Abstract: The perovskite niobates (ANbO₃) constitutes an interesting structural family. Silver lithium niobate Ag_1-xLi_xNbO₃ (x = 0, 0.3, 0.5 and 0.7) mixed ceramic pellets were synthesized by the by solid-state reaction and sintering method. The lattice parameters of ceramic pellets were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The prepared samples show a perovskite structure and exhibit the orthorhombic symmetry at room temperature. Frequency dependent dielectric investigations, i.e., dielectric constant, loss tangent and electrical conductivity were carried out in the frequency range 10Hz-10MHz at room temperature.

Abstract: MgO hydration is an expansive process. It is used in cement to compensate for shrinkage, but it can be harmful at higher concentrations. First-principles calculations have been used to investigate the electronic properties of the steps of the hydration of MgO using the general gradient approximation GGA functional method within density functional method (DFT). The energy bands along high symmetry directions, energy of hydration and energy of dissociation cut through various planes are presented. The first principles band structure calculations reported here were carried out using Perdew, Burke and Ernzerhof (PBE) method. The calculations have been applied to investigate water adsorption on the (001, 110, 111 and 210) surfaces of MgO crystal. The hydrated MgO surfaces show a similar band structure that of brucite material. Both molecular adsorption and dissociative adsorption have been found to occur. The MgO surfaces have different tendency to interact with water molecules, and they differ in susceptibility disintegration of expansion. The results show that the safest surface is (001) group, while the harmful surfaces are (210) and (111) groups.

Abstract: Thin films of Se_75-xTe₂₅Sb_x (x = 0, 3, 6, & 9) glassy alloys have been deposited onto a chemically cleaned glass substrate by thermal evaporation technique under vacuum. Glassy nature of the films has been ascertained by X-ray diffraction pattern. The analysis by absorption spectra, measured at normal incidence, in the spectral range 400-1100 nm has been used for the optical characterization of thin films under investigation. The optical constants (absorption coefficient (α), extinction coefficient (k)) and optical band gap (E_g) have been studied. It has been found that extinction coefficient (k) decreases with increase in wavelength (λ). The absorption coefficient (α) is found to increase with incident photon energy. Optical band gap (E_g) has also been calculated and found to decrease with Sb content in Se_75-xTe₂₅Sb_x (x = 0, 3, 6, & 9) glassy system. The decrease of optical band gap (E_g) with Sb concentration has been explained on the basis of Mott and Davis model.

Abstract: Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) is an aliphatic polyester and ecofriendly material of a natural origin with biodegradable properties. The monomer for PLA is lactic acid obtained from the fermentation of sugar and vegetables like corn and cassava. This study investigated the effect of heatsetting and wet processes on the tensile properties of treated and untreated Ingeo™ Poly (Lactic acid) PLA knitted fabrics. PLA samples of dimension 200mm x 200mm were subjected to heatsetting at a temperature of 130^oC and increasing times of 15s, 30s, 45s, 60s, 90s, 120s and 240s respectively using the Werner Mathis infra-red heatsetting equipment and subsequently treated to wet processes including scouring, alkaline reduction clearing, dyeing and softening. Four tensile parameters were determined in warp and weft direction using the KES-FB system of fabric evaluation. These tensile parameters were tensile extension EM [%], linearity of load extension LT [-], tensile energy WT [g.cm/cm²] and tensile resilience RT [%]. The results showed (i) a consistent increase in tensile extension of treated PLA (unlike untreated PLA knitted fabric) with increasing time of heatsetting and wet finishing applications suggesting that treated PLA may tend to exhibit enhanced fabric hand or softness and increased formability (ii) Treated PLA to exhibit lower LT with increasing time of heatsetting and wet treatments implying a better formability and in-plane compressibility of treated PLA when compared to untreated PLA (iii) Treated PLA to display a greater tensile energy than untreated PLA, implying that treated PLA has greater flexibility, softness, gentleness and smoothness than the untreated PLA (iv) both PLAs exhibited low RT suggesting the general softness of PLA.

Abstract: Mild steel is used as main raw material in fabrication of equipment, chief material of construction and fabrication of weapons. During the storage and transportation conditions, it comes in contact with aggressive environment which leads to decrease in mechanical strength. Four different vapor phase corrosion inhibitors (VPCIs) i.e. N-N-Dimethyl aniline (DMA), Morpholine, Cyclohexyl amine and Hexamethylene imine were tested for mild steel under different corrosive atmospheric conditions at 40°C by Weight Loss, Eschke test, Salt Spray and SEM techniques. All the four VPCIs show very high corrosion inhibition efficiency i.e. 96-98%. The results obtained from corrosion experiments were supported by surface study carried out by SEM technique.