Kulandaivel Saminathan

Earthworm growth and reproduction is influenced by the environmental variables such as temperature, moisture, substrate and nutrient content in vermibed materials. By using different kind of dietary supplements with the conventional vermibed materials raise the development and reproductive potential of the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae. The current study evaluated on particular periods such as 10^th, 45^th, and 90^th day in vermibins with dietary supplements in the ratio of 1:1 the 50% Ficus religiosa leaf litters + 50% cow dung (T1); 50% Lawsonia inermis leaf litters + 50% cow dung (T2); 50% sugarcane bagasse + 50% cow dung (T3) was used and 100% cow dung serves as control (C). Among these vermibins, T3 vermibin treated earthworms had the highest growth, reproduction, highest sperm count in the seminal vesicle, hatching success, and also increased the metabolic profile of earthworms such as protein, carbohydrate, and lipids in tissues and seminal vesicle. Compared to the other nutritional supplements, the present study result revealed that cow dung and sugarcane bagasse together have a significant positive impact on earthworm growth and reproduction. This study emphasized on the enhancement of the reproductive capacity of the earthworm Eudrilus eugeniae by incorporating different dietary supplements with the traditional vermicomposting methods. This also helps to analyse the influence of the metabolic profile in the growth and development and even on the reproductive index of the earthworm which is been observed on three different period: 10^th, 45^th and 90^th day of experimentation. In the current research multi output can be ensured by integrating with production of crops, vermicompost, earthworm growth and waste management. This present study also represents that the open dumping of such a huge quantity of dung materials and plant and animal wastes will create environmental pollution and benefits for soil fertility improvement.

This investigation highlights the successful synthesis and comprehensive characterization of a robust and reliable copper-based electrocatalyst, with an emphasis on its exceptional performance in hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Copper oxide, silicon dioxide, and graphite were synthesized and advanced characterization techniques such as XPS, FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and EDS were employed to thoroughly analyze the synthesized materials. The resulting copper nanoparticles supported on silica substrate exhibited a calculated Tafel slope of 37 mV/dec in 0.5 M of H₂SO₄ solution. Furthermore, a mathematical model based on the Tafel equation and Langmuir-Hinshelwood model was developed to describe the HER reaction kinetics of an electrocatalysts in aqueous solution, which displayed improved HER performance due to its larger active surface area. The composite exhibited high probability for HER in a wide pH range and applied potential, with the composite R2 demonstrating the best stability under reaction conditions. These findings suggest that the copper-based electrocatalyst has significant potential to reduce the cost of producing hydrogen fuel and promote environmentally friendly energy sources.

Recently, developing metal–air batteries with cutting-edge electrolyte modification technologies has opened up numerous possibilities for designing next-generation power sources. Herein, an organo-metallic electrolytic additive, which acts as a corrosion inhibitor and as an additive in the Mg–air battery system, was used to inhibit anodic corrosion. Indigenously prepared hexamethyl cyclotrisiloxane (D3), a semi-amorphous material, unveils 90% corrosion inhibition efficiency at 600 ppm in 3.5 wt% NaCl electrolyte due to the presence of cyclic siloxane group as a physical adsorption layer over the Mg anode. The development of the passivation D3 layer via physisorption prevents the corrosion at the Mg anode, facilitating faster ion transport by increasing the active contact area for the reaction species. The D3 modified Mg air battery system exhibited an excellent discharge capacity of 1338 mA h g⁻¹ at 1 mA cm⁻² with an anodic utilization efficiency of 60.8%. Overall, the finding on developing organometallic electrolytes will open up new directions for battery research by paving the way for improved energy storage in similar air batteries.

The present study focuses on developing antimicrobial nanofibers with superhydrophobicity and insect repellent properties for wound dressing and biomedical applications. For the first time, Andrographis paniculata leaf extract was prepared and incorporated into ZnO nanofibers (AP-ZnO). The antifungal and antibacterial activities of AP-ZnO were tested using the agar plate method. Amid the bacteria and fungus strain tested, the prepared sample exhibited a greater efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus and Trichophyton rubrum respectively. AP-ZnO showed the highest larvicidal activity (100 ± 0.2) against Aedes aegypti, proving its insect repellent characteristics. The in vivo toxicity studies of AP-ZnO (100 μ g ml ⁻¹ ) tested on Danio rerio ensure the biocompatibility of the prepared sample with maximum toxicity of 21.1% after 72 h, which is lower than commercial Prallethrin. Moreover, AP-ZnO-chitosan coated cotton fabric showed higher durability with contact angle ( θ ∼ 151°) and was suggested to be used for self-cleaning applications in the biomedical sector. The examined results confirmed that AP-ZnO possesses different medicinal characteristics suitable for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.