Search results

The purpose of the present study was to develop low Glycemic Index (GI) crackers from water chestnut flour (WCF) and barley flour (BF).

Five blends were prepared by mixing WCF with BF in the proportion of 100:0, 70:30, 50:50, 30:70 and 0:100, respectively. The baking process as well as ingredients were modified for the production of low GI crackers.

BF incorporation had significant (p < 0.05) effect on physical characteristics, organoleptic attributes and glycemic response of crackers. The resistant starch content of final product was found to be higher than WCF and BF. The research confirmed that replacement of 30 percent WCF with BF is feasible for development of low GI crackers with desired sensory attributes. The inference drawn from storage studies was that the developed crackers can be stored safely (with an overall acceptability score of greater than three on a 5-point scale) in metallized polyethylene up to 35 days under refrigerated conditions and 28 days under ambient conditions.

Although low GI crackers were developed successfully from WCF and BF in the present study. However, detailed storage studies of such crackers can be done in future so as to perform the tests of type-intensity and temporal dominance of sensation. Also, in view of their low GI, these crops need to be evaluated in future for development of other bakery products like bread, cake, muffins, etc.

Water chestnut and barley despite having good nutritional profile and low GI are still considered as underutilized crops. In the present study, these crops were explored for development of low GI crackers especially for people suffering from diabetes. The outcome of this study will open up a new window in the baking sector to develop low GI crackers viz-a-viz will add value to these crops which will help to provide remunerative returns to those who are directly or indirectly involved in trade of these underutilized crops.

This was the first reported innovative attempt to develop low GI crackers from WCF and BF. For development of crackers having desired sensory characteristics, it was found feasible to blend WCF and BF in the ratio of 70:30.

Water‐borne urethanes for the printing ink industry have increased rapidly because they are the best alternative, and not necessarily because of EPA pressure. New developments in urethane chemistry enable the formulation of urethane water‐borne inks that have the adhesion, abrasion resistance, toughness and other necessary properties. The next generation of polymers is already on the drawing board. Close cooperation between the polymer manufacturer and ink formulator can only expand the horizons for this versatile form of polymer.

The purpose of this study is to optimize multilayer vacuum thermal insulation (MLI) of modern high-weight spacecrafts. An adequate mathematical simulation of heat transfer in the MLI is impossible if there is no available information on the main insulation properties.

The results of experiments in thermo-vacuum facilities are used to re-estimate some radiative properties of metallic foil/metalized polymer foil and spacer on the basis of the inverse problem solution. The experiments were carried out for the sample of real MLI used for the BP-Colombo satellite (ESA). The recently developed theoretical model based on neglecting possible near-field effects in radiative heat transfer between closely spaced aluminum foils was used in theoretical predictions of heat transfer through the MLI.

A comparison of the computational results and the experimental data confirms that there are no significant near-field effects between the neighboring MLI layers. It means that there is no considerable contradiction between the far-field model of radiative transfer in MLI and the experimental estimates.

An identification procedure for mathematical model of the multilayer thermal insulation showed that a modified theoretical model developed recently can be used to estimate thermal properties of the insulation at conditions of space vacuum.

Personal thermal management in functional textiles is in increasing demand for health care, outdoor activity and energy saving. Thus, developing new strategies is highly desired for radiative cooling and/or heating by manipulation of the transmissivity, reflectivity and absorptivity of the textiles within solar energy and human body heat radiation ranges.

Inorganic additives including TiO2, Fe2O3, carbon black (CB), graphene and mica were incorporated into polymer films. The inorganic additives' full spectrum properties and thermal responses were comprehensively investigated.

The CB composite film showed the highest absorptivity over the full solar to human body radiation spectrum. The mica-white (mica-w) (mica coated with TiO2) and mica-red (mica-r) (mica coated with Fe2O3) composites showed the lowest solar energy absorptivity and a strong body heat radiation reflectivity. Furthermore, according to composites' thermal responses to the simulated solar and human body radiations, CB and mica are promising for both cooling and heating when applied in dual-functional thermal management textiles.

Research has limitation related the amount of additives which can be added to textile. When powder is added to polyester yarn, the amount is limited by 2–3%. When powder is added to the composite which is used for printing, the amount of powder is limited by 5%.

A lot of apparel, especially sport apparel, contains prints. Decoration is one part of print application. Now, a lot of companies work under development of different additives, which provide additional properties to apparel. The closest targets for powder added to prints are cooling and heat retention. Quite often, inorganic additives possess dual properties: the inorganic additives may be heat reflective which his needed for heat retention, but may have high-thermal conductivity, which works well for cooling. Human body has complicated mechanism of heat exchange: convection, radiation and moisture evaporations play main role. The same additive may be cooling if there is a contact with skin but may be heating (IR reflective) if placed in the second or third layer. Thus, effect is needed to be studied first before real application.

This work could provide a comprehensive guideline for the rational design and application of thermal management composite textile materials by revealing the full solar to human body radiation performance of a series of inorganic materials.

This paper seeks to analyze the concept of packaging re-design with the main purpose to better exploit the utilized space within a secondary packaging, pallet and/or to make better use of transport, respectively. In addition, it investigates and discusses the importance of space exploitation in relation to environmental benefits, the industry and the community in general.

The research is based on a specific case study, in which two different options of a bottle with the same capacity are investigated in terms of: shape and space utilization. The investigation includes a detailed numerical comparison between the bottles, in order to show the strengths and weaknesses of each option.

The analysis provides evidence that any shape improvements could result into benefits such as: reduce waste, increase space utilization and increase the number of transported products per load. This in turn could reduce the energy and CO₂ emissions required per unit of product carried or stored. The analysis shows that a better utilization of the space could further offer significant economic benefits for the company with respect to transportation and warehousing.

However, the proposed packaging design solutions are proposed with the guarantee that the protection of the product is ensured, the logistics activities are facilitated as expected, the needs of the user are fully covered and the cost is maintained low. This solution, therefore, addresses the economic, social and environmental aspect of packaging.

This paper fulfills an identified need to study the relation between the packaging redesign concept and the various environmental and economic benefits for the industry and the participants of the supply chain, while maintaining the needs of the user. This works contributes to other more recent studies that are concerned with packaging design innovation that respond to key environmental concerns.

The present study was aimed to enhance the nutritional quality of veg bottle gourd balls by incorporating boiled mashed egg replacing bottle guard in the formulation of batter.

Three different levels, viz. 50, 60 and 70 per cent of boiled mashed whole egg were taken to optimize the level of egg in veg balls by replacing the bottle gourd. The developed products were evaluated for physico-chemical, proximate analysis and sensory evaluation on Day 0, 3, 6 and 9 of storage, whereas microbiological studies of the product were conducted on Day 1, 4, 7 and 10.

The pH, cooking yield and weight gain were non significantly higher in egg-incorporated balls as compared to control. Similar trends were observed for mean Thio Barbituric Acid (TBA) and free fatty acid (FFA) values, however, the estimated values remained within the acceptable limit throughout the storage period. Mean protein and fat content were significantly (p < 0.05) higher and the moisture content was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in egg-incorporated balls. There was no significant difference for mean Total Plate Count, Yeast and mould count and Psychrophillic count between the treatments and control during storage except at later stage on Day 7 and 10. The mean sensory scores were found to be the highest for egg balls, with 60 per cent boiled mashed whole egg for all sensory attributes and the flavor was very much liked by the sensory panelists.

The trials can be further carried out for some color and properties, with the addition of various antioxidants and antimicrobial agents.

Veg bottle gourd balls are a very much relished delicacy of Indian culinary practices. The incorporation of egg not only enhanced the nutritional properties, also improved the flavor and consumer acceptance. It can be a very good alternative to cope up with malnutrition and hunger.

The purpose of this paper is to describe a rapid and robust axisymmetric hybrid algorithm to create dynamic temporal and spatial charge distributions, or charge map, in the simulation of bipolar charge injection using Schottky emission and Fowler-Nordheim tunneling, field-dependent transport, recombination, and bulk and interfacial trapping/de-trapping for layered polymer films spanning the range from initial injection to near breakdown.

This hybrid algorithm uses a source distribution technique based on an axisymmetric boundary integral equation method (BIEM) to solve the Poisson equation and a fourth-order Runge-Kutta (RK4) method with an upwind scheme for time integration. Iterative stability is assured by satisfying the Courant-Friedrichs-Levy (CFL) stability criterion. Dynamic charge mapping is achieved by allowing conducting and insulating boundaries and material interfaces to be intuitively represented by equivalent free and bound charge distributions that collectively satisfy all local and far-field conditions.

Charge packets cause substantial increase of electric stress and could accelerate the breakdown of polymeric capacitors. Conditions for the creation of charge packets are identified and numerically demonstrated for a combination of impulsive step excitation, high charge injection, and discontinuous interface.

Metallized bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) dielectric thin film capacitor with self-clearing and enhanced current carrying capability offer an inexpensive and lightweight alternative for efficient power conditioning, energy storage, energy conversion, and pulsed power. The originality is the comprehensive physics and multi-dimensional modeling which span the dynamic range from initial injection to near breakdown. This model has been validated against some empirical data and may be used to identify failure mechanisms such as charge packets, gaseous voids, and electroluminescence. The value lies in the use of this model to develop mitigation strategies, including re-designs and materials matching, to avoid these failure mechanisms.

This study aims to develop sweet chestnut incorporated corn-based extrudates by the optimization of process conditions.

The independent process variables for extrusion (blend ratio, barrel temperature, screw speed and feed moisture) were investigated to govern their impact on reliant variables, namely, bulk density, specific mechanical energy, water absorption index, water solubility index, color and hardness. Product and system responses were significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the independent variables. Experimental design with quadratic models experienced a high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.99).

Numerical optimization for the development of extrudates resulted in optimum conditions having corn flour: sweet chestnut flour (80:20), barrel temperature (120°C), screw speed (340 rpm) and feed moisture (12%). Fat, moisture and protein contents of the developed extrudates using optimum conditions were significantly (p < 0.05) lower compared to raw materials – corn and sweet chestnut. The packaging of extrudates in aluminum laminates revealed shelf stability of three months at room temperature without deterioration of quality.

Nutritionally rich sweet chestnut extruded products would be an exclusive option to already existing snacks in the market and can facilitate a new sphere in extruded product sector.

Additive manufacturing (AM) has been one of the most highlighted processes of the last few years. AM prints complex parts and items from 3D files regarding different materials, such as polymers. Moreover, there are different AM techniques available for polymers, such as selective laser sintering. In the SLS technology, polyamides 11 and 12 lead 88% of the market. These materials are high-cost and use an average of 50% of virgin material at each printing. It is possible to use lower rates of virgin material, but at least 30% is recommended. Low rates of virgin material decrease mechanical properties.

This study aims to evaluate the influence on the mechanical properties of the percentage of reused PA12 in parts manufactured by the SLS process. The specimens of PA12 were manufactured with a percentage of virgin/reused polymer of 50/50, 40/60, 30/70, 20/80 and 10/90. We considered three distinct printing directions to compare the mechanical properties of the specimens: horizontal, perpendicular and vertical.

The results showed that when the percentage of reused material increases, the tensile strength limit (TSL), flexural strength limit and Shore D hardness decrease. Another aspect visualized was the fragile behavior presented in the vertical specimens. In addition, DSC analysis indicated a 2% reduction of crystallinity. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed spherical voids and unfused particles of PA12 at the fracture of tensile test specimens. The material thermal history and unfused particles could decrease the material properties.

We observed that the mechanical properties, such as the TSL, flexural strength limit and hardness, decrease as the percentage of reused material increases. In addition, the process presented a printing-direction dependence, where the vertical direction presented as the more brittle between the ones used.

The purpose of this study is to introduce a new type of sensor which uses microwave metamaterials and direct-coupled split-ring resonators (DC-SRRs) to measure the dielectric properties of solid materials in real time. The sensor uses a transmission line with a bridge-type structure to measure the differential frequency, which can be used to calculate the dielectric constant of the material being tested. The study aims to establish an empirical relationship between the dielectric properties of the material and the frequency measurements obtained from the sensor.

In the proposed design, the opposite arm of the bridge transmission line is loaded by DC-SRRs, and the distance between DC-SRRs is optimized to minimize the mutual coupling between them. The DC-SRRs are loaded with the material under test (MUT) to perform differential permittivity sensing. When identical MUT is placed on both resonators, a single transmission zero (notch) is obtained, but non-identical MUTs exhibit two split notches. For the design of differential sensors and comparators based on symmetry disruption, frequency splitting is highly useful.

The proposed structure is demonstrated using electromagnetic simulation, and a prototype of the proposed sensor is fabricated and experimentally validated to prove the differential sensing principle. Here, the sensor is analyzed for sensitivity by using different MUTs with relative permittivity ranges from 1.006 to 10 and with a fixed dimension of 9 mm × 10 mm ×1.2 mm. It shows a very good average frequency deviation per unit change in permittivity of the MUTs, which is around 743 MHz, and it also exhibits a very high average relative sensitivity and quality factor of around 11.5% and 323, respectively.

The proposed sensor can be used for differential characterization of permittivity and also as a comparator to test the purity of solid dielectric samples. This sensor most importantly strengthens robustness to environmental conditions that cause cross-sensitivity or miscalibration. The accuracy of the measurement is enhanced as compared to conventional single- and double-notch metamaterial-based sensors.