Flexible polyaniline-bacterial nanocellulose conducting composites

Development of new greener material for conducting paper is sought for applications such as security paper, actuators, and anti-static packaging. It is required that the material for these applications possess low density and good mechanical integrity. This work presents a way to produce bacterial nanocellulose (BC) - polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites by in situ polymerization in suspension of cellulose nanowhiskers. The advantages of using BC over filter paper are its ultrafine network structure, sufficient porosity, high purity and crystallinity, good mechanical properties, great water holding capability and low environmental impact. The BC/PANI composites formed by optimized synthesis of PANI within cellulose nanowhiskers are expected to possess good electrical conductivity in addition to excellent mechanical properties and flexibility. The material has been characterized using Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Novel conducting paper from bacterial cellulose and poly aniline

Development of new greener material for conducting paper is sought for applications such as security paper, actuators, and anti-static packaging. It is required that these materials possess low density and good mechanical integrity. For this purpose, cellulose substrates are explored. Bacterial cellulose has been shown to be a better substrate due to ultrafine microstructure and porosity. The synthesis protocol has been optimized with respect to the molar ratio of aniline monomer to oxidizer. Preliminary results with optimized synthesis protocol and bacterial cellulose as substrate has shown promising microstructure

Route to conducting nanocomposites by simultaneous in situ polymerization of aniline and matrix assembly from bacterial cellulose nanowhiskers

Development of new greener material for conducting paper is sought for applications such as security paper, actuators, and anti-static packaging. It is required that the material for these applications possess low density and good mechanical integrity. This work presents a way to produce bacterial nanocellulose (BC) - polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposites by in situ polymerization of aniline in suspension of cellulose nanowhiskers. The BC/PANI composites formed by optimized synthesis of PANI within cellulose nanowhiskers are expected to possess good electrical conductivity in addition to excellent mechanical properties and flexibility. The material has been characterized using FTIR, SEM and 4-probe conductivity measurement equipment

Conservation of energy by utilisation of waste heat direct power reduction in ferro alloy industry

Ferro Alloy Industry is a power intensive industry. Ferro alloys, such as Ferro Manganese, Ferro Silicon, Silico Manganese are manufactured in electric smelting furnace. Due to thermodynamic considerations, production of these Ferro alloys consume large amount of power. With the development of steel industry, requirement of Ferro Alloys as well as power is increasing day-by-day. Hence due consideration can be given in minimising electric power. The object of this paper is to give various directions in which work can be done to achieve saving in power. The paper deals with various factors affecting power consumpt-ion & work areas for improving technology to reduce energy consumption

Utilisation of ore fines by agglomeration with special reference to sintering of manganese ore fines

Agglomeration is required to coagulate the ore fines to the desired size to make them suitable for metallurgical operations. The well known methods of agglomeration are briquetting, pelletisation and Sintering. About 20-30 % of fines are generated during mining operation, handling and screening of ores before they are sized for the smelting furnace. This paper deals with the various process parameters which are determined for the manufacture of Manganese Ore Sinter on a continuous sinter plant of 20 Tons per day capacity

Antibacterial activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra roots against certain gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains

The present study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial potency of grinded crude material (root of Glycyrrhiza glabra) against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains. Two solvents (methanol and acetone) were used to extract the phytochemicals from the test material. Four different concentrations (100%, 75%, 50% and 25%) of methanolic and acetonic extract were used to investigate the inhibiting properties against Salmonella typhi, Escherichia.coli, Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis strains. Among methanol and acetone extracts, later exhibited low antibacterial activity. The 100% (w/v) concentration of both extracts showed maximum inhibition against B. subtilis followed by E. coli, S. aureus, B. cereus, S. typhi and V. Cholerae. Maximum activity in acetonic extract was obtained against B. cereus followed by S. typhi, E. coli, V. cholerae and S .aureus and minimum in B. subtilis. A reverse pattern of inhibition activity was found in both extacts (methanolic and acetonic) against B. subtilis. Maximum activity was found in methanolic extract against B. subtilis (18.6 mm) but it was only 14.3 mm against this strain in acetonic extract. The antibacterial activity of the crude samples corresponded to that of concentration. Hence there was positive correlation of antibacterial activity with the test material

Treatment of Snake Bites at a Regional Burn Center: Report of a Case Series

Background. Although uncommon, snakebites can cause significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to review the characteristics, treatment, and outcome of patients with a suspected or known snakebite who were treated at a regional verified burn center. Methods. A retrospective chart review of all snakebite victims was conducted for the time frame between January 1991 and June 2009. Results. During the study period, 12 patients were identified. One of the twelve patients was excluded because he had been admitted as an outpatient for wound debridement after being initially treated at another facility. Ten of the remaining 11 patients were male (90.9%). Rattlesnakes were responsible for the majority of bites. One of the eleven patients needed a fasciotomy. The majority of patients received antivenin (ACP/fabAV). No anaphylactoid reactions to either antivenin were recorded. There were no deaths. Conclusion. With burn centers evolving into centers for the care of complex wounds, patients with snakebite injuries can be managed safely in a burn center