In this paper, thermal processing of starch slurry in a Couette-Taylor flow (CTF) apparatus was investigated. Gelatinized starch dispersion, after treatment in the CTF apparatus, was characterized using such parameters like starch granule diameters (or average diameter), starch granule swelling degree (quantifying the amount of water absorbed by starch granules) and concentration of dissolved starch. These parameters were affected mostly by the process temperature, although the impact of the axial flow or rotor rotation on them was also observed. Moreover, the analysis of results showed a relatively good correlation between these parameters, as well as, between those parameter and apparent viscosity of gelatinized starch dispersion. Meanwhile, the increase in the value of the apparent viscosity and in shear-tinning behaviour of dispersion was associated with the progress of starch processing in the CTF apparatus. Finally, the CTF apparatuses of different geometries were compared using numerical simulation of the process. The results of the simulation indicated that the apparatus scaling-up without increasing the width of the gap between cylinders results in higher mechanical energy consumption per unit of processed starch slurry.

Application of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) or 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxilic acid (ACC) to maize roots growing in hydroponic solution inhibited root elongation, and increased radial growth, but the responses to those treatments differed in degree. Auxin was more effective than ACC as an elongation inhibitor and root swelling promoter. Whereas NAA fully inhibited elongation and maintained swelling over 48 h, ACC inhibited elongation partially (50%) and only promoted swelling for 24 h. It is well-known that auxin, like ACC, promotes ethylene production, but similar levels of ethylene production reached by means of NAA or ACC treatments did not elicit the same response, the response being always stronger to NAA than to ACC. These results suggest that the effect of auxin on root growth is not mediated by ethylene. Elongation and swelling of roots appear to be inversely related: usually a reduction in elongation was accompanied by corresponding swelling. However, these two processes showed different sensitivities to growth regulators. After 24 h treatment with 0.5 μM NAA or 5 μM ACC, root elongation was inhibited by 90% and 53% respectively, but the same treatments promoted swelling by 187% and 140% respectively. Furthermore, 1 μM ACC was shown to promote inhibition of root elongation without affecting swelling. The ethylene antagonist STS (silver thiosulfate) did not affect elongation in control or NAAtreated roots, but increased ethylene production and swelling. These results indicate that longitudinal and radial expansion could be independently controlled.

Since electrical drives have become an integral element of any industrial sector, power quality difficulties have been well expected, and delivering genuine quality of the same has proven to be a difficult challenge. Since power quality relies on load side non-linearity and high semiconductor technology consumption, it is a serious concern. The efficiency of the drive segment employed in the sector is increasingly becoming a topic of discussion in today’s market. Numerous reviews of available literature have found problems with the load side as well as with electrical drive proficiency, as a result of the issues listed above. A high level of power quality vulnerability is simply too much. Even the most advanced technology has its limits when it comes to drive operation. Research on the grid-side quality issues of electrical drives is the focus of this article. After field testing of grid power quality, each parametric analysis is performed to identify crucial parameters that can cause industrial drives to fail. Based on this discovery, a machine learning strategy was developed and an artificial intelligence technique was proposed to administer the fault deterrent prediction algorithm. An accurate forecast of anomalous behavior on the grid side ensures safe and dependable grid operation such that shutdown or failure probability is minimized to a greater extent by the results. Additional information gleaned from historical data will prove useful to equipment manufacturers in the future, providing a solution to this problem.

Microwave curing of bamboo fiber increases the physical and mechanical qualities of cement concrete, according to previous studies. However, there are limited research on their endurance when used as an additive in concrete manufacturing to increase strength. The impact of bamboo fiber and Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) on the mechanical and microstructure of the resulting concrete is investigated in this study. With the inclusion of bamboo fiber ranging from 0–1.5%, a mix ratio of 1:1.5:3 was used. To make the samples, 10% SBR by weight of cement was dissolved in the mixing water. The batching was done by weight, with a water cement ratio of 0.6. Compressive strength, water absorption, swelling, modulus of elasticity, and modulus of rupture were all studied as mechanical properties. Various characterization tests such as SEM, EDS, FTIR, XRD, and TGA were performed on the microstructure, crystalline nature, and mineral composition of certain samples. According to the FTIR study’s findings, peak levels were detected in the O–H stretching, C–H fiber and CH2 functional groups, carbonyl group, C–O and C–C functional groups. As the temperature climbed, TGA measurements showed a drop in weight. The XRD test revealed peak levels of 6.611, 4.255, and 3.855 for sanidine, quartz, and calcite, respectively. After 28 days, the inclusion of bamboo fibers as an additive in concrete shows some promising outcomes in compressive strength, with samples containing 1% and 1.5% bamboo fiber cured at 80°C having a higher compressive strength value.

Petroleum products influence the engineering behaviour of the soil. Neogene clays and glacial tills from Central Poland were tested under laboratory conditions to evaluate the changes of selected physical and mechanical parameters: particle size distribution, particle density, swelling, shear strength and permeability. Four petroleum products were used in the experiments: diesel fuel, kerosene, jet fuel and mineral engine oil. The study revealed that even for the lowest degree of contamination the values of physical and mechanical properties of the soils changed significantly. Greater variation can be expected in soils contaminated with high-viscosity compounds. Also, higher relative changes were found for glacial tills than for Neogene clays. Consolidation tests revealed changes in soil permeability depending on the soil composition and the physical properties of the contaminant – considerable reduction of permeability was observed for glacial tills contaminated with light Jet fuel, while the reduction was lower for Neogene clays. The obtained results indicate the role of mesopores and the dimensionless pore pressure coefficient in changes of soil permeability. The methodological issues regarding testing and analysing the hydrocarbon-contaminated soils were also presented and discussed, which might be useful for researchers studying contaminated soils.