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Container-based virtualization has gained significant popularity in recent years because of its simplicity in deployment and adaptability in terms of cloud resource provisioning. Containerization technology is the recent development in cloud computing systems that is more efficient, reliable, and has better overall performance than a traditional virtual machine (VM) based technology. Containerized clouds produce better performance by maximizing host-level resource utilization and using a load-balancing technique. To this end, this article concentrates on distributing the workload among all available servers evenly. In this paper, we propose a Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO) based Simulated Annealing approach to counter the problem of load balancing in the containerized cloud that also considers the deadline miss rate. We have compared our results with the Genetic and Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm and evaluated the proposed algorithms by considering the parameter load variation and makespan. Our experimental result shows that, in most cases, more than 97% of the tasks were meeting their deadline and the Grey Wolf Optimization Algorithm with Simulated Annealing (GWO-SA) performs better than all other approaches in terms of load variation and makespan.

An energy efficient and scalable process has been developed for the preparation of intermetallic Fe–Si–Al alloy particles. The preparation process involves initial homogenization & mechanical activation of elemental metal powders followed by vacuum annealing at elevated temperature ~ 650 °C. The physical properties of the as synthesized powders were investigated by means of X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive Xray Flourence (EDXRF),Vibration Sample Magnetometer (VSM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Particle Size Analyser. Composite coatings have been prepared by dispersing 30–60 wt% of Fe–Si–Al alloy in polyurethane (PU) resin. The effect of loading of Fe–Si–Al alloy on dielectric and electromagnetic (EM) properties of composites are studied in 6–18 GHz. A suitable formulation (50 wt% Fe–Si–Al) has been identified, wherein, proper combination of dielectric and magnetic loss of coating composite showed optimal microwave (MW) absorption in 6–18 GHz. The identified composite coating of thickness ~ 1.6 mm showed maximum Return Loss (RL) value ~ − 43 dB at 11.9 GHz and the loss values can exceed more than 10 dB within 6.5 to 16 GHz while varying thickness of coating from 1.2 to 2.2 mm. In the present study, microwave absorption properties of coatings are mainly credited to dielectric and magnetic loss values of the composites. The Fe-Si-Al filled resin composite with optimal loading of alloy particles can be a promising candidate for microwave absorbing coating applications.

Herein, we reports the application of various spinel ferrite nanoparticles, MFe2O4 (M = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn), as efficient catalyst for Biginelli reaction. All ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized using a novel aqueous solution based method. It was observed that, the catalytic activity of the ferrite nanoparticles followed the decreasing order of CoFe2O4 > CuFe2O4 > NiFe2O4 > ZnFe2O4. The most important feature of these ferrite nanocatalysts is that, these nanoparticles can directly be used as catalyst and no surface modification or functionalization is required. These ferrite nanoparticles are easily separable from reaction mixture after reaction by using a magnet externally. Easy synthesis methodology, high catalytic activity, easy magnetic separation and good reusability make these ferrite nanoparticles attractive catalysts for Biginelli reaction.

Graphitic carbon-coated Ni metal core nanoparticles are synthesized using controlled thermal treatment of Ni-hydroxide in an aniline–formaldehyde copolymer matrix under a N2 atmosphere. The structural and microstructural studies substantiate the formation of a graphitic shell on the metallic nickel core. The 850 °C heat-treated core–shell structured material is ferromagnetic in nature with high saturation magnetization. The sample with the highest value of magnetic moment is impregnated in a rubber matrix to prepare composite samples with core–shell nanomaterials of different weight fractions. The sample with 70 wt% Ni/graphitic carbon core–shell powder in the elastomeric rubber matrix showed the optimal microwave absorption at a fairly low thickness of ∼1 mm. This is attributed to the optimized combination of the effective impedance matching and interfacial polarization losses. Further increase in the Ni/graphitic carbon filler material resulted in reduced microwave absorption due to the greater mismatch of impedance as compared to the desired free space impedance of ∼377 Ω. Thus, the optimized composite material is of great potential for microwave absorption in the Ku band.

Nanostructured multiferroic BiFeO3 powder has been synthesized using sol–gel route followed by optimized post-annealing treatment. The phase pure rhombohedral structure of prepared powder was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared studies. The room temperature weak ferromagnetic nature (~ 0.15 emu/g) exhibited by the nanocrystalline BiFeO3 sample (~ 50 nm) is attributed to the canted spin ordering in the sample. The BiFeO3/NBR rubber composites, with 50–80 wt% filler loading fractions, show the dual band resonating microwave (MW) absorption behavior. The reflection loss (R.L.) values enhanced and required absorber thickness reduced simultaneously with increasing BiFeO3 loading fraction in composite samples. These results confirm that the ferroelectric properties of multiferroic BiFeO3 are contributing significantly for the observed MW absorption with respect to the magnetic contribution.

Two different kinds of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) namely CuO nanorods (PS2) and multi-armed nanoparticles (P5) were synthesized by wet and electrochemical routes, respectively. Their structure, morphology, size and compositions were characterized by SEM, EDX and XRD. The NPs demonstrated strong bactericidal potential against Bacillus anthracis cells and endospores. PS2 killed 92.17% of 4.5 × 104 CFU/mL B. anthracis cells within 1 h at a dose of 1 mg/mL. Whereas P5 showed a higher efficacy by killing 99.92% of 7 × 105 CFU/mL B. anthracis cells within 30 min at a dose of 0.5 mg/mL and 99.6% of 1.25 × 104 CFU/mL B. anthracis cells within 5 min at a dose of 2 mg/mL. More than 99% of spores were killed within 8 h with 2 mg/mL PS2 in LB media.

The physical and chemical properties of the nanoparticles influence their pharmacokinetics and ability to accumulate in tumors. In this paper we report a facile method to conjugate folic acid molecule to iron oxide nanoparticles to increase the specific uptake of these nanoparticles by the tumor, which will be useful in targeted imaging of the tumor. The iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by alkaline co precipitation method and were surface modified with dextranto make them stable. The folic acid is conjugated to the dextran modified iron oxide nanoparticles by reductive amination process after the oxidation of the dextran with periodate. The synthesized folic acid conjugated nanoparticles were characterized for size, phase, morphology and magnetization by using various physicochemical characterization techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry, dynamic light scattering and zetasizer etc. The quantification of the generated carbonyl groups and folic acid conjugated to the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles was done by colorimetric estimations using UV-Visible spectroscopy. The in vitro MR studies were carried out over a range of concentrations and showed significant shortening of the transverse relaxation rate, showing the ability of the nanoconjugate to act as an efficient probe for MR imaging. The biodistribution studies and the scintigraphy done by radiolabeling the nanoconjugate with 99mTc show the enhanced uptake at the tumor site showing its enhanced specificity.

Undoped and (0.5–5 at%) molybdenum-doped TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by a simple and scalable wet chemical method. The as-synthesized materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Raman spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resistance (EPR), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy techniques. XRD studies showed the formation of crystalline anatase phase of undoped TiO2, whereas Mo-doped samples showed the formation of an amorphous phase. AFM studies showed the formation of spherical-shaped particles with a particle diameter of ∼23 nm in all samples. The photochromic behavior of these materials was studied by making their films in alkyd resin. Films of these materials showed a reversible photochromic color change from beige to brown on exposure to UV light. The coloration and bleaching process was recorded using UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The maximum color change was observed in 2 at% Mo+6-doped nano-TiO2. The photochromic mech...

Hydrated tungsten oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized using a simple wet chemical method while varying the concentration of HCl. XRD studies show that the variation in HCl concentration from 1 M to 6 M in the reaction results into gradual change in crystal structure of hydrated WO3 from hexagonal (WO3·0.33H2O) to pure orthorhombic (WO3·H2O), through a series of samples with mixed phase of the two indifferent ratios. The similar variations in the degree of hydration and phase variations have also been observed from Raman, FTIR and TGA studies. The average crystallite size of the hydrated WO3 particles was estimated to be ∼26 nm from XRD line broadening and AFM studies showed the formation of spherical shaped particles for all the samples. The photochromic studies were carried out on the composite films of these materials in the polymeric matrix of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) while exposing to UV light. The composite films show interesting variations in the photochromic behavior depending on the crystal structure of hydrated WO3 filler. The photochromic behavior has been explained on the basis of EPR spectra of hydrated WO3.

Core-shell material with hollow cenospheres of low density as the core has been synthesized by depositing a layer of iron oxide shell on the surface of seed hollow cenospheres. The phase structure, morphology, particle size, chemical composition, and magnetic properties of the synthesized material have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Results confirm the coating of iron oxide on hollow cenospheres. Electromagnetic characterization of synthesized core-shell material was carried out in X band. Dilectric loss (tanδe) and magnetic loss (tanδm) were found in the range of ∼ 0.2 and 0.05, respectively, over 8–12 GHz. Simulation studies show the effective reflection loss (RL) is more than 10 dB over frequency range 9–10.5 GHz at a thickness of 2.2 mm. The low density iron oxide coated cenospheres have potential applications as microwave absorbing materials.

Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) with a layered and porous structure was synthesized by thermal exfoliation of graphite oxide. Synthesized RGO is very light weight and flaky. The formation of RGO was studied using Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Composites were prepared by dispersing 2%, 4% and 10% by weight of the synthesized RGO into nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) matrix. Microwave absorption properties of RGO/NBR composites were investigated by measuring their complex permittivity and permeability by using waveguide method. Simulation studies show that 10 wt.% of graphene oxide in NBR matrix exhibits high values of reflection loss (>10 dB) over a wide frequency range 7.5–12 GHz and maximum loss is 57 dB at 9.6 GHz at a thickness of 3 mm.

In this paper, we report a simple but novel aqueous solution based 'one-pot' method for preparation of (NiFe2O4)x-(SrFe12O19)1-x nanocomposites consist of hard ferrite-soft ferrite phases. A physical mixing method has also been employed to prepare nanocomposites having same compositions. The effects of synthetic methodologies on the microstructures of the nanocomposites as well as their magnetic and microwave absorption properties have been evaluated. Crystal structures and microstructures of these composites have been investigated by using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope. In the nanocomposites, prepared by both methods, presence of nanocrystalline NiFe2O4 and SrFe12O19 phases was detected. However, nanocomposites, prepared by one-pot method, possessed better homogeneous distribution of hard and soft ferrite phases than the nanocomposites, prepared by physical mixing method. Nanocomposites, prepared by one-pot method, demonstrated significant spring exchange coupling interaction between hard and soft ferrite phases and exhibited magnetically single phase behaviour. The spring exchange coupling interaction enhanced the magnetic properties (high saturation magnetization and coercivity) and microwave absorption properties of the nanocomposites, prepared by one-pot method, in comparison with the nanocomposites prepared by physical mixing method as well as pure NiFe2O4 and SrFe12O19 nanoparticles. Minimum reflection loss of the composite was ~ -17 dB (i.e., 98% absorption) at 8.2 GHz for an absorber thickness of 3.2 mm.

Large-area arrays of highly oriented Co-doped ZnO nanorods with pyramidal hexagonal structure are grown on silica substrates by wet chemical decomposition of zinc–amino complex in an aqueous medium. In case of undoped ZnO with an equi-molar ratio of Zn 2+ /hexamethylenetetramine (HMT), highly crystalline nanorods were obtained, whereas for Co-doped ZnO, good quality nanorods were formed at a higher Zn 2+ /HMT molar ratio of 4:1. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies show the growth of hexagonal-shaped nanorods in a direction nearly perpendicular to the substrate surface with a tip size of ∼50 nm and aspect ratio around 10. The XRD studies show the formation of hexagonal phase pure ZnO with c -axis preferred orientation. The doping of Co ions in ZnO nanorods was confirmed by observation of absorption bands at 658, 617 and 566 nm in the UV–vis spectra of the samples. The optical studies also suggest Co ions to be present both in +2 and +3 oxidation states. From the photoluminescence studies, a defect-related emission is observed in an undoped sample of ZnO at 567 nm. This emission is significantly quenched in Co-doped ZnO samples. Further, the Co-doped nanorods have been found to show ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature from vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) studies.

A novel method is reported here for the synthesis of optically clear and stable colloidal solutions of silver nanoparticles. According to size they show different colours depending upon their plasmonic absorption frequencies. The materials have been synthesized at room temperature by chemical reduction of silver ions (silver nitrate) coordinated with dendrigraft polymer, polyethyleneimine (PEI) using formaldehyde in aqueous medium. UV–vis absorption and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies show single-band absorption with peak maximum at 354 nm for ∼3 nm sized particles, whereas a side band at ∼400 nm was observed when the particle size increased to ∼20 nm. Highly narrow particle size distribution was observed in case of samples having ∼3 nm size silver particles and also the process of reduction could be completed within minutes. More interestingly, the 3-nm sized particles showed strong blue (474 nm) fluorescence under UV excitation. Thin films of all synthesized samples were prepared on silica substrate by fine spray coating technique.

In the present paper, we report electrical conductivity and dielectric studies on the composites of conducting polyaniline (PANI) with crystalline semiconducting ZnS powder, wherein PANI has been taken as inclusion and ZnS crystallites as the host matrix. From the studies, it has been observed that the value of room temperature d.c. conductivity of the composites with volume fraction of PANI > 0.65 shows an unusual behaviour wherein, conductivity values of the composites exceed that of PANI itself with maximum value as high as 6 times that of PANI at the volume fraction of 0.85. A similar trend has also been observed for the real and imaginary parts of complex dielectric constant values of the composites. This unusual behaviour in the d.c. conductivity and dielectric properties has been attributed to the enhancement in the degree of crystallinity of PANI as a consequence of its interfacial interaction with ZnS matrix. The results of optical microscopy show coating of PANI all around the ZnS particles. The temperature dependent conductivity studies suggest the quasi one-dimensional VRH conduction in PANI as well as its composites with ZnS. FTIR and XRD studies have also been reported.

A precursor based method has been developed for the synthesis of nanostructured, single phase Ni–Zn ferrite powders (Ni1–xZnxFe2O4 with x=0·20, 0·35, 0·50 and 0·60). Precursor powders were synthesised by reacting aqueous solutions of metal nitrates and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid and then evaporating them to dryness. The precursors were calcined in air for 2·30 h at different temperatures ranging from 250 to 450°C. The powders synthesised in this manner were characterised by using X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric differential scanning calorimetric analysis, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurement and SEM. Magnetic characterisation was performed by using a vibrating sample magnetometer. The method provides a simple and cost effective route to produce single phase, Ni–Zn ferrite nanopowders, with average crystallite size of ∼25 nm, at comparatively low temperature.

Core–shell iron nanoparticles have been synthesized by pyrolysis of nanocomposite of oxides of iron–tin (Fe–Sn). The core–shell nanoparticles of phase pure iron in carbonaceous shell are formed only at very low concentration of tin (0.0011 mol) in the nanocomposite sample. From different studies viz. X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy, it has been established that core–shell nanostructures have been formed with Fe as core and amorphous carbon as the shell. The heating of nanocomposite at different temperatures up to 900 °C revealed very interesting dynamics of formation of core–shell structure wherein above 650 °C the iron carbide phase decomposes and carbon atoms move out to form an amorphous shell around iron nanoparticles. This process of formation of core–shell structures is quite different from conventional way wherein synthesis of core material precedes formation of shell in two different steps. The microwave absorption properties of core–shell nanoparticles have been studied by making their composites in nitrile butadiene rubber. Reflection loss simulation studies show high values in the X and Ku bands of microwave region. The frequency of maximum return loss can be tuned through variation of composition and thickness of composite layer.

A single step method was developed for the preparation of graphene oxide/Fe2O3 composites by exfoliation of graphite oxide with an oxygen-rich ferric acetyl acetonate complex. The synthesized materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, atomic force microscopy, and low temperature dc conductivity measurements. After exfoliation, the Fourier transform infrared studies reveal the decomposition of epoxy groups and the simultaneous formation of composites of iron oxide particles within the graphene oxide. Atomic force microscopy reveals the formation of an ~5 nm thick graphene oxide stack with layered morphology. The layered morphology of graphenc oxide degrades at higher concentrations of iron oxide. The vibrating sample magnetometer studies show ferromagnetic behavior of all composites in the range of 0.13-5.5 emu/g at room temperature. The conductivity of these composites is found to be governed by a quasi ID hopping mechanism.