This manuscript reports on the physical properties and optical band gap of five samples of soda lime silicate (SLS) glass combined with zinc oxide (ZnO) that were prepared by a melting and quenching process. To understand the role of ZnO in this glass structure, the density, molar volume and optical band gaps were investigated. The density and absorption spectra in the Ultra-Violet-Visible (UV-Visible) region were recorded at room temperature. The results show that the densities of the glass samples increased as the ZnO weight percentage increased. The molar volume of the glasses shows the same trend as the density: the molar volume increased as the ZnO content increased. The optical band gaps were calculated from the absorption edge, and it was found that the optical band gap decreased from 3.20 to 2.32 eV as the ZnO concentration increased.

High demands on low-voltage electronics have increased the need for zinc oxide (ZnO) varistors with fast response, highly non-linear current-voltage characteristics and energy absorption capabilities at low breakdown voltage. However, trade-off between breakdown voltage and grain size poses a critical bottle-neck in the production of low-voltage varistors. The present study highlights the synthesis mechanism for obtaining praseodymium oxide (Pr₆O₁₁) based ZnO varistor ceramics having breakdown voltages of 2.8 to 13.3 V/mm through employment of direct modified citrate gel coating technique. Precursor powder and its ceramics were examined by means of TG/DTG, FTIR, XRD and FESEM analyses. The electrical properties as a function of Pr₆O₁₁ addition were analyzed on the basis of I-V characteristic measurement. The breakdown voltage could be adjusted from 0.01 to 0.06 V per grain boundary by controlling the amount of Pr₆O₁₁ from 0.2 to 0.8 mol%, without alteration of the grain size. The non-linearity coefficient, α, varied from 3.0 to 3.5 and the barrier height ranged from 0.56 to 0.64 eV. Breakdown voltage and α lowering with increasing Pr₆O₁₁ content were associated to reduction in the barrier height caused by variation in O vacancies at grain boundary.

With the trend for green technology, the study focused on utilizing a forgotten herb to produce an eco-friendly coating. Andrographis paniculata or the kalmegh leaves extract (KLE) has been investigated for its abilities in retarding the corrosion process due to its excellent anti-oxidative and antimicrobial properties. Here, KLE was employed as a novel additive in coatings and formulations were made by varying its wt%: 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12. These were applied to stainless steel 316L immersed in seawater for up to 50 days. The samples were characterized and analyzed to measure effectiveness of inhibition of corrosion and microbial growth. The best concentration was revealed to be 6 wt% KLE; it exhibited the highest performance in improving the ionic resistance of the coating and reducing the growth of bacteria.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) remains a pressing global health concern, with escalating incidence and mortality rates. Excessive sugar causes pancreatic β cell dysfunction and reduces insulin production, resulting in significant healthcare and economic burdens. In response, using natural herbal remedies for DM treatment is rising. This review focuses on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and examines herbal alternatives for lowering blood glucose levels. Research indicates that extracts and bioactive compounds from tropical herbs, such as bitter melon (Momordica charantia), curry tree (Murraya koenigii), garlic (Allium sativum), ginger (Zingiber officinale) and noni (Morinda citrifolia) exhibit anti-diabetic and anti-hyperglycaemic properties. Their alkaloids act on insulin-related pathways, effectively regulating insulin secretion, blocking glucose absorption, and maintaining glucose homeostasis. This article provides a descriptive explanation of how phytochemical compounds found in tropical herbs work to regulate glucose levels within human cells. This paper proposes that the metabolic pathways by which these bioactive compounds in tropical herbs function are significant as a foundation for treating T2DM. Additionally, the paper integrates a bibliometric analysis, offering comprehensive research into the trends of published papers. This analysis aids in understanding the connections among researchers, organizations, and countries. It uncovers emerging trends, assesses the impact of key research findings, and tracks the progression of specific topics.

Thin and transparent films of doped cadmium sulfide (CdS) were obtained on commercial glass substrates by Chemical Bath Deposition (CBD) technique. The films were doped with low concentration of Sn, and annealed in air at 300 °C for 45 min. The morphological characterization of the films with different amounts of dopant was made using SEM and EDAX analysis. Optical properties of the films were evaluated by measuring transmittance using the UV-vis spectrophotometer. A comparison of the results revealed that lower concentration of Sn doping improves transmittance of CdS films and makes them suitable for application as window layer of CdTe/CIGS solar cells.