With advancements in the automotive industry, the demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has remarkably increased in recent years. However, the EV battery, which is a vital part of the EV, poses certain challenges that limit the performance of the EVs. The joining of dissimilar materials for different components affects the electrical and mechanical performances of EV batteries. Laser beam welding is a promising technique for joining Al and Cu for application in secondary battery fabrication because of the precise control over heat input and high process speed. However, the production of Al–Cu joints remains challenging because of the differences between their thermal and metallurgical properties and the resulting formation of brittle and hard intermetallic compounds, which reduce mechanical and electric properties. Thus, it is vital to characterize the weld to improve joint performance and enhance the laser welding process. This study investigates the joining of an Al alloy (AA1050) with Ni-coated Cu using a continuous-wave Yb fiber laser. The evaluation of the weld morphology showed a correlation between the weld characteristics and process parameters (laser power and welding speed). The weld interface width and penetration depth into the lower sheet (Cu) both increased with increasing heat input. Optical microscopy of the weld cross-section revealed many defects, such as voids and cracks. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was employed to examine the weld microstructure. The composition analysis revealed the presence of mixed morphology of Al–Cu eutectic alloy (α-Al+Θ-Al2Cu) phase in the form of dendrites in the weld fusion zone with traces of the highly brittle Al4Cu9 phase at a high heat input condition. Furthermore, the electrical contact resistance of the weld seam was measured to determine the correlation between heat input and resistance. In addition, Vickers microhardness measurements were performed on the weld cross-section to validate the SEM/EDS results.

Purpose: Lipoparticles are the core-shell type lipid-polymer hybrid systems comprising polymeric nanoparticle core enveloped by single or multiple pegylated lipid layers (shell), thereby melding the biomimetic properties of long-circulating vesicles as well as the mechanical advantages of the nanoparticles. The present study was aimed at the development of such an integrated system, combining the photodynamic and chemotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of multidrug-resistant cancers. Methods: For this rationale, two different sized Pirarubicin (THP) loaded poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles were prepared by emulsion solvent evaporation technique, whereas liposomes containing Temoporfin (mTHPC) were prepared by lipid film hydration method. Physicochemical and morphological characterizations were done using dynamic light scattering, laser doppler anemometry, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The quantitative assessment of cell damage was determined using MTT and reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay. The biocompatibility of the nanoformulations was evaluated with serum stability testing, haemocompatibility as well as acute in vivo toxicity using female albino (BALB/c) mice. Results and Conclusion: The mean hydrodynamic diameter of the formulations was found between 108.80 ± 2.10 to 405.70 ± 10.00 nm with the zeta (ζ) potential ranging from − 12.70 ± 1.20 to 5.90 ± 1.10 mV. Based on the physicochemical evaluations, the selected THP nanoparticles were coated with mTHPC liposomes to produce lipid-coated nanoparticles (LCNPs). A significant (p< 0.001) cytotoxicity synergism was evident in LCNPs when irradiated at 652 nm, using an LED device. No incidence of genotoxicity was observed as seen with the comet assay. The LCNPs decreased the generalized in vivo toxicity as compared to the free drugs and was evident from the serum biochemical profile, visceral body index, liver function tests as well as renal function tests. The histopathological examinations of the vital organs revealed no significant evidence of toxicity suggesting the safety and efficacy of our lipid-polymer hybrid system.

With an increasing population and economic development, fuel from renewable resources needs to be widely explored in order to fulfill the future energy demand. In the present study, biodiesel from maize oil using transesterification reactions with methanol and ethanol was evaluated in the presence of NaOCH3, KOCH3, NaOCH2CH3, KOCH2CH3, NaOH and KOH as catalysts. The influence of reaction variables such as the alcohol to oil molar ratio (3:1-15:1), catalyst concentration (0.25-1.50%) and reaction time (20-120 min) to achieve the maximum yield was determined at fixed reaction temperatures. The optimized variables in the case of methanolysis were 6:1 methanol to oil molar ratio (mol/ mol), 0.75% sodium methoxide concentration (wt%) and 90 min reaction time at 65°C, which produced a yield of 97.1% methyl esters. A 9:1 ethanol to oil molar ratio (mol/mol), 1.00% sodium ethoxide concentration (wt%) and 120 min reaction time at 75°C were found to produce the maximum ethyl ester yield of up to 85%. The methanolysis of maize oil was depicted more rapidly as compared to the ethanolysis of maize oil. Gas chromatography of the produced biodiesel from maize oil showed high levels of linoleic acid (up to 50.89%) followed by oleic acid (up to 36.00%), palmitic acid (up to 9.98%), oleic acid (up to 1.80%) and linolenic acid (up to 0.98%). The obtained fatty acid esters were further analyzed by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to ensure the completion of transesterification. The fuel properties of the produced biodiesels i.e. kinematic viscosity, cetane number, oxidative stability, pour point, cloud point, cold filter plugging point, ash content, flash point, acid value, sulfur content, higher heating value, density, methanol content, free glycerol and bound glycerol were determined. The analyses were performed using the FTIR method and the results were compared to the biodiesel standards ASTM and EN.