Nottingham Trent University

About: Nottingham Trent University is a education organization based out in Nottingham, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 4702 authors who have published 12862 publications receiving 307430 citations. The organization is also known as: NTU & Trent Polytechnic.

Metrology and visualization of potholes using the microsoft kinect sensor

Abstract: Pavement distress and wear detection is of prime importance in transportation engineering. Due to degradation, potholes and different types of cracks are formed and they have to be detected and repaired in due course. Estimating the amount of filler material that is needed to fill a pothole is of great interest to prevent any shortage or excess, thereby wastage, of filler material that usually has to be transported from a different location. Metrological and visualization properties of a pothole play an important role in this regard. Using a low-cost Kinect sensor, the pavement depth images are collected from concrete and asphalt roads. Meshes are generated for better visualization of potholes. Area of pothole is analyzed with respect to depth. The approximate volume of pothole is calculated using trapezoidal rule on area-depth curves through pavement image analysis. In addition pothole area, length, and width are estimated. The paper also proposes a methodology to characterize potholes.

Betting your life on it

Abstract: Problem gambling has clear health related consequences, says Mark Griffiths. And UK legislation surrounding gambling is about to be relaxed

Infrared spectroscopy studies of the mechanism of the selective reduction of NOx over Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts

Abstract: The adsorption and subsequent reaction of nitric oxide, propene, molecular oxygen and combinations of these gases has been studied on samples of Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts of high activity in the selective reduction of NO by hydrocarbons, using infrared spectroscopy. When only propene is adsorbed, it first forms an adsorbed allyl and then undergoes stepwise oxidation to adsorbed acrolein, car☐ylic acid species and carbon oxides. Since no gas phase oxygen is present, these oxidations involve extra-lattice oxygen from the zeolite. These steps highlight the importance of small, oxygen containing copper clusters in the reaction. Exposure of a fresh catalyst to NO and propene results in the formation of an organic nitro compound, as well as the species observed for propene alone. No co-ordinated NO or dimeric species, of the sort that are important in the absence of hydrocarbon, are observed. Continued exposure of the nitro compound to propene results in the formation of nitrile species, which we have reported previously. Almost identical results are observed for the full gas mixture of propene, NO and oxygen, in helium. To probe the possible role of nitro species in the reaction pathway, the interaction of nitromethane with the catalyst has been studied. Nitromethane decomposes selectively, liberating nitrogen in the presence of oxygen over both Cu-ZSM-5 and H-ZSM-5 catalysts. We propose that organic nitro compounds are important intermediates in the reaction, and speculate on a decomposition pathway to nitrogen, based on known organic chemistry, which passes through azoxy or dinitroso species. Nitriles are proposed to form under reducing conditions, but these may also decompose on exposure to oxygen, liberating nitrogen.

Biocompatible functionalisation of nanoclays for improved environmental remediation

Abstract: Among the wide range of materials used for remediating environmental contaminants, modified and functionalised nanoclays show particular promise as advanced sorbents, improved dispersants, or biodegradation enhancers. However, many chemically modified nanoclay materials are incompatible with living organisms when they are used in natural systems with detrimental implications for ecosystem recovery. Here we critically review the pros and cons of functionalised nanoclays and provide new perspectives on the synthesis of environmentally friendly varieties. Particular focus is given to finding alternatives to conventional surfactants used in modified nanoclay products, and to exploring strategies in synthesising nanoclay-supported metal and metal oxide nanoparticles. A large number of promising nanoclay-based sorbents are yet to satisfy environmental biocompatibility in situ but opportunities are there to tailor them to produce "biocompatible" or regenerative/reusable materials.