ABSTRACT Entanglement is a fundamental feature of quantum mechanics which originated from the 1935 paper of Einstein, Podolsky and Rosen (EPR) and has been demonstrated in many quantum systems for development of quantum technology. Entanglement of photons occurs through polarization states generated in nonlinear parametric processes. The Optical parametric oscillator (OPO) constitutes a nonlinear process in which a pair of entangled photons (signal and idler) is generated when a light mode fr...
ABSTRACT Solar radiation energy incident on a collector can be converted into electricity using PV cells or thermal energy by means of solar thermal collectors. Solar radiation intensity is sometimes lower than required for suitable applications, hence needs to be concentrated. Solar radiation concentration can be done by mirrors or lenses to obtain higher temperatures and thermal energy required for appropriate applications such as heating, drying, cooking and other industrial applications. ...
ABSTRACT This study investigated the corrosion resistance of steel reinforcement in two types of concrete mixtures – ordinary Portland (OPC) used for concrete and clay pozzolana cement (CPC) used for concrete. These two concrete types were exposed to 3% and 5% (W/V) of Sodium Chloride (NaCl) and 3% (W/V) Calcium Hypochlorite (Ca(OCl)2) that acted as corrosion media. Mechanical properties and electrochemical analysis were performed over 1, 7, 15 and 23 days. The results indicated that concr...
Abstract: The properties of trimer Cs3X3 and tetramer Cs4X4 (X = Br, I) molecules have been studied using DFT with B3LYP5 functional and MP2 and MP4 methods. Two equilibrium geometrical structures of trimers, hexagonal (D3 h) and “butterflyshaped” (Cs), and one for tetramers, distorted cubic (Td), are confirmed to exist; geometrical parameters and vibrational spectra are determined. The relative concentration of Cs3X3 isomers has been evaluated; the butterfly-shaped isomer dominates over ...
Abstract A simulation study on the effect of the “bull’s eye” in ductile iron on stress concentrations was done in this work. Using the model of graphite nodules in a cavity, a two dimensional plate strip was subjected to plane stress conditions. The results were compared to the traditional theory of modeling the graphite as holes (cavity) in the iron matrix. In plane stress conditions, while the graphite in the hole model showed the hole as areas of stress concentration and therefore v...
ABSTRACT Austenitic stainless steels with excellent corrosion resistance and good weldability have wide applications in industry. These iron-based alloys contain a high level of chromium which form protective oxide film on the surface hence resisting corrosion. The oxide film regenerates when damaged, making the steel 'stainless'. However, carbide precipitation due to a welding process or heat treatment can cause the occurrence of chromium-depleted zones at the boundaries, leading to a phenom...
Abstract This work investigated the corrosion resistance of zinc-plated low carbon steel in cocoa fluid. Low carbon steel samples were zinc electroplated at voltages between 0.5 V and 0.9 V for 5–20 min. The plated samples were then subjected to a cocoa fluid environment for 30 days. The electrode potentials mV (SCE) were measured every day. Weight loss was determined at intervals of 5 days for the exposure period. The result showed corrosion attack on the zinc-plated steel, the severity in...
ABSTRACT Halloysite, a natural mineral mined in many parts of the world has gained a lot of attention recently due to its ability to control and sustain the release of drugs and other active agents. It is a hollow tubular structure composed of double layer of aluminosilicate minerals in the nanometric range. They are non-toxic and biocompatible as compared to other nanocarriers. Its unique structure can be modified to improve its properties for control drug delivery applications. In this stud...
ABSTRACT Global uncertainty over fossil fuels security provides the impetus for the development of fuels from renewable feedstocks. A promising route to diesel is available through transesterification of vegetable oils. In this work, there is a novel development of the true liquid crystal templating approach to the synthesis of uniformly dispersed ordered porous mixed oxides. Via this route, a family of mesoporous and mesomacroporous MgO/SBA-15 and CaO/SBA-15 catalysts with metal loading in t...
ABSTRACT Nanocrystalline zinc oxide particles were synthesized via sol-gel method using zinc acetate as precursor. Calcination temperature was varied to determine its effect on particle size. The resultant samples were subjected to X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), UVvisible and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) characterization techniques. X-ray diffraction results showed nanocrystalline wurtzite ZnO particles with crystallite size ranging from 16 nm to 30 nm resp...
ABSTRACT In the present scenario of the over dependence and shortcomings of fossil fuels, integrated biorefinery techniques have been developed to process biodegradable and sustainable feedstock for use as green energy. Brown seaweed biomass, recently has been under the spotlight for the production of biogas via anaerobic digestion. In this study, the effects of acclimatising inoculum to Ecklonia maxima, a brown seaweed type for the production of biogas have been investigated. Biomass of Eckl...
ABSTRACT The urgent need for affordable housing is driving the research for cheap and sustainable building materials. The nuisance caused by cocoa pod husks, which is an agro waste, could be curbed by the incorporation of potash derived from its ash into brick batch mix. These potash incorporated bricks tend to allow sintering at lower temperatures thus reducing production cost and hence making them cheaper. In this project, the SiO2 – Al2O3 – K2O ternary phase diagram was used to design ...
ABSTRACT Gold nanoparticles were synthesized by reducing aqueous chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) with three different bacteria. Various microorganisms were verified to see how feasible they will be in synthesizing gold nanoparticles. Three microorganisms were screened and found to produce gold nanoparticles effectively. These bacteria include; Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus subtilis and serratia mercensis mercensis. Microorganisms in the synthesis of nanoparticles appear as an environmentally frien...
SUMMARY Since the pioneering report of the discovery of graphene in 2004 by Novoselov et al, scientists and researchers worldwide have carried out in depth investigations in this new family of carbon because of its myriad properties and potential applications. The synthesis of the novel nanoscale material is the main target in current material science. This study investigates the effect of different types of cabon source and catalyst for the production of large area, single/few crystalline l...
ABSTRACT Cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally and its treatment and cure are therefore very important. Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery have been the major forms of treatment. In this work, magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles are biologically synthesized using maize leaves, plantain leaves and peels extracts as mediators. The synthesized particles were magnetic and this aided in their washing after the synthesis. UV-Vis spectroscopy pointed to the formation of the Fe3O4 nanopart...