Low-cost digital polariscope for dynamic photoelasticity

low-cost dynamic polariscope is presented. The experimental arrangement is based on the delayed-microflash technique. A LED is used as the flash source. Dynamic photoelastic patterns are recorded after different time delays from the loading point using a CCD camera operating in the time-delay and integration mode. Unlike the conventional photographic techniques, the experiments need not be performed in total darkness. Digital recording provides instantaneous visualization of the patterns and rapid repeatability.published_or_final_versio

360-deg profilometry: new techniques for display and acquisition

Two optical methods are proposed for shape measurement and defect detection of curved surfaces in the form of a complete 360- deg profile of the object. The first one is the standard structured light approach. Display of the resulting data is the emphasis of this section. The second approach uses modulated structured light with a scanning digital camera for faster and simpler data acquisition. Quantitative processing is done off-line while real-time moire produces enhanced display of the defects for qualitative analysis.published_or_final_versio

Photodegradation of organic pollutants RhB dye using UV simulated sunlight on ceria based TiO2 nanomaterials for antibacterial applications

To photo-catalytically degrade RhB dye using solar irradiation, CeO2 doped TiO2 nanocomposites were synthesized hydrothermally at 700 °C for 9 hrs. All emission spectra showed a prominent band centered at 442 nm that was attributed to oxygen related defects in the CeO2-TiO2 nanocrystals. Two sharp absorption bands at 1418 cm−1 and 3323 cm−1 were attributed to the deformation and stretching vibration, and bending vibration of the OH group of water physisorbed to TiO2, respectively. The photocatalytic activities of Ce-TiO2 nanocrystals were investigated through the degradation of RhB under UV and UV+ visible light over a period of 8 hrs. After 8 hrs, the most intense absorption peak at 579 nm disappeared under the highest photocatalytic activity and 99.89% of RhB degraded under solar irradiation. Visible light-activated TiO2 could be prepared from metal-ion incorporation, reduction of TiO2, non-metal doping or sensitizing of TiO2 using dyes. Studying the antibacterial activity of Ce-TiO2 nanocrystals against E. coli revealed significant activity when 10 μg was used, suggesting that it can be used as an antibacterial agent. Its effectiveness is likely related to its strong oxidation activity and superhydrophilicity. This study also discusses the mechanism of heterogeneous photocatalysis in the presence of TiO2

Measurement of the corrosion rate of aluminium in sodium hydroxide using holographic interferometry

The application of holographic interferometry to the measurement of the corrosion rate of aluminium in sodium hydroxide is investigated. Details of the fabrication of the corrosion cell and the experimental procedure are given. Thickness loss of aluminium was found for different dissolution times and compared with the conventional weight-loss method using a microbalance

Sediment geochemistry of coastal environments, southern Kerala, India: implication for provenance

Late Quaternary sediments representing the floodplain, estuary and offshore environments of southern Kerala were investigated to infer provenance. The grain size reveals the dominance of sand to silty clay, clay to clayey silt and clayey silt in the floodplain, estuary and offshore sediments, respectively. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) values and A-CN-K plot attributes to high, moderate and low weathering in floodplain, estuary and offshore regions, respectively. The SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 values lesser than Post-Archean Australian Shale indicate low to moderate maturity for the estuarine and offshore sediments. The geochemical immaturity indicates its derivation from low to moderately weathered source rocks. The major and trace elemental ratios and discriminant function diagrams attribute that the sediments were derived from intermediate to felsic source rocks. The enrichment of Cr and Ni concentration in the sediments compared to the upper continental crust, related to the contribution of orthopyroxenes, weathered from charnockite and garnets from the granulite terrain, respectively