Iraqi Journal of Industrial Research

Exploring Fatigue Crack Initiation in Helical Gears: Impact of Carburization and Frictional Influences

2023-11-02T14:26:18+00:00

A computational model is presented to analyze the fatigue crack initiation period in helical gears, incorporating considerations for heat treatment via carburization and friction effects. The aim is to determine the number of stress cycles necessary for the initiation and growth of initial cracks, while investigating the impact of dynamic behavior. This study employs a dynamic gear model with two degrees of freedom in torsion, developed using MATLAB, and incorporates the Papadopoulos criterion for fatigue analysis. The computational results are benchmarked against the strain-life method. The findings underscore the significant influence of the friction coefficient between surfaces, heat treatment, and dynamic loads on the growth of initial fatigue cracks. For instance, with a friction coefficient (μ) of 0.5, the initial crack forms on the tooth surface (y=0) in both methods, with the (ε-N) method suggesting 28-65 cycles and the Papadopoulos criterion indicating 101-156 cycles. The latter accounts for the greater influence of residual stresses. Additionally, untreated gears exhibit a minimum number of loading cycles for initial crack appearance at 1.07 × 10⁴ cycles. In contrast, carburized gears demonstrate an extended lifespan, requiring 1.45 × 10⁵ loading cycles for crack initiation in our example. This emphasizes the efficacy of carburization in enhancing gear durability.

Suggesting a New Model of Armors Utilizing Composite Plates Enhanced with Nanographene

2023-12-03T13:10:06+00:00

The current focus in armor development is on the creation of lightweight, thin, and cost-effective solutions. This study explores innovative techniques by incorporating nanomaterials into composite plates, combined with fiber pre-stressing methods during the polymer matrix curing process. Woven Kevlar fibers experienced a pre-stress of 2 MPa in two dimensions while being cured with an epoxy resin containing varying ratios of Nanographene (0.5, 1, and 2 wt.%). Results demonstrated that the optimal combination for enhanced mechanical properties, particularly impact strength, occurred with a 2 wt.% nanographene ratio and 2 MPa fiber pre-stressing. However, exceeding a 2 wt.% nanographene ratio led to nanoparticle agglomeration within the resin, negating their positive effects. The proposed armor model successfully passed ballistic testing and comprises four layers of composite plates, each layer consisting of epoxy resin with 2 wt.% nanographene, Kevlar fibers pre-stressed at 2 MPa, and a 3mm thickness. These layers are interspersed with additional 1mm layers of Kevlar fiber. This innovative approach offers a promising advancement in armor design, achieving a balance between low density, reduced thickness, and cost-effectiveness.

Performance Improvement of an Integrated Collector Storage Solar Water Heater by Using an Additional Glass Cover: A Numerical Study

2023-11-02T14:37:34+00:00

This paper describes the analysis of a solar storage water heating system, emphasizing its cost-effectiveness and integrated design. The study employs numerical analysis to assess and optimize the performance of a rectangular solar collector with an added glass cover and an internal horizontal barrier. Using COMSOL software, a three-dimensional modeling study was conducted in the Kufa-Najaf climate on May 9th. The analysis focused on fundamental convection equations governing mass, momentum, and energy conservation. Temperature and velocity distributions were obtained at 13:30 PM, revealing a peak storage water temperature of 56.3 °C. The additional glass cover-barrier storage collector, set at a 60° angle, exhibited the highest stored energy at 2065.6 W, surpassing the conventional storage collector at 1007.06 W. Furthermore, the model demonstrated an increased instantaneous efficiency of 58.3%, compared to 28.4% for the conventional collector. The simulation results align well with previous findings, showing a maximum mean absolute percent error (MAE) of 4.5%.

Analysis of Chisel Plough Shovel Designs Using Finite Element Methods

2024-01-01T13:23:46+00:00

The chisel plow is the most common plow due to its ease of operation. It goes deep into the soil to a relatively large depth. It also does not leave large clumps on the soil surface after plowing, as it breaks and loosens the soil without turning it. In this paper, three types of chisel plow tine designs (shovel, reversible, and pointed) were used for simulation to show which design is better. The plow was made in a state company of the automotive industry and equipment /mechanical factory. The input data of the simulation is based on real data field performance parameters which are moisture and soil resistance. CATIA Software was used to design the frame and tine that was used in this research, the simulation method (Finite Element Method) is done using ANSYS 2020. The material added to the tine plow has been unity for the three types. Also, the boundary conditions for the three models were fixed, namely fixing the tine plow stand and applying the load. In this study, three kinds of agricultural chisel plow tine are used in the analysis for designing stress, strain, and deformation. The simulation results showed the shovel tine is safer than the other two types.

Optimizing Sheet Metal Formation through Advanced Hydroforming Simulation Technique

2023-12-08T14:49:19+00:00

In this study, we investigate into the simulation of sheet metal hydroforming for crafting the cap of the axle-hub of a tip trailer within our manufacturing facility. This cap serves a crucial role in safeguarding wheel bearings from the detrimental effects of dust, sand, and dirt. The motivation for this work arises from the challenges encountered during the fixation of a conventional dust cap, which often falls off when subjected to pressure or threading, particularly when the tractor is in motion. The innovative approach pursued in this research involves the utilization of lightweight aluminum sheet metal for cap production, owing to its facile formability. The cap design incorporates four evenly distributed holes around its circumference and secures to the flange using screws. Prior to the manufacturing phase, a simulation of the cap-forming process was conducted using ANSYS Model 15, a computer-aided engineering program. The necessary models were crafted in CATIA, a computer-aided design program, streamlining the entire process to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and minimize manpower requirements. The simulation encompassed three different thicknesses (1 mm, 2 mm, and 3 mm) for two distinct aluminum alloys, namely 1100 and 5652. The objective was to discern the optimal alloy for the forming process. Essential mechanical properties, including ultimate tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, and yield stress, were input into the ANSYS program to accurately reflect the materials' behavior during forming. The outcomes of our investigation revealed that aluminum alloy 5652 outperformed 1100 in terms of formability. The former exhibited a forming pressure of 300.2 MPa, while the latter required 298.3 MPa for the same forming depth (40 mm) across all three thickness variations. Additionally, the study demonstrated that 5652 is not only more efficient but also safer and more resilient than 1100.

OFDM Transmission in Rayleigh Fading Channel for S-Box and 3D Chaotic Maps Based Encrypted Image

2023-12-15T20:01:13+00:00

Data encryption is an important part of the communication system. The Chaos essential properties, make it a crucial candidate for encryption applications. There is a compromise between complexity and security in previous studies. In this study, high security was achieved with low complexity. This paper proposed a 3D chaotic map and S-Box has been cascaded to get a high efficiency as complex algorithms or multi-iteration schemes. The first stage is ciphering using 3D cat-map, the second stage is S-box based on 3D henon map, while the third stage is another ciphering stage using 3D henon map. In this study, various encryption techniques, including cipher algorithms and substitution box, are combined with the OFDM system to establish a secure image transmission over a Rayleigh fading channel. QPSK modulation is used to ensure the simplicity of the proposed system. Six gray images are used, Lena, the cameraman, Barbara, Baboon, pepper and Elaine for testing and comparing with previous works. Security analysis is performed to evaluate the quality and security of the encryption process, the entropy value reach 7.99, correlation coefficient is around zero and the histogram is uniform. In addition, the key size is 2⁶³⁰. For image transmission evaluation, the PSNR and BER are utilized and it reached 10^-5 for BER. According to the statistical results, the proposed image encryption scheme is secure and efficient.

In Silico Toxicological Assessment and Efficacy of Activated Carbon Derived from Low-Quality Face Tissues for Eosin Dye Adsorption

2024-01-31T12:48:34+00:00

Eosin dye is an efficient qualitative and quantitative chemical through various scientific and biological uses but it was demonstrated as a lethal substance to animal or human lung, liver, eye, kidney, Central Nerve System (CNS) and parts of gastrointestinal system. In many published studies, it removed via clay/carbon composite, lemon peel, or fly ash adsorption beside oxidation, filtration, photocatalysis, ion exchange, sonochemistry, nanotechnology, and others. Here, is another attempt to prepare an activated carbon from carbon-based material (low quality face tissue) where its capacity was determined by toxic anionic dye (Eosin B) – spectroscopic investigation. In this attempt, Eosin B showed an excellent removal and adsorption capacity starting from first 5 mL eluted from this prepared adsorbent. Removal of Eosin is important to human and environment where present In Silico study confirmed that Eosin B was safe to embryo or foetus health (during pregnancy), Cardio- topic including: Arrhythmia, Cardiac Failure, Heart Block, hERG Toxicity, Hypertension, and Myocardial Infarction, toxic to avian with high Rat Acute Toxicity (LD₅₀) lowest probability of lung, prostate, and renal cell lines even with its water solubility in aqua environment, Yes response towards P-glycoprotein substrate or multidrug resistance (MDR1) function in cancer pharmacotherapy. Also, Eosin B had BBB or CNS permeability as well as fish (Minnow) toxicity. It is safe for Renal OCT2 substrate, besides hERG I & II inhibitors, Hepatotoxicity, and skin sensitization, Cytochromes P450 under testing. Therefore, Eosin B is structurally toxic to human and environment in short – or long – term period.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Thiadiazole Derivatives Derived from 2-Amino-5-Thio-1,3,4-Thiadiazole

2023-12-13T20:26:28+00:00

This manuscript introduces a series of novel Schiff base and heterocyc-licring compounds, focusing on derivatives of 1,3-oxazepine and thiazo-lidinone.The derivative (2-Hydroxy-N-(5-mercapto-[1,3,4] thiadiazol-2-yl)-2-phenyl-acetamide was created by reacting ethyl mandelate ester[M₁] and 2-amino-5-thio-1,3,4-thiadiazole compound to produce new compound [M₂] and after that, compound [M₂] was reacted with hydrazine hydrate 99% in dry DMF solvent, yielding the compound (N-(5-Hydrazino-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl)-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-acetamide [M₃]. In contrast , the Schiff base compound [M₄] were synthesized by reacting compound [M₃] with aromatic heterocyclic aldehyde (furan-2-carbaldehyde) in the presence of glacial acetic acid as a catalyst, and then Schiff base [M₄] was reacted with maleic anhydride in dry benzene as a solvent to produce (1,3-Oxazepine) derivative [M₅]. Additionally, the thiazolidinone derivative [M₆] was synthesized through the reaction of equimolar amounts of (N-[5-(N'-Furan-2-yl-methylene-hydrazino)-[1,3,4]thiadiazol-2-yl]-2-hydroxy-2-phenyl-acetamide [M₄] with thioacetic acid compound in chloroform as a solvent. The structural formula of all derivatives was confirmed by FT-IR and (¹HNMR, ¹³CNMR) spectroscopy. The synthesized derivatives [M1-M6] were screened for their evaluated for antibacterial activity against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, E. coli, Klebsiella sp., and the fungus Candida albicans. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was used as the solvent. Also, the ampicillin compound was used as the standard drug for comparison.

Investigating the Electrical, Power Factor, and Figure of Merit Characteristics of Cadmium Oxide Nanostructures Fabricated via Thermal Evaporation in Vacuum

2023-11-13T20:10:11+00:00

A cadmium dioxide nanostructure was fabricated on silicon and quartz substrates through oblique angle deposition (OAD). The synthesis involved the initial thermal evaporation of high-purity cadmium metal films at varying deposition angles on the substrates, followed by a 1.5-hour oxidation process at 773 K in a conventional furnace to produce cadmium oxide nanostructures. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the development of crystalline structures within the cadmium oxide (CdO) films. The deposition angle exhibited a significant impact, influencing the preferred orientation along the (111) planes more substantially than the normal incident angle. I-V measurements and assessments of electrical conductivity were conducted under both light and dark conditions for the CdO films. The photocurrent generated in an oblique (Al/CdO/p-Si/Al) heterojunction exceeded that of a standard detector under illumination. The investigation explored the thermoelectric properties of CdO nanomaterials, including the figure of merit (M), power factor (P.F.), and Seebeck coefficient (S), for both normally deposited and obliquely deposited films. The results demonstrated an enhancement in the figure of merit with oblique deposition, potentially attributed to increased roughness, resulting in reduced thermal conductivity and an elevated figure of merit. All findings indicated superior performance for deposition angles (θº = 50º & 70º) in comparison to normal deposition (θº = 0º).

Synthesis of ZnO NWs via Thermal Evaporation Technique

2024-01-01T15:25:55+00:00

Zinc oxide nanowires ZnONWs were successfully synthesized on glass slides. The synthesis was conducted firstly by the deposition of 12 µm a thin film of Zn metal by thermal evaporation. Secondly,the coated film was annealed at a temperature of 600 ºC in air for four hours to grow the ZnO nanowires. It have been observed that the produced nanowires were grown in a vertical orientation and having a high density, very long, and a minimal aspect ratio. The crystal structure and morphology of ZnO nanowires were investigated with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The UV-visible spectrophotometer was also used to calculate the optical parameters from the absorption spectrum and show a band gap energy around 3.25 eV. The crystal structure of the material was revealed to be polycrystalline with a preferred orientation in the direction of [101]. Small average crystallite size was calculated about 17nm The wires can be measured to have a length of around 10 µm with diameters ranging from 50 to 100 nm. This could be used for gas sensor applications. In addition, this ZnONWs structure has a maximum transmittance (100%) which can be a good candidate for many optoelectronic applications.

Assessing the Comparative Toxicity of Salvia Officinalis Extracts and Copper Sulphate on Melanopsis Nodosa, a Freshwater Snail

2024-01-01T17:24:08+00:00

This study investigates the molluscicidal properties of Salvia officinalis extracts against Melanopsis nodosa snails, with a focus on environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional chemical molluscicides. Melanopsis nodosa, a common freshwater snail in Iraq, is an intermediate host for diseases affecting humans and animals. Traditional molluscicides, such as copper sulphate, pose environmental and non-target organism risks. S. officinalis, known for various medicinal uses, was explored for its potential molluscicidal activity. Snails were collected from Muhyii Canal, Baghdad, and exposed to different concentrations of S. officinalis extracts and copper sulphate in controlled laboratory conditions. The study evaluated mortality rates at 24-, 48-, 72-, and 96-hours exposure, using the WHO method for molluscicide testing and Probit analysis for mortality calculation. Results showed significant molluscicidal activity of S. officinalis extracts, with the LC50 values of 15.53 ppm (24 hrs), 6.821 ppm (48 hrs), 4.288 ppm (72 hrs), and 0.0735 ppm (96 hrs). Compared to copper sulphate, the extracts were less effective but still significant, indicating the potential of S. officinalis as an environmentally friendly molluscicide. This study contributes to the search for safer molluscicides, highlighting S. officinalis extracts' effectiveness against M. nodosa. These findings could aid in controlling snail populations, thereby reducing the spread of snail-borne diseases, with lower environmental impact compared to traditional chemical molluscicides. Further research is suggested to understand the exact mechanism of snail mortality caused by these extracts.

Virtual Screening of Apigenin and Luteolin as Natural Aromatase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Breast Cancer Patients

2023-11-07T20:02:58+00:00

Aromatase is an enzyme that converts androgens (like testosterone) to estrogens (like 17- estradiol). It is also a highly successful therapeutic target for endocrine-responsive breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors, which suppress estrogen synthesis in postmenopausal women, have been useful in the treatment of individuals with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor medication that is used in the management and treatment of breast cancer. Flavonoids inhibit cancer cell proliferation by causing apoptosis, encouraging autophagy, and changing the cell cycle. Although several dietary flavonoids (like in parsley, celery and Broccoli) can inhibit aromatase, the tissue specificity and mechanism of binding are uncertain. According to several researches, flavonoids (apigenin and luteolin) dramatically suppress estrogen production. The study aims to examine binding of 3EQM (Aromatase) in the A chain with both of flavonoid (Apigenin and luteolin) and Anastrozole, using an in silico approach. PyRx default program was used to detect docking accuracy. Virtually, results showed that flavonoids have higher binding strength for apigenin and luteolin (which was -8.2 and -8.3) than Anastrozole (which was -7.6) with chain A of Aromatase. So, flavonoids can potentially be used as a natural medication to reduce breast cancer incidence. However, clinical trial studies are needed to investigate the role of apigenin and luteolin in the treatment of breast cancer.

Studying of New Bio-Fertilizer Formula Composed of Streptomyces and Nitrogen Fixing Bacteria to Sustain Vigna Radiate (L.)

2024-01-03T16:59:16+00:00

The recent study aimed to develop and produce bio-fertilizer as a supplement to chemical fertilizers, with the goal to reduce their application. In this study, new Streptomyces species were introduced along with nitrogen-fixing bacteria to support the growth of Mung beans in Iraq. The experiment involved the application of five strains of Rhizobium, two strains of Streptomyces, and high indole acetic acid-producing Azospirillum spp4 and Azotobacter spp7. These bio-fertilizers were tested in a field using a complete randomized design at al-Tuwaitha research station in Baghdad.The results indicated that the bio-fertilizer containing Streptomyces and Azospirillum 4 had a significantly positive impact on the growth of Mung bean crops compared to using NPK 100% (conventional chemical fertilizer). The germination percentage reached 75%, with a plant height of 73 cm and 11 branches per plant. The number of legumes per plant was 44.66, with an average legume height of 3.56 cm. The weight of 100 seeds was 142 g, and the fresh weight and dry weight were recorded as 40.33 g and 35.33 g, respectively. Moreover, the study found no statistical difference when comparing the treatment of mung bean seeds with the mono-inoculum of Rhizobium isolated from Phasoleus nodules and Streptomyces Z. This suggests that the newly developed bio-fertilizer containing Streptomyces and Azospirillum 4 is a promising and viable option to enhance the growth and yield of Mung beans without relying heavily on imported chemical fertilizers.

Investigation of Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins and Suggesting Antiadhesive Agents from Guava Plant in Skin Infections

2023-12-11T04:56:30+00:00

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogenic bacterium belonging to Enterobacteriaceae family that owns outer membrane proteins called omp35 and omp36 which are responsible for colonization and adhesion to host tissues such as skin. Twenty pre-diagnosed bacterial isolates of K. pneumoniae of wounds and burn swabs were selected in this study, and the diagnosis was confirmed by VITEK-2 automated system. Whole DNA was isolated then amplified by PCR then gel electrophoresis was performed to detect the prevalence of the genes that encode both of omp35 and omp36 in bacterial isolates. Phylogenetic tree of both studied genes was conducted to investigate the precursor of tested isolates in relation to NCBI data. Virtually, the affinity of two medicinal components of fruit Guava (Psidium guajava L.), which are Quercetin and L-arabinopyranoside, were tested as antiadhesive materials against omp35 and omp35 proteins by molecular docking tools. Results showed that 15 out of 20 skin-infecting K. pneumoniae isolates owned both omp35 and omp36 genes as detected by gel electrophoresis and the phylogenetic trees of both genes illustrated that they were related to surgical and nosocomial swab infection precursors in their origin in NCBI. High affinity of Quercetin was recorded towards omp35 protein and omp36 protein which were (-8.1 and -7.8) respectively, in the same time the affinity of L-arabinopyranoside was (-5.2 and -5.3) towards omp35 and omp36 proteins; resulting in suggesting medicinal ingredients of Guava fruit to prevent adhesion and colonization of K. pneumoniae and other Enterobacteriaceae members which might invade wounded skin by bacterial outer membrane proteins.