Vivek Anand A., Arumugam V., Jayalakshmi S. and Arvind Singh R.
The failure of structures and components made of SS304 steel because of corrosion in the presence of saline water environment is still an unsolved issue across the globe…
Abstract
Purpose
The failure of structures and components made of SS304 steel because of corrosion in the presence of saline water environment is still an unsolved issue across the globe. Conventionally, coatings and inhibitors are used to mitigate corrosion. The purpose of this study is to propose a novel method to tackle corrosion by means of micro-patterning on the surface and to explore the relation between surface morphology, corrosion and wetting nature of micro-patterned SS304 Steel.
Design/methodology/approach
Groove-shaped micro-patterns were created on SS304 steel surface with varying ridge and channel widths. Wettability studies conducted on flat and micro-patterned steel surfaces using high speed camera. Corrosion tests carried out in saline water using an electrochemical test set-up to quantify the performance of micro-patterned surface over flat surface and scanning electron microscopic analysis to visualize the severity of corrosion on the surfaces of SS304 steel.
Findings
Wettability studies showed that the micro-patterned steel surfaces were hydrophobic. Corrosion rates of the micro-patterned steel surfaces were lower by more than an order of magnitude compared to that of the flat steel surface. Scanning electron microscopic analysis revealed that the micro-patterned steel surfaces had less surface damage compared to the flat surface.
Originality/value
The author shows that the remarkable corrosion resistance shown by the micro-patterned steel surfaces is attributed to their hydrophobicity, which reduced the contact between the surfaces and the corrosive liquid media. Results from the investigation indicate that micro-patterning of SS304 steel surfaces is an effective route to decrease corrosion.
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The aim of this study is to investigate the humidity-sensing of polyaniline–zinc oxide (PANI–ZnO) nanocomposites. Humidity sensor has wide applications in drug industries, food…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study is to investigate the humidity-sensing of polyaniline–zinc oxide (PANI–ZnO) nanocomposites. Humidity sensor has wide applications in drug industries, food industries and domestic purpose to regulate the humidity level.
Design/methodology/approach
PANI–ZnO composites were prepared by in situ polymerization method, and further humidity response was tested by using a two-probe sensor setup.
Findings
PANI-ZnO composites surface were modified by using camphor sulphonic acid. DC conductivity is due to the hopping of polorans. Thermal coefficient value varies from 1.7 to 2.3. The 30 weight per cent composite shows high sensitivity among other composites.
Research limitations/implications
These composites can be used only at room temperature or moderate temperature, i.e. below 280°C.
Practical implications
The composites are prepared in tetrapod shape that has a large surface area and more stability. Therefore, these materials would be the replacement for conventional materials.
Social implications
These sensors have many applications in food and drug preservation, domestic purposes, etc.
Originality/value
This work is original, and not being considered for publication elsewhere. In this work, the charge transport properties were evaluated based on the resistivity change when samples were exposed to humidity.
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Providing public healthcare to people is a major challenge for governments. In this sector, public-funded systems are grossly inadequate in India, and excessive commercialization…
Abstract
Providing public healthcare to people is a major challenge for governments. In this sector, public-funded systems are grossly inadequate in India, and excessive commercialization and exploitation by the private sector are a stark reality. The cooperative healthcare model is emerging as an alternate system in Kerala with its strong service objective to challenge the woes of private healthcare. The cooperative hospitals in the state worked round the clock to serve the poor and needy during the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has also badly exposed the weakness of our healthcare system in the wake of challenges posed by an increase in demand for health services, especially in rural areas. The resultant rise in the cost of treatment has put severe strains on the people at a time when even their day to day jobs were in peril. India has a strong cooperative movement and world-class institutions to serve as models in each sector. The Thrikkakara Municipal Co-operative Hospital, located at Cochin in the Kerala State of India on which this case study is written was established by the Hospital Society Ltd. in 1999, as a project under the People’s Planning Programme of the Government. Today, it has grown into a medium-sized healthcare establishment with the prime objective ‘Modern healthcare to all at affordable costs’ and cater to an average of 700 outpatients a day. This case study reveals the inception, development over years, facilities available, operations, management, public interface, and outlook for the hospital to become a modern healthcare institution to serve the people still better.
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Sathish S., Anandakrishnan V. and Gupta Manoj
The purpose of this study is to analyse and optimize the wear parameters of magnesium metal-metal composite. Materials with lesser weight attract both the researcher and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyse and optimize the wear parameters of magnesium metal-metal composite. Materials with lesser weight attract both the researcher and industrialists, as it exhibits the performance improvement in the automotive and aerospace industries. The enrichment of mechanical and tribological properties of the existing magnesium focussed the development of new metal–metal composite.
Design/methodology/approach
Metal–metal composite with magnesium matrix was synthesized through the disintegrated melt deposition technique with the addition of titanium, aluminium and boron carbide particles. The wear performance of the composite was experimented with the dry sliding wear test by considering load, sliding velocity and sliding distance.
Findings
The wear rate of the composite is analysed statistically, and the significance of wear parameters on the wear performance of metal–metal composite is observed. The worn pin surface and the wear debris collected during the wear experiments were exposed to the microscopy analysis to seize the dominating wear mechanisms.
Originality/value
The wear performance of the developed magnesium composite was analysed and discussed in detail with the support of scientific evidence, i.e. worn surface and debris analysis express the wear mechanisms.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-08-2019-0326/
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Reducing income gap and enhancing welfare of people can be achieved through improved performance regarding socio-economic indicators, which can support sustainable development…
Abstract
Reducing income gap and enhancing welfare of people can be achieved through improved performance regarding socio-economic indicators, which can support sustainable development. People living in villages tend to migrate to the cities with the hope of enhancing their income. People living in cities and income gap among the people in the cities are expected to increase further. Enhanced living conditions in villages can reduce the need for this migration and increase welfare of the people in the villages. This chapter aims to examine drivers for sustainable smart villages and ways for enhancing and supporting their effectiveness in socio-economic development, in enhancing welfare and living conditions of people living in villages, and in reducing income gap between urban and rural people. This chapter investigates potential and roles of sustainable and smart villages in enhancing welfare and living conditions of people living in villages. Furthermore, this chapter emphasises the villages’ roles in sustainable development as well as importance of transformation of villages into the sustainable and smart ones and establishment of sustainable and smart villages so that convergence, social inclusion and socio-economic indicators can be supported. This chapter explains drivers for transformation of the villages into the sustainable and smart ones as well as establishment of new sustainable and smart villages. This chapter provides recommendations for sustainable and smart villages effective in contributing to sustainable and socio-economic development. This chapter can be useful to urban planners, construction industry stakeholders, policy makers and researchers.
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Gaurav Arora and Satpal Sharma
This paper aims to produce hybrid reinforcement for the development of aluminium matrix composites using ball-billing technique to avoid or reduce the problem of agglomeration of…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to produce hybrid reinforcement for the development of aluminium matrix composites using ball-billing technique to avoid or reduce the problem of agglomeration of the reinforcement during casting.
Design/methodology/approach
In the present investigation, a mixture of silicon carbide (SiC) and rice husk ash (RHA) powder in equal weight percentage ratio 4:4 (1:1) was alloyed mechanically in a ball-mill at distinct milling times of 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75 h. Morphological Characterization and density measurements of the ball-milled powder were carried out after different intervals of milling times.
Findings
The results revealed that the process of ball milling is a novel technique for the conversion of two or more powders in to an integer powder and reduces the problem of agglomeration also. The density measurement results revealed that an increasing trend of density initially and reduction of the density with the increase of milling time. The density value of the combined particles became comparable to the density of aluminium at the milling time of 75 h for the equal weight percentage ratio 4:4 (1:1) of SiC and RHA.
Originality/value
The manuscript highlights the research work related to the development of the reinforcement for the aluminium hybrid composites by ball milling process. The use of this process for the development of the reinforcement not only reduces the problem of the agglomeration but reduces the density mismatch of the reinforcement and matrix material also.
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This paper aims to explore factors influencing the effectiveness of tax audit in Tanzania. The study organized factors into four categories: organizational-related, tax…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore factors influencing the effectiveness of tax audit in Tanzania. The study organized factors into four categories: organizational-related, tax auditors-related, taxpayers-related and regulatory-related factors.
Design/methodology/approach
The study used an explanatory approach, whereby data from 225 auditors in 23 tax regions in Tanzania were collected using a mailed questionnaire. The questionnaire had 25 statements representing factors and 5 statements representing the tax audit effectiveness. The collected data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. In the case of descriptive statistics, the study used frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. For the inferential statistics, the study used exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and multiple regression analysis.
Findings
The study findings showed that there were five main critical factors for tax audit effectiveness. The first factor, which is the implementation of tax auditors’ recommendations by management, was found under the organizational category. The second factor, which was adequacy of tax audit unit, was found under the tax auditors’ category, while the third factor was taxpayers’ attitude, found under the taxpayers’ category. The fourth and fifth factors, which were availability and application of regulations and standards for tax audit, and leadership and tax policies for tax audit, respectively, were found under the regulatory category.
Research limitations/implications
Despite the contributions of this study, there are some limitations which need to be acknowledged. First, data were collected from tax auditors only. Second, only 25 statements for factors were used. Third, the study has used only primary data. Last, the study has used perceptual measures of tax audit effectiveness. The authors consider that if other approaches were used, they could have reached different conclusions. Therefore, future studies could be conducted in the areas where limitations have been identified.
Practical implications
From a practical perspective, tax authorities may be relying heavily on tax auditors, as well as regulations and policies, for tax audit effectiveness. The study shows that taxpayers, management, as well as tax audit standards, are critical factors too. However, the study also has practical implications for governments, tax authorities, tax auditors as well taxpayers.
Originality/value
This paper extends prior research in the area of tax audit and is the first paper to use four categories of factors to analyse the influence of tax audit effectiveness, taking into consideration both tax authorities and taxpayers. It also used EFA, which helped to generate variables with multiple prior theories (i.e. theoretical triangulation). Hence, new theories were combined with old theories to produce findings which take into consideration the context of the country.
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Naseer Khan, Zeeshan Gohar, Faisal Khan and Faisal Mehmood
This study aims to offer a hybrid stand-alone system for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations (CS), an emerging power scheme due to the availability of renewable and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to offer a hybrid stand-alone system for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations (CS), an emerging power scheme due to the availability of renewable and environment-friendly energy sources. This paper presents the analysis of a photovoltaic (PV) with an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) algorithm, solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and a battery storage scheme incorporated for EV CS in a stand-alone mode. In previous studies, either the hydrogen fuel of SOFC or the irradiance is controlled using artificial neural network. These parameters are not controlled simultaneously using an ANFIS-based approach. The ANFIS-based stand-alone hybrid system controlling both the fuel flow of SOFC and the irradiance of PV is discussed in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
The ANFIS algorithm provides an efficient estimation of maximum power (MP) to the nonlinear voltage–current characteristics of a PV, integrated with a direct current–direct current (DC–DC) converter to boost output voltage up to 400 V. The issue of fuel starvation in SOFC due to load transients is also mitigated using an ANFIS-based fuel flow regulator, which robustly provides fuel, i.e. hydrogen per necessity. Furthermore, to ensure uninterrupted power to the CS, PV is integrated with a SOFC array, and a battery storage bank is used as a backup in the current scenario. A power management system efficiently shares power among the aforesaid sources.
Findings
A comprehensive simulation test bed for a stand-alone power system (PV cells and SOFC) is developed in MATLAB/Simulink. The adaptability and robustness of the proposed control paradigm are investigated through simulation results in a stand-alone hybrid power system test bed.
Originality/value
The simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the ANFIS algorithm in a stand-alone hybrid power system scheme.
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Bhanu Prakash Saripalli, Gagan Singh and Sonika Singh
Non-linear power–voltage characteristics of solar cell and frequently changing output due to variation in solar irradiance caused by movement of clouds are the major issues need…
Abstract
Purpose
Non-linear power–voltage characteristics of solar cell and frequently changing output due to variation in solar irradiance caused by movement of clouds are the major issues need to be considered in photovoltaic (PV) penetration to maintain the power quality of the grid. It is important for a PV module to always function at its maximum available power point to increase the efficiency and to maintain the grid stability. A possible solution to mitigate these generation fluctuations is the use of an electric double-layer capacitor or supercapacitor energy storage device, which is an efficient storage device for power smoothing applications. This study aims to propose a power smoothing control approach to smoothen out the output power variations of a solar PV system using a supercapacitor energy storage device.
Design/methodology/approach
To extract the maximum possible power from a PV panel, there are several maximum power points tracking (MPPT) algorithms developed in literature. Fuzzy logic controller-MPPT method is used in this work as it is a very efficient and popular technique which responds quickly under varying ecological conditions, reduced computational complexity and does not depend on any system constraints. Fuzzy logic-based MPPT controller by Boost DC–DC converter is developed for operating the PV panels at available maximum power point. Fuzzy logic-proportional integral (PI) charge controller is implemented by Buck–Boost converter to provide the constant current and suitable voltage for supercapacitor and to achieve better power smoothing. PI charge controller is preferred in this work as it offers better outcomes and is very easy to implement.
Findings
Simulation results conclude that the proposed power smoothing control approach can efficiently smooth out the power variations under variable irradiance and temperature situations. To confirm the accurateness of the proposed system, it is validated for poly-crystalline PV module and comparison of results is done by using different case study with and without the use of an energy storage system under change in irradiance condition. The proposed system is developed and examined on MATLAB/Simulink environment.
Originality/value
The performance comparison between PV power output with and without the use of a supercapacitor energy storage device under different Case Studies shows that the improved performance in smoothing of power output was achieved with the use of a supercapacitor energy storage device.