Clean and environment-friendly energy harvesting are of prime interest today as it is one of the key enablers in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as accelerates social progress and enhances living standards. India, the second-most populous nation with a population of 1.353 billion, is one of the largest consumers of fossil fuels in the world which is responsible for global warming. An ever-increasing population is projected until 2050, and consequently, the energy demand in the upcoming decades will be co-accelerated by the rapid industrial growth. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) with the support of National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog is working to achieve the Indian Government's target of attaining 175 GW through renewable energy resources. Many Indian states are currently increasing their renewable energy capacity in an objective to meet future energy demand. The review paper discusses in-depth about the three Indian states, namely Karnataka, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, which pioneers the renewable energy production in India. The global energy scenario was discussed in detail with Indian contrast. Further, the barriers to the development of renewable energy generation and policies of the Indian government are discussed in detail to promote renewable energy generation throughout India as well as globally since the challenges are similar for other nations. This study analyzed various prospects of the country in renewable energy which has been done in a purpose to help the scholars, researchers, and policymakers of the nation, as it gives an insight into the present renewable energy scenario of the country.

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A Comprehensive Review on Renewable Energy Development, Challenges, and Policies of Leading Indian States With an International Perspective

Understanding the basic properties of natural fibers is important to determine the optimal intended uses for instance as high-quality bio-composite raw material. This review describes the characteristics, and potential uses of some natural fibers in order to improve their sustainability and economic values. The natural fibers have low density and high strength to weight ratio and reduction make them potential as light weight composite and reinforcement materials. The microstructure and chemical compositions of fibers affect the mechanical properties with the fiber cross-sectional area is the most variable influencing the fiber strength. Natural fibers are easy to absorb water due to the presence of hemicellulose that give hydrophilic properties make them less compatible in the interaction with matrix with hydrophobicity properties. Higher cellulose content and crystallinity tend to result better strength properties of fiber while lignin is since versa. Besides that, fiber anatomical characteristics vary between different and same species that affect on the density and mechanical properties. The other factors namely environmental conditions, method of transportation, storage time and conditions, and fiber extraction affect the size and quality of the natural fibers.

A review on natural fibers for development of eco-friendly bio-composite: characteristics, and utilizations

In this present study the effect of adding silicon coupling grafted ferric oxide and E-glass fibre in thermal stability, wear and fatigue behaviour of epoxy resin hybrid composite was investigated. The principal aim of this research was explicating the importance of silicon coupling grafted E-glass fibre and ferric oxide particle in thermal stability, wear and fatigue properties of epoxy hybrid composite. Ferric oxide particles of 800, 200 and < 100 nm and E-glass fibre of 600 GSM was used as second phase additions in epoxy resin with surface grafted condition. The surface grafting was done using 3-Aminopropyletrimethoxylane via aqueous solution method with acetic acid as pH adjuster. The improvement of 80% was observed in initial thermal stability of surface grafted E-glass fibre epoxy composite on comparing with un-modified glass-epoxy composite. Similar improvements were noted in rapid and final decomposition stages also. The lower specific wear rate of 0.002 was observed for surface grafted E-glass and ferric oxide added composite designation EGFI11. The worn surface frcatograph explicated flat and smooth wear track surface for surface grafted composite designations. A highest fatigue life cycle of 18,724 is observed for surface modified composite designation EGFI21. These thermally stable and high wear resistance and fatigue strengthened composites could be used in automobile, aircrafts and domestic applications.

Effect of Silicon Coupling Grafted Ferric Oxide and E-Glass Fibre in Thermal Stability, Wear and Tensile Fatigue Behaviour of Epoxy Hybrid Composite

Over the last decade, the progressive application of natural fibres in polymer composites has had a major effect in alleviating environmental impacts. Recently, there is a growing interest in the development of green materials in a woven form by utilising natural fibres from lignocellulosic materials for many applications such as structural, non-structural composites, household utilities, automobile parts, aerospace components, flooring, and ballistic materials. Woven materials are one of the most promising materials for substituting or hybridising with synthetic polymeric materials in the production of natural fibre polymer composites (NFPCs). These woven materials are flexible, able to be tailored to the specific needs and have better mechanical properties due to their weaving structures. Seeing that the potential advantages of woven materials in the fabrication of NFPC, this paper presents a detailed review of studies related to woven materials. A variety of factors that influence the properties of the resultant woven NFRC such as yarn characteristics, fabric properties as well as manufacturing parameters were discussed. Past and current research efforts on the development of woven NFPCs from various polymer matrices including polypropylene, polylactic acid, epoxy and polyester and the properties of the resultant composites were also compiled. Last but not least, the applications, challenges, and prospects in the field also were highlighted.

https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/3/471/pdf

A Comprehensive Review on Advanced Sustainable Woven Natural Fibre Polymer Composites

Novel Muntingia Calabura bark fiber reinforced green-epoxy composite: A sustainable and green material for cleaner production

In this research the effect of adding silicon carbide nano whiskers (SiCw) into epoxy resin and the impact of reinforcing surface treated SiC wire-mesh (SiCwm) and woven aloevera/hemp/flax fibers (NF) were studied. The principal aim of this work was demonstrating the importance of adding SiCw (0.5 and 1.0 vol.%) and SiC wire-mesh with economical natural fibres (50 vol.%) and silane surface treatment on natural fibres in mechanical and low velocity impact behavior. The SiCw and natural fibres were surface treated by 3-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane whereas SiC wire-mesh was shot blasted. The composites were cured at room temperature using an aliphatic hardener Triethylenetetramine (TETA). The strength factor results showed that the silane surface modified composite designation ‘H4’ gave highest normalized strength of 98%. The highest tensile and flexural strength of 141 and 240 MPa was observed for silane surface modified composite designation ‘H4’. The low velocity impact damage behavior of ‘H4’ composite designation showed higher resistance against to penetration. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) morphological images showed uniform dispersion of surface-modified SiCw in epoxy resin. Similarly the silane treated natural fibre and shot blasted SiC wire-mesh given improved adhesion with matrix. These high damping polymer composites offers their application in automobile, structural and domestic sector.

Low Velocity Impact and Mechanical Behaviour of Shot Blasted SiC Wire-Mesh and Silane-Treated Aloevera/Hemp/Flax-Reinforced SiC Whisker Modified Epoxy Resin Composites

In recent days, polymer composites reinforced with natural fiber had shown greater focus and interest in the production of environmentally sustainable materials and in part in the replacement of synthetic fibers commonly used in automotive applications. In this study, an attempt has been made to investigate the effect of natural fibers obtained for composite preparation from milkweed, kusha grass, sisal, banana and hay mixed with polypropylene 10:90 (wt %). Mechanical properties such as tensile strength and hardness have been determined in accordance with ASTM standards. Water absorption studies have also been done to investigate the water's absorption ability. The acoustic characterization of these natural reinforced fiber composites is measured by a thickness of 10 mm and 20 mm. The result has shown that an increase in thickness is not effective at higher acoustic absorption frequencies. Scanning electron microscope analyzes microstructures of milkweed fiber. These results identify suitable materials for different mechanical and automotive applications.

Acoustic and mechanical characterisation of polypropylene composites reinforced by natural fibres for automotive applications

On the technologies empowering drones for intelligent monitoring of solar photovoltaic power plants

Role of silanized magnetic Fe2O3 particle in heat dissipation and microwave shielding behavior of E-glass fibre-reinforced epoxy resin composite

First, second, third, and fourth-generation biofuels are continuously evolving as a promising substitute to petrodiesel catalyzed by energy depletion, economic and environmental considerations. Bio-diesel can be synthesized from various biomass sources, which are commonly divided into FAME and renewable biodiesel. FAME biodiesel is generally produced by the transesterification of vegetable oils and fats while renewable diesel is produced by hydro-deoxygenation of vegetable and waste oils and fats. The different generation, processing technologies and standards for FAME and renewable biodiesel are reviewed. Finally, the life cycle analysis and production cost of conventional and renewable biodiesel are described.

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V. Jayaseelan

Papers

Low Velocity Impact and Mechanical Behaviour of Shot Blasted SiC Wire-Mesh and Silane-Treated Aloevera/Hemp/Flax-Reinforced SiC Whisker Modified Epoxy Resin Composites

Acoustic and mechanical characterisation of polypropylene composites reinforced by natural fibres for automotive applications

On the technologies empowering drones for intelligent monitoring of solar photovoltaic power plants

Role of silanized magnetic Fe2O3 particle in heat dissipation and microwave shielding behavior of E-glass fibre-reinforced epoxy resin composite

Biodiesel and green diesel generation: an overview