Kongu Engineering College

About: Kongu Engineering College is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Cluster analysis & Control theory. The organization has 2001 authors who have published 1978 publications receiving 16923 citations.

Power Quality Improvement in Solar Fed Cascaded Multilevel Inverter With Output Voltage Regulation Techniques

Abstract: The presence of harmonics in solar Photo Voltaic (PV) energy conversion system results in deterioration of power quality. To address such issue, this paper aims to investigate the elimination of harmonics in a solar fed cascaded fifteen level inverter with aid of Proportional Integral (PI), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Fuzzy Logic (FL) based controllers. Unlike other techniques, the proposed FLC based approach helps in obtaining reduced harmonic distortions that intend to an enhancement in power quality. In addition to the power quality improvement, this paper also proposed to provide output voltage regulation in terms of maintaining voltage and frequency at the inverter output end in compatible with the grid connection requirements. The simulations are performed in the MATLAB / Simulink environment for solar fed cascaded 15 level inverter incorporating PI, ANN and FL based controllers. To exhibit the proposed technique, a 3 kWp photovoltaic plant coupled to multilevel inverter is designed and hardware is demonstrated. All the three techniques are experimentally investigated with the measurement of power quality metrics along with establishing output voltage regulation.

Multivariate statistical analysis and optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of natural pigments from waste red beet stalks

Abstract: In this study, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of natural pigment extraction from waste red beet stalks were optimized under four factors (extraction temperature, ultrasonic power, extraction time and solid-liquid ratio) by using three level Box-Behnken response surface design. Extraction temperature, ultrasonic power and solid-liquid ratio were significantly influenced the extraction yield of pigments. Extraction temperature of 53 °C, ultrasonic power of 89 w, extraction time of 35 min and SL ratio of 1:19 g/ml was identified as the optimal condition. Under this condition, the actual yield of (betacyanin of 1.28 ± 0.02 and betaxanthin of 5.31 ± 0.09 mg/g) pigments was well correlated with predicted values (betacyanin was 1.29 mg/g and betaxanthin was 5.32 mg/g).

Dynamic Mechanical Properties and Free Vibration Characteristics of Surface Modified Jute Fiber/Nano-Clay Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Abstract: Untreated and treated jute fiber and nano-clay in various ratios were used to fabricate jute/nano-clay/epoxy hybrid composites through compression molding method. The dynamic mechanical and free vibration behaviours were evaluated by varying the concentration of NaOH (2.5%, 5% and 7.5%) and wt.% of nano-clay (1, 3, 5 and 7 wt.%). Experimental outcomes disclosed that the storage and loss modulus, damping factor and natural frequency are influenced by concentration of NaOH solution and nano-clay content. A positive shift (towards higher temperature) in glass transition temperature and enhanced natural frequency of the composites after NaOH treatment and nano-clay addition confirmed that superior interfacial bonding exists between the jute fibers and epoxy matrix. Finally, the composites incorporated with 5% treated fiber and 5 wt.% of nano-clay is suggested for low strength structural applications in construction and automobile industries.

An efficient LoRa-based smart agriculture management and monitoring system using wireless sensor networks

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to build up a LoRa-based smart agricultural management and monitoring system using Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) in rural areas, in order to replace the current tec...

Fabrication and characterisation of nanofibrous polyurethane scaffold incorporated with corn and neem oil using single stage electrospinning technique for bone tissue engineering applications

Abstract: In bone tissue engineering, the design of scaffolds with ECM is still challenging now-a-days. The objective of the study to develop an electrospun scaffold based on polyurethane (PU) blended with corn oil and neem oil. The electrospun nanocomposites were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), contact angle measurement, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and tensile strength. The assays activated prothrombin time (APTT), partial thromboplastin time (PT) and hemolysis assay were performed to determine the blood compatibility parameters of the electrospun PU and their blends of corn oil and neem oil. Further, the cytocompatibility studies were performed using HDF cells to evaluate their proliferation rates in the electrospun PU and their blends. The morphology of the electrospun PU blends showed that the addition of corn oil and corn/neem oil resulted in reduced fiber diameter of about 845 ± 117.86 nm and 735 ± 126.49 nm compared to control (890 ± 116.911 nm). The FTIR confirmed the presence of corn oil and neem oil in PU matrix through hydrogen bond formation. The PU blended with corn oil showed hydrophobic (112° ± 1) while the PU together with corn/neem oil was observed to hydrophilic (64° ± 1.732) as indicated in the measurements of contact angle. The thermal behavior of prepared PU/corn oil and PU/corn/neem oil nanocomposites were enhanced and their surface roughness were decreased compared to control as revealed in the AFM analysis. The mechanical analysis indicated the enhanced tensile strength of the developed nanocomposites (PU/corn oil - 11.88 MPa and PU/corn/neem oil - 12. 96 MPa) than the pristine PU (7.12 MPa). Further, the blood compatibility assessments revealed that the developed nanocomposites possess enhanced anticoagulant nature compared to the polyurethane. Moreover, the developed nanocomposites was non-toxic to red blood cells (RBC) and human fibroblast cells (HDF) cells as shown in the hemolytic assay and cytocompatibility studies. Finally, this study concluded that the newly developed nanocomposites with better physio-chemical characteristics and biological properties enabled them as potential candidate for bone tissue engineering.