Deformation patterns in WorldSID 50th percentile dummy instrumented with IR-TRACC and RibEye™ in different loading configurations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of different loading configurations on the WorldSID 50th percentile male dummy instrumented either with the Infra-Red Telescoping Rod for the Assessment of Chest Compression (IR-TRACC) or the RibEye? rib deflection measurement system.

Methods: The optical sensors of the RibEye system were used to capture the multipoint deformation of the dummy at frontal and rearward off-center locations in addition to the center of the rib location. The experimental setup consisted of 2 types of loadings: Low severity and high severity. Low-severity loading was performed by deploying a fixture-mounted side airbag on the dummy and high-severity loading was achieved by deploying a driver front airbag mounted in a similar fashion. The low-severity condition aimed at deforming the dummy’s ribs locally at off-center locations where the RibEye light emitting diodes (LEDs) were positioned to capture the deformations at those locations. The high-severity condition aimed at loading the dummy at high speed in lateral and oblique directions similar to what is experienced by dummies in side impacts.

Results: In the low-severity tests, the peak deflections, in terms of length change, were approximately 15–20?mm, whereas for the high-severity cases the peak deflections were in the range of 30–40?mm for both IR-TRACC and RibEye cases.

Conclusions: For similar physical insults, dummies with the IR-TRACC and RibEye systems showed varying results for both length changes and the shoulder forces depending on the severity and direction of loading. Under purely lateral loading, the mid-length changes with the RibEye and the 1D IR-TRACC were comparable. In the oblique loading conditions, more differences were seen with the 2 systems depending on the impact direction. The shoulder forces consistently differed between the 2 systems. In the frontal oblique low-severity cases, the ribs pivoted along the spine end and the length change was not found to be a suitable parameter to quantify rib deformation in such loading scenarios.     

Assessment of biomass and lipid productivity and biodiesel quality of an indigenous microalga Chlorella sorokiniana MIC-G5

Generation of biodiesel from microalgae has been extensively investigated; however, its quality is often not suitable for use as fuel. Our investigation involved the evaluation of biodiesel quality using a native isolate Chlorella sorokiniana MIC-G5, as specified by American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), after transesterification of lipids with methanol, in the presence of sodium methoxide. Total quantity of lipids extracted from dry biomass, of approximately 410–450 mg g^?1 was characterized using FTIR and ¹H NMR. After transesterification, the total saturated and unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were 43% and 57%, respectively. The major FAMEs present in the biodiesel were methyl palmitate (C16:0), methyl oleate (C18:1), and methyl linoleate (C18:2), and the ¹H NMR spectra matched with criteria prescribed for high-quality biodiesel. The biodiesel exhibited a density of 0.873 g cm^–3, viscosity of 3.418 mm² s^?1, cetane number (CN) of 57.85, high heating value (HHV) of 40.25, iodine value of 71.823 g I₂ 100 g^?1, degree of unsaturation (DU) of 58%, and a cold filter plugging point (CFPP) of –5.22°C. Critical fuel parameters, including oxidation stability, CN, HHV, iodine value, flash point, cloud point, pour point, density, and viscosity were in accordance with the methyl ester composition and structural configuration. Hence, C. sorokiniana can be a promising feedstock for biodiesel generation.     

Environmental assessment of laser assisted manufacturing: case studies on laser shock peening and laser assisted turning

Laser assisted manufacturing processes, when compared with traditional manufacturing processes, have the potential to reduce cost, increase surface resistance to wear and fatigue, extend part/tool life, and expand the range of manufacturable materials. These processes have found niche applications in automotive, aerospace, and defense industries. However, very limited research has been conducted to evaluate and compare the environmental performance of laser assisted processes with traditional methods. This paper conducts case studies on two representative laser based processes, i.e. laser shock peening of 7075-T7351 Aluminum and laser assisted turning of compacted graphite iron. Life cycle assessment is used to benchmark the environmental performance of these two processes to conventional processes, i.e. shot peening and turning, respectively. The life cycle inventory of both the laser based processes and conventional processes are developed using SimaPro 7.1 and the Ecoinvent 2.0 database and life cycle impact assessment is performed using US EPA TRACI. The results of this study show that the environmental performance of the two laser based processes is significantly better than conventional processes. For laser shock peening of aluminum, contribution analysis indicates that this is mainly due to the significant extension of fatigue life of the workpiece being treated. For laser assisted turning of compacted graphite iron, the improved performance is mainly due to the extended tool life since cutting tool manufacturing is an energy intensive process. Development of high-power laser with a lower wavelength (e.g. direct diode system) could eliminate the use of paint in laser assisted turning. This, along with improved wall plug efficiency, makes laser assisted turning even more environmentally benign compared to conventional process. A brief cost analysis suggests that both laser shock peening and laser assisted turning can be economically viable with payback period less than three years for niche applications.     

Long-range potential source contributions of episodic aerosol events to PM10 profile of a megacity

This paper evaluates possible long-range source contributions to the PM₁₀ profile of Istanbul, Turkey. A novel method for classifying PM₁₀ episodic events resulting from long-range transport, as opposed to local ones, was implemented. Hourly PM₁₀ mass concentrations from ten stations distributed throughout Istanbul during the year 2008 were used for this purpose. Hourly backward trajectories for the arrival of air masses to the center of Istanbul for the year 2008 were calculated using the HYSPLIT (Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) model. Significant episodes from these backward trajectories were selected and employed in Potential Source Contribution Function (PSCF) analysis to estimate the possible contribution of long-range PM₁₀ transport (LRPMT) to observed PM₁₀ concentrations. The PSCF results showed significant seasonal variations. Based on the results obtained, PM₁₀ concentrations observed in Istanbul during summer and autumn are not heavily affected by LRPMT. Mediterranean countries, especially those of the central part of northern Africa (northern Algeria and Libya) are the most significant potential PM₁₀ contributors to Istanbul's atmosphere during springtime. During winter, Balkan countries, including the Aegean part of Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Croatia, as well as northern Italy, eastern France, southern Germany, Austria and the eastern part of Russia, were the most important LRPMT source regions for high PSCF values.     

Continuous Safety Sampling Methodology

This research introduces a proactive methodology for accident prevention, called Continuous Safety Sampling Methodology, by utilizing the principles of work sampling and control charting. Sampling is performed to observe the occurrence of conditions that may become hazardous in a given system. These conditions, known as dendritics, may become hazards and could result in an accident or occupational disease. Continuous Safety Sampling Methodology performs a random sampling for the occurrence of these dendritics. The collected data are then used to generate a control chart. Based on the pattern of the control chart, a system “under control” is not disturbed whereas a system “out of control” is investigated for potential conditions becoming hazardous. Appropriate steps are then taken to eliminate or control these conditions to maintain a desired safe system.     

Study on chemical kinetics and catalytic cracking of tar from gasification of rice straw using various catalysts

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - The tar formed within the producer gas is a major problem in the biomass gasification process. The catalytic cracking of tar is the best method to...     

Optimum techno-eco performance requisites for vacuum annulus tube collector–assisted double-slope solar desaltification unit integrated modified parabolic concentrator

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This work presents a novel approach for a double-slope solar desaltification system having parallel array of evacuated annular tube collectors with...     

Isolation and screening of sulfur-oxidizing bacteria from coast of Bhavnagar,India, and formulation of consortium for bioremediation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Reduced sulfur compounds are a nuisance in coastal industries causing heavy economical as well as ecological loss. One such compound, hydrogen...     

Gyrineum natator: a potential indicator of imposex along the Indian coast

Imposex related studies have used neogastropods as sentinel organism. In this effort, we elucidate the potential of a mesogastropod, Gyrineum natator, for imposex monitoring on the central west coast of India. Observations were made with specimens collected from Mumbai (three stations), Ratnagiri (two stations), Goa (one station) and Mangalore (one station). The analyzed populations at all four sites were affected by imposex. The six different stages of imposex in this organism are illustrated through schematic and scanning electron micrographs. In view of the anticipated ban on TBT based antifouling paints this baseline information can serve as an indicator for environmental monitoring in this region.     

Preliminary study of physico-chemical treatment options for hospital wastewater

Hospital effluents are loaded with pathogenic microorganisms, partially metabolized pharmaceutical substances, radioactive elements, and other toxic substances. Such effluents if not treated properly can damage the natural environment and create a biological imbalance. This paper points out the areas of concern for hospital wastewater disposal and reports the findings of a limited physico-chemical study of treatment options for hospital effluents conducted at Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu. The effluent collected was checked for conventional parameters and subjected to coagulation experiments. The raw and settled effluents were coagulated with FeCl(3), filtered and disinfected. Physico-chemical treatment seems to be an attractive option for the cost-effective disposal of hospital effluents. The results of this study call for further detailed study in this area.