Role of placement in determination of service quality measurement of higher education in India

In this research paper the methodological development of a new model, namely SQM-HEI (Service Quality Measurement in Higher Education in India) for the measurement of service quality in higher educational institutions is developed. Three dimensions are arrived namely Teaching Methodology(TM), Environmental Change in Study Factor (ECSF) and Disciplinary Action(DA). The Placement is considered as the mediating factor for the outcome of education. For conducting an empirical study, data were collected from final year students of higher educational institutions across Tamilnadu. 1600 valid questionnaires were used for the analysis. The SQM-HEI captures the authentic determinants of service quality within the higher education sector. The developed 30-item instrument has been empirically tested with AMOS 7.0. The developed model is tested for Structural Equation Model and Bayesian estimation and testing. The SEM model output reveals that the RMSEA=0.049, GFI= 0.987 and NFI = 0.928. all the fit indices concludes the best fit of the model. The results from the current study are crucial because previous studies have produced scales that bear a resemblance to the generic measures of service quality, which may not be totally adequate to assess the perceived quality in higher education.SQM-HEI, Service Quality, Higher Education, India

Role of placement in determination of service quality measurement of higher education in India

In this research paper the methodological development of a new model, namely SQM-HEI (Service Quality Measurement in Higher Education in India) for the measurement of service quality in higher educational institutions is developed. Three dimensions are arrived namely Teaching Methodology(TM), Environmental Change in Study Factor (ECSF) and Disciplinary Action(DA). The Placement is considered as the mediating factor for the outcome of education. For conducting an empirical study, data were collected from final year students of higher educational institutions across Tamilnadu. 1600 valid questionnaires were used for the analysis. The SQM-HEI captures the authentic determinants of service quality within the higher education sector. The developed 30-item instrument has been empirically tested with AMOS 7.0. The developed model is tested for Structural Equation Model and Bayesian estimation and testing. The SEM model output reveals that the RMSEA=0.049, GFI= 0.987 and NFI = 0.928. all the fit indices concludes the best fit of the model. The results from the current study are crucial because previous studies have produced scales that bear a resemblance to the generic measures of service quality, which may not be totally adequate to assess the perceived quality in higher education

Role of placement in determination of service quality measurement of higher education in India

In this research paper the methodological development of a new model, namely SQM-HEI (Service Quality Measurement in Higher Education in India) for the measurement of service quality in higher educational institutions is developed. Three dimensions are arrived namely Teaching Methodology(TM), Environmental Change in Study Factor (ECSF) and Disciplinary Action(DA). The Placement is considered as the mediating factor for the outcome of education. For conducting an empirical study, data were collected from final year students of higher educational institutions across Tamilnadu. 1600 valid questionnaires were used for the analysis. The SQM-HEI captures the authentic determinants of service quality within the higher education sector. The developed 30-item instrument has been empirically tested with AMOS 7.0. The developed model is tested for Structural Equation Model and Bayesian estimation and testing. The SEM model output reveals that the RMSEA=0.049, GFI= 0.987 and NFI = 0.928. all the fit indices concludes the best fit of the model. The results from the current study are crucial because previous studies have produced scales that bear a resemblance to the generic measures of service quality, which may not be totally adequate to assess the perceived quality in higher education

EVALUATION OF STANDARDS OF SOME SELECTED COSMETIC PREPARATIONS

The aim of the present work is to analyze the standards of marketed cosmetic products which are largely consumed in day to day life of the people. The cosmeceutical should be tested for efficacy to ensure a proven skin benefit and also to substantiate marketing claims. The work was done by keeping the ideas of Bureau of Indian Standards to analyze the cosmetic products. The evaluation for the following cosmetics such as tooth pastes (Colgate, Closeup, Pepsodent, Vicco and Anchor) and face powders (Ponds, Eva, Fa, Cuticura and Spinz) are performed for their quality. All the marketed tooth pastes and face powders which had been evaluated complied with the standards specified by Bureau of Indian Standards. Hence all the selected marketed tooth pastes and selected face powders were found to be of good quality

Y2Zr2O7 (YZ)-pyrochlore based oxide as an electrolyte material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (ITSOFCs)—Influence of Mn addition on YZ

Compositions in the pyrochlore system Y2Zr2O7 (YZ) and Y2Zr2−xMnxO7−δ (YZM) (where x = 0.025, 0.05, 0.075 and 0.10) were examined as possible alternatives to stabilised zirconia solid oxide electrolyte in intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (ITSOFC). Such materials were prepared by glycine–nitrate combustion process. The prepared compounds were characterised by X-Ray Diffraction and Thermal analysis. Circular pellets were fabricated and annealed at different temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1400 ◦C. The sintering behaviour of YZ andYZMwere investigated to obtain information on the densification factor, relative percentage shrinkage/expansion in volume after heat treatment and apparent porosity value. The small doping level of Mn (≤10.0 wt%) resulted in increased conductivity values. The component diffusion coefficients and mobility of ions are calculated from its conductivity value. Dcomp and μi are found in the range of 10−8 cm2 s−1 and 10−7 cm2 V−1 s−1, respectively. The key features, which make the YZ and YZM systems attractive as a fuel cell electrolyte, are discussed

Lao.ftSSr,USCoO.4 (LSC 6535) as a Cathode Material -A Study on Chemical Reactivity of LSC with Y ZZrZ0 7 Pyrochlore Based Electrolyte for ITSOFC

A reduction in the operating temperature in SOFC can decrease materials dcgradation for long term operation. The efficiency of energy conversion and durability of performance mainly depend on the electro catalytic activity of the cathode and Its thermo-chemical compatibility with the oxide ion conducting solid e1ectrolyte. In this work, L )I"Sr" "COOl ,\ (L C (,535). a mixed conducting stable perovskite oxide prepared by glycine nitrate route is systematically characterized. Circular pellets were fabricated and subjected to sintering at different temperature ranging from lO73-1773 K, the sintering behaviour of LSC and LSC-YZ composite were investigated to obtain information on the densification. shrinkage in volume after heat treatment. The thermo-chemical compatibility of this cathode material with YZ is also bhrought out. Complex impedance spectroscopy was used for determining the conductivity and electrical behaviour. The component diffusion coefficient and mobility of ions were calculated from conductivity values. A brief discussion is made on its suitability for application as electro catalytic materials under ITSOFC operating conditions

Synthesis and Characterization ofLaO.9Sr0.1Gao.SMgO.203_li Electrolytefor Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (ITSOFC)

Experimental investigations on new materials for application as electrolyte in electrolyte supported planar Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (lTSOFC) opcrating below SOO °C is in progress at our labor, tory. Sr and Mg doped Lanthanum gallate (LSGM) powder was prepared by glycine -nitrate combustion method. The prepared LSGM powder is relatively I,n r than that prepared through other techniques such as solid-state reaction. The measurement. comprising XRD, particle size, density, TGAIDTA were made. Thin sections of circular pellets were fabricated and annealed at different temperatures ranging b twe n 1000 and 1300 "c. The sintering behaviour of LSGM was investigated to obtain information on the densification factor, relative percentage shrinkage/expansion in volume, while annealing and the resulting apparent porosity values. Bismuth oxide is found to be an effective sintering aid in general. So the effect of bismuth oxide addition on LSGM was investigated through sintcring studies. The results obtained on LSG with and without bismuth oxide addition are discussed with respect to the requirement of an electrolyte for ITSOFC applications

Electrical and sintering behaviour of Y2Zr2O7 (YZ) pyrochlore based materials: the influence of bismuth

Solid oxide fuel cell can convert fuels rich inH2 into electrical energy directly without pollution by electrochemical reaction with oxygen. The efficiency of energy conversion and durability of performance mainly depend on the oxide ion conducting solid electrolyte activity. The global experience gained all these years in the SOFC development has prompted for a change from the state of the art functional electrolyte material, yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) having a conductivity of 0.1 S cm−1 at 1000 ◦C to a new material, which exhibits equivalent conductivity values in the intermediate temperature range (600–700 ◦C). In this work, Y2Zr207 (YZ), an ionic conducting stable pyrochlore based oxide prepared by glycine nitrate combustion route is systematically characterised. Both circular and rectangular pellets were fabricated by uniaxial compression followed by annealing at different temperatures. The functional properties such as porosity, percentage thermal shrinkage in volume and percentage densification of the sintered pellets are compiled. Bismuth oxide is found to be an effective sintering aid in general. So the effect of bismuth oxide addition on YZ was investigated through sintering studies, XRD, TGA/DTA, SEM and conductivity measurements. The results obtained on YZ with and without bismuth oxide addition are discussed with respect to the requirement of an electrolyte for ITSOFC application

Investigations on Chemical Interactions between Alternate Cathodes and Lanthanum Gallate Electrolyte for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (ITSOFC)

The doped perovskite oxides such as La0.65Sr0.30MnO3-� (LSM), La0.70Sr0.30CoO3-� (LSC), La0.65Sr0.30FeO3-� (LSF), La0.65Sr0.30NiO3-� (LSN) and La0.60Sr0.40Co0.20Fe0.80O3-� (LSCF) are proposed as alternate cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells working at reduced temperature (< 1073 K). The critical requirement for their applicability is their chemical compatibility in conjunction with an alternate solid electrolyte, La0.9Sr0.1Ga0.8Mg0.2O3-� (LSGM) without any new phase formation. To understand the chemical reactivity between these two components, thoroughly mixed different cathode and LSGM electrolyte (1:1 by wt.) powders were pressed as circular components and subjected to annealing at 1573 K for 3 h in air. XRD and SEM were used for the characterization of the annealed samples. XRD measurements revealed that no new secondary phases were formed in LSM, LSC, and LSF with LSGM mixtures whereas LSN and LSCF with LSGM resulted in the formation of new secondary phases after high temperature treatment. The sintering shrinkage for all the components (cathode + electrolyte mixture) was also estimated. For comparison of data, the individual powders (cathode/electrolyte) were also compacted and studied in the same manner. The obtained results are discussed keeping in view the requirements that the candidate cathode material must meet out with respect to its chemical compatibility to qualify for the LSGM based ITSOFC systems at 1073 K

Mechanical and Morphological Characterization Analysis on Aegle marmelos Dispersed Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite

This research is a study on the mechanical behavior of novel natural composites consisting of Aegle marmelos fruit resin and epoxy resin as matrix, basalt mat fibers, and Aegle fruit shell powder as reinforcement and fillers, respectively. The composites were fabricated using a hand-lay molding process having five layers of basalt mat fiber and Aegle marmelos shell powder with epoxy/Aegle resins as a matrix. Five weight fraction samples were fabricated, namely EB (basalt and epoxy), EBAP (basalt, epoxy, and Aegle shell Powder), EBAR1 (basalt, epoxy, and 100 g of Aegle resin), EBAR2 (basalt, epoxy, and 150-g Aegle resin), and EBARP (basalt, epoxy, 100 g of Aegle resin, and Aegle shell Powder). The specimens of ASTM standards for various tests were prepared using a water jet cutting process. The specimens were subjected to tensile, flexural, and impact testing. The EBARP composite showed better tensile, flexural, and impact strength, compared to other composites. The composites were subjected to FTIR analysis to understand the existence of bonds in the resin. 1,3-butadiene, vitamin A, and ethylene were noted in the FTIR analysis. Scanning electron microscopy images of the composites revealed strong bonding between the fiber and the matrices