source of errors in evaluations of liquefaction potential in sandy soils which make them questionable against other reliability concepts. Furthermore, deterministic approaches are incapable of precisely relating the probability of liquefaction and the factor of safety (FS). Therefore, the use of probabilistic approaches and especially, reliability analysis is considered since a complementary solution is needed to reach better engineering decisions. In this study, Advanced First-Order Second-Moment (AFOSM) technique associated with genetic algorithm (GA) and its corresponding sophisticated optimization techniques have been used to calculate the reliability index and the probability of liquefaction. The use of GA provides a reliable mechanism suitable for computer programming and fast convergence. A new relation is developed here, by which the liquefaction potential can be directly calculated based on the estimated probability of liquefaction (P_L), cyclic stress ratio (CSR) and normalized standard penetration test (SPT) blow counts while containing a mean error of less than 10% from the observational data. The validity of the proposed concept is examined through comparison of the results obtained by the new relation and those predicted by other investigators. A further advantage of the proposed relation is that it relates P_L and FS and hence it provides possibility of decision making based on the liquefaction risk and the use of deterministic approaches. This could be beneficial to geotechnical engineers who use the common methods of FS for evaluation of liquefaction. As an application, the city of Babolsar which is located on the southern coasts of Caspian Sea is investigated for liquefaction potential. The investigation is based primarily on in situ tests in which the results of SPT are analysed.

16 illus, 7 tables, 39 ref

003939   Anu (EE Dep, I.E.T., Alwar, (Rajasthan), Email: anushreya17@gmail.com) : Intelligent Smart Grid. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2012, 1(5), 34-8.

Conventional smart grid is based on large, centralized power stations that supply end-users via longestablished, transmission and distribution systems. Over the years it has performed very well in delivering secure and reliable power. But in this time consumers have different demand profiles and generators have different volatilities. So these traditional power grids have no. of challenges. These challenges will require research within the artificial intelligence (AI) communities to make smart grid intelligent. We need an intelligent smart grid that can receive power of all qualities from all sources - both centralized and distributed - and deliver reliable supplies, on demand, to consumers of all kinds. Intelligent Smart grids will grow through evolution rather than revolution. We expect to see a gradual transformation of the systems that have served us for many years into a more intelligent, more effective and environmentally sensitive network to provide for future needs. This paper presents a vision of the smart grid in transmission and distribution system, which will be fully automated based on artificial intelligence (AI).

3 illus, 40 ref

003938   Agarwal A;Kararia T S;Agarwal A (ECE Department, Baldev Ram Mirdha Institute of Technology, Jaipura-302 022, Email: ankitsagarwal@gmail.com) : Performance evaluation of bit error rate by using pade's approximation over G-distribution. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2012, 1(5), 92-8.

In wireless communication the effect of multipath as well as shadowing takes place simultaneously over the channel and this phenomena leads to composite fading. In this paper Pade approximation approach is used to analysis the performance of composite multipath/shadowed fading channel. Pade approximation is mathematical modeling tool to provide closed form solution for moment generating function as well as bit error rate of G-distribution function. Bit error rate has been regarded as fundamental information for the performance analysis of any communication system. G-distribution is a combination of Inverse-Gaussian distribution with nakagami distribution. This composite distribution is mainly encountereddistribution in wireless fading environment. Our studystarts with driving the moment generating function of the G-distribution and approximate this function by using Pade's Approximation and calcute the bit error probability for DPSK and Noncoherent FSK modulation All simulation is done using Maple-13 software MATLAB and result is obtained for outage probability and bit error rate versus average signal to noise ratio. Index Terms-Pade's approximation, G-distribution, moment generating function, inverse Gaussian distribution, Nakagami distribution and composite distributions, average signal to noise ratio, bit error probability.

9 illus, 16 ref

002807   Sharma A;Narayan S;Balwinder Singh (Electrical Engineering Dep, PEC Technology Univ, Chandigarh, Email: anshusharma0107@gmail.com) : Design of optimal robust PID-power system stabilizer using particle swarm optimization. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2012, 1(10), 79-83.

Power system stabilizers (PSS) are used to generate supplementary damping control signals for the excitation system in order to damp the low frequency oscillations of the electric power system. The PSS is usually designed based on classical control approaches but this conventional PSS (CPSS) has some problems. To overcome the drawbacks of CPSS, various techniques have been proposed. This paper proposes design methodology for a robust optimal PID-PSS for stability robustness, posing the controller design problem as optimization problem and, then, solving it using particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO). The performance index to be minimized is the H₂ - norm of the tracking error and constraint is the frequency domain performance of stability robustness. The PSO is used to solve the constrained optimization problem. The PID-PSS is evaluated against the conventional power system stabilizer (CPSS) at a single machine infinite bus power system considering system parametric uncertainties. The simulation results clearly indicate the effectiveness and validity of the proposed method.

8 illus, 4 tables, 15 ref

002806   Yosefvand F;Jahromi H M;Bajesta M S;Masjedi A;Sedghi H (Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad Univ (IAU), Khouzestan, Iran) : Analysis of bend's (R/d) effect on the hydraulic of morning glory spillways. Ecol Envir Conserv 2011, 17(1), 25-8.

Morning glory spillway is one of the spillways used for carrying additional waters and flood flows from an upstream to downstream in dams. Besides providing sufficient capacity, spillway plan should be adequate hydraulically and structurally. The manner of discharge and common hydraulically circumstances and discharge characteristics in morning glory spillways changes according to various comparative component scales. The characteristics of spillway discharge depend on installation devised to control outflow circuit. In this research by making physically - hydraulically spillway model, the (R/d) Effect' (Bend center - line radius to bend diameter) on the hydraulically discharge circumstances with 90 various tests and then in submerging circumstances have been studied and the conclusions are presented in diagrams. The results show that as the R/d increases, discharge coefficient decreases. Also, with the increase of (R increase and d constant), the amount of bend loss decreases.

9 illus, 3 tables, 10 ref

002805   Yadav N;Sood Y R;Singh S S (Electrical Engineering Dep, NIT Hamirpur, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, Email: niharikayadav.04@gmail.com) : Evaluation of embedded cost and distribution factor methods used in deregulated electricity market. Res Rev: J embedded syst Applic 2013, 1(1), 10-8.

This paper presents and analyses several methods for embedded cost allocation in deregulated electricity market environment. In this paper six embedded cost methods (postage stamp method, contract path method, MW-Mile, MW-cost, MVA-Mile, and MVA-cosl) are evaluated and tested on 6-Bus lest system subjected to two bilateral wheeling transaction. The charges obtained from the different embedded cost methods are then compared. Two tracing methods generalized generation distribution factor and generalized load distribution factor method are also discussed in this paper.

10 illus, 9 tables, 11 ref

002804   Yadav K P;Anirudh Kumar (Physics Dep, Kunwar Singh College, Laheriasarai, Darbhanga-846 003, Email: akk_dbg@rediffmail.com) : A noble method for enhancing the bandwidth of microstrip antenna. Bull pure appl Sci-Sect D 2012, 31(2), 191-6.

Microstrip patch antenna becomes very popular day by day because of its ease of analysis and fabrication, low cost, light weight, easy to feed and their attractive radiation characteristics. Although patch antenna has nulmerous advantages, it has also some drawbacks such as restricted bandwidth, low gain and a potential decrease in radiation pattern. Author proposed rectangular microstrip patch antenna with EBG substrates and compare the performance of the proposed antenna with a conventional patch antenna in the same physical dimension. Due to the presence of the EBG. structure in the dielectric substrates, the electromagnetic band gap is created that reduces the surface waves considerably. As a result, the performance of the proposed antenna is better comparing the conventional 'existing microstrip patch antenna.

10 ref, 4 illus, 1 table

002803   Wu A;Shen H;Xu J;Wang Z;Jiang L;Luo L;Yuan S; Cao S;Zhang H (NO, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai-200 050, China, Email: wuanhua@mail.sic.ac.cn) : Crystal growth and magnetic property of YFeO₃ crystal. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(2), 259-63.

YFeO₃ and other rare earth substituted crystals with distorted orthorhombic pervoskite-like structure (space group, Pbnm) have attracted much attention due to their remarkable magnetic properties of primary significance for technological applications. In the present work, the floating zone growth of YFeO₃ crystals has been systematically investigated and high quality YFeO₃ crystal was obtained by optimized process. The magnetic properties of YFeO₃ crystal were investigated, and it indicated the high magneto-optical property in YFeO₃ crystals with specific orientation due to its anisotropy. YFeO₃ crystals display superior performance in the application magneto-optical current sensors and fast latching optical switches.

4 illus, 29 ref

002802   Vora V S;Somkuwar A K (NO, Dr. K.N. Modi Univ, Rajasthan, Email: vishal.s.vora@gmail.com) : Implementation & performance analysis of rehabilitated cyclic scheduling algorithms for real time systems using TORSCHE & true time kernel. Res Rev: J embedded syst Applic 2013, 1(1), 24-9.

This paper focuses to implement novel cyclic scheduling algorithm for the various uses in Real Time system(s). We had used TORSCHE Toolbox and true time kernel simulator for generating the accepted results. The major design issues are less response time, real time constraints and No Deadline misses. As cyclic scheduling algorithm is very popular among all fixed real time scheduling algorithms and have wide application(s)and scope in Real lime Embedded systems, so authors choose the same.

11 illus, 10 ref

002801   Venkatachalapathy V (Civil Engineering Group, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam-603 102, Email: vpathy@igcar.gov.in) : Behaviour of a nuclear power plant ventilation stack for wind loads. J Instn Engrs : Ser A 2013, 93(2), 143-9.

This paper describes behavior of self supporting tall reinforced concrete (RC) ventilation stack of a nuclear power plant (NPP) for wind loads. Since the static and equivalent dynamic wind loads are inter-dependant on overall size of the stack, proper sizing of the stack geometry is important for reducing wind loads. The present study investigated the influence of engineered backfill soil on lateral response of ventilation stack. Ignoring backfill soil stiffness up to ground height does not allow to predict actual critical wind velocity causing across wind oscillation. The results show that proposed modification in the stack geometry modeled using 2D beam-spring elements is economical than that of single tapered geometry. Shaft diameter reduced in the proposed geometry indicates that there is a scope for overall space savings in the NPP layout.

3 illus, 3 tables, 16 ref

002800   Varaprasad K S (NO, Sri Venkateswara Engineerng College, Suryapet, Jawaharlal Nehru Techno, Hyderabad, Email: vara_sr@yahoo.com) : Design and implementation of a photovoltaic high-intensity-discharge street lighting system using MPPT algorithm. Res Rev: J embedded syst Applic 2013, 1(2), 1-8.

This dissertation presents a grid-tied (PV) high-intensity-discharge (HID) street lighting system. During daytime, the battery is charged by a PV panel. A single-ended primary inductance converter (SEPIC) is studied for maximum power point tracking (MPPT). Accuracy and high efficiency battery charging can be achieved under a wide range of PV panel voltage variation. At night, the solar energy stored in the battery is released to drive the street lights by an electronic ballast circuit. High conversion efficiency and high MPPT accuracy can be achieved under different atmospheric conditions. A pulse-current charging scheme with an adaptive rest-period, is also applied to avoid battery overcharging. An electronic ballast circuit is also designed to release the solar energy stored in battery for powering HID lamps. The proposed PV HID street lighting system has the advantages of high power density, simple circuit, and long lifetime. In this thesis, the PV array is modeled and its voltage-current characteristics and power-voltage characteristics are simulated and optimized. The main encumbrance for the reach of photovoltaic svstem is low efficiency and high capital cost. Here we intend to examine a schematic to draw out maximum obtainable solar power from a PV module for use in a street light application. The concept of MPPT is to be implemented which results in appreciable in create in the efficiency of the PV system. Different schemes of MPPT algorithms such as perturb and Observe, Incremental Conductance, Fractional Open Circuit Voltage. Fractional Short circuit Fuzzy Logic Control neural Network are to be studied and implemented The MPPT algorithm proposed will identify the suitable duty ratio in which svstem should be operated to obtain maximum power output.

9 illus, 8 ref

002799   Upadhyay E M;Rana N K (NO, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Mumbai, Email: e_upadhyay@rediffmail.com) : Novel multi focus and multi exposure approach for concealed weapon detection. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2012, 1(10), 20-5.

In this paper authors propose a novel image fusion algorithm with emphasis on the surveillance application taking focal length, modality and exposure into consideration.

8 illus, 1 table, 12 ref

002798   Truong Q N N;Truong N T N;Park C;Jung J H (School of Display and Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam Univ, 214-1 Dae-dong, Gyeongsan-712 749, Republic of Korea, Email: jhjung@ynu.ac.kr) : MEH-PPV/PCBM active layer morphology and its application for hybrid solar cell performance. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(2), 277-81.

Surface morphologies of MEH-PPV:PCBM active layers were optimized by investigating ITO substrate treated with oxygen and nitrogen plasma. This treatment effectively improved smoothness, transmittance, and contact angle of ITO's, resulting in good anode contacts for hybrid device structures. The consistently improved performance of hybrid solar cells was also achieved. The surface properties of treated and untreated ITO substrates were compared by contact angle, four point probe, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy.

4 illus, 2 tables, 16 ref

002797   Thirani E (NO, Shobhrasariya Engineering College, Rajasthan, Email: ektathirani16@gmail.com) : 4G: an emerging mobile telecommunication technology. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2012, 1(10), 175-8.

The aim of this paper is to identify and explore the various issues and challenges of 4G wireless networks. The fourth generation (4G) is a conceptual framework and a discussion point to address future needs of a high speed wireless network that can transmit multimedia and data to and interface with wire-line backbone network perfectly just raised in 2002.At first it gives a brief introduction and after that it focuses on the vision and implementation of 4G, it mainly explains the use of 4G having possessed "3G" and discusses various advantages and disadvantages. Then it compares 4G with other generations. It also put some light on the implementation part of 4G which uses orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM).

3 illus, 1 table, 4 ref

002796   Tavana M H;Moosavi Jahromi H;Shafai Bajestan M;Masjedi A R;Sedghi H (Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad Univ (IAU), Khouzestan, Iran) : Optimization of number and direction of vortex breakers in the morning glory spillway using physical mode. Ecol Envir Conserv 2011, 17(2), 435-40.

In order to make the most of the potentiality available, the morning glory spillways are used to increase the viability and help increasing the water flow by making some changes in the environment. Besides, some researches have been carried out on increasing the viability of the prevailing spillways. Whirlpool in morning glory spillways may decrease both the discharge and the discharge coefficient of the spillway. Vortex Breakers are used to disrupt the whirlpool and to increase the viability of the spillways. In this research paper the quantity of the vortex breakers and their heights viability are examined on the system output and the discharge amount via a hydraulic model in 190 different researches. The result of such research shows that vortex breakers increase the discharge of the spillway. Numerous short vortex breakers can have the same effects as vortex breakers in smaller number of quantities.

10 illus, 6 ref

002795   Su X;Qiang C (School of Materials Science and Engineering, Chang'an Univ, Xi'an-710 061, China, Email: qiangchw08@lzu.edu.cn) : Influence of pH and bath composition on properties of Ni-Fe alloy films synthesized by electrodeposition. Bull Mater Sci 2012, 35(2), 183-92.

Fe-Ni films were electrodeposited on ITO glass substrates from the electrolytes with different molar ratio of Ni²⁺/Fe²⁺ and different pH values (2.1,2-9,3-7 and 4.3) at 25°C. The properties of Fe-Ni alloy films depend on both Ni²⁺ and Fe²⁺ concentrations in electrolyte and pH values. The content of Ni increases from 38% to 84% as the mole ratio of NiSO₄/FeSO₄ increasing from 0.50/0-50 to 0.90/0-10 in electrolyte and slightly decreases from 65% to 42% as the pH values increase from 2.1 to 4.3. The X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the structures of the films strongly depend on the Ni content in the binary films. The magnetic performance of the films shows that the saturation magnetization (M_s) decreases from 1775.01 emu/cm³ to 1501.46 emu/cm³ with the pH value increasing from 2.1 to 4.3 and the saturation magnetization (M_s) and coercivity (H^c) move up from 1150.44 emu/cm³ and 58.86 Oe to 2498.88 emu/cm³ and 93.12 Oe with the increase of Ni²⁺ concentration in the electrolyte, respectively.

8 illus, 1 table, 38 ref

002794   Srivastava A K L (Civil Engineering Dep, National Institute of Technology, Jamshedpur-831014, Email: aklsriv.nitjsr@yahoo.com) : Vibration of stiffened plates with cutout subjected to partial edge loading. J Instn Engrs : Ser A 2013, 93(2), 129-35.

Buckling and vibration characteristics of stiffened plates with cutout subjected to in-plane partial edge loadings at the plate boundary are studied using finite element method. Buckling loads and vibration frequencies are determined for different plate and cutout aspect ratios, various boundary conditions, partial edge loading at different locations, cutout ratios, various parameters of stiffeners by varying the number, size and location of the stiffeners. The analysis presented determines the stresses all over the region for different kinds of loading and edge conditions. In the structural modelling, the plate and the stiffeners are treated as separate elements where the compatibility between these two types of elements is maintained. The buckling and vibration characteristics are discussed and the free vibration results available in the literature for stiffened plates with/without cutout are compared.

7 illus, 3 tables, 28 ref

002793   Srinivasa Rao B (Computer Science and Engineering Dep, Malla Reddy Engineering College, Maisammaguda, Hyderabad-500 014, Email: bmsssaditya_1997@yahoo.co.in) : Computer simulation of Schottky defet formation energy of CoO and NiO. Bull pure appl Sci-Sect D 2012, 31(2), 233-49.

The aim of the present investigation is to study the effects of Three Body Interactions on the defect formation energies of some transition metal oxides (TMO) of rock-salt structure in the framework of polarizable point ion (PPI) model using static simulation technique. The calculations have teen done in the framework of PPI model and using the three-body interaction potential (TBP). The computed cohesive and schottky formation energies of the TMO are in good agreement with the experimental data.

3 illus, 5 tables, 58 ref

002792   Soni B P;Jaiswal C;Saxena A (Power System Electrical Engineering Dep, Rajasthan Institute of Engineering and Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan, Email: er.bpsoni2011@gmail.com) : Improvement in power system transient stability with an off-centre location using shunt facts devices. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2012, 1(10), 235-8.

This paper presents various facts related to the landmark development: practical installations, benefits and application of Shunt Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) controllers in the electric utilities. FACTS devices, when placed at the mid-point of a long transmission line, play an important role in controlling the reactive power flow to power network and hence both the system voltage fluctuations and transient stability. This paper also deals with the location of a shunt FACTS device to improve transient stability in a long transmission line with predefined direction of real power flow. The validity of the mid-point location of shunt FACTS devices is verified, with different shunt FACTS devices, namely static VAR compensator (SVC) and static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) in a long transmission line using the actual line model. It has been observed that the FACTS devices, when placed slightly off-centre towards sending-end, give better performance in improving transient stability and the location depends on the amount of local/through load.

8 illus, 10 ref

002791   Sisodia D;Indrodia N P (Electrical Engineering Dep, Jagannath Univ, Jaipur, Rajasthan, Email: sisodiadaya05@gamil.com) : Modeling and control of a grid connected photovoltaic system using matlab. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2012, 1(10), 34-6.

Grid-connected photovoltaic power systems are power systems energised by photovoltaic panels which are connected to the utility grid. Grid-connected photovoltaic power systems comprise of Photovoltaic panels, MPPT, solar inverters, power conditioning units and grid connection equipments. Unlike Stand-alone photovoltaic power systems these systems do not have batteries. When conditions are right, the grid-connected PV system supplies the excess power, beyond consumption by the connected load, to the utility grid.

2 illus, 5 ref

002790   Singh K (Mechanical Engineering Dep, Bundelkhand Institute of Engineering and Technology, Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, Email: singhkanhaiya92@yahoo.com) : Feasibility analysis of tube cutting machine (cut off) of ST mills in Tata steel tube division, Jamshedpur. Int J latest Technol Engng Mgmt appl Sci 2012, 1(10), 202-7.

Tata Structura and Tata Pipes are manufactured by the High Frequency Induction Welding (HFIW) process. The process, also known as the Cold Process, uses HR strips, which are manufactured at Tata Steel's modern hot strip mill. In the HFIW process, the slit HR coil goes through the MIG welder, while a steady flow is assured from the horizontal coil accumulator. Cold stamping is done at this stage with the TATA seal of quality. The tubes then progressively form as the strip passes through successive rolls and is followed by the high frequency induction welding at the edges to complete the weld. External beads due to weld deposition on the outer surface of the tubes are then removed to ensure a smooth surface finish. Following the welding process, an eddy current non-destructive testing machine screens out the imperfectly welded tubes. Tubes that pass the test are cut into required lengths by cold saw, which gives a smooth burr-less square cutting edge. Tubes are then packed in hexagonal bundles by MAIR auto-packing machine.

2 illus, 2 ref