Research Papers
A new system using Solanum tuberosum for the co-cultivation of Glomus intraradices and its potential for mass producing spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
Puri A, Adholeya A
| 2013
Freshly harvested potato tubers, Solanum tuberosum var 'Pukhraj', were inoculated for transformation with Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain Ri1600. Hairy roots were formed after 8 days of co-cultivation and the transformation efficiency was 40 %. The transformants were transferred from Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) to Modified White's medium (MW) and finally on a hormone-free minimal medium (M). The putative transformants were confirmed using rolA and rolB gene specific primers for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis.
A dual fired downdraft gasifier system to produce cleaner gas for power generation: Design, development and performance analysis
Raman P, Ram N K, Gupta R
| 2013
The existing biomass gasifier systems have several technical challenges, which need to be addressed. They are reduction of impurities in the gas, increasing the reliability of the system, easy in operation and maintenance. It is also essential to have a simple design of gasifier system for power generation, which can work even in remote locations. A dual fired downdraft gasifier system was designed to produce clean gas from biomass fuel, used for electricity generation. This system is proposed to overcome a number of technical challenges.
The groundwater recharge response and hydrologic services of tropical humid forest ecosystems to use and reforestation: Support for the "infiltration-evapotranspiration trade-off hypothesis"
Krishnaswamy J, Bonell Michael, Venkatesh Basappa, Purandara Bekal K, Rakesh K N, Lele S, Kirana M C, Reddy Veerabaswant, Badiger S
| 2013
The hydrologic effects of forest use and reforestation of degraded lands in the humid tropics has implications for local and regional hydrologic services but such issues have been relatively less studied when compared to the impacts of forest conversion. In particular, the "infiltration-evapotranspiration trade-off" hypothesis which predicts a net gain or loss to baseflow and dry-season flow under both, forest degradation or reforestation depending on conditions has not been tested adequately.
Off-grid electricity generation with renewable energy technologies in India: An application of HOMER
Sen R,Bhattacharyya S C
| 2013
Renewable energy-based off-grid or decentralised electricity supply has traditionally considered a single technology-based limited level of supply to meet the basic needs, without considering reliable energy provision to rural consumers. The purpose of this paper is to propose the best hybrid technology combination for electricity generation from a mix of renewable energy resources to satisfy the electrical needs in a reliable manner of an off-grid remote village, Palari in the state of Chhattisgarh, India.
Ship ballast tanks a review from microbial corrosion and electrochemical point of view
Heyer A, Souza F D, Morales C F Leon, Ferrari G, Mold J M C, Witd JHW de
| 2013
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is the term used for the phenomenon in which corrosion is initiated and/or accelerated by the activities of microorganisms. MIC is a very serious problem for the ship industry as it reduces structural lifetime in combination with safety risks for crewmembers or inspection personal and increases maintenance costs. This review aims to focus on the importance and mechanisms of MIC in ship ballast tanks (SBTs).
Development of HDPE/EPDM-g-TMEVS nanocomposites with enhanced electrical and flame properties
V C Divya, V V Pattanshetti, R Suresh, R R N Sailaja Bhattacharya
| 2013
Nanoclay reinforced HDPE/silane grafted EPDM composites have been developed using an epoxy functionalized HDPE as compatibilizer.The nanoclay has been varied from 0% to 10% in the composites along with the incorporation of compatibilizer and without compatibilizer in a brabender plasticorder.The dielectric and fire retardant properties of these nanocomposites have been examined. Addition of nanoclay enhanced char formation with increased values of limiting oxygen index. Electrical properties such as volume and surface Resistivity improved with addition of nanoclay and compatibilizer.
Wildfires in India: Tools and Hazards
Schmerbeck Joachim, Kraus Daniel
| 2014
Provides a thorough and detailed discussion of the complex interdependencies that exist between people and the causes, consequence and implications of living with wildfire hazards.
Urgent need for life-cycle thinking in infrastructure
Venkatesh G, Kurian Mathew, Kansal Arun
| 2014
This paper presents urbanization challenges in India and initiatives taken to address them. Urbanization in India is characterized by skewed urban growth between cities by large population influx creating distinct variation in core and periphery of cities in terms of urban form and services. Key challenges include growth of slums, inadequate management of solid waste, decrease in per capita water availability and unreliable water quality, inadequate sewage coverage and deteriorating ambient air.
Urban Challenges in India and the Mission for a Sustainable Habitat
Ghosh Ruchira, Kansal Arun
| 2014
This paper presents urbanization challenges in India and initiatives taken to address them. Urbanization in India is characterized by skewed urban growth between cities by large population influx creating distinct variation in core and periphery of cities in terms of urban form and services. Key challenges include growth of slums, inadequate management of solid waste, decrease in per capita water availability and unreliable water quality, inadequate sewage coverage and deteriorating ambient air.
Understanding public knowledge and awareness on e-waste in an urban setting in India A case study for Delhi
Kwatra Swati , Pandey Suneel, Sharma Sumit
| 2014
Despite legislation in place, there is still a gap in knowledge and awareness of the communities on the issues of e-waste handling and management. It is important to understand the knowledge and awareness levels of the consumers of electronic products who ultimately become the generators of e-waste in a community. The current study is based on a survey conducted in an urban setting to understand people’s perception about the genesis of issues related to e-waste and its management.