Mahendran Samykano

The authors confirm that the same images used in Figure 19 were indeed taken from the same laboratory for two publications

Rapid prototyping, also known as 3-Dimensional (3D) printing, is a popular method for creating dynamic geometries and structures based on 3D model data. This technology enables the quick production of prototypes and finished objects using 3D printers. Among the various Additive Manufacturing (AM) techniques, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) stands out for its versatility and affordability, as it utilizes thermoplastics to build precise, high-performance, and mechanically strong objects. This project aims to develop an enhanced-performance, semi-precision FDM printer that is both affordable and compact. This research aims to contribute to the creation of a low-cost, user-friendly, semi-precision 3D printer that outperforms low-precision alternatives. The design of this 3D printer was accomplished using Solid Works and Finite Element Design software, and the construction commenced after the procurement of necessary materials and electronics. Finally, as for the performance from the tensile test, the ultimate tensile strength of the semi-precision sample is measured at 51.37 MPa, which is higher than the value of 29.36 MPa for the low-precision sample. For the compression test, the compressive strength of the semi-precision sample measures 24.17 MPa, which is greater than the value of 22.52 MPa for the low-precision sample. As for the surface quality, the sample printed from the semi-precision 3D printer shows better surface quality in refined details than the sample printed by a low-precision 3D printer. The development of an enhanced semi-precision 3D printer has various practical applications. For example, prosthetics and implants could be printed with precise details to suit the patient. Replacement parts of machines in industry or households can be printed and fit accurately compared to parts made by low-precision 3D printers. 3D printing can be particularly useful in research labs due to its ability to make specialized, bespoke geometries. The primary significance of this semi-precision FDM 3D printer is to produce good quality surface finishing and reduce the time taken to complete the printing process of the materials. Moreover, this printer allows good surface finishing and ensure high-quality printed product. Furthermore, this semi-precision 3D printer allows rapid printing of the material at high temperatures.

The literature on photovoltaic thermal (PV/T) systems has grown substantially during the past few decades. Bibliometric analysis is relatively less explored in the PV/T domain. This research aims to attain a comprehensive understanding of the research topic "PV/T system." The Scopus database was mined for information on research patterns across two decades (2000 to 2023). The data collected data was analyzed using VOSviewer software. This research employs a novel combination of cluster, network, and bibliometric analysis (using Vosviewer) on a vast dataset of articles to characterize the current state and prospective research orientations on PV/T systems. The bibliometric study includes a distribution of publications across nations, journals, research types, topic categories, a co-authorship map, and a co-occurrence network analysis of keywords. Assessing articles with substantial citations reveals several aspects, such as methodologies and systems, issues, and challenges, to identify present constraints and research gaps. China (428), India (326), and Malaysia (207) have the most publications. The National Natural Science Foundation of China funded one hundred eighty-nine projects (around 9.6%). Sopian K has authored the most papers in this discipline (73 publications, total citations 3482). Solar Energy (under Elsevier) has published the maximum number of articles. Additional data elements analyzed include prominent institutions, authorship networks/collaborations, and the journal with the highest citations. The process of selecting, generating, and analyzing the most-cited publications is intended to lay a solid basis for the future development of photovoltaic thermal systems and identify new research avenues. Researchers, policymakers, and practitioners interested in clean energy will gain insight into the current status of research on photovoltaic thermal systems from the conclusions.

The dynamic landscape of additive manufacturing is rapidly evolving, with the fusion of fused deposition modelling (FDM) and multiplane printing emerging as a transformative technique for creating intricate 3D PET-G components. Utilizing a cutting-edge gantry-style FDM apparatus, this comprehensive research endeavour centred on the fabrication and subsequent meticulous evaluation of multiplane samples. These were contrasted against their single-plane counterparts, focusing on pivotal metrics such as tensile strength, flexural resilience, and inherent material density. The findings were enlightening: Multiplane samples exhibited marked superiority in tensile attributes, whereas the single-plane samples displayed pronounced advantages in flexural strength and overall density. Such distinct variations offer profound insights into the overarching influence of multiplane printing techniques within FDM processes. This investigative foray not only underscores the vast potentialities of multiplane printing but also signals its instrumental role in heralding future innovations within the expansive and multifaceted domain of additive manufacturing.

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The traditional approach of open-sun drying is facing contemporary challenges arising from the widespread adoption of energy-intensive methods and the quality of drying. In response, solar dryers have emerged as a sustainable alternative, utilizing solar thermal energy to effectively dehydrate vegetables. This study investigates the performance of a single-basin, double-slope solar dryer utilizing natural convection for drying bottle gourds and tomatoes, presenting a sustainable alternative to traditional open-sun drying. The solar dryer exhibited superior moisture removal efficiency, achieving a 94.42% reduction in tomatoes and 83.87% in bottle gourds, compared to open-sun drying. Drying rates were significantly enhanced, with maximum air and plate temperatures reaching 54.42 °C and 63.38 °C, respectively, accelerating the dehydration process. Moisture diffusivity analysis revealed a marked improvement in drying behavior under solar drying, with values ranging from 3.12 × 10⁻¹¹ to 4.31 × 10⁻¹¹ m²/s for bottle gourds, and 4.65 × 10⁻¹¹ to 2.31 × 10⁻¹¹ m²/s for tomatoes. Energy efficiency assessments highlighted the solar dryer’s advantage, with exergy efficiency peaking at 61.78% for bottle gourds and 68.5% for tomatoes. Furthermore, the activation energy required for drying was significantly lower in the solar dryer (29.14–46.41 kJ/mol for bottle gourds and 27.16–55.42 kJ/mol for tomatoes) compared to open-sun drying, enhancing energy conservation. Visual inspections confirmed the superior quality of the solar-dried vegetables, free from dust and impurities. An economic analysis underscored the system’s viability, with payback periods of 2 years for bottle gourds and 1.6 years for tomatoes. Overall, this study demonstrates the efficacy of solar dryers in optimizing vegetable preservation while promoting energy efficiency, aligning with global sustainability goals by reducing post-harvest losses and supporting eco-friendly practices.

In the current work, an experiment was conducted to examine the combustion properties of a single cylinder compression ignition direct ignition engine fuelled with rice bran oil at different engine loads. The investigation focused on the analysis of cylinder pressure and exhaust gas temperature as key factors in combustion. The fuel blends utilized in this study consist of various proportions of diesel and rice bran oil, including 100% pure diesel (RBO00), a blend of 25% rice bran oil and 75% pure diesel (RBO25), a blend of 50% rice bran oil and 50% pure diesel (RBO50), a blend of 75% rice bran oil and 25% pure diesel (RBO75), and 100% rice bran oil (RBO100). Comparisons are made between the results of an experiment using rice bran oil (RBO25, RBO50, RBO75, and RBO100) and a diesel engine (RBO00). RBO00 exhibits a greater heat output per unit mass compared to RBO25, RBO50, RBO75, and RBO100 blends because of the highest value of calorific value (CV) among others blends. Consequently, RBO00 demonstrated a higher measurement of exhaust gas temperature (EGT). One further contributing factor was the increased exhaust gas temperature (EGT), which led to an extended ignition delay, resulting in a lengthier fuel combustion process and the egress of combustion gas from the combustion chamber at higher temperatures. RBO100 achieved the highest cylinder pressure in both 50 % and 100 % engine load settings. The RBO100 blends fuel successfully achieved the optimal cylinder pressure in both 50 % and 100 % engine load conditions. The cylinder pressure for RBO00 (pure diesel) was the lowest at both half and full loads. The observed decrease in peak pressure can be attributed to the decreased cetane number (CN) and oxygen concentration found in RBO00 in comparison to the mixed fuels of RBOs. This will affect the completion of combustion such as wear and tear for the cylinder and piston. Under both 50 % and 100 % engine load condition, the cylinder pressure for RBO00 (pure diesel) was the lowest. In summary, rice bran oil showed superior combustion behaviour compared to pure diesel, and the mixture blends RBO75 and RBO100 can be thought of as ideal in terms of exhaust gas temperature and cylinder pressure.

Introduction: The increasing global demand for sustainable energy solutions highlights the urgency of exploring renewable resources, particularly sunlight, which is abundant and virtually limitless. This study reviews innovative technologies like solar trees, wind trees, and hybrid solar-wind trees, which are emerging as efficient structures for harnessing renewable energy.Methods: A comprehensive SWOT analysis was conducted to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with solar, wind, and hybrid trees. The analysis also considered sustainability aspects, focusing on the efficiency and practicality of these technologies in various settings.Results: Solar trees mimic natural foliage, utilizing solar modules to convert sunlight into electricity, while wind trees incorporate micro-wind turbines and solar panels, effectively harnessing both wind and solar energy. Hybrid solar-wind trees combine these technologies to provide a consistent energy supply. These structures are compact, cost-effective, and adaptable to urban landscapes.Discussion: Challenges such as land use, aesthetic considerations, and public perception were identified. The review emphasizes the need for future research to optimize configurations and address these challenges, ensuring the successful integration of these technologies into sustainable urban landscapes.Conclusion: This review provides critical insights for renewable energy researchers, particularly in the development of hybrid wind and solar power systems, promoting energy security and climate resilience.

Molten salts are the operational fluid for most concentrated solar power (CSP) systems, which has attracted more attention among the scientific community due to the augmentation of their properties with the doping of nanoparticles. Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoparticles were dispersed in HITEC molten salt to create a novel nanofluid and evaluate the h-BN nanoparticles’ influence on HITEC thermophysical properties. The influence of nanoparticle concentration (0.1, 0.5, and 1wt.%) of h-BN and HITEC was studied in this research. HITEC and nano-enhanced HITEC molten salt (NEHMS) were characterized using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Specific heat capacity, latent heat, and melting temperature were assessed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The maximum working temperature was evaluated with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The ideal nanoparticle concentration is 0.1 wt.% h-BN, which results in a 27% increase in heat capacity, a 72% increase in latent heat, and a 7% enhancement in thermal stability. The thermal cycling stability test proved the stability of the enhanced thermophysical properties. The material characterization revealed that the samples with improved thermophysical properties have a homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles with minor nanoparticle agglomeration. The system advisor model (SAM) simulation comparison of the optimum sample with solar salt and HITEC salt revealed that using the optimum sample increases CSP plant efficiency by 0.4% and reduces power costs by 0.13¢/kWh.