Application of Enriched Fraction of Seabuckthorn Leaf Extract as Antimicrobial Finish on Technical Textile

Flavonoid-rich fraction (FRF) from Seabuckthorn leaves extract was prepared by acid hydrolysis process. Total flavonoid content of Seabuckthorn leaves extract and FRF estimated as rutin equivalent was found to be 116.98±3.06 and 277.14 ± 6.78 mg/g of extract/FRF respectively. Its major constituents myrcetin, quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin, were determined by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Aramid (NomexIIIA) fabric was treated with triethylene tetramine to increase the wicking height of the fabric for better uptake of FRF. Then, FRF was coated using citric acid as cross linking agent on to aramid fabric by pad-dry-cure method for improved wash durability. FRF coated fabric was characterised using Universal attenuated total internal reflection Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Effect of FRF coating on flammability property of coated fabric was estimated using flammability tester. There was no significant difference in the char length of the FRF coated fabric and control samples. Antimicrobial activity of the FRF coated fabric was assessed by both qualitative (agar diffusion method; AATCC 147-2001) and quantitative (percentage reduction test; (AATCC 100-2001) methods using test organisms. The zone of inhibition by agar diffusion method for E. coli and S. aureus was found to be 12.4 mm and 16.7 mm respectively. Quantitative assessment by percentage reduction test showed a reduction percentage of 96.00% and 93.00% for S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. The results of the above study indicate FRF as a valuable ingredient for the development of antimicrobial textiles

On-Board Oxygen Generation Using High Performance Molecular Sieve

The majority of high performance combat aircrafts presently being operated by Indian air Force are fitted with conventional oxygen systems in which a replenishable store of oxygen is carried, most often as liquid oxygen and the flow of gas to each crew member is controlled by an individual pressure demand regulator in which the oxygen is diluted with cabin air to provide breathing gas.Moreover, in-flight refueling capability of present generation fighter aircraft has made it possible to fly for long durations (6 to 8 hours). In such case, the oxygen source becomes one of the limiting factors. In order to meet this requirement, a large supply of Gaseous Oxygen (GASOX) or Liquid Oxygen (LOX) have proven to be a costly affair and the Onboard Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS) has become a very convenient and attractive proposal. The OBOGS employs molecular sieves to adsorb nitrogen from engine bleed air using pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technique, wherein two molecular sieve beds are continuously cycled between steps of pressurization (adsorption) and depressurization (desorption) to generate oxygen enriched breathing gas for aircrew. This paper describes the design of OBOGS using high performance Lithium based Low Silica X-type (Li-LSX) molecular sieves and its performance characteristics. It consists of two Zeolite beds filled with Li-LSX material which adsorbs nitrogen fromengine bleed air tapped from Environmental Control System pipe line. The two beds are cycled by a 5/2 way solenoid valve. The input air is supplied to the solenoid valve through a coalescent filter to reduce moisture from it and a pressure regulator is fitted at the upstream of solenoid valve to regulate the system pressure. The experimental setup for evaluation of OBOGS is also discussed. The OBOGS, presented in this paper, meets all the performance requirements as specified in MIL-C-85521 (AS).

Hazard potential of apparel textiles

157-160<span style="font-size:11.0pt;line-height:115%; font-family:" calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-fareast-font-family:="" "times="" new="" roman";mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;mso-hansi-theme-font:="" minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:calibri;mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-latin;="" mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa"="">The hazard potential of 25 commonly used fabrics has been characterized in terms of flame temperature during and rate of burning. It is observed that the weight of the, fabric has profound influence .on both, rate of burning and flame temperature during burning.</span

Development of closely woven breathable linen fabric for water storage applications

335-339Dry-spun linen yarn was used to develop linen canvas water holding bags. Four varieties of linen -based canvas fabrics were developed using fabric engineering concept in different constructional parameters and weaves. It was observed that the fabric woven in oxford weave with twist level varying from 16 turns/dm to 18 turn s/dm exhibited superior performance in terms of waterproofness, water vapour permeability and water retaining capability. The study also showed the importance of fabric engineering concept to achieve optimum level of functional requirements.</span

Wearable Sensors Based Real-time Monitoring Of Gait Kinematics For Lower Extremity Exoskeletons

This paper presents a real-time gait analyzer used to record the gait pattern of a subject which can beprimary input to lower extremity exoskeletons. Studies have been carried out on walking behaviour ofsubjects indicating that lower extremity exoskeletons can take inputs as hip and knee joint movement anglesin sagittal plane. Wearable gait motion analyzer can be used to operate lower extremity exoskeletons in twodifferent modes: real-time gait and pre-defined gait. For pre-defined gait mode, wearable gait motionanalyzer provides wearer specific gait pattern of hip and knee joint angles in sagittal plane. A comparisonstudy on gait data obtained from gait lab and wearable gait motion analyser was carried out and showed 98%correlation match. Gyroscopes of IMU are also used to measure angular velocity of hip and knee joints toestimate specifications of exoskeleton actuators

WEARABLE SENSORS BASED REAL-TIME MONITORING OF GAIT KINEMATICS FOR LOWER EXTREMITY EXOSKELETONS

This paper presents a real-time gait analyzer used to record the gait pattern of a subject which can beprimary input to lower extremity exoskeletons. Studies have been carried out on walking behaviour ofsubjects indicating that lower extremity exoskeletons can take inputs as hip and knee joint movement anglesin sagittal plane. Wearable gait motion analyzer can be used to operate lower extremity exoskeletons in twodifferent modes: real-time gait and pre-defined gait. For pre-defined gait mode, wearable gait motionanalyzer provides wearer specific gait pattern of hip and knee joint angles in sagittal plane. A comparisonstudy on gait data obtained from gait lab and wearable gait motion analyser was carried out and showed 98%correlation match. Gyroscopes of IMU are also used to measure angular velocity of hip and knee joints toestimate specifications of exoskeleton actuators