Iraqi Journal of Industrial Research

Structural, Optical, and Electrical Characteristics of Titanium Dioxide Thin Films Prepared by Pulsed Laser Deposition

Noor Ali Nasir — 2023-12-14

In this research, the Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD) technique was used, and the operating frequency of the laser was tuned to a double frequency. This was done in order to construct nano-thin films of titanium oxide (TiO₂). An Nd-YAG laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm, pulse frequency of 6 Hz, and laser energy of 700, 800, and 900 mJ were used on glass and Si (p-type) substrates of different thicknesses. Then, the TiO₂ films were annealed for 2 hours at a temperature of 400 °C. UV-Vis spectra revealed that TiO₂ has strong UV absorption, as well as a large energy gap (2.9, 3.06, and 3.3) eV for energy levels (700, 800, and 900) mJ in contrast. In addition, FESEM analysis showed a granular morphology that showed a tendency for fragmentation into smaller particles with the growth of the thickness of the sample. The thickness of the thin films was determined using the FESEM cross-section, and the results showed that the thicknesses were 278.01, 1630.53, and 2579.66 nm for TiO₂ at laser energy of 700, 800, and 900 mJ, respectively. As the laser energy increased, the results showed an increase in the thickness of the thin film. In addition, the absorbance increased while the transmittance decreased with increasing thin film thickness. In terms of the electrical properties of the cell, we found that the efficiency of the annealed cell was significantly increased compared to that of the unannealed cell.

An Improved Dynamic Slicing Algorithm to Prioritize a Concurrent Multi-threading in Operating System

Maysoon A. Mohammed — 2023-12-14

One of the issues with multi-threading in operating systems is the concurrency of operations or threads. In a multithreaded process on a single processor, the processor can switch execution resources between threads, enabling concurrent execution. Concurrency indicates that more than one thread is making progress, but the threads are not actually running simultaneously. The switching between threads occurs rapidly enough that the threads might appear to run simultaneously. In this paper, three related strategies for prioritizing multi-threading are presented: ACE-thread, Semaphore coprocessor, and the Concurrent Priority Threads Algorithm. The aim of this work is to enhance an existing prioritization algorithm, specifically the Concurrent Priority Threads Algorithm, by extending a dynamic slicing algorithm to prioritize multi-threading concurrently. The algorithm is designed to compute correct slices in multi-threading prioritization scenarios. Threads with the same highest priority can perform in a synchronized manner without encountering deadlocks. The C++ programming language is used to implement the extended algorithms. The improved algorithm achieved results that were 3% more accurate than the existing one. The outcomes of this work would facilitate the simultaneous execution of threads with the same priority, ultimately reducing waiting and processing times.

Comparative Study of Organics Removal from Refinery Wastewater by Photocatalytic Fenton Reaction Coupled with Visible Light and Ultraviolet Irradiation

Sanarya K. Kamal — 2023-12-14

The study investigates photocatalytic advanced oxidation processes using iron-doped zeolite catalysts in heterogeneous Fenton reactions to degrade organic contents as chemical oxygen demand. The research revealed that the heterogenous photocatalytic Fenton process was the most successful treatment method under acidic circumstances and generated a greater rate of chemical oxygen demand degradation in a concise amount of radiation time. Compared to the heterogenous Fenton process with ultraviolet irradiation, it increased oxidation and was affected by catalyst load, power of hydrogen pH, hydrogen peroxide amounts, and temperature. The findings showed that the iron-doped zeolite catalyst, pH, and temperature significantly degraded the chemical oxygen demand. The experiment determined that the optimal conditions were obtained at a catalyst load of 0.07 g, pH of 3, with 20% excess of hydrogen peroxide, 40 °C in 2 hours for the ultraviolet/ iron-doped zeolite/hydrogen peroxide system that gave 99.84 % of the removal of the chemical oxygen demand. The heterogeneous photocatalytic Fenton method accompanied the reactions by hydroxyl radical production, which quickly reached its maximal reduction.

Measuring and Analyzing the Process Capability of Productivity – An Applied Study in the Al-Tahady Factory for the Production of Filters

Ali Saad Alwan — 2023-12-14

This study addressed concerns related to increased percentages of damaged and re-worked production, heightened demand for factory products, and lack of awareness of the approved Sigma (σ) level during manufacturing, and associated deviations in the manufacturing process. The primary research problem was to assess the manufacturing process's stability and capability to consistently produce conical filters that meet required specifications. The study followed a sample-based approach, where twenty samples, each containing four observations, were collected continuously over a period of seven days. For each sample, the mean (X ̅) and range (R) were calculated. The mean X-Double bar of 319.32 and the average range R-bar of 0.848 were obtained through data analysis. The main findings revealed that, on average, the manufacturing process was relatively close to the target value (X-Double bar = 319.32). However, the presence of several data points outside the control limits indicated potential variability in the process. The average range (R-bar = 0.848) highlighted certain variations in the manufacturing process, which might contribute to issues like damaged or re-worked production. The study identified the need for further investigation to determine the root causes of these variations, which could include machine malfunctions, material fluctuations, or operator errors. By addressing these concerns and reducing process variability, the factory can enhance product quality, decrease waste, and improve customer satisfaction. In conclusion, continuous process monitoring and improvement initiatives, such as Six Sigma, are essential for achieving greater process capability in conical filter manufacturing. This research contributes valuable insights into process performance and provides a basis for implementing corrective actions to ensure consistent product quality and meet customer demands.

Differentiation between Irradiated and Non-Irradiated Dates Using Color Intensity and Viscosity Value Method

Mohammed M. Mohammed Rushdy — 2023-12-14

New method has been applied recently in our Laboratories to distinguish between irradiated and non-irradiated dates. The method depends on the measurement of color intensity and viscosity values for dates sugar water extracts for five different stages of treatments. Doses of (0 .5, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.5 kGy) were applied. A considerable increase and decrease of irradiated and non-irradiated dates in color intensity and viscosity values were found between the stages; the results obtained showed that there is a significant increase and decrease in the values of irradiated dates Samples at stages 3, 4 and 5 as compared to non-irradiated Samples (control). At stage 3 the results showed a drop in color intensity of the solution sample from 8701 (control) to 1009 at dose of 1.00 kGy, the results also showed an increase in color intensity (Stage 4) from 2046 (control) to 2712 as the doses increased from 0.50 to 1.50 (kGy), while the results of the viscosity at stage 5 showed a significant increase from 5.605 (Control) to 7.914 as the doses increased from 0.50 to 1.50 (KGy).The method appears to be promising to discriminate irradiated from non-irradiated dates. Further developments are needed for this method to increase its accuracy and reliability in measuring the actual dose used in the treatment.

Human – Environment QSAR Studies of Radioactive Chemicals by Online Prediction Websites

Kafa Khalaf Hammud — 2023-12-14

Diagnosis, therapy, and research – development are main targets in radioactive materials issues that took huge places in medical sector of radio-molecular imaging and nuclear medicine where adsorbed radionuclide by the target(s) with high selectivity and minimum duration management compared to chemotherapy. In this study, three online websites created by various scientific groups in Baker Institute, university of Queensland, and School of Computing and Information Systems, University of Melbourne as a computed base to predict toxicity of various radiopharmaceuticals having Sm-153; Ga-68; F-18; Hg-197; I-131; I-123; Tc-99m: In-111, or Se-75. Prediction of forty – five radio-chemicals targeted embryo, cardio-: Arrhythmia, heart block, Cardiac Failure, hERG, Myocardial Infarction, and hypertension. Herbicidal activity and environmental safety represented by Honey Bee, Avian, Minnow, as well as human toxicity that include Ames, rat acute (LD₅₀) and chronic (LOAEL) toxicities were additionally evaluated by these three online websites. Here first Iraqi attempt showed that these tested materials had a toxic site to one or more of human (embryo or pregnant mother), cardio- (Arrhythmia, Cardiac Failure, Heart Block, hERG, Hypertension, or Myocardial Infarction) or rat acute (LD₅₀) – chronic (LOAEL), as well as environment (honey, avian, Minnow) characters. Samarium-153 Lexidronam gave a safe in Silico toxicological response to embryo (and pregnant mother), all tested cardio-, honey, and avian. Also, it showed a low number towards Minnow and rat chronic (LOAEL) toxicities. In the same manner, Selenomethionine - 75Se derivative was highly unsafe to embryo (and mother) beside toxic effect in Arrhythmia case. In comparison to Sm-153, Se-75, as a corresponding radio – compound of the naturally amino acid found in soybeans and nuts, had lower Minnow and rat chronic toxicological values but not LD₅₀. So, both radiopharmaceuticals were structurally toxic especially in high concentration and repeated uptake by human or other species.

Receiver Operating Characteristic Analysis of Liver Function Tests in Patients with Chronic Viral Hepatitis B in Baghdad, Iraq

Rana T. Mohsen — 2023-12-14

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health challenge, and clearance or persistence of HBV is mostly determined by host immune responses, Therefore, this study aimed to determine HBV effects in chronic HBV patients living in Baghdad receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The impact of HBV genotypes on liver-function parameters was explored A case-control study was conducted during June-October 2018 on 80 chronic HBV patients and 96 matched control. The results revealed that most patients were males 50 (62.5%), while female patients accounted for 30 (37.5%). The sera of patients were positive for anti-HBc (hepatitis B core antigen) IgG and -HbsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen) antibodies, while they were negative for anti-Hbc IgM antibody. Such profile is consistent with the interpretation of chronic HBV infection. Four liver-function tests (LFTs); total serum bilirubin (TSB), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were assessed. Significantly increased levels of ALP, ALT and AST were observed in HBV patients compared to normal healthy control, while TSB showed no significant variation. However, in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, only ALP and AST occupied an excellent area under curve (AUC > 0.90).

Prediction of Methyl Orange (MO) Toxicity and Minimizing Its Pollution in Aquatic Environment by Activated Carbon Adsorption

Salwan Sufyan Ibrahim — 2023-12-14

Minimizing environmental pollution is an essential work of the official and scientific communities around the world, especially in water systems. In water, soluble dye works as a blockage in photosynthesis process because of its toxicity. One of these highly applicable dyes in industry is Methyl Orange (MO), documented with more than 10% released to water. Here, a new Iraqi try of converting environmental and health problems to solutions with high quantification was as done by using face tissue (Kleenex) as a carbon source. Primary in Silico testing of this anionic dye (Methyl Orange) was done based on online website confirmed MO dye is unsafe in several toxicological determinations such as foetus health (during pregnancy). Also, it is permeable material to skin, Blood- Brain system (BBB), and Human Colon Carcinoma cell line (CaCO₂) compatible with Human Intestinal absorption (74.166%). In experimental section, low quality of face tissue (Kleenex) was subject to a high acidic medium (concentrated sulphuric acid), followed by addition of sodium carbonate to .increase activation of based carbon material with more structural pores yielding high removal efficiency and adsorption capacity ranged (88-98)% and (88-98) mg/g respectively. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations were based upon choosing two wavelengths in ultraviolet (272 nm) and visible (464 nm) regions. In this work, two removal steps were performed with the same adsorbent companied by multiple UV-Vis spectroscopic evaluation of several tested sections. Reviewing of published papers in MO removal presents the extraordinary performance of this prepared material towards using it as an excellent adsorbent of toxic material in aqueous solution.

Gamma Ray Spectrum by Software Methods for Radioactive Waste

M. W. Alhamd — 2023-12-14

The requirements of NTD (Neglected Tropical Diseases) and technological regulations for the operation of NPP (Nuclear Power Plant) power units (NP-001-97 (OPB-88/97), NP-082-07) define the requirements for monitoring the specific activity of iodine-131 (the amount of iodine) in the NPP primary circuit coolants. The advantages of laboratory control include accuracy of measurement and the radionuclide composition of the primary coolant, measured using high-precision laboratory equipment. Instrumental spectra were obtained for the detection units BDKG-205m with various options for the placement of waste in a container, their composition, mass of waste, average density, and various activity levels of waste. The basic idea behind gamma-ray spectroscopy is to detect and analyze the energy of incident gamma rays. Gamma rays of varying energy and intensity are emitted from radioactive sources. The gamma-ray energy spectrum is produced when gamma rays are detected and examined using a spectroscopy instrument. The initial stage in gamma-ray spectroscopy is to detect gamma rays using a suitable detector. The detector captures and measures the energy of incoming gamma rays. Scintillation detectors, semiconductor detectors, and gas-filled detectors are among the detectors used in gamma-ray spectroscopy. The incoming gamma-ray energy is converted into electrical signals that can be processed and studied by these detectors. The spectroscopic system measures and records the energy of gamma rays when they are detected. The derived energy spectrum depicts the intensity distribution of gamma rays as a function of energy. The spectrum is a visual representation of the different energy levels found in gamma-ray emission.

Efficiency Enhancement of Perovskite Solar Cells Based on Graphene Nanocomposites as Electrons and Holes Transport Layers

Hayder Hasan Ali — 2023-12-14

This study investigates the use of TiO₂/G and ZrO₂/G transport layers in perovskite solar cells. The hydrothermal technique was used to synthesize the transport layers. According to the results, using TiO₂/G as an electron transport layer enhances the transfer of negative charges from perovskites, which increases the efficiency of the solar cell. This is thanks to improved electrical conductivity and less loss of negative charges in the transport layer. The positive gap transition from the perovskite layer to the gap transport layer was enhanced using ZrO₂/G. The chemical and physical properties of ZrO₂/G help to build a strong interface with perovskite, which promotes gap crossing and reduces the loss of positive charges. Regarding the photonic layer, the efficiency of the solar cell increased significantly when CsPbBr₃ quantum dots were used as the active element due to their strong abilities to absorb light from the visible light spectrum according to absorption spectrometry measurements. The efficiency of converting light into electrical charges increases because they can absorb more sunlight, including low-level solar energy. Quantum dots have efficient charge transfer paths, which reduces charge loss and improves conversion efficiency. CsPbBr3 quantum dots are chemically and crystallineally stable. These factors work together to increase the efficiency of the perovskite solar cell when using CsPbBr₃ quantum dots from 10.004% to 10.425%.

Equilibrium Kinetic and Thermodynamic Adsorption of Ni and Cd Ions from Waste Water Using Orange Peel

Lina Kareem Amlah — 2023-12-14

The aim of this study is to evaluate fresh orange peels as low cost available adsorbent for removing nickel and cadmium ions from laboratory solutions and record the adsorption capacity, which represents the amount of up take per amount of fresh orange peels (FOP). Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses of FOP was carried out and comparing with the peaks of standard FTIR of cellulose matter to show functional groups and finger print that found in FOP formula. Batch experiments were carried out at different conditions: Ni and Cd ions initial concentration are (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50) ppm, FOP dosage (0.5, 0.75, 1, and 1.5) g, pH (3.5, 5, and 6), contact time (30 to 240) min and temperature (28, 35, and 45) ^oC where recorded. The results showed that the removal percentage of Ni and Cd increased with increasing FOP dosage. Initial Ni and Cd concentration, pH, and contact time. The best Ni and Cd Removal% where 64% and 80%, respectively at optimum conditions with FOP dosage of 1 g, pH of 6, initial concentration of 50 ppm and contact time of 120 min, where the calculated adsorption capacity was 2.9 mg/g for Ni and 4 mg/g for Cd. In case of the thermal study, best result was obtained at 45 ^oC with removal% of 65% for Ni and 78% for Cd and adsorption capacity of 2.8 mg/g and 3.7 mg/g for Ni and Cd, respectively.

Environmentally Friendly Wood Adhesives Based on Dextrin/Arabic Gum Blends

Huda M. J. Ali — 2023-12-14

Wood adhesives are widely used consisting of urea-formaldehyde resins. Most of the studies aim to find alternative natural materials to replace the carcinogenic chemical adhesives. A mixture of natural materials that are available in abundance, cheap in price and are resistant to water and heat, the failure of the interface between two solid dielectrics is a major source of insulation system failure, hence it is crucial to understand the principles regulating this breakdown occurrence. It is generally agreed that the tangential AC breakdown strength of solid-solid surfaces is primarily determined by the elastic modulus (elasticity), radial/tangential pressure, surface smoothness/roughness, and dielectric strength of the ambient environment. For this purpose, we made use of dextrin and Arabic gum. Physical parameters (Lap shear strength, pull off strength, hardness, roughness, electrical and thermal insulations) of the combination formed with varying amounts of each ingredient were investigated. The adhesive characteristics of D were enhanced by the incorporation of AG, with improved pull off adhesion and lap shear strength at increasing AG levels at 80%. D /AG 20/80 compositions had pull off adhesion values 189 times greater than pure D, and lap shear strength values 820 times higher. It is evident because of the dispersion of AG molecules in decreasing the surface roughness of D/AG films and increasing their hardness on the shore scale. There is a positive correlation between the amount of AG added and the blending matrix of D, therefore boosting A with AG increases A. The dielectric strength, and thermal insulation increases with the increase in the weight ratio of Arabic gum. The blend prepared as an adhesive for wood is a good electrical and thermal insulator at 8% AG/20% D.