Modeling, Analysis and Design of Synchronous Buck Converter Using State Space Averaging Technique for PV Energy System

If we start forecasting in the view of electrical energy generation, in the upcoming decade all the fossil fuels are going to be extinct or the worst they are going to be unaffordable to a person living in typical circumstances, so renewable power energy generation systems are going to make a big deal out of that. It is extremely important to generate and convert the renewable energy with maximum efficiency. In this project, first we study the characteristics of low power PV array under different values of irradiance and temperature. And then we present the exquisite design of Synchronous Buck Converter with the application of State Space Modeling to implement precise control design for the converter by the help of MATLAB/Simulink. The Synchronous Buck Converter thus designed is used for portable appliances such as mobiles, laptops, iPod’s etc. But in this project our main intention is to interface the PV array with the Synchronous Buck Converter we designed, and we will depict that our converter is more efficient than the conventional buck converter in terms of maintaining constant output voltage, overall converter efficiency etc. And then we show that the output voltage is maintaining constant irrespective of fluctuations in load and source. And finally we see the performance of Synchronous Buck Converter, which is interfaced with PV array having the practical variations in temperature and irradiance will also maintain a constant output voltage throughout the response. All simulations are carried under MATLAB/Simulink environment. And at last experimental work is carried out for both conventional buck converter and also for synchronous buck converter, in which we observe the desired outputs obtained in simulations

Scalable noninvasive amplicon-based precision sequencing (SNAPseq) for genetic diagnosis and screening of β-thalassemia and sickle cell disease using a next-generation sequencing platform

β-hemoglobinopathies such as β-thalassemia (BT) and Sickle cell disease (SCD) are inherited monogenic blood disorders with significant global burden. Hence, early and affordable diagnosis can alleviate morbidity and reduce mortality given the lack of effective cure. Currently, Sanger sequencing is considered to be the gold standard genetic test for BT and SCD, but it has a very low throughput requiring multiple amplicons and more sequencing reactions to cover the entire HBB gene. To address this, we have demonstrated an extraction-free single amplicon-based approach for screening the entire β-globin gene with clinical samples using Scalable noninvasive amplicon-based precision sequencing (SNAPseq) assay catalyzing with next-generation sequencing (NGS). We optimized the assay using noninvasive buccal swab samples and simple finger prick blood for direct amplification with crude lysates. SNAPseq demonstrates high sensitivity and specificity, having a 100% agreement with Sanger sequencing. Furthermore, to facilitate seamless reporting, we have created a much simpler automated pipeline with comprehensive resources for pathogenic mutations in BT and SCD through data integration after systematic classification of variants according to ACMG and AMP guidelines. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the NGS-based high throughput SNAPseq approach for the detection of both BT and SCD in a single assay with high sensitivity in an automated pipeline

Biotransformation of carbon dioxide in bioelectrochemical systems: State of the art and future prospects

Carbon dioxide (CO2) utilization/recycling for the production of chemicals and gaseous/liquid energy-carriers is a way to moderate the rising CO2 in the atmosphere. One of the possible solutions for the CO2 sequestration is the electrochemical reduction of this stable molecule to useful fuel/products. Nevertheless, the surface chemistry of CO2 reduction is a challenge due to the presence of large energy barriers, requiring noticeable catalysis. The recent approach of microbial electrocatalysis of CO2 reduction has promising prospects to reduce the carbon level sustainably, taking full advantage of CO2-derived chemical commodities. We review the currently investigated bioelectrochemical approaches that could possibly be implemented to enable the handling of CO2 emissions. This review covers the most recent advances in the bioelectrochemical approaches of CO2 transformations in terms of biocatalysts development and process design. Furthermore, the extensive research on carbon fixation and conversion to different value added chemicals is reviewed. The review concludes by detailing the key challenges and future prospects that could enable economically feasible microbial electrosynthesis technology.Suman Bajracharya was supported by a PhD grant from VITO's strategic research funds (project no. 1310225). Dr. Sandipam Srikanth was supported the Marie-Curie International Incoming Fellowship (IIF) supported Project ELECTROENZEQUEST (Grant No.: 330803) and G. Mohanakrishna by the Marie-Curie Intra-European Fellowship (IEF) supported project BIO-ELECTRO-ETHYLENE (Grant No: 626959) from the European Commission

A Simple, Cost-Effective, and Extraction-Free Molecular Diagnostic Test for Sickle Cell Disease Using a Noninvasive Buccal Swab Specimen for a Limited-Resource Setting

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most prevalent life-threatening blood monogenic disorder. Currently, there is no cure available, apart from bone marrow transplantation. Early and efficient diagnosis of SCD is key to disease management, which would make considerable strides in alleviating morbidity and reducing mortality. However, the cost and complexity of diagnostic procedures, such as the Sanger sequencing method, impede the early detection of SCD in a resource-limited setting. To address this, the current study demonstrates a simple and efficient proof-of-concept assay for the detection of patients and carriers using extraction-free non-invasive buccal swab samples by isothermal DNA Amplification coupled Restrictase-mediated cleavage (iDAR). This study is a first of its kind reporting the use of buccal swab specimens for iDA in molecular diagnosis of a genetic disease, all the while being cost effective and time saving, with the total assay time of around 150 min at a cost of USD 5. Further, iDAR demonstrates 91.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity for detecting all three alleles: SS, AS, and AA, having a 100% concordance with Sanger sequencing. The applicability of the iDAR assay is further demonstrated with its adaptation to a one-pot reaction format, which simplifies the assay system. Overall, iDAR is a simple, cost-effective, precise, and non-invasive assay for SCD screening, with the potential for use in a limited resource setting