Development of NiMnGa-based ferromagnetic shape memory alloy by rapid solidification route

The ferromagnetic shape memory alloy with nominal composition of Ni_52.5Mn_24.5Ga₂₃(at%) was developed by the melt-spinning technique. The as-spun ribbon showed dominant L2₁ austenitic (cubic) structure with splitting of primary peak in the X-ray diffractogram indicating existence of a martensitic feature. The quenched-in martensitic plates were revealed from Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Increase of magnetisation at low-temperature rise indicates martensite to austenite transformation and its reverse with a drop in magnetisation during cooling cycle. The martensite to austenite transformation can be made spontaneous at higher magnetic field.     

Optical security system using jigsaw transforms of the second random phase mask and the encrypted image in a double random phase encoding system

In this paper, we have described a simple and secure double random phase encoding and decoding system to encrypt and decrypt a two-dimensional gray scale image. We have used jigsaw transforms of the second random phase mask and the encrypted image. The random phase mask placed in the Fourier plane is broken into independent non-overlapping segments by applying the jigsaw transform. To make the system more secure, a jigsaw transform on the encrypted image is also carried out. The encrypted image is also broken into independent non-overlapping segments. The jigsaw transform indices of random phase code and the encrypted image form the keys for the successful retrieval of the data. Encrypting with this technique makes it almost impossible to retrieve the image without using both the right keys. Results of computer simulation have been presented in support of the proposed idea. Mean square error (MSE) between the decrypted and the original image has also been calculated in support of the technique.     

Centralized solar lantern charging station under ‘lighting a billion lives’ campaign: a technological evolution

To mitigate the use of kerosene for rural lighting and to promote utilization of solar energy, solar lanterns prove to be a viable and promising option. For addressing the issue of large‐scale dissemination of solar lanterns, a rental model is implemented though ‘Lighting a Billion Lives (LaBL)’ campaign. This paper deals with the technological development and customization of the Centralized Solar Lantern Charging Station (CSLCS) under this campaign. A single unit in a typical LaBL charging station consists of a Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) module feeding a junction box (JB) containing multiple ports for charging of a certain number of lanterns simultaneously. The first version was developed with an available Compact Fluorescent Lamp (CFL) lantern model. The design calculation of the various components considering the various climatic conditions in India and other required parameters are presented. Further, the optimization of the modular design of the charging station based on the above analysis is given. Subsequently, the second version was developed with features addressing the challenges faced in the first version. The field demands and feasibility of incorporating modifications addressing them are reported in detail. Further, a more advanced and customized third version lanterns with additional features was developed. The versions also involved considerable modifications of the JB and lantern circuitry. Comparative analysis of the obtained efficiencies of all the three configurations is presented. The concluding section proposes methods that lead to the way forward in establishing a more rugged and customized system addressing the issues of seasonal and technological constrains more efficiently. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Optical characterization of tin containing novel chalcogen rich glassy semiconductors

Amorphous thin film materials with different compositions of Se_80?xTe₂₀Sn_x (0 ≤ x ≤ 10) system have been deposited on glass substrates by a well known thermal evaporation technique. Structural characterization of different compositions of aforementioned system has been done by Raman spectroscopy. The optical properties of thin films have been studied in the wavelength range 200–1100 nm by the utilization of the optical absorbance spectra of deposited thin films. To calculate the optical band gap from the optical absorption spectra, we have used Tauc model that follows the mechanism of allowed ‘non-direct electronic transition’. Subsequently, we have determined the energy band gap, metallization criterion and refractive index of thin films of aforesaid system. The variation in optical properties with composition has been interpreted in terms of density of defect states.     

Supersaturation-Based Drug Delivery Systems: Strategy for Bioavailability Enhancement of Poorly Water-Soluble Drugs

At present, the majority of APIs synthesized today remain challenging tasks for formulation development. Many technologies are being utilized or explored for enhancing solubility, such as chemical modification, novel drug delivery systems (microemulsions, nanoparticles, liposomes, etc.), salt formation, and many more. One promising avenue attaining attention presently is supersaturated drug delivery systems. When exposed to gastrointestinal fluids, drug concentration exceeds equilibrium solubility and a supersaturation state is maintained long enough to be absorbed, enhancing bioavailability. In this review, the latest developments in supersaturated drug delivery systems are addressed in depth.     

17O and 11B NMR spectroscopic study of substituted benzo[d]-2,2-difluoro-1,3,2-oxoniaoxaboratins

¹⁷O NMR data are reported for 10 benzo[d]-2,2-difluoro-1,3,2-oxoniaoxaboratins derived from various ortho-hydroxyacetophenones and for 2,2-difluoro-1,3,2-oxoniaoxaboratins derived from related hydroxyacetyl naphthalenes and hydroxybenzophenones. The signal for the carbonyl-like oxygen for these compounds is substantially shielded and appears at 288 ± 22 δ. The single bonded oxygen signal for the 1,3,2-oxoniaoxaboratins appears at 122 ± 6 δ, except for the naphthalene analogs, whose signal appears at 146 ± 10 δ. The ¹¹B NMR signal for these compounds is insensitive to structural changes and appears at 0.85 ± 0.25 δ. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Raman spectroscopy in experimental oral carcinogenesis: investigation of abnormal changes in control tissues

Oral cancer is a major cause of mortality in South Asian men owing to rampant tobacco abuse. Cancers are also reported in non‐tobacco habitués, especially women, attributed to chronic irritations from irregular/sharp teeth, improper fillings, and poorly fit dentures. Conventional screening approaches are shown to be effective for high‐risk groups (tobacco/alcohol habitués). Raman spectroscopy (RS) is being extensively explored as an alternate/adjunct tool for diagnosis and management of oral cancers. In a previous Raman study on sequential oral carcinogenesis using hamster buccal pouch model, misclassifications between spectra from control and carcinogen [7,12‐dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)]‐treated tissues were observed. Histopathology of some control tissues suggested pathological changes, attributable to repeated forceps‐induced irritations/trauma during animal handling. To explore these changes, in the present study, we recorded spectra from three different types of controls – vehicle control (n = 45), vehicle contralateral (n = 45), and DMBA contralateral (n = 70) – exposed to varying degree of forceps handling, along with DMBA‐treated pouches (n = 70) using a 14‐week carcinogenesis protocol. Spectra certified on the basis of histopathology and abnormal cell proliferation (cyclin D1 expression) were used to build models that were evaluated by independent test spectra from an exclusive set of DMBA‐treated and control animals. Many DMBA‐contralateral, vehicle‐control, and vehicle‐contralateral spectra were identified as higher pathologies, which subsequently corroborated with histopathology/cyclin D1 expression. Repeated forceps‐mediated injuries/irritations, during painting and animal handling, may elicit inflammatory responses, leading to neoplasm. The findings of the study suggest that RS could identify micro‐changes. Further, RS‐based in vivo imaging can serve as a promising label‐free tool for screening even in the non‐habitué population where conventional screening is shown to be not effective. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.