Thermal characterization of a nanofluid comprising nanocrystalline ZrO2 dispersed in water and ethylene glycol

Nanofluids, comprising Y₂O₃-stabilized (partially; 3?mol%) ZrO₂ nanoparticles (up to 2?vol%) dispersed in water and ethylene glycol, were developed. A suitable surfactant and stirring routine ensured uniformity and stability of dispersion. Thermal conductivity ratio of the nanofluids, measured using an indigenously developed thermal comparator device, showed a significant increase of up to 100% with only 1.5?vol% nanoparticles. Furthermore, it was analytically shown that shape factor and aspect ratio significantly influence the effective thermal conductivity ratio of nanofluids with comparable vol% nanoparticles. The study demonstrated that a nanofluid of nano-ZrO₂ dispersed in water and ethylene glycol could be usefully applied in closed-loop single-phase heat transfer conditions, such as in refrigerators or microchannels.     

Parity of the band head at 3710 keV in 99Rh using clover detector as compton polarimeter

Clover detector has been used as a Compton polarimeter to measure the linear polarization of γ-rays produced in heavy ion fusion reaction. The polarization sensitivity of the clover detector has been measured over γ-ray energies ranging from 386 to 1368 ke V. The E1 multipolarity of the 1117 keV transition in ⁹⁹Rh has been established using this polarimeter. This has resulted in the assignment of negative parity to the band head at 3710 keV in ⁹⁹Rh.