Modelling of Metal-Coating Delamination Incorporating Variable Environmental Parameters

A mathematical model for metal-coat delamination of degrading metal was developed incorporating multiple variable environmental parameters. Metal-coat delamination not only depends on the electrochemical reactions at metal-coat interface but also on the factors like the type of propagating metal ions and their varying concentration with annual weather changes, time of exposure of the coated objects, type of coated objects are stationary or mobile vehicles, frequency with which certain vehicles are operating in various environments e.g. controlled or uncontrolled in terms of environmental conditions. A cutting edge model has been developed to calculate the varying environmental conditions using iteration algorithm, time dependent uncertain position of objects like vehicle in various environments using stochastic approach, effect of seasonal changes on ionic compound's concentration using algebraic method and instantaneous failure probability due to varying conditions. Based on the developed model a detailed simulation study was conducted to investigate the metal-coat delamination process and the ways to regress the under coat metal corrosion

Open Loop Fiber Optic Gyroscope : A Technical Note

This technical note describes the design and fabrication of a prototype open-loop interferometric fiber-optic gyroscope (IFOG). The gyro transfer function is transposed from that of a raised-cosine to a sine function using AC modulation, giving maximum sensitivity at rest. Among various signal processing methods, lock-in principle is used to detect the Sagnac phase shift due to rotation. Initial work is done with bulk-optic components. Finally, all-fiber gyroscope is built using laser diode (1300 nm), PINFET detector, fiber couplers and PZT phase modulator. An effort is made to develop compact IFOG with sensing coil diameter of 10 cm and signal processing card of size 10 x 6.5 sq cm. The present set-up is able to detect the direction of rotation at a rotation rate of 5 x 10/sup -4/ radian per second. Presently, the performance of the set-up is limited by the difficulty in achieving complete reciprocity

A Review of Theoretical Analysis Techniques for Cracking and Corrosive Degradation of Film-Substrate Systems

This paper contains a review of the most vital concepts regarding the analysis and design of film systems. Various techniques have been presented to analyse and predict the failure of films for all common types of failure: fracture, delamination, general yield, cathodic blistering, erosive and corrosive wear in both organic and inorganic films. Interfacial fracture or delamination is the loss of bonding strength of film from substrate, and is normally analysed based on the fracture mechanics concepts of bi-material systems. Therefore, keeping the focus of this review on bonding strength, the emphasis will be on the interfacial cracking of films and the corresponding stresses responsible for driving the delamination process. The bi-material characteristics of film systems make the nature of interfacial cracks as mixed mode, with cracks exhibiting various complex patterns such as telephone cord blisters. Such interfacial fracture phenomenon has been widely studied by using fracture mechanics based applicable analysis to model and predict the fracture strength of interface in film systems. The incorporation of interfacial fracture mechanics concepts with the thermodynamics/diffusion concepts further leads to the development of corrosive degradation theories of film systems such as cathodic blistering. This review presents suggestions for improvements in existing analysis techniques to overcome some of the limitations in film failure modelling. This comprehensive review will help researchers, scientists, and academics to understand, develop and improve the existing models and methods of film-substrate systems

Prevalence of ectoparasites in farmed Pangasius hypothalamus

Of the total 240 Pangasius hypothalamus (5 - 8.7cm) fry examined during September' O1 to February'02, 80 (33.33%) were found to be infested with one or more ecroparasites irrespective of genera or groups. Seven parasitic groups were identified with the highest average prevalence of Trichodinids (55%) followed by Dacrylogyrus spp. ( 42%), Episrylis spp. (8%), Apiosoma spp. (7%) Argulus spp. (5%), Gyrodacrylus spp. (4%) and Piscicola spp. (2%) the lowest prevalent group irrespective of months. Trichodinid and Dacrylogyms spp. were recorded to be the dominating parasitic groups among the seven both in terms of monthly prevalence and severity of infestation throughout the period of investigation. The highest prevalence (60%) of ectoparasite was recorded in December and the lowest (10%) in February irrespective of groups

A Novel Non-Destructive Sensing Technology for On-Site Corrosion Failure Evaluation of Coatings

The quality of coating and the resulting rate of corrosion of the underlying metal substrate can be measured by a variety of corrosion measurements (Tafel, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) by using standard laboratory electrochemical cells. However there is always a need of low cost, portable and non-destructive electrochemical cells which can be used on-site field for condition monitoring of large structures for example bridges and large infrastructures, complex operating systems as aircrafts, precision machines, petrochemical processes, automotive and locomotives. This research has developed state of the art cells and has commissioned for deploying this novel sensing technology for micro-defects detection, corrosion rate measurement and condition assessment of the defected coatings. Tafel measurement facilitated by these non-destructive cells is used to detect micro-defects and corrosion rate measurement while Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy measurement is facilitated to measure the coating condition. This technology has been successfully tested and commissioned on automotive, hazardous compartments with polymeric coatings and bridges to assess their coating condition in terms of their structural integrity. Post design testing involved the installation of these cells, running diagnostics, data acquisition and macrographs to predict structural defects and the resulting corrosion rate. This technology enables the design process to incorporate operational conditions and fully realize more durable and reliable solutions to be applied to high value large structures and complex interacting systems. Current developments in corrosion condition monitoring especially cost effective, non-destructive techniques to assess structural integrity beneath nonconductive and polymeric coating were long awaited. This reported development will revolutionise durability and reliability assessment techniques to enhance safety and mitigate catastrophic failures for cost savings and avoiding fatal accidents

Study on regional differences in soil-water characteristics and their relevance to aquaculture productivity and fish disease

A total of 45 ponds used for fish polyculture were investigated in three zones of Bangladesh to identify the differences among the zones in respect to aqua-ecology, culture practices, fish productivity and health management. Four hundred and fifty fish from three zones were clinically examined by naked eye and histopathology. Out of total number of fish examined, 45 fish from Dhaka zones were examined for parasites and bacteria in addition to histopathology. Faded and haemorrhagic gill, skin, fin, scale loss and lesions were observed during fish examination. Aeromonas spp. Pseudomonas spp. and Streptococcus spp. were isolated respectively from 56%, 46% and 39% affected fish. Among the five water quality parameters analyzed, the highest average hardness and alkalinity respectively were recorded in Rajshahi (156 ppm and 142 ppm) followed by Dhaka (146 ppm and 132 ppm) and Chittagong (81 ppm and 90 ppm). The highest average pH was recorded in Mymensingh (7.52) followed by Rajshahi (7.13) and Chittagong (7.05). Water holding capacity of soil in Rajshahi zone was poor compared to other zones and farmers were found to be reluctant to fish farming

Incidence of ulcer type of disease in wild fishes of Bangladesh

Disease occurred in wild fish species investigated in different water bodies like canals, ditches, beel, haor, flood plain in 17 districts of Dhaka division. Haemorrhagic lesions were observed on the body surface of affected fishes. Incidence of the disease in the investigated water bodies ranged from 0 to 100%. In total 19 fish species were found to be affected and prevalence of infection ranged from 0.0 to 100.0%. Channa punctatus and Puntius ticto were severely affected in all locations. Percentage of infection in these fishes ranged from 0.0 to 100.0. The highest infection was observed in Netrokona, Kishoreganj, and Mymensingh districts. Bacterial genera isolated from the lesions of these affected fishes were Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Micrococcus, and Staphylococcus. Among these isolates Aeromonas was the dominant. Abundance of Aeromonas in the lesions among the investigated bacteria ranged from 75 to 90%. Five identified Aero monas lrydrophila were examined for their pathogenicity and were able to infect the experimental fish, silver barb (Puntius gonionotus). The pathogen Aeromonas hydrophila was thus considered to have an association with the outbreak of ulcer type of disease in the investigated fish species

The role of agriculture in economic development : a case study of Pakistan

The author divided his work into a theoretical part and a part with empirical information about Pakistan. The theoretical part comprises a framework for analysis of the economic development of an agricultural society. The second part describes the basic features of the Pakistan economy and the causes of backwardness in agriculture. Governmental efforts to stimulate economic development and the possibilities of a self-sustained growth were also considered. The economic structure of Pakistan illustrated the dualism typical of underdeveloped communities. To avoid stagnation, growth must be induced. The Pakistan government played an important role in the development of agriculture, by the planning and execution of two five-year plans. The results were mainly expressed as improvement in the agricultural infrastructure and the reorganization of important sectors of agriculture. Improvement was also achieved in those factors essential for selfsustained growth. Finally a new development plan of the government was reviewed. The author doubted whether its objectives could be reached within the time fixed

Missense mutations at homologous positions in the fourth and fifth laminin A G-like domains of eyes shut homolog cause autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa

Purpose: To describe two novel mutations in the eyes shut homolog (EYS) gene in two families with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP) from Pakistan and Indonesia. Methods: Genome-wide linkage and homozygosity mapping were performed using single nucleotide polymorphism microarray analysis in affected members of the two arRP families. Sequence analysis was performed to identify genetic changes in protein coding exons of EYS. Results: In the Indonesian and Pakistani families, homozygous regions encompassing the EYS gene at 6q12 were identified, with maximum LOD scores of 1.8 and 3.6, respectively. Novel missense variants in the EYS gene (p.D2767Y and p.D3028Y) were found in the Pakistani and Indonesian families, respectively, that co-segregate with the disease phenotype. Interestingly, the missense variants are located at the same homologous position within the fourth and fifth laminin A G-like domains of EYS. Conclusions: To date, mostly protein-truncating mutations have been described in EYS, while only few patients have been described with pathogenic compound heterozygous missense mutations. The mutations p.D2767Y and p.D3028Y described in this study affect highly conserved residues at homologous positions in laminin A G-like domains and support the notion that missense mutations in EYS can cause arRP

Fabrication and characterisation of electrodeposited and magnetron sputtered thin films

The MnO-Zn thin films were fabricated by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering and compared with pulse electrodeposition (PED) Zn thin films, doped with MnO and ZrO nanoparticles. Surface morphology, structural properties, chemical composition and corrosion resistance of these coatings were investigated by using Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), 3-D Scanning Interferometry and environmental chamber. Surface morphology and degree of crystallinity have different behaviour for differen t deposi tion method. Pulse coated films have polycrystalline structure with high surface roughness (Ra) whereas sputtered films are mono-crystalline with reduced roughness (Ra). Corrosion tests of both RF sputter and PED films revealed that the distribution of corrosion products formed on the surface of sputter films were not severe in extent as in case of electrodeposited coatings. Results showed that the doping of ZrO nano-sized particles in Zn matrix and Mn-Zn composite films significantly improved the corrosion resistance of PED thin films