Mössbauer spectroscopy and magnetic studies of orientated textured Fe3O4 ferrofluid

Nano scale magnetite based ferrofluid is synthesized by chemical co pre cipitation technique and stabilized with oleic acid. Magnetization and viscosity measurements were used to optimize for texturing purpose. The freeze-textured ferrofluid in two configurations, namely, (1) field texture system (FTS) and (2) zero field texture system (ZTS) are investigated by magnetization measurements at 298 K and Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements at 77 and 298 K. These results are analysed on the basis of the contributions from collective superparamagnetic reversal and the strength of the inter particle interactions.     

Spectroscopic and thermal studies on the decomposition of l,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB)

The kinetics of the thermal decomposition of 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) in condensed state has been investigated by high temperature infrared spectroscopy (IR) and thermogravimetry (TG) in conjunction with pyrolysis gas analysis, differential thermal analysis (DTA) and hot stage microscopy. The decomposition proceeds in two main stages under isothermal conditions and the initial stage involving about 24% loss in weight obeys Avrami-Erofe'ev equation (n= 1), and is governed by an activation energy (E) of 150.58 kJ·mol^–1 and log(A in s^–1) 12.06. The second stage corresponding to 24 to 90% loss in weight gave best fit for Avrami-Erofe'ev equation,n=2, withE=239.56 kJ·mol^–1 and log(A in s^–1) 19.88 by isothermal TG. The effect of additives, on the initial thermolysis of TATB has also been studied. Evolved gas analysis by IR showed that NH₃, CO₂, NO₂, HCN and H₂O are produced in the initial stage of decomposition. The decomposition in KBr matrix in the temperature range 272 to 311.5°C shows relative preferential loss in the -NH₂ to -NO₂ band intensity which indicates that the rupture of C-NH₂ bond, weakened also by the interaction of the NH₂ with the neighbouring NO₂ group, appears to be the primary step in the thermolysis of TATB.     

Determination of repaglinide in pharmaceutical formulations by HPLC with UV detection.

A simple, precise and rapid RP-HPLC method was developed for the determination of repaglinide in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The method was carried out on a Shim-pack, RP-C18 column using a mixture of methanol: 0.1% v/v triethylamine (pH adjusted to 7 with orthophosphoric acid) and detection was done at 235 nm using nimesulide as internal standard. The linearity range was 0.1 to 0.5 microg/ml. The intra-day and inter-day precision were in the range of 0.48 to 1.01 and 0.15 to 1.15, respectively.     

Nonlinear aspects of supersonic flow past a cavity

Study of supersonic flow over wall-mounted cavities for two different length/depth (L/D) ratios is carried out experimentally. Unsteady pressure measurements were made on the front and aft walls of the cavity. Data analysis was performed on the experimental results so obtained. Spectra of the unsteady pressure data exhibit multiple tones. Higher-order spectral technique is implemented on the unsteady pressure data to ascertain whether these multiple tones are due to possible nonlinear interactions between the primary cavity modes (Rossiter modes) or not. Significant nonlinear interactions in the form of both sum and difference frequencies between the cavity modes are observed in both the cavities. The spectra of the cavity with L/D ratio 2 show distinct peaks due to nonlinear interactions while the cavity with L/D ratio 3 does not exhibit observable peaks in the spectra. The spectra of both the cavities show presence of low-frequency peaks of significant amplitudes. These low-frequency modes interact with the primary cavity modes to produce significant bicoherence values. The reasons for their existence could not be predicted. It is identified that the dominant mode in the spectra of the cavities is critical for most of the interactions observed.     

Laser reflection method for determination of shear stress in low density transitional flows

The details of laser reflection method (LRM) for the determination of shear stress in low density transitional flows are presented. The method is employed to determine the shear stress due to impingement of a low density supersonic free jet issuing out from a convergent divergent nozzle on a flat plate. The plate is smeared with a thin oil film and kept parallel to the nozzle axis. For a thin oil film moving under the action of aerodynamic boundary layer, the shear stress at the air–oil interface is equal to the shear stress between the surface and air. A direct and dynamic measurement of the oil film slope generated by the shear force is done using a position sensing detector (PSD). The thinning rate of the oil film is directly measured which is the major advantage of the LRM. From the oil film slope history, calculation of the shear stress is done using a three-point formula. The range of Knudsen numbers investigated is from 0.028 to 0.516. Pressure ratio across the nozzle varied from 3,500 to 8,500 giving highly under expanded free jets. The measured values of shear, in the overlapping region of experimental parameters, show fair agreement with those obtained by force balance method and laser interferometric method.     

Pillared clays as efficient catalysts for cyclohexanol oxidation

Summary Iron, aluminium and mixed iron aluminium pillared clays were prepared by partial hydrolysis method and doped with 10% V and Mo. The samples were characterised by XRD, FTIR and surface area and pore volume measurements. Oxidation of cyclohexanol with hydrogen peroxide was done as probe reaction to test catalytic activity. Iron pillared systems exhibited maximum activity. The effects of various reaction variables on the reaction were studied.     

Acoustic and velocity field over 3D cavities

Effects of wall mounted cavity on a Mach 1.7 freestream flow over it are investigated experimentally and numerically. Three different three dimensional (3D) cavity configurations have been used in the study. The results are compared with those of a two dimensional (2D) cavity. Flow field over the cavity is observed to depend intensely on the cavity width and on the allied aerodynamic flow structure in the vicinity of the cavity. Pressure oscillations generated by presence of wall mounted cavity in supersonic freestream was also observed to affect the fluid motion over cavities.