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Nano bacterial cellulose (NBC) being a biopolymer has unique physical and chemical properties with high biocompatibility. It is pure cellulose with nanometer size, produced by certain group of bacteria. Its properties can be further improved by combining with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), which is a fascinating polymer soluble in water and biocompatible. Composite films of PVA and NBC were prepared by solution casting method. Composite films of PVA-NBC (0,1,2,3,4,5 %) were tested for major packaging properties like water vapor transmission rate, swelling measurement, film solubility and moisture retention capacity. Among all concentration films, film with 5 % NBC- PVA showed better results for all the tests. Films were also checked for antimicrobial properties against spoilage-causing bacteria and fungi. Further, the films were applied to study the shelf life in the Mitli Banana (Musa sp.) followed by Organoleptic evaluation during storage. Results showed that the banana packed with 5 % NBC- PVA film has retained maximum acceptable characters than other packages.

The electrochemical act of valve-regulated lead acid batteries can be enhanced by conductive materials like metal oxides. This work aims to examine the preparation and influence of zirconia on poly(vinyl alcohol) based gel valve-regulated lead acid battery. Characterizations like Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ionic conductivity, water retention study, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge-discharge techniques were done. The optimized gel system exhibited a discharge capacity of 198.45 μAh cm−2 at the current density of 0.6 mA cm−2. The battery cell with an optimized gel matrix displayed a maximum discharge capacity of 22.5 μAh at a current of 20 μA. After 500 continuous cycles, the battery attained a discharge capacity retention of 91 %. The presence of zirconia will increase the electrochemical performance of gel valve-regulated lead acid batteries.

In order to operate photovoltaic (PV) systems using maximum power point tracking (MPPT), three distinct combinations of controllers and converters are proposed in this research and compared. Using MATLAB/Simulink simulation, these strategies are assessed based on the output parameters of time, power, and current. The demand on power production has increased manifold in recent years and on the other hand, the conventional resources utilized for it will be vanished in near future. The requirement of PV based generation is getting increased. The procedure of getting solar energy from a solar panel is common. With MPPT, here the output obtained must be the same quantity of energy even when the source of that energy is partially available. Climate change and other issues could be to blame for this inefficiency. In this project three distinct converters and three distinct controllers have been compared. All three converters are linked to each controller individually, and measurements of current, voltage, and power are analysed. By which the result is obtained. After the comparison of nine outputs, the most powerful and efficient combination is identified. By doing this, the converters and controllers produce high D.C voltage. Direct voltage transmission to the MMI. A.C. voltage is created by converting D.C. voltage. Increase the MMI's output by doing this. The voltage generated by the MMI is sent to the grid for domestic usage. Even when the source is not readily available, the solar panel's voltage can still be used.

The focus of the study in this article is analyzing the electrochemical properties of molybdenum disulfide on miscible poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(lactic acid) blends for supercapacitors. The interaction between molybdenum disulfide and miscible poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(lactic acid) blends, affinity toward water, surface morphology, and mechanical properties are inspected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water contact angle, scanning electron microscopy, and universal testing machine, respectively. Among the developed membranes, 0.75 wt% of molybdenum disulfide on poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(lactic acid) shows better electrochemical performances. It exhibits a maximum specific capacitance of 255.5 F g−1 at a current density of 1.00 mA g−1, maximum energy density of 22.7 Wh kg−1, and maximum power density of 360 W kg−1. A cycle study reveals 92% capacitance retention after 2500 cycles. The designed supercapacitor device shows a maximum specific capacitance of 1240 μF g−1 at a current density of 0.5 μA g−1, maximum energy density of 43 μWh kg−1, and maximum power density of 700 μW kg−1. Flexible membranes of molybdenum disulfide are expected to be a potent combination for supercapacitor applications.

In the past few years, significant research efforts have been directed toward improving the electrochemical capabilities of supercapacitors by advancing electrode materials. The present work signifies the development of poly(lactic acid)/alloysite nano-clay as an electrode material for supercapacitors. Physico-chemical characterizations were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction, and a universal testing machine. Cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and galvanostatic charge–discharge techniques were employed to evaluate electrochemical characteristics. The optimized poly(lactic acid)/halloysite nano-clay film revealed the highest specific capacitance of 205.5 F g−1 at 0.05 A g−1 current density and showed 14.6 Wh kg−1 energy density at 72 W kg−1 power density. Capacitance retention of 98.48% was achieved after 1000 cycles. The microsupercapacitor device presented a specific capacitance of 197.7 mF g−1 at a current density of 0.45 mA g−1 with 10.8 mWh kg−1 energy density at 549 mW kg−1 power density.

Bioplastics are plastics derived from natural resources like corn starch, biomass, sugarcane bagasse, and food waste. Unlike fossil fuel-based plastics, they are bio-degradable entirely or partially. Therefore, bioplastics are relatively less harmful to the environment. Cellulose and starch-based bioplastics are already used for applications like packaging, cutlery, bowls, straws. However, their cost and performance cannot match the conventional plastics. The present study was aimed to produce bioplastic from food waste material. As a result, orange peel is chosen because of its high cellulose content and good availability. The bio-plastic film from orange peel was produced using simple laboratory techniques. Its identification for potential applications is the new area of work. The developed film blends with glycerol as a plasticizer have indicated consistent and promising results. This has excellent strength, flexibility, and disintegration in soiling conditions, morphologically having a rough surface, and confirms the film's bio-degradability nature. Characterization methods such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), powderX-ray diffraction (XRD), and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis confirmed that the developed material's physicochemical and surface morphology belonged to bio-based plastic. A simple, novel, and economic process are described in the manufacturing of bio-based plastic.

Decision making is facilitated by categorical neuronal responses, which robustly signal a winner despite input noise. In this study, the authors demonstrate that a donut-like inhibition motif effectively generates such categorical responses.

The performance of electrochemical supercapacitors is greatly affected by electrodes, which are considered one of the most significant components. This article sheds light on manganese dioxide (MnO2)-incorporated poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) membranes as electrodes for supercapacitor applications. The interaction between MnO2 and PMMA is justified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The surface morphology of MnO2@PMMA membranes was observed using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated that a 7.5 wt% MnO2@PMMA membrane exhibited the highest electrochemical performance. GCD tests revealed that the 7.5 wt% MnO2@PMMA membrane showed a maximum specific capacitance of 361 F g−1 at a current density of 125 mA g−1 with a maximum energy density of 144 W h kg−1 and maximum power density of 1135 W kg−1. The membrane displayed 87% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles. The fabricated interdigital microsupercapacitor device revealed the highest specific capacitance of 528 mF g−1 at a current density of 0.15 mA g−1 with a maximum energy density of 47 mW h kg−1 and maximum power density of 400 mW kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The focus of the study in this article is analyzing the electrochemical properties of molybdenum disulfide on miscible poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(lactic acid) blends for supercapacitors. The interaction between molybdenum disulfide and miscible poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(lactic acid) blends, affinity toward water, surface morphology, and mechanical properties are inspected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water contact angle, scanning electron microscopy, and universal testing machine, respectively. Among the developed membranes, 0.75 wt% of molybdenum disulfide on poly(methyl methacrylate)-poly(lactic acid) shows better electrochemical performances. It exhibits a maximum specific capacitance of 255.5 F g−1 at a current density of 1.00 mA g−1, maximum energy density of 22.7 Wh kg−1, and maximum power density of 360 W kg−1. A cycle study reveals 92% capacitance retention after 2500 cycles. The designed supercapacitor device shows a maximum specific capacitance of 1240 μF g−1 at a current density of 0.5 μA g−1, maximum energy density of 43 μWh kg−1, and maximum power density of 700 μW kg−1. Flexible membranes of molybdenum disulfide are expected to be a potent combination for supercapacitor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the factors that affect the performance of the value‐regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery is gel electrolyte. To address this, a gel polymer electrolyte comprising halloysite nano‐clay in a poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix is formulated and the electrochemical performance is studied. Interaction between halloysite nano‐clay and poly(vinyl alcohol) is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). To optimize the concentration of gel electrolytes, cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) are utilized. Galvanostatic charge‐discharge (GCD) tests are performed on a prototype battery comprising of an optimized gel electrolyte. The battery shows the highest discharge capacity of 6.858 μAh at 7.5 μA cm−2 current density and achieves admirable discharge capacity retention of 87.5% after 500 cycles. Hydrogen‐bonded halloysite nano‐clay and poly(vinyl alcohol) can be employed as gel electrolytes in VRLA batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]