2nd International Conference on Smart Sustainable Materials and Technologies (ICSSMT 2023)

Polymer matrix composite materials are most frequently used in engineering applications due to its biodegradable, environmentally friendly and better mechanical properties. Basalt fibre composites are widely used due to their high performance in automobile applications. When compared with traditional fibres like glass fibre and carbon fibre, basalt fibre has superior mechanical properties. This review paper presents the mechanical, physical and chemical properties of basalt fibre composites along with various polymer matrices and also the various combination of basalt fibre with other polymer matrix composite materials. From the literatures, it is observed that, the plasma treatment increases the thermal stability, alkali treatment increases the corrosion resistance and additive treatment increases the mechanical properties of the basalt fibre based composites.

This research study focused on the hybrid composites using AA 7178 as a base alloy reinforced with two materials ZrO₂/SiC. Nine specimens were prepared using stir-squeeze processing techniques by varying their speed (rpm), time(s) and pressure (N/m²). To analyze the mechanical strength and resistance, a Taguchi design was utilized on hybrid composites. The experimental results indicated that the ultimate tensile strength (UTS), (the maximum value 265.5 MPa) was achieved in the S9 experiment, while the minimum value (175 MPa) was observed in the S1 experiment. To perform the analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the parameters and to analyze SN ratio, a state-of-art software Minitab was utilized. The ANOVA results revealed that stirring speed had the most significant impact on improving tensile strength which contributed approximately to 43.2%. The next substantial factor was the Stirring time which contributed around 42.5% and followed by Squeeze pressure at 12.1%. From the hardness ANOVA result, Stirring time was the first factor contributing to 46.7% followed by a Squeeze pressure of 35.2% and a Stirring speed of 7.6% respectively.

Nowadays, Advanced composite materials along with good properties are playing a significant role in many industries. Researchers and scientists use many methods for making composite material. Friction stir process (FSP) is one of the unconventional processes for producing surface composites. In this study, Al7475/B4C/fly ash hybrid composites are formed by FSP by changing the level of the processing parameters such as Tool rotation speed (750, 1000 and 1250 rpm), Tool travel speed (20, 30 and 40 mm/min) and percentage of reinforcements (B4C -4, 6, 8 wt% and constant Fly ash 5%). Boron carbide and Fly ash are used as primary and secondary supporting elements on Al 7475. A Hardness test has been conducted for 15 prepared samples. Design expert software is employed to perform the optimization process to identify the best parameters to improve the hardness value of prepared composites. From the ANOVA result, the tool rotational speed is the best parameter to increase the hardness (88HV). The prediction of Hardness values can also be found by varying the input process parameter values through the ramp diagram. The optimized value of Hardness 70.9 is obtained for input process parameters of TRS-1232.72 rpm, TTS-33.96 mm/min and RE 12.4 wt%.

Investigating the impact of graphene incorporation in epoxy–glass fibre hybrid composites on mechanical and electrical properties through Multiscale Material Modelling (MMM). In this paper, it is examined how the inclusion of graphene in epoxy and glass fibre hybrid composites affected their mechanical and electrical characteristics. This analysis is carried out by employing a MMM and Finite Element Modelling (FEM) to evaluate elastic constants, Poisson’s ratio, and electrical properties. The representative volume elements were employed to model the graphene and glass fibre phases. By employing the Mori–Tanaka and Fei Deng models, multiscale analysis was conducted to predict the elastic constants and electrical conductivity of the hybrid composites. The outcomes revealed that the addition of 5 wt% graphene enhanced the longitudinal and transverse Young’s modulus, in-plane and out-plane Poisson ratio, and in-plane and out-plane shear modulus of glass fibre hybrid composites by 0.95%, 7.12%, 6.44%, 2.66%, 2.47%, and 3.65% respectively. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of these composites increased by 0.69% with the addition of 5 wt% graphene, compared to 1 wt% addition of graphene, and the orientation does not significantly affect the overall electrical conductivity because of the establishment of conductive pathways.

A research study was made to examine the mechanical properties of metal matrix composite which consisting of Al alloy reinforced with Coconut Shell Ash (CSA) and SiC. The experiment involved three distinct mix ratios of CSA and SiC as follows: Sample A (Al6061 96%, SiC 2%, CSA 2%), Sample B (Al60601 92%, SiC 4%, CSA 4%), and Sample C (Al6061 88%, SiC 6%, CSA 6%). Al/SiC/CSE Composites were fabricated by the Stir casting method. For examining the mechanical properties of the composites, Tensile, Charpy, and Hardness tests were conducted as per ASTM D638, ASTM E23, and ASTM E10 Standards respectively. The results revealed that ultimate tensile strength increased due to CSA addition, but hardness decreased. However, there was only a marginal improvement in the percentage of elongation, and the stiffness decreased as well. The experimental study concluded that tensile properties were increased while increasing the amount of Sic and CSA with aluminum also CSA had a favorable impact on the mechanical properties 6061 of hybrid composites.

To improve mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposites, different techniques are used by researchers. One of the critical tasks in front of the industry is to strengthen the polymer nanocomposites. Weight reduction with better mechanical properties are required in many automotive applications. Polymer nanocomposites with dissimilar types of nanofillers or nanomaterials show a significant part in controlling mechanical properties. Ultimately the shape, dimensions, and orientation of the nanoparticles with proper dispersion in the polymer matrix are also considered in the different research studies by many researchers. The rolling process is followed by melt mixing, ultrasonication, injection molding, and extrusion of the polymer nanocomposites, where rolling parameters like compression ratio or reduction ratio also govern the associated properties. In the literature, it has been considering the manufacturing of polymer nanocomposites by rolling process with various nanofillers like graphene (G), Halloysite nanotube (HNT), carbon nanotube (CNT), multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT), hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), and effect on properties of different polymers like PP, epoxy by comparing other processing techniques.

In the present work, we used a co-precipitation-calcination approach to synthesized Hematite-Fe₂O3 Nanoparticles (AIO-NPs). In this technique we have taken 10 g of FeCl₃∙6H₂O, 150 ml of pure water was used to dissolve with stirring. After that, at room temperature, a 2 ml NH₄OH solution was added drop by drop (drop rate = 1 ml min⁻¹) to the stirring mixture. Throughout the synthesis, the pH remained at a constant one. After being continuously stirred for one hour at room temperature, the black dispersion was heated to evaporate for two hours at 80 °C to produce a brown powder. After being brought down to the room temperature, the product was then calcined for four hours at 500 °C. The as-prepared samples were subjected to calcination at various temperatures ranging from 400 °C to 800 °C. To study the structural properties in details, characterized by XRD. The lattice constant so obtained for α-Fe₂O₃ Nanoparticles (AIO-NPs) were a = b = 5.03421 Å and c = 13.746502 Å. The size of the particles was calculated from the XRD spectra with the help of Scherrer formula around 30 nm. Having increase in the annealing temperature phase transformation from magnetite (Fe₃O₄) to hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) is observed. The Raman study exhibited the lattice expansion and line broadening optical modes were observed. The modes observed at 217 and 490, 821 cm⁻¹ are corresponding to A1g phonon modes corresponding to Fe–O symmetrical structure whereas the modes observed at wave numbers 278, 391 and 589 cm⁻¹ are pointing the Eg phonon modes correspond Fe–O symmetrical bend. All these results are discussed in this paper. The morphology of hematite particle was not uniform and there was agglomeration.

Lubricant oils play a vital role in all areas with the purpose of reducing wear, smooth functioning of the system, reducing cutting temperature, absorbing heat, and overall improving machining efficiency. General impact of the commercial lubricant that has been used in automobiles has adverse effect on the environment. With the advancement in nanomaterials, the nanomaterials have proved to perform under extreme temperature and pressure and have shown some significance in the lubrication areas as well. With the growing demands of lubricant oil and the pollution caused by them, there has been a need for utilizing a lubricant oil that is available in abundance and at the same time trying to utilize the naturally available resource. In order to enhance its characteristic performance a small addition of nano compound is added to improve its performance and efficiency. As it is already proved that non-edible vegetable oils can effectively be used as a lubricant in machines for its smooth functioning. The present work focuses on collaborating the nano compound with the non-edible vegetable oil and studying its physical properties. The obtained results were compared with the SAE 20W40 which is a petroleum-based lubricant oil.

In waste heat management systems for the utilization of heat, many new techniques are used currently, by taking into account an effective one is heat pipe heat exchanger. Three heat pipes are placed inside the heat exchanger for analyzing the heat transfer performance by using acetone and copper oxide with DI water mixture nanofluid. The influence of nanofluid for various heat input temperature conditions is studied for horizontal and vertical orientation of heat pipe. The study reveals at horizontal orientation the maximum effectiveness is obtained as 66.7% for 100 LPH and Reynolds number ranges as 1173 for similar conditions. The influence of nanofluid as heat transport fluid shows maximum heat transfer capacity for given conditions and this shows good performance in the system.

The present investigation is centered on the exploration of the impact of Au doping on silicene nanoribbons (SNRs), which are systems with one dimension characterized by edges of hydrogenated silicene. Specifically, the research scrutinizes three distinct structures, namely meta, ortho, and para, each containing two Au atoms per unit cell, under the influence of an electrical field of 0.1 V/m. The doping process entails the substitution of two Si atoms with two Au atoms within each unit cell. By employing Density Functional Theory (DFT) methodology, the investigation computes the formation energy, electrical band structure, and states density for the doped structures. Notably, the optimized doping structures exhibit stability in the presence of an electrical field. The findings indicate that the meta configuration displays the minimum energy of formation, hence signifying its superior stability and optimal characteristics. Furthermore, the utilization of Au doping in conjunction with an external electric field triggers modifications in the energy band, thus signaling possible applications in the future.

Lightweight materials are increasingly being used in engineering applications today. Composites are replacing traditional metallic materials in a variety of sectors, including aerospace, defence, and aircraft production, where there is a demand for structural materials with high strength-to-weight and stiffness-to-weight ratios. Natural fibre composites are also increasingly used in place of synthetic fibre composites in a variety of technical fields due to their affordability and environmental friendliness. In this particular study, Kevlar (Aramid fibres) is combined with other materials to improve the mechanical characteristics and impact resistance of composites. The only material that costs more than Kevlar is carbon fibres. The goal is to maximize mechanical qualities while utilizing the fewest amounts of pricey Kevlar fibres possible. The hand layup technique was used to create the hybrid composites, which included both natural and Aramid fibres. The performance of various mechanical properties was then assessed. In addition, a morphological examination was done to look at the interior structure of the composite materials that were examined. The results show that the hybrid composite, with or without the addition of nanoparticles, demonstrates great strength with little reliance on Kevlar fibres.

The manufacturing of products using rapid prototyping is centered on production technology in this era. Concept designs of drone bodies and mounting structures can be manufactured by using this rapid prototyping and 3D printing technology. In the presented paper, a bio-degradable quad-configuration drone has been designed, manufactured, and tested. The complete drone has been 3D printed with the fused deposition modeling technique. This work mainly focuses on the design and development of structurally optimized drones and object-picking mechanisms. The flexible mountings are given to the base plate of the drone to fit any type of application-based working mechanism. By performing topological optimizations, the weight of the drone body is greatly reduced due to a thirty percent mass reduction at the drone arm as compared to commercial drone bodies available on the market.

Building envelope factors have a significant impact on the amount of energy they consume. The thermal performance of the walls is a crucial factor in increasing the construction industry's energy efficiency and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Thermal insulation is one of the most effective techniques to raise a building's energy efficiency. The major objective of this study is to establish the degree to which the building envelope must incorporate composite materials in order to maintain the optimum level of thermal comfort. In fact, the goal of this study is to evaluate the insulation's thermal performance made from waste cellulose and reinforced with popcorn (Zea mays Everta). In order to compare the thermal performances of the various materials investigated, our research will focus on experimental aspects under diverse climatic circumstances. The results show that cellulose performs effectively as a thermal insulator and that adding vegetal wastes can improve thermal properties. This work will significantly increase sustainability by recycling waste in thermal insulators.

This paper studies the transient MHD flow around a porous material passing through an ascending perpendicular plate. The medium appears as a grey fluid that absorbs radiation but does not scatter. This model is based on nonlinear differential equations. The most important aspect of this research is finding a closed-form solution to a nonlinear coupled partial differential equation system. Numerical techniques and homotopy perturbations are employed to solve a set of nonlinear equations. The influence of flux parameters on velocity and temperature profiles is discussed. Analytical results are confirmed only by simulation results. A satisfactory agreement is recorded.

This research article focuses on addressing the challenges associated with joining dissimilar metals through the application of solid-state welding techniques, specifically Friction Welding (FW). The study aims to develop optimal welding conditions, tools, and parameters for achieving a successful Aluminum–Steel (Al–Fe) butt joint. The resulting weld is extensively characterized through mechanical tests, microstructure analysis, and micro hardness measurements. Additionally, finite element analysis is conducted to simulate the behaviour of the prototype engine valve. The findings provide valuable insights into the feasibility and performance of friction welding for dissimilar metal joints, contributing to the further development and understanding of this welding technique.

In this research work, Tensile, hardness, % elongation, density and micro structure analysis on Friction Stir Welded (FSW) magnesium alloy (Mg AZ31B) specimen was examined as per ASTM E8/E8M11 and ASTM E3/E112 at various rotation speeds between 900 and 1440 rpm, with fixed 40 mm/min at 2° High Speed Steel tool tilt angle. The metal matrix plate was produced by stir casting technique. At 1120 rpm, the ultimate tensile strength of the fabricated specimen is higher than those at 900 and 1140 rpm. But higher hardness showed at 1440 rpm than at 900 and 1120 rpm. At 900 rpm, the density of the stir zone joint is lower than that of the other joints. From this comparative analysis, it is evident that the value of FSW specimen was dependent on involvement of heat and material flow rate, which are achieved by process parameters.

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) are a subclass of responsive polymers that respond to environmental stimuli including heat, electricity, magnetic fields, light, and even wetness by changing from a fixed temporary shape to a memorised permanent shape. SMPs have recently attracted a lot of attention due to their numerous applications in the domains of space, automobiles, and biomaterials science. Following the synthesis and evaluation of a novel polymer with shape memory based on polyethylene glycol, the percentage of the polymer with outstanding shape memory was reached. Different mechanical characteristics of the SMPs were assessed using tests such as the tensile test, dynamic mechanical analysis, cyclic thermomechanical test, and hardness test. By adding graphite fillers, blank shape memory polymers’ tensile strength and Young’s modulus were increased at high temperatures, and the shape memory capabilities of the hardness-reinforced shape memory polymers at room temperature were sufficiently decreased. By altering the ratio of hard to soft segments, the glass transition temperature and viscoelastic characteristics were essentially enhanced. SMPs’ mechanical qualities should be assessed for a variety of applications.

Low-dimensional semiconductors are currently widely used in various scientific applications. The properties of electrons in such systems undergo significant changes due to quantization of energy. A low-dimensional semiconductor system is the quantum wire, in which electrons can move without restrictions in one direction but are constrained in the other two directions. In this study, our study explores the conductivity tensor of an infinitely long cylindrical quantum wire in the presence of electrical field, specifically A laser beam and an electromagnetic wave field that is polarized linearly. Our analysis is limited to the case of interaction between electron and acoustic phonon. The equation of quantum kinetic for the carrier system is employed to calculate the expression of the tensor of conductivity in the presence of both fields. This study focuses on the quantum wire GaAs/GaAsAl and examines how the conductivity tensor varies with the external fields. Finally, figures are provided to demonstrate how the conductivity tensor varies with the external fields.

Bricks have been a predominant building material throughout history, known for their exceptional strength and resilience. With the increasing emphasis on sustainable and locally sourced construction materials, this study explores the incorporation of waste apparel materials into conventional brick manufacturing processes. The waste apparel materials investigated in this research include polyester, polyester cotton (PC), and polyester viscose (PV). The manufacturing process involved subjecting a clay mixture to various treatments, with modifications based on the material type, manufacturing technique, and desired characteristics of the final product. Different weight measurements of waste apparel were added to the bricks to assess their impact on physical properties. This study focused on the physical characteristics of the resulting bricks, with a particular emphasis on compressive strength and water absorption. The experimental results revealed that the addition of 25 g of PC, PV, or polyester to a brick resulted in a remarkable 45 percent increase in compressive strength while simultaneously reducing water absorption. However, the investigation also demonstrated that exceeding a certain amount of textile waste in the brick composition can lead to a decline in compressive strength compared to the original results. Thus, a careful balance must be struck when incorporating waste apparel to achieve optimal improvements in brick performance. These findings open up possibilities for utilizing discarded clothing as a reinforcement in conventional brick production, highlighting its potential as a viable and environmentally friendly solution. By diverting waste apparel from landfills and utilizing it in construction materials, this approach offers a sustainable method for enhancing the properties of bricks while reducing environmental impacts. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the incorporation of waste apparel into conventional brick manufacturing, presenting a novel avenue for enhancing brick performance and promoting a more eco-conscious approach to construction practices. Further research and development in this area can pave the way for more widespread adoption of sustainable and locally sourced building materials.

In an energy-demanding world with a growing population, effective energy methods to increase the extraction of work from various renewable energy sources are always encouraged. The primary goal of this study is to improve the performance of the Savonius vertical axis wind turbine, which is commonly used in areas with low wind speed. Dimples are added to the blade profile, resulting in a more aerodynamic design that reduces drag on wind turbine blades. In addition, to save space and accelerate pressure along the blade width, fins are added. This influences the wind turbine's ability to generate more power. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis is used to understand the performance of the Savonius VAWT with and without Dimples and Fins when subjected to low incoming wind velocity. In this study, wind turbine blade is tested over air velocity 5, 8, 10, and 12 m/s with the use of CFD analysis. Result shows the combination of Dimples and Fins on blade surface of Savonius VAWT performs better at the air velocity of 10 m/s to precipitate more torque and output power for the generation of electricity.

Solar Thermal Collectors have been growing in demand due to their efficiency of converting the solar energy into electrical energy without producing any form of waste or pollution. Thus, a number of research projects are being conducted in the field of enhancing the performance of the solar thermal collectors. Enhancing the heat dissipation through the collectors by adding ribs to its surface is an effective method to save money on energy. In this paper, a solar collector having total length of 605 mm is selected which is then divided into an inlet section of 120 mm, an outlet section of 225 mm and a test section in the middle of 260 mm. The test section is provided with ribs of 1.25 mm thickness and 5 mm height at 18 mm distance each. Three different shapes of the ribs, i.e. pentagonal, Circular and T-section have been analysed. The results show that the T-section ribs have been found more efficient with a maximum temperature of 392.99 K at the rib walls. Hence, T-section ribs have been suggested in this analysis with the best performance.

This chapter discusses the challenges related to recycling one of the most commonly used plastics worldwide—polyethylene (PE). Although PE is widely used for packaging materials due to its low cost and durability, it is difficult to recycle due to its physical and chemical properties. One of the primary challenges associated with recycling PE is identifying and separating different types of PE, which have varying properties. This makes it challenging to obtain high-quality recycled materials that meet industry standards. Furthermore, contaminants such as food residue and other materials can adversely affect the quality of recycled PE. The chapter also highlights technical difficulties involved in the recycling process, such as the need for specialized equipment and the high energy consumption required for melting and reforming the plastic. Economic challenges such as the high cost of the recycling infrastructure and the low value of recycled materials compared to virgin plastic are also addressed. The chapter stresses the significance of investing in research and development to create new technologies and methods that can overcome these challenges and make PE recycling more feasible, both economically and environmentally. Additionally, reducing plastic waste at source by adopting measures such as minimizing packaging and encouraging the use of alternative materials is equally important.

Plastics are currently a serious hazard to our planet since they have become an essential component of our everyday life. Globally, more than a hundred million tons of plastic are manufactured each year, and its discarded plastics are now frequently found in waste facilities and dumpsters that are filling up. Although efforts are being made to create modern biodegradable polymers but haven’t been much significant measures taken to address the issue at present. In this instance, a workable method for repurposing plastics is described for turning garbage plastic to value-added fuel. Researchers are looking for fuel alternatives for gasoline and diesel engines because of increasing energy requirements, tougher emission regulations, and a shortage of fossil fuel sources. However, due to the worldwide issues with disposal, plastic waste poses a very major environmental dilemma. Analyzing and comparing oil that’s produced from using plastics against petroleum-based products revealed that this oil possesses characteristics that are comparable to diesel fuel. In this research, an effort was put into looking towards the pyrolysis method ability to turn residential garbage plastics to fuel, for different types of plastic trash, pyrolysis equipment has been developed, constructed, and tested. The qualities that the fuels produced are identified, then the resulting fuels are utilized for diesel-powered generators.

The utilization of waste exhaust heat energy into inlet preheated air is investigated using heat pipe heat exchanger. This study focuses on waste heat energy, which comes out as exhaust from standalone diesel engine is around 60–70%, this energy is converted into preheated air and supplied as inlet air for the engine using heat pipe with DI water as working fluid. This preheated air makes improvement in efficiency of the engine and is economically effective in all conditions. In this study, the effect of specific fuel consumption (SFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), smoke intensity, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions is reported for various loads ranging from no load to loaded (0–90%). The results are compared with and without heat pipe conditions and performance is analyzed. The study warranted that at 38 °C as input temperature and 50% load condition, the better performance is achieved for SFC as 0.23 kg/kW h and 37% for BTE. The observation reports as influence of heat pipe for utilizing the waste exhaust heat makes improved in the performance of the engine.

Rapid prototyping to expensive items like sophisticated spare parts are just a few of the high-end products that can now be made using additive manufacturing (AM). The future of the manufacturing industry has been influenced by AM, which has advantages of lower material utilisation, geometric freedom, and production automation imaginable. With the rapid expansion of additive manufacturing (AM) applications, feedstock materials have undergone a significant transformation. These materials now include metals, composites, polymers, and ceramics. The development in metal feedstock material discoveries has made it possible to investigate the use of new AM methods. The very popular and economical material extrusion AM technique is fused filament fabrication (FFF). The article outlines the key concepts for FFF-based 3D printing of metal items. The process involves stacking filament that contains molten metal. Steel, ceramic, carbide, aluminium, and copper powders are utilised in the Metal Fused Filament Fabrication (MFFF) process. The powder particles need to be a particular size and form. The combination is then used to create filament. The preparation of the filament and the printing of the object are both covered in the paper. Analyses are done on the potential applications for MFFF technology. It has been shown that the technique holds great promise for various domains. The potential for further study in this field is also highlighted.

The degree of expansivity of clay depends on the mineral(s) present; therefore, identifying mineral(s) in clay is essential to assess its swelling and shrinkage characteristics. Fine-grained soils could be classified as Kaolinitic or Montmorillonitic where Montmorillonitic soils are relatively more expansive in nature. The expansive soils are very problematic as they affect the stability of structures found on them. X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis scanning electron microscopy (SEM) etc. techniques could be able to predict the mineral(s) in clay with high accuracy; however, employing such techniques in soil investigation is not possible due to their sophistication and handling of bulk heterogeneous soil mass. Many researchers and codes suggested the expansivity of soils based on index properties such as liquid limit, plastic limit, shrinkage limit, etc. This study aims to identify the Kaolinitic, Montmorillonitic and Mixture of both soils by applying an unsupervised learning clustering technique namely K-Mean clustering.