Study of Electrical and Thermal Behaviour of Li-ion Polymer Cells for Auxiliary Power Supply in Underwater Applications

Lithium  ion  polymer (Li-Po) battery technology is the latest technology for portable use and the most promising technology for exercise torpedoes. These batteries are technologically evolved from Lithium ion batteries. In this paper, extensive experimental studies on Li-Po cells which include studies on electrical characteristics during charge-discharge cycles, discharge at different C rates, self discharge throughout  charge stand, temperature profiles at the cathode and anode during the discharges, etc. are reported and discussed. The extensive electrical characterisation done on these cells indicates the capability of these cells for use as auxiliary power supply in underwater weapon applications.Defence Science Journal, 2012, 62(2), pp.127-131, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.62.99

Long Distance Correlations in Molecular Orientations of Liquid Water and Shape Dependant Hydrophobic Force

Liquid water, at ambient conditions, has short-range density correlations which are well known in literature. Surprisingly, large scale molecular dynamics simulations reveal an unusually long-distance correlation in `longitudinal' part of dipole-dipole orientational correlations. It is non-vanishing even at 75 \AA{} and falls-off exponentially with a correlation length of about 24 \AA{} beyond solvation region. Numerical evidence suggests that the long range nature of dipole-dipole correlation is due to underlying fluctuating network of hydrogen-bonds in the liquid phase. This correlation is shown to give a shape dependant attraction between two hydrophobic surfaces at large distances of separation and the range of this attractive force is in agreement with experiments. In addition it is seen that quadrupolar fluctuations vanish within the first solvation peak (3 \AA{})Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

Low-Temperature Continuous Flow Synthesis of Metal Ammonium Phosphates

The synthesis of the high performance inorganic materials essential to the quality of modern day life is hindered by traditionalist attitudes and reliance on outdated methods such as batch syntheses. While continuous flow methods have been extensively adopted in pharmaceutical circles, they remain largely unexplored for the preparation of inorganic compounds, despite higher efficiency, safety and versatility. In this publication, we demonstrate a step-change for the synthesis of metal ammonium phosphates through conversion of the extant batch process to a low-temperature continuous regime, exhibiting a tenfold increase in throughput combined with a significant decrease in particle size

Stratifying Renal Risk and Retinal Involvement in South Indian Type 2 Diabetic Patients: Using the Kdigo Classification

Aim: To stratify the renal risk using estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) and albuminuria based on Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcome (KDIGO) classification and its association with the degree of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) among people with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) in South India. Methods: A total of 3426 (2193:1233) subjects with T2DM who underwent Fundus Photography and Fundus Fluorescent Angiography for DR, estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) and renal function test for assessing renal function were included in the cross - sectional study. Based on eGFR and albuminuria, patients were grouped into Low Risk (LR), Moderately increased Risk (MR), High Risk (HR) and Very High Risk (VHR) categories as per KDIGO classification. Demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical details were recorded accordingly. Results: Among the study population (n=3426) 61.4% were in LR group followed by 17.2 % in MR, 14.3% in HR and 7.2% in VHR group respectively. Among different risk categories, significant difference (p<0.001) was observed among LR, MR, HR and VHR group in age, duration of diabetes, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, HbA1c, urea, creatinine and eGFR. eGFR significantly declined as the risk categories in KDIGO increased. Among the study population, 27.32% (n = 936) had different degree of DR. Significant difference in eGFR was observed among patients with and without DR. As the severity of the DR increases, renal risk categories based on KDIGO classification also increased. High concordance was observed between different degrees of DR and KDIGO classification. Conclusion: In T2DM subjects, there is a significant association between DR and renal risk category using KDIGO classification. Thus, KDIGO classification can be used to stratify the renal and retinal risk in T2DM than mere albuminuria or eGFR

Incidence of cardiovascular diseases and associated risk factors among subjects with type 2 diabetes – An 11-year follow up study

Aims: This study was planned to assess the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events over an 11-year period and to identify the associated risk factors that could predict the onset of CVD among subjects with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Retrospective data of 249 patients (M:F 149:100) with type 2 diabetes, from a cohort of 7800 patients, attending a tertiary care center for diabetes from January 2000 to December 2011 were retrieved and analyzed for this study. Sociodemographic and habitual risk factors, baseline diabetes duration, HbA1c and time of onset of CVD and its risk factors were collected from case records. Person-years method was used to calculate incident rate of CVD. Binary logistic regression analyses were done to identify predictors associated with CVD and its risk factors. Results: Incidence of CVD among subjects with diabetes was 5.6 cases/1000 person-years. Nearly 60% developed hypertension and dyslipidemia or both during the 11-year period. The most common complication was neuropathy (14.4%). Smoking [OR (95%CI)] [9.26 (1.6–54.9)] (p = 0.014) and heavy alcohol consumption [8.7 (1.1–69.8)] (p = 0.04) were significantly associated with CVD. Higher BMI was significantly associated with hypertension and dyslipidemia [2.4 (1.3–4.3)] (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Smoking and heavy alcohol consumption were significantly associated with CVD, and increased BMI was significantly associated with hypertension and dyslipidemia among subjects with type 2 diabetes in this study population. These findings emphasize the need for early identification and modification of risk factors associated with CVD events in patients with diabetes