Applied Science and Engineering Progress

An Innovative AgNP-based Solar Panel Coating and Farmland Fertility Optimization (FFO) based Power Extraction Methodology for Grid Systems

Priya Palanichamy — 2025-01-15

In the power electronic system, coated solar panels attracted a lot of interest in present times. The proposed work aims to achieve two key objectives: maximal power extraction and solar panel coating. To reduce the cost of coating material for solar panels, Silver Nano Particles (AgNPs) are first collected from the leaves of Rose periwinkle plants. This strategy aims to achieve maximal power extraction by coating solar panels with green synthesized silver nanoparticles. To reduce the cost of coating material, Rosy periwinkle plant leaves are used to synthesize silver nanoparticles or AgNPs. To ascertain the framework's capacity for measuring energy both before and after the panels are coated with AgNP, this study theoretically analyses the data. The power current and voltage-current characteristics of the study were validated, enabling an examination of the study's effectiveness. The coated type outperformed the normal solar panel by 2%, according to the results. With a new approach called Farmland Fertility Optimization – Maximum Power Position Tracking, the precise peak site for increased energy yield is discovered. The bi-directional converter is also utilized to mitigate stress and increase voltage gain. To improve the power quality with fewer harmonics, the 3-phase inverter and the LC filtering circuits are used. Finally, a variety of performance measures are used to confirm the results of coated solar panels using power-tracking control techniques. The findings suggest that AgNP-coated solar panels provide the best possible electrical energy with improved voltage, current, and power quality. Performance evaluation shows that the coated solar panel's power tracking efficiency has increased to 99% with decreased harmonics of 2.52%.

Bio-sourced Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Maggot Chitosan/PVA/PAN-based Polymer Electrolyte Membrane for Sustainable Energy Storage Applications

Muhammad Thoriq Al Fath — 2025-01-15

The global energy crisis sparked by dwindling fossil fuel reserves has precipitated efforts to develop sustainable battery technologies, as conventional dry cell batteries utilize toxic lead, graphite, and manganese oxide components that pollute the environment. Chitosan derived from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) maggot presents a biodegradable substitute. This study fabricated chitosan-based polymer electrolyte membranes by blending chitosan with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyacrylonitrile (PAN), then doping with ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) using the solvent-casting method. Varying NH₄Cl compositions aimed to maximize ionic conductivity. Chitosan (13.455% water, 27.810% ash) was subsequently combined with PVA/PAN (20:80 w/w), NH₄Cl, and casted onto petri dishes. Electrolyte membranes exhibited a maximum conductivity of 0.19612 ± 0.01572 S/cm with 0.9 g NH₄Cl. FTIR spectroscopy verified the incorporation of chitosan (peaks at 3446.79 cm^–1, 1643.35 cm^–1_, and 1151.50 cm^–1), PVA (3446.79 cm^–1 and 1136.07 cm^–1), and NH₄Cl (3371.57 cm^–1 and 721.38 cm^–1). SEM imaging visualized the incorporation of NH₄Cl within the membrane. The chitosan-based biodegradable approach is compelling but limited by 0.19612 S/cm ionic conductivity, necessitating further compositional and processing optimizations for viable applications. Though it is promising for sustainable bio-sourced energy storage, challenges remain in enhancing conductivity through advanced polymer blends/dopants and scaling up for commercial biobattery manufacturing.

Characterization of Polyvinylpyrrolidone-2-Acrylamide-2-Methlypropansulphonic Acid Based Polymer as a Corrosion Inhibitor for Copper and Brass in Hydrochloric Acid

Mamookho Elizabeth Makhatha — 2025-01-15

Copper and its alloy are susceptible to corrosion in heat exchangers during acid cleaning. The corrosion leads to materials loss and damage; hence it is important to prohibit such corrosion damage using an eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor. In the current work, a polymer composite-based corrosion inhibitor was prepared using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and 2-Acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS). The PVP copolymer undergoes polymerization with the AMPS having several interconnected uniformly sized pores and produces a PVP–AMPS composite with rod-like microstructure. The effect of concentration, time, and temperature on corrosion inhibition efficiency (IE) of PVP–AMPS composite was studied for copper and brass in hydrochloric acid (HCl) solution. The IE increases with concentration and decreases with time and temperature. A change in cathodic and anodic Tafel slopes with the concentration of PVP–AMPS inhibitors was observed. The increase in IE with concentration was attributed to the solubility of PVP–AMPS composite in HCl. However, the decrease in IR with time and temperature was due to the desorption of PVP–AMPS composite from the surface of copper and brass and also due to the exothermic reactions at higher temperature. A few peaks in FTIR spectra at 3000–3100 cm⁻¹were missing, which is due to the stretching vibration of H–C during the crosslinking polymerization. Further, the absence of the O–H peak indicated that the polymerization process removed the water molecule. The best correlation coefficient (R²) for the Langmuir adsorption mechanism was achieved. A negative Gibbs free energy (ΔG) envisages the spontaneity of the adsorption process. However, the | ΔG| for adsorption was less than 20 kJmol⁻¹confirming the process as physisorption. A shift in anodic and cathodic branches in the presence of the PVP–AMPS inhibitor indicated a mixed-type inhibitor behavior.

Conditional Optimization on the Photocatalytic Degradation Removal Efficiency of Formaldehyde using TiO2 – Nylon 6 Electrospun Composite Membrane

Taddao Pahasup-anan — 2025-01-15

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease in 2019, many people have adjusted their work and lifestyle to the new normal, such as purchasing takeaway dishes or utilizing food delivery services more frequently. This causes individuals to spend more time indoors. The health, comfort, and well-being of building occupants are directly impacted by indoor air quality, which is a significant issue. The main objective of this study was to investigate the optimal conditions for the treatment of gaseous formaldehyde using TiO₂ – Nylon 6 electrospun composite membrane via photocatalytic oxidation. Response surface methodology (RSM) model with the Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was applied for experimental design and statistical analysis. Three factors (catalyst dosage, initial formaldehyde concentration, and gas flow rate) affecting the removal efficiency were studied. Three sets of experiments were conducted to compare the formaldehyde removal efficiencies of the following processes; the adsorption process, the photolysis process, and the photocatalytic oxidation process. From the results, it is obvious that the photocatalytic oxidation process yielded the highest removal efficiency (83.43%) as compared to the other two processes. The mechanism of the formaldehyde photocatalytic oxidation process can be described using the simplified Langmuir-Hinshelwood equation. The reaction follows a pseudo-first order reaction, with a rate constant of 0.0058 min^–1. The optimal conditions were found to be at 80.0%w/w catalyst dosage, 7.0 ppm initial formaldehyde concentration, and 1.5 L/min gas flow rate which resulted in an 84.54% removal efficiency after 420 minutes of treatment period. Thus, the application use of the TiO₂ – Nylon 6 electrospun composite membrane equipped with the UV light source could be a promising alternative technology for indoor air treatment.

Design of Machine Learning for Limes Classification Based Upon Thai Agricultural Standard No. TAS 27-2017

Athakorn Kengpol — 2025-01-15

Accurately classifying the limes quality of limes according to established standards is paramount for instilling trust in farmers' trading of agricultural produce. Historically, machinery has been employed to categorize the lime quality, with dual objectives of cost reduction and error mitigation, thereby facilitating the classifying process. Nevertheless, deploying such machinery to classify limes in their fresh produce form, intended for consumer sale, has encountered limitations imposed by the stringent criteria stipulated in Thai Agricultural Standards No. TAS 27-2017, a standard derived from the Codex Standard and widely adopted by numerous countries. Considering these constraints, the presented research aims to enhance the efficiency of limes classification, adhering to the standards. The Machine Learning System is designed to recognize and categorize limes based upon their skin color and defects to achieve this goal. This system employed convolutional neural network (CNN) models in conjunction with logistic regression equations, which are unavailable in the literature. The research findings indicate that this system is proficient in accurately presenting lime images and their corresponding quality classes via a Graphical User Interface on a computer screen, achieving an accuracy rate exceeding 90%. The implications of this research extend to the agricultural sector by augmenting the efficacy of Machine Learning for classifying limes in compliance with Thai Agricultural Standard No. TAS 27-2017. Furthermore, the methodology developed in this study can find applicability in classifying other agricultural products.

Design of Nonparametric Extended Exponentially Weighted Moving Average – Sign Control Chart

Khanittha Talordphop — 2025-01-15

The present research introduces the EEWMA-Sign chart, which incorporates the extended exponentially weighted moving average control chart with the sign control charts to detect small changes in procedures. This is a nonparametric control chart that can overcome the constraints imposed by normal assumptions. The average run lengths serve as supporting examinations for comparing the effectiveness of a monitoring scheme to the EEWMA and EWMA control charts via Monte Carlo Simulation. Besides a specific range of shift sizes, the expected ARL (EARL) remains an instrument to assess the efficiency of control charts. The overall result demonstrates that the proposed chart is the most suitable control chart for detecting small shifts between Normal, Lognormal, and Laplace distributional scenarios. Nonetheless, the EWMA chart recognizes large shifts more efficiently than others. Adapting the proposed control chart to the flow width dataset produced results consistent with the research findings.

Development of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Extract-Loaded Polyvinyl Alcohol/Chitosan Hydrogel Film Composites for Controlled Release of Ergosterol

Pinida Joradon — 2025-01-15

Ergosterol is the most prevalent sterol in microbial membranes, which shows a hypoglycemic effect that can be used to treat type 2 diabetes. However, ergosterol has restricted bioavailability and low free-form solubility in hydrophilic conditions. This research aimed to evaluate the properties of bioactive compounds, ergosterol, from Lion's Mane mushroom (LM) mushroom extract and entrap them in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CS) hydrogel film composites with/without the crosslinker tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) to increase the solubility of ergosterol. Ergosterol-enriched extract (37.17 mg/g extract) was extracted from the LM by supercritical fluid extraction using CO₂ (SCFE-CO₂). LM extract showed no cytotoxic effects on the fibroblast cells, with cell viability ranging from 94.60–97.40%, increased cell proliferation, and wound-healing activity at 1 mg/mL of LM extract. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed that the film exhibited a homogenous structure with swelling ability. The release rate of ergosterol from the film was relatively higher during 30 to 60 min of submersion in phosphate buffer. LM extract-loaded PVA/CS hydrogel film composites have a high potential for wound-healing applications in medical settings. This research challenges further investigation for alternative treatments and offering aids for efficiency improvement in wound-healing. The longer release rate of LM extracts should be investigated in future work.

Electrochemical Characterization of Thin Film/Nanodots Electrodes of Silver and Gold for Biosensing CCRF-CEM Leukemia Cells

Ulya Farahdina — 2025-01-15

This study presents a novel biosensor for detecting CCRF-CEM cells, derived from a T lymphoblastoid cell line, featuring intricate surface modification techniques. The fabrication process involves thin film deposition, electropolishing and dual anodization to create an anodic aluminum oxide template, followed by DC sputtering deposition to produce gold (Au) thin film/silver (Ag) nanodots and an Ag thin film/Au nanodots electrodes. Characterization using scanning electron microscopes (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms electrode suitability for biosensing applications. Surface modification with aptamer Sgc8c and bovine serum albumin enables specific binding of CCRF-CEM cells while minimizing non-specific interactions. Electrochemical characterization via cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) reveals the biosensor's sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility. The Au thin film/Ag nanodots electrode emerges as the most promising choice, exhibiting exceptional sensitivity (limit of detection (LOD) = 16 cell/10 mL), reproducibility, and selectivity for CCRF-CEM cells. This work highlights the importance of tailored surface development in biosensor design and lays the groundwork for highly sensitive and selective biosensors with potential applications in disease diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring.

Fabrication and Characterization of Polylactic Acid (PLA) Microporous Film Coated with Gelatin and Chromolaena Odorate Leaf Extract for Wound Dressing Application

Santi Phosri — 2025-01-15

The infection of the skin wound is the cause of pain and difficult recovery. This work has developed wound dressing from microporous PLA film-coated gelatin from marrow bone and jellyfish with blended Chromolaena odorata leaf extract at low concentration to stimulate skin cell growth. The microporous PLA film was produced by solution method with different ratios between dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 25:35, 25:50, and 25:65, respectively. The optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to analyze the pore size of microporous PLA film and its physical characteristics after coating with different gelatins by dip coating process. The wound dressing film was determined for cell viability after testing with NIH/3T3 and HaCaT in the culture cell plate. The testing method was followed by a 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) assay to measure cell stimulation and cell viability using a UV absorption technique after staining. The result shows that our wound dressing can stimulate both NIH/3T3 and HaCaT keratinocytes but with different characteristics due to the different releasing characters of gelatins and different responses of cell types depending on C. odorata leaf extract concentration. The microporous PLA film-coated gelatin from jellyfish revealed better skin cell growth in both NIH/3T3 and HaCaT keratinocytes than that of coated gelatin from marrow bone because of the continuous releasing rate after contact with water of gelatin from jellyfish. Moreover, C. odorata leaf extract which was used for reducing the inflammation of the cellular injury displayed toxic HaCaT keratinocyte at high concentrations but it did not affect the NIH/3T3 toxicity. Interestingly, it can stimulate the cell viability of NIH/3T3 until 3 mg/mL of C. odorata leaf extract concentration and displays constant cell viability afterward.

Facile Synthesis of Hybrid-Polyoxometalates Nanocomposite for Degradation of Cationic and Anionic Dyes in Water Treatment

Wei Wei Leow — 2025-01-15

Photocatalysis emerges as a promising method for treating organic dye contaminated wastewater. This process involves the use of photocatalysts through light activation, typically semiconductors such as titanium dioxide (TiO₂) or polyoxometalates (POM) to generate reactive species capable of degrading organic pollutants. Several factors influence the photodegradation of ionic and cationic dyes including chemical properties, reaction mechanism and degradation efficiency. This work evaluated photodegradation performance of methyl orange (MO) and malachite green (MG) dyes using hybrid-polyoxometalate (HPOM) photocatalyst. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) identified the characteristic band at 3463.66 cm^–1 (O-H) and 997.74 cm^–1 (W-O). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed the presence of rod-like and granular structures in HPOM, representing silver acetate and sodium tungstate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed characteristic peak of Keggin structure, revealing high crystallinity of HPOM. UV-assisted photodegradation was evaluated on different parameters (initial dye concentration, photocatalyst dosage and pH), highlighting HPOM’s better affinity for degrading cationic dye. The optimum photodegradation conditions for MG and MO dyes were 20 ppm dye concentration, 100 mg photocatalyst dosage, and pH 7 and 8, respectively. The kinetic data was fitted with the Langmuir Hinshelwood kinetic model, indicating pseudo-first-order kinetics. HPOM exhibited a higher rate constant, k for MG (k = 0.0068 min^–1) than MO (k = 0.0029 min^–1).

Inhibiting Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a Pathogenic Bacterium Responsible for Kernel Rot Disease in Pili nut (Canarium ovatum Engl.) with Ionic Liquid-loaded Nanoemulsions

Roberth San Abando Solita — 2025-01-15

Pili nut production in the Philippines has grown steadily, but it faces significant challenges from pests and diseases, notably kernel rot. Yield losses due to this pathogen are still not measured, but the damage could extend from the purple immature to the dried postharvest nuts. Therefore, there is a pressing need for safe, effective, and environmentally friendly control measures. This study reports on the successful formulation of various Ionic Liquid-loaded Eucalyptus Essential Oil Nanoemulsions (IL-EEONE) for potential applications against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, a pathogenic bacterium responsible for kernel rot disease in Pili nut (Canarium ovatum). Combining eucalyptus essential oil (EO) and Tween 80 in an oil-in-water (O/W) system, followed by stirring and sonication, and the subsequent loading of 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate ([Bmim][HSO4]), an ionic liquid, at varying ratios (1:1, 2:1, and 3:1), yielding the formation of IL-EEONE. The nanoemulsion droplets exhibited a size range of 9.4–12.26 nm, highlighting their nanoscale dimensions. The IL-loaded nanoemulsions formulated at varying ratios typically displayed nearly monodisperse characteristics, except for the higher concentration 1:1 ratio of IL:EEONE formulation, as indicated by their Polydispersity Index (PDI) values. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) analysis further confirmed the successful formulation of the different IL-EEONE nanoemulsion compositions. Significantly, these nanoemulsions demonstrated excellent inhibitory properties against S. maltophilia, as indicated by Zone of Inhibition (ZOI) ranging from 11.3 ± 0.58 mm to 32.7 ± 0.58 mm. The antibacterial activity varied from partially active to very active across different formulations, with the 1:1 IL-EEONE ratio formulation standing out as exceptionally effective. This study shows the potential of IL-loaded nanoemulsions, IL-EEONE, as a potential agent for mitigating S. maltophilia causing the kernel rot disease, offering innovative avenues for addressing bacterial infection in agricultural settings.

Multicomponent Equilibrium Isotherms and Kinetics Study of Heavy Metals Removal from Aqueous Solutions Using Electrocoagulation Combined with Mordenite Zeolite and Ultrasonication

Sama Mohammed Al-Jubouri — 2025-01-15

Combining different treatment strategies successively or simultaneously has become recommended to achieve high purification standards for the treated discharged water. The current work focused on combining electrocoagulation, ion-exchange, and ultrasonication treatment approaches for the simultaneous removal of copper, nickel, and zinc ions from water. The removal of the three studied ions was significantly enhanced by increasing the power density (4–10 mA/cm²) and NaCl salt concentration (0.5–1.5 g/L) at a natural solution pH. The simultaneous removal of these metal ions at 4 mA/cm² and 1 g NaCl/L was highly improved by introducing 1 g/L of mordenite zeolite as an ion-exchanger. A remarkable removal of heavy metals was reported, as the initial concentration of each metal decreased from approximately 50 ppm to 1.19 for nickel, 3.06 for zinc, and less than 1 ppm for copper. In contrast, ultrasonication did not show any improvement in the treatment process. The extended Langmuir isotherm model convincingly described the experimental data; the Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm models have proven that the removal processes were physical and exothermic. Finally, the pseudo-second-order kinetics model appropriately explained the kinetics of the process with correlation coefficients of 0.9337 and 0.9016, respectively.

Phenol Removal through Horseradish Peroxidase Immobilization on Ultrafiltration Membranes: Comparative Analysis of Immobilization Methods and Fouling Patterns

Apinya Onsarn — 2025-01-15

This research investigates the removal of phenol using pure peroxidase from horseradish grade I in conjunction with a dead-end ultrafiltration membrane. Various horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilization techniques— physical adsorption, covalent bonding, and cross-linking with glutaraldehyde—were applied to a regenerated cellulose (RC) membrane with a surface area of 44 m2 and a molecular weight cut-off of 30 kDa. The investigation examined factors influencing phenol removal, including phenol concentration, membrane fouling, and the reusability of immobilized enzymes. Results indicated that covalent bonding was the most suitable enzyme immobilization technique, achieving a remarkable 90.1% immobilization yield. Phenol removal efficiency reached 100% at 30 min under specific conditions: phenol concentration of 1 mg/L, pH 6.0, hydrogen peroxide concentration of 0.5 mM, and operating pressure set at 3 psig, with temperature maintained at 28 ± 3 °C. Membrane fouling resulted in a decrease in flux. The performance of fouling models was found to be influenced by phenol concentration, with the Cake Formation Model (CFM) proving most effective at low concentrations, while the Complete Pore Blocking Model (CBM) emerged as more suitable at higher concentrations. The immobilized enzyme exhibited reusability for five cycles, maintaining a phenol removal efficiency exceeding 50%. These findings contribute to understanding the enzymatic phenol removal process and the use of appropriate enzyme immobilization techniques for the effective and sustainable treatment of phenol-contaminated water.

The Optimization of Aerobic Bacteria Inactivation in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fillets using Micro-Nano Bubbles of Carbon Dioxide and Shelf-Life Extension

Pattama Naewkanya — 2025-01-15

This study aims to examine the influence of NaOCl, NaCl and contact time on the inactivation of aerobic bacteria in tilapia fillets treated with micro-nano bubbles of CO₂ (CO₂MNB) in a washing process of fish fillets, and compared to soaking with tap water and untreated fillets for their shelf-life extensions. Response surface methodology (RSM) with a central composite design was used to compare and predict of the inactivation effects. The fish fillets were soaked in a NaOCl solution before washing with a NaCl solution and CO₂ MNB produced from an MNB generator system, maintaining the liquid temperature in the range of 4–7 °C for all experiments. According to the regression analysis from the experimental design, aerobic bacteria inactivation was reduced by 1.509 log CFU/g at 100 mg/L NaOCl, 10%w/v NaCl, and a contact time of 32 min with CO₂ MNB. The experimental value of the reduction of aerobic bacteria by 1.503 ± 0.009 log CFU/g (before washing 5.623 log CFU/g; after washing 4.120 log CFU/g) was found after treatment under the aforementioned condition. The number of aerobic bacteria counted on the tilapia fillets treated with the upper condition after being stored at 4 ± 2 °C for 7 d was below the acceptable limits, but untreated and treated with tap water had bacteria counts exceeding the upper microbial limit (6 log CFU/g). The combined results showed that the NaOCl, NaCl solution and CO₂ MNB treatment could extend the storage time by more than 7 d.

The Potential Significance of Microwave-Assisted Catalytic Pyrolysis for Valuable Bio-Products Driven from Albizia Tree

Maha Faisal Abd — 2025-01-15

The objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of Na₂CO₃ and ZSM-5 as catalysts in the microwave pyrolysis of Albizia branches. An evaluation was conducted to determine the influence of power applied, experimental time, particle size, and catalysis type and ratio on the quality and quantity of pyrolysis products. Established methods such as GC-MS, FTIR, HHV, SEM, EDX, and BET were used to characterize the properties of bio-oil and biochar produced. The results demonstrated that using both catalyst types led to a substantial enhancement in biogas production. The improvement ranged from 5% to 41% with Na₂CO₃ and reached 45% with ZSM-5. At a lower power level of 300 W, the bio-oil yield augmented from 28% to 40% and 53% when using ZSM-5 and Na₂CO₃, respectively. The GC-MS analysis revealed that the utilizing of catalysts enhanced the levels of aromatic compounds, esters, and alcohols in bio-oil, along with an increase in the higher heating value (HHV) from 19.5 MJ/kg to 22 MJ/kg and 24.2 MJ/kg using Na₂CO₃ and ZSM-5, respectively. Moreover, the biochar's surface area and pore volume experienced a considerable rise, going from 0.5512 m²/g and 0.00011 cm³/g to a higher value of 115.2073 m²/g and 0.0774 cm³/g when treated with Na₂CO₃. The data indicated that both catalyst types enhanced the generation of CH₄, and CO₂ was lower with ZSM-5. The utilization of catalysts improves the quality of the biofuel produced and promotes the efficiency of the process in terms of energy consumption and processing time.

ZrO2 Nanoparticles Filler-Based Mixed Matrix Polyethersulfone/Cellulose Acetate Microfiltration Membrane for Oily Wastewater Separation

Sura Mawlood Abbas — 2025-01-15

Membrane technology has emerged as a dynamic field of study in academia and industry for treating produced oily wastewater. ZrO₂ nanoparticles (ZrO₂ NPs) filler-based mixed matrix polyethersulfone/cellulose acetate microfiltration membranes were fabricated and inspected in the oily wastewater remediation. The fabricated bare PES membrane, PES/CA blended polymers membrane, and PES/CA blended polymers incorporating ZrO₂ NPs (ZrO₂@PES/CA) membranes by phase inversion technique were inspected by field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and measurement of water contact angle and porosity. The ZrO₂@PES/CA membrane which consisted of 0.5 wt.% ZrO₂ NPs (0.5%ZrPC) afforded increased hydrophilicity and reduced water contact angle from 70° for P membrane to 30.23°. Also, the 0.5%ZrPC membrane gave pure water flux of 88.89 L/m².h, high oil rejection of 98.2% and showed remarkable antifouling capacity with a high flux recovery ratio of 89.3% and relative flux reduction of 34.3%. The effect of transmembrane pressure (1, 2, 3, and 4 bar), feed temperature (25, 40, and 50 °C), and an initial oil concentration (250, 500, 750, and 1000 mg/L) on the permeation flux and oil rejection of the 0.5%ZrPC membrane was investigated. The results revealed that ZrO₂@PES/CA membranes have a significant potential for effective oil removal with high permeability and antifouling ability. The 0.5%ZrPC membrane confirmed its durability and reusability when kept an acceptable oil removal after 5 cycles.

Harnessing Genetic Engineering for Enhancing Lignocellulose Biomass Production

Ankit Joshi — 2025-01-15

Biochar Microparticles from Pomegranate Peel Waste: Literature Review and Experiments in Isotherm Adsorption of Ammonia

Asep Bayu Dani Nandiyanto — 2025-01-15

This research aimed to synthesize biochar microparticles from pomegranate peel waste for ammonia adsorption. This research also focused on analyzing adsorption isotherm and kinetics models to understand the mechanism of ammonia adsorption on the biochar. The experiments were conducted by carbonizing pomegranate peel waste. The carbonized material was then milled and sieved to obtain biochar microparticles with a certain size (i.e. 500, 1000, and 2000 μm). The particles were then characterized using microscopy and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify particle morphology and functional groups. The prepared particles were then used for the ammonium adsorption process, and compared with ten isotherm models (such as Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Dubinin-Radushkevich, Jovanovic, Halsey, Harkin-Jura, Flory-Huggins, Fowler-Guggenheim, and Hill-Deboer) to identify the adsorption mechanism. Adsorption kinetic analysis was also performed to identify the adsorption rate of the prepared particles using first-order and second-order pseudo-kinetic models. The adsorption isotherm model informed that ammonia adsorption on biochar with sizes of 2000 μm (large) and 1000 μm (medium) occurs in a multilayer process with physical interaction accompanied by pore filling. Meanwhile, small biochar (500 μm) indicates that the ammonia adsorption process occurs on homogeneous sites with physical interaction through pore filling. From the results of fitting the isotherm model, information about the maximum adsorption capacity for each size of 2000, 1000, and 500 μm are 65.631, 62.231, and 50.086 mg/g, respectively. Overall, the adsorption mechanism occurring on biochar involves interactions among ammonia molecules that repel each other under endothermic conditions. The largest adsorption capacity was obtained for biochar with sizes of 2000 μm. Analysis of adsorption kinetics showed that the adsorption process follows a first-order pseudo-kinetic model, indicating an adsorption mechanism controlled by intraparticle diffusion. This study concludes that biochar from pomegranate peel is prospective for use as an environmentally friendly adsorbent for ammonia removal applications from wastewater, offering a sustainable and effective alternative adsorbent to existing water treatment technologies and solving current issues in the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Circular Economy Integration in 1G+2G Sugarcane Bioethanol Production: Application of Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage, Closed-Loop Systems, and Waste Valorization for Sustainability

Rich Jhon Paul Latiza — 2025-01-15

Bioethanol production is a vital player in the renewable energy landscape. However, it faces pressing issues regarding carbon emissions and resource management. Traditional open-loop systems generate substantial waste and pollution, exacerbating environmental concerns. Various emerging technologies offer promising solutions. Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) presents avenues for tackling carbon emissions. Utilization transforms CO₂ emissions into valuable products, while Storage securely stores emissions to prevent atmospheric release. Closed-loop processes and waste valorization capitalize on material reuse, conserving natural resources, and minimizing waste. By promoting resource efficiency and waste minimization, circular economy principles align seamlessly with CCUS, closed-loop systems, and waste valorization. This study delves into utilizing Utilization technologies tailored to sugarcane 1G+2G bioethanol production, evaluates CO₂ capture options, and presents applications. Storage strategies suitable for bioethanol production facilities are scrutinized, and deployment options are explored, highlighting the closed-loop system and waste valorization's role in waste reduction and environmental preservation. Through synergistic integration, these technologies pave the way for sustainable sugarcane bioethanol production, addressing economic and technological challenges while fostering innovation and collaboration. This comprehensive study will serve as a guide for transitioning to a circular economy model in bioethanol production.

Research Progress on using Omics Technology to Examine the Antimicrobial Mechanisms of Natural Active Substances

Chaoyi Zeng — 2025-01-15

Pathogenic microbial metabolism during food storage can lead to food spoilage, which can cause food poisoning and foodborne infections, posing a significant risk to human health and safety. Additionally, food spoilage generates greenhouse gases, which could contribute to global warming and have significant impacts. These challenges prompt us to explore effective solutions to reduce food spoilage, aiming to mitigate its adverse impacts. Many secondary plant metabolites have been used in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to their natural antimicrobial activity and low drug resistance. However, the reported targets of antibacterial action are complex, and with the continuous development of research methods, it has become possible to deeply analyze the antibacterial mechanisms using omics technologies. This article discussed the trends and application of transcriptomics, metabolomics, and proteomics in investigating the antimicrobial and antifungal properties of essential oils (EOs) and their active ingredients, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for the use of plant EOs and their active ingredients in addressing health risks and environmental challenges posed by food spoilage.

Transformer Differential Protection Method for Recognition between Power Transformer Internal Defects and Inrush Current: A Comprehensive Review of Detection Techniques

Wael Abdulhasan Atiyah — 2025-01-15

The cornerstone of any electric power system lies in its power transformers, as their seamless operation is crucial for network reliability. Instant disconnection from the grid is imperative upon detecting any faults to prevent cascading issues. However, distinguishing between fault conditions, like inrush current, which necessitates caution rather than immediate action, poses a challenge for effective protection schemes. This dilemma can lead to relay malfunctions, further jeopardizing system integrity. This paper delves into a thorough analysis and comparison of various methods employed in differential protection to discern between internal faults and inrush currents, aiming to enhance system resilience. This comprehensive review explores the efficacy of intelligent techniques, hybrid approaches, and traditional methods in fault detection. By shedding light on the strengths and limitations of each method, researchers in this domain can glean insights to innovate and address the deficiencies of existing strategies in tackling internal faults and inrush currents detection. Ultimately, this endeavor seeks to fortify the reliability and stability of power systems in the face of dynamic operational challenges.