National Institute of Technology Calicut

About: National Institute of Technology Calicut is a education organization based out in Kozhikode, Kerala, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Computer science & Control theory. The organization has 3627 authors who have published 4638 publications receiving 50830 citations. The organization is also known as: Calicut Regional Engineering College & NIT Calicut.

Transport properties of polyester composite reinforced with treated sisal fibers

Abstract: Thermal conductivity, diffusivity, relative permittivity, specific heat, and tensile properties of sisal/polyester composites were investigated as a function of fiber volume fraction and fiber surf...

COVID-19 lockdown: Effects on selected volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions over the major Indian metro cities.

Abstract: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries across the world, including India, have imposed nationwide lockdowns to contain the spread of the virus. Many studies reported that the air quality had improved much due to the lockdown. This study examines the variation of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) over the Indian metropolitan cities during the lockdown period by using ground-based and satellite observations. Ground-based BTEX (Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes) measurements from various metropolitan cities have shown a drastic drop of about 82% in the first phase of lockdown when compared with the pre-lockdown period. Whereas the spatial distribution of formaldehyde (HCHO), obtained from the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) onboard Sentinal-5P satellite, did not show any significant variation due to COVID-19 lockdown, indicating the major source of HCHO is biogenic or pyrogenic. The BTEX ratios were evaluated for a better understanding of the source and photochemical age of the air samples. The ozone forming potential of BTEX in all locations was found reduced; however, the corresponding decrease in ozone concentrations was not observed. The increase in ozone concentrations during the same period indicates alternative sources contributing to ozone formation.

Cure characteristics and mechanical properties of biocomposites of natural rubber reinforced with chicken feather fibre: Effect of fibre loading, alkali treatment, bonding and vulcanizing systems

Abstract: Chicken feather fibre (CF) was used as reinforcing agent in Natural rubber (NR). Raw chicken feather fibre (RCF) and alkali treated (ACF) fibres were used as fillers; dicumyl peroxide and sulphur were used as curing systems in the preparation of NR composites. Composites with a tri component bonding system consisting of hexamethylene tetramine, resorcinol and nano silica were also prepared. The influence of fibre loading, alkali treatment, bonding agent and curing systems on the mechanical properties of composites were analyzed. Mechanical Properties were found to be first increased with the fibre loading and then decreased having a maximum value at 25phr fibre loading. The swelling studies conducted in toluene gives an additional support to the observations. The attachment of CF in the NR matrix was confirmed from FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopic studies through the shift and broadness of the absorption peak as compared with the pure NR. The morphological aspect of the CF/NR composites was evaluated by SEM which showed a good adhesion of fibres with the matrix.