Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad

About: Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad is a education organization based out in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Computer science & Control theory. The organization has 2475 authors who have published 5067 publications receiving 61891 citations. The organization is also known as: NIT Allahabad & Motilal Nehru Regional Engineering College.

An overview of key pretreatment processes for biological conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to bioethanol

Abstract: Second-generation bioethanol can be produced from various lignocellulosic biomasses such as wood, agricultural or forest residues. Lignocellulosic biomass is inexpensive, renewable and abundant source for bioethanol production. The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to bioethanol could be a promising technology though the process has several challenges and limitations such as biomass transport and handling, and efficient pretreatment methods for total delignification of lignocellulosics. Proper pretreatment methods can increase concentrations of fermentable sugars after enzymatic saccharification, thereby improving the efficiency of the whole process. Conversion of glucose as well as xylose to bioethanol needs some new fermentation technologies to make the whole process inexpensive. The main goal of pretreatment is to increase the digestibility of maximum available sugars. Each pretreatment process has a specific effect on the cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin fraction; thus, different pretreatment methods and conditions should be chosen according to the process configuration selected for the subsequent hydrolysis and fermentation steps. The cost of ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass in current technologies is relatively high. Additionally, low yield still remains as one of the main challenges. This paper reviews the various technologies for maximum conversion of cellulose and hemicelluloses fraction to ethanol, and it point outs several key properties that should be targeted for low cost and maximum yield.

Knowledge management barriers: An interpretive structural modeling approach

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to develop the relationships among the identified knowledge management (KM) barriers. Further, this paper is also helpful to understand mutual influences of barriers and to identify those barriers which support other barriers (driving barrier) and also those barriers which are most influenced by other barriers (dependent barriers). The interpretive structural modeling (ISM) methodology is used to evolve mutual relationships among these barriers. KM barriers have been classified, based on their driving power and dependence power. The objective behind this classification is to analyze the driving power and dependence power of these barriers.

Al-doped ZnO thin films as methanol sensors

Abstract: Al-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films were prepared by chemical spray pyrolysis technique. The dopant concentration (Al/Zn at%) varied from 0 to 1.5 at%. Structural analysis of the films reveals that all the films are of polycrystalline zinc oxide in nature, possessing hexagonal wurtzite structure with (0 0 2) preferred orientation. The lattice constants calculated from the most prominent peaks are found to be in good agreement with the ICDD reference pattern: zinc oxide, 01-080-0074 (a = 3.2535 A and c = 5.2151 A). The sensing properties of the films towards methanol vapour are investigated for various concentrations of methanol in air at different operating temperatures in the range 200–350 °C. It is observed that compared to the undoped ZnO film, Al-doped films show higher sensitivity to methanol vapour. Among all the Al-doped films studied, the 0.5 at% Al-doped ZnO film shows the maximum response (∼44%) at 275 °C to 500 ppm of methanol vapour in air. Further, the films show fast response and recovery to methanol vapour at higher operating temperatures. The methanol-sensing mechanism of the film has been explained.