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- Studying the critical behaviour in physical systems through inequality analysis September 9, 2022
Dr Soumyajyoti Biswas, Assistant Professor from the Department of Physics, has been keenly involved in intense research around areas like the statistical physics of fracture and breakdown in disordered materials and machine learning methods in predicting the imminent breakdown in disordered systems. He has recently published two articles titled “Success of social inequality measures in predicting critical or failure points in some models of physical systems” and “Evolutionary Dynamics of Social Inequality and Coincidence of Gini and Kolkata indices under Unrestricted Competition” in the journals Frontiers in Physics and International Journal of Modern Physics C respectively. The research was done in collaboration with various academicians and undergraduate students (BTech CSE and BSc Physics) from the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata and Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata.
It is known that physical systems behave erratically near critical points. Since the 1970s, the ‘erratic’ behaviour has been explained in terms of critical phenomena, and it was found that there are some robust patterns in classes of systems, e.g., all liquid-gas transitions have something in common. Those common patterns were quantified in terms of critical exponents – some numbers that belong to a particular class of systems.
The research shows that if the ‘erratic’ responses of systems near critical points are quantified by some measures of inequality indices (higher the values of the indices, higher the inequality), then such indices behave in a near-universal way for different physical systems, even if they belong in different universality classes. The articles have shown such behaviour in models of physical systems. They have also shown that in socio-economic data, which are also the systems that were conjectured to be in the self-organized critical state. The behaviour from real data matches very well with those from the model simulations.
The researchers have tested their observations from the model simulations to various socio-economic systems that were long conjectured to be in the state of self-organized criticality. Specifically, they have looked into the income inequalities in the US, inequality in citations of authors, inequality in income from movies, and inequality in fluctuations of Bitcoin markets. In all these systems, the participating agents compete among themselves without much external intervention.
In fact, the only system among these where there are some interventions is income inequality. They have shown that through data from the IRS in the US, that inequality has consistently grown in the 1980s till date and has been following the path predicted in our model simulations.
In future, they plan on continuing along this line of looking at critical behaviour in physical systems through inequality analysis. Particularly for the systems where the critical point can represent a catastrophic event (say, fracture) and it is important to quantify the distance from such a catastrophic point.
Abstract of the Research
In many physical systems, experimentally measurable quantities vary drastically near the critical point of such systems. For example, in liquids turning into gas, the densities fluctuate, similar fluctuations happen for magnetisation near critical temperature. We have shown that in systems where the critical point is self-organized i.e., the system reaches the critical point on its own, the unequal nature of their responses show nearly universal trends, even if the models belong to different universality class. This observation could then be used in physical and also socio-economic systems, to quantify their distance from critical point.
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The right hand side figure illustrates the variation of the inequality indices and the circle indicates the critical point where the system is evolving towards. On the left hand side, the picture presents the same indices for income inequality in the US. It has been observed that the inequality has grown over the years and tending towards the saturation value (about 0.86) in a very similar way that is seen in models. - Studying the agricultural transformation in Southeast Asia September 8, 2022
The promotion of sustainable growth of agriculture is one of the primary concerns of developing nations. The agriculture domain in Southeast Asia has undergone rapid transformation and structural changes over the last few years. Assistant Professor Dr Ghanshyam Pandey from the Department of Economics discusses the reasons for this changed scenario in his latest publication “Transformation and Sources of Growth in Southeast Asian Agriculture”. The research conducted in collaboration with International Food Policy Research (IFPRI) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was published in the Q2 journal Southeast Asian Agriculture having an Impact Factor of 1.7.
Abstract of the Research
Over the past few decades, agriculture in Southeast Asia has experienced robust growth and undergone a significant structural transformation, albeit at a different pace in different countries in the region. This paper aims to understand the agricultural transformation and growth process in Southeast Asia. The findings of this study show that driven by technological change, area expansion, and diversification, agriculture has grown faster in low-income countries in the region. In contrast, agricultural growth in high-income countries has been slow and driven by price increases, mainly of export-oriented commercial crops such as oil palm, rubber, and coconut—alongside an expansion of cropped areas under these crops. In view of the fixed supply of land and high volatility in global food prices, the area- and price-driven growth is not sustainable in the long run. For efficient, sustainable, and inclusive growth, exploiting the potential of existing and frontier technologies and diversification of production portfolios holds greater promise.
- Heartfulness Meditation Workshop September 8, 2022
The Office of International Relations and Higher Studies organised a four-day Meditation Workshop in collaboration with Heartfulness Meditation on August 26, 29, 30 and September 02, 2022, as part of the Aadigyan-Open Elective programme. The workshop introduced students to the basic lessons of the arts and science of meditation. Around 60 students participated in the training programme in 2 batches.
Hearfulness Meditation is a simple and subtle practice of meditation that connects an individual with the light and love of one’s heart. It follows the four basic steps – relax, meditate, rejuvenate, and connect – to guide oneself through a regulated path towards achieving tranquillity. Heartfulness is an essential life skill that would help one discover the sheer joy in existence.
The certified heartfulness trainers conducted sessions on the significance and essence of meditation. Students were made to practice meditation through guidance. The purpose of the programme was to develop inner strength and balance of mind to confront various challenges of life with poise and self-control. The workshop, through its premeditated pattern, will help students develop the habit of meditation and make it an integral part of their lifestyle.
- Onam celebration at its finest September 7, 2022
Onam is one of the grand festivals of Kerala, celebrated with ardent fervor by Malayalis all over the world every year for ten long days. Regional festivals are gaining a lot of attention beyond geographical boundaries as university campuses are getting more diverse. One of the many things that ignite the glory of SRM University- AP is the way it embraces different cultures with paramount importance. Students and Faculty of the institution got together in traditional attires on Wednesday to celebrate Onam, the harvest festival of Kerala, organised by the Department of Student Affairs.Honorable Vice-Chancellor Prof V S Rao addressed the gathering and wished a prosperous Onam to the faculty and students. “It is an immense pleasure to celebrate Onam at a time when I am about to complete my 44 years of service in higher education”, said Prof V S Rao as he recollected his years of memories connected with Onam celebrations. Students were all ears when he described the historical scenario behind the celebration.
A large Pookkalam, welcomed students to the celebration. At the beginning of the event, a brief introduction to the historical and cultural significance of Onam was given by students. Energetic performances lifted the overall mood of the celebration. A video showcasing the exquisite aura of life in Kerala at the time of Onam was played. Payasam was distributed to all. The insights shared through the celebration for sure carved a beautiful memory of Onam in everyone.
Continue reading → - ROM 2022: Relay run of 487 km for child safety flagged off September 6, 2022
SRM University-AP flagged off a 487 km relay run with a flaming torch that will be concluded at SRM KTR campus on September 8, World Physiotherapy Day. “This group of 90 runners will set a record and inspire the people they meet on their way”, said Prof. K Hemachandra Reddy, Chairman, Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education, igniting the torch that mirrors the Olympic torch.SRM AP Vice-Chancellor Prof V S Rao expressed his delight to host the starting point of ROM (Resounding Overnight Momentous) 2022: THE PHYSIO RUN. “We are fortunate to be a part of making history by raising awareness for child safety and environment protection”, he added, flagging off the run. “The team spirit of these young runners is strong enough to bring out social changes”, said Professor Lt Col Arunachalam Ravikumar, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Medical & Health Sciences, appreciating the event. Dr T.S Veeragoudhaman, Dean, School of Physiotherapy, highlighted the functional independency that physiotherapy provides. Official Records Officer- World Records Union, Ms Shareefa, said that it is the responsibility of civilised citizens to promote national and community-level child protection systems.
Last year, the “Longest relay run with a flaming torch”, covering 280 km from the SRM Trichy campus to the SRM Kattankulathur campus, found a place in the Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records. This year, the torch that is lighted from the SRM AP campus will be passed on for 487 km until it is brought into the SRM Kattankulathur campus. The ignited torch carried onwards during the run will use the mother flame throughout the entire course until it reaches its destination and would not be extinguished at any given time or situation. The torch would only be kept alive with natural ingredients.
World Physiotherapy Day marks the unity and solidarity of the global physiotherapy community. SRM College of Physiotherapy and SRM Institute of Science and Technology Kattankulathur jointly organised this event to raise awareness on relevant issues like child safety, child disability and conservation of the environment. SRM AP Registrar Dr R Premkumar, Dean-School of Engineering and Sciences Prof B V Babu, Assistant Director- Student Affairs Ms Revathi Balakrishnan and many other dignitaries from SRM group institutions were present at the occasion.
Continue reading → - SRM University-AP celebrated Teachers’ Day 2022 September 6, 2022
Teachers’ day is celebrated across the length and breadth of the nation on September 05, to honour and pay tributes to the second president of India, the renowned scholar and great philosopher, Dr S Radhakrishnan. SRM University-AP observed the day with utmost pride and the students marked gratitude to their beloved teachers.
Honourable Vice-Chancellor, Prof VS Rao, addressed the gathering of teachers and students. He reiterated the significance of the day and acknowledged the invaluable services of all faculty members. “I’m immensely proud of your achievements as educators and researchers. You have stood side by side with our children, led them with courage and passion, and believed in the prodigious potential of each of them. Your role in nurturing and growing them up is undeniable”, remarked Prof Rao.
A felicitation ceremony was organised to recognise the enormous contributions and extensive services rendered by the faculty who have been a part of SRM University-AP for the past five years. Mementoes were distributed, and the faculty were honoured by Vice-Chancellor Prof VS Rao and Registrar Dr R Premkumar. The teachers thanked the Vice-Chancellor and conveyed their admiration for his able guidance and the administration of the university for the last two years.
An array of cultural programmes and events was put up in the auditorium by the students to celebrate the day. Vice-Chancellor in his address to students appreciated their efforts in making the teachers’ day celebration a memorable occasion. With a colourful mix of dance and musical performances, the day was brought to a delightful closure.
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- Modified solar air heater for preserving agricultural produce September 5, 2022
There is a growing demand for decentralised systems that use renewable energy to extend the shelf life of agricultural commodities. Solar Air Heating systems (SAHs) are effective and environmentally friendly systems used to preserve agricultural produce by lowering the moisture content. Assistant Professor Dr Karthik Rajendran and his Post-Doctoral Scholar Dr VS Vigneswaran from the Department of Environmental Science have published their paper “Augmented v-corrugated absorber plate using shot-blasting for solar air heater – Energy, Exergy, Economic, and Environmental (4E) analysis” in the Q1 journal “Process Safety and Environmental Protection” having an Impact Factor of 7.9. The paper was published in collaboration with D. Sung Chul Kim, Shandong University, China.
South Asia is home to the majority of the world’s hungry people. Among 116 nations, India, the second-most populated nation in the world, is ranked 101st in the global hunger index. There is cause for concern given that India loses over 67 million tonnes of food annually, which is equivalent to about Rs. 92,000 crore. In 2016, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research estimated that during harvest, post-harvest, processing, and storage, about 4.3-6.1% of pulses, 3.9-6% of grains, 2.8-10.1% of oilseeds, 6.9-13% of vegetables, and 5.8-18.1% of fruits were lost. 16% of fruits and vegetables as well as 10% of oilseeds, pulses, and cereals were lost in India due to inadequate access to storage facilities.
Each year, these losses increase in India. In order to reduce food wastage after harvest and the amount of people going hungry in India, technologies must be developed to extend the shelf life of agricultural produce. The utilisation of land, water, energy, and the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere can all be decreased by reducing postharvest loss. It is necessary to develop a decentralised system that uses renewable energy to extend the shelf life of agricultural products. Given that the majority of India has abundant solar energy resources, solar crop dryers based on solar air heaters (SAH) are a practical choice for conserving agricultural output by lowering its moisture content. These technologies are appealing because they are affordable and sustainable.
The performance of SAH is determined by the absorber plate. Thus, the SAH was modified with a v-corrugated absorber plate with a shot-blasted surface, and the SAH performance was investigated experimentally. Performance parameters including the energy and exergy efficiency of the collector were determined and compared with those of the conventional SAH. The study inferred that SAH optimisation will make way for the maximisation of its efficiency.
Abstract of the Research
Need for increasing the shelf life of agricultural produce using renewable energy-based A decentralized system are significantly increasing. The solar air heating systems (SAHs) are efficient and environment friendly systems which are used for preserving agricultural produce through the reduction of moisture content. However, these systems had poor thermal efficiency and the way for increasing the efficiency are much need in the present era. This article presents the energy, exergy, and economic analysis of a modified solar air heater system (SAH). The proposed (modified) SAH has a V-corrugation absorber plate; the inner surface was modified using shot-blasting technology. This is the first study to experimentally investigate a modified SAH and compare the results with those of a conventional SAH. Additionally, an environmental and sustainability assessment of the SAH is presented. The SAH performance was tested at airflow rates ranging from 0.01 to 0.02 kg. sec.
Continue reading → - Dr Pankaj Pathak co-edited and authored in the springer publication series September 5, 2022
Dr Pankaj Pathak, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Science co-edited the book “Circular Economy in Municipal Solid Waste Landfilling: Biomining & Leachate Treatment: Sustainable Solid Waste Management: Waste to Wealth” in collaboration with Prof Sankar Ganesh Palani from BITS Pilani, Hyderabad. The book was released as part of the Springer publication series ‘Radionuclides and Heavy Metals in the Environment’ that covers issues pertaining to environmental pollution of air, water and soil, causative toxic agents, including radioactive materials, and remediation strategies.
The book is a ready reckoner of contemporary information regarding municipal solid waste landfill biomining, treatment of landfill leachate and heavy metals in a single platform. Construction of new landfills which requires huge monetary investments can be avoided if old landfills were bio-mined for resources and the space can be re-used as new landfills. Landfill leachate is a hazardous waste which needs proper treatment that could generate value-added products such as clean energy and biofertilizers. The book is a rich repository of information for academicians, researchers, and students at master’s and doctoral levels to understand the current trends in municipal solid waste landfill operations.
It also features the chapter, ”Valorization of Solid Waste from Landfill Activities” co-authored by Dr Pankaj Pathak and her PhD scholar MSSR Tejaswini along with Prof Sankar Ganesh Palani and Dr Prangya Ranjan Rout from Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology. The article states that urban mining of various types of landfill wastes helps in the conservation of natural resources as well as increases the economic value of the disposed of wastes. It also ensures maximum recovery from the wastes that can be used as a secondary raw material for production purposes. Accordingly, they determine the environmental impacts associated with landfill wastes and identify different technologies that would help in the conversion of waste into resources through urban mining.
Essentially the book provides a circular economy approach to municipal solid waste (MSW) management. It also reviews the current technologies and future trends in MSW treatment by focusing on technological solutions for MSW treatment in developing countries in comparison with developed countries.
Continue reading → - Large-scale production of BP nanosheets September 1, 2022
Research at the Department of Physics has effectively produced and characterised BP nanosheets on a large scale by a simple solvothermal approach, and the formation mechanisms are discussed. The paper, 2D-Black Phosphorus/Polyaniline Hybrids for Efficient Supercapacitor and Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Applications Check for updates, has been published by Prof Ranjit Thapa, Associate Dean of Sciences, as a corresponding author, and his PhD student, Mr Samadhan Kapse in Sustainable Energy & Fuels having an Impact Factor of 6.367.Abstract
Black phosphorous (BP) is an emerging 2D material with exciting physicochemical properties with broad applicability in electronics. Stability in the ambient environment, large-scale synthesis, and volume expansion during the charge/discharge process hinder its application in energy storage. Here, we report a facile gram-scale synthesis of BP in a mild reaction condition by a simple and cost-effective wet chemical method. To overcome its degradation and sluggish electrochemical performance, an organic hybrid with polyaniline is also prepared. Further, we fabricated a flexible supercapacitor device which results in an exceptional specific capacitance of 969 mFcm-2 at a current density of 0.4 Acm-2, which displayed a high energy density of 21.5 mWhkg-1 at a power density of 231 mWkg-1 with good cycling stability of 91% after 4000 charge-discharge cycles. Similarly, the cyclic voltammetry studies of the flexible devices at various bending angles display a similar CV profile for all the bending angles, which confirms the device’s reliability for flexible applications.
Explanation of the research
BP-PANI hybrid materials were prepared by the in-situ chemical oxidation method. By this approach, the researchers got highly stable BP by an inorganic-organic linkage, and its energy storage performance was also investigated. The fabricated symmetric flexible supercapacitor device based on BP/PANI heterostructure exhibited an extraordinary specific capacitance of 969 mFcm-2 at a current density of 0.4 Acm-2. Moreover, the fabricated device showed a high energy density of 21.5 mWhkg-1 and a power density of 231 mWkg-1 with impressive cycle stability of 91% after 4000 charge-discharge cycles. This study paves the way for future research into gram-scale BP synthesis, stability via an inorganic-organic coupling, and its potential application in electrochemical energy storage devices.
Social implications of the research
With the rapid growth of portable/flexible electronics and the high demand for clean energy, supercapacitors have sparked interest due to their advantages of fast charge/discharge rates, long cycle life, and high-power density compared to conventional energy-storage devices such as dielectric capacitors and Li-ion batteries. Likewise, developing new functional materials with outstanding properties could shed light on many issues, including pollution, energy, synthesis, and cost. In recent years few graphene analogues materials have been explored, and because of their tuneable physicochemical properties, they were used in energy storage applications. Generally, black phosphorus was synthesised from polymorphs of phosphorus under vigorous reaction conditions. However, these high temperature/pressure conditions suffer from safety, toxicity, controllability, and gram-scale production.
Quantum capacitance is an efficient tool for rapidly screening materials for supercapacitor applications and therefore is the future of this research. The researchers have collaborated with Mr Namsheer K, Mr Mridula Manoj, Mr Aditya Sharma, and Dr Chandra Sekhar Rout from the Functional Materials & Devices Laboratory, Centre for Nano Material Sciences, Jain University, Bangalore, India, in this work.
Continue reading → - Efficient and selective single-atom catalysts for eNRR September 1, 2022
The Department of Physics is glad to announce that Dr Ranjit Thapa and his PhD scholar Mr Samadhan Kapse have published their research paper “Descriptors and graphical construction for in silico design of efficient and selective single-atom catalysts for eNRR” in the journal Chemical Science, having an Impact Factor of 9.969. The paper was published in collaboration with Prof Shobhana Narasimhan, Theoretical Sciences Unit and School of Advanced Materials, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore. Chemical Science is a highly prestigious nature Index journal, which accepts only breakthrough research contributions for publication.
The Haber-Bosch process for ammonia synthesis has been described as possibly the most important scientific discovery of the twentieth century. However, it requires high temperatures and pressures and results in large energy consumption and emission of greenhouse gases. That is where electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) comes into the picture. It synthesizes ammonia from nitrogen and water under mild conditions (N2 + 6H+ + 6e- → 2NH3). However, currently available eNRR catalysts need improvement in three respects: (i) the efficiency of nitrogen fixation needs to be increased, (ii) the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) needs to be suppressed, and (iii) hydrogen poisoning of active sites must be avoided. Transition metals are popular eNRR catalysts; however, they tend to favour hydrogen adsorption due to the formation of strong metal d – hydrogen σ bonds, and tend to have a low affinity for N2 adsorption. Their research mitigates these problems by appropriately tuning the electronic structure by altering the environment surrounding metal atoms at the active site of single-atom catalysts (SACs). Moreover, in previous works, typically, only one criterion (usually competing HER) was used to optimize catalyst function, whereas they simultaneously optimised the catalyst function with respect to multiple criteria.
They have screened 66 different transition metal-based SACs for possible use in eNRR. To determine the best possible catalyst, they considered three factors: N2 adsorption, hydrogen poisoning and the overpotential of eNRR. Here, the valence electron occupancy (Oval) is identified as a new electronic descriptor that can predict the overpotential value. They emphasised that having a low η_NRR alone does not suffice to indicate a suitable eNRR catalyst, since if the adsorption free energy is higher for H than N2, active sites will be poisoned, hindering eNRR. Thus, they present a simple graphical procedure for identifying the most promising catalysts. To carry out this procedure, one must compute only 〖ΔG〗_(H^* ) and 〖ΔG〗_(NNH^* ), the changes in the free energies of H and NNH adsorption, respectively (note that η_NRR can be deduced if 〖ΔG〗_(NNH^* ) is known). The most promising candidate is identified as Sc-Pc, which they predict will have no H poisoning and will be highly selective for eNRR over HER. Moreover, they predict that Mn-Pc, Cr-N4, Fe-N2C2 should also be highly efficient, with low overpotential (η_NRR < 1 V) toward eNRR, and no H poisoning. In future they aim to find the selective materials for catalytic reactions by studying the origin of activity, reaction mechanism, etc.
Abstract of the Research
The electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (eNRR) offers the possibility of ammonia synthesis under mild conditions; however, it suffers from low yields, a competing hydrogen evolution reaction pathway, and hydrogen poisoning. We present a systematic approach toward screening single atom catalysts (SACs) for eNRR, by focusing on key parameters computed from density functional theory, and relationships between them. We illustrate this by application to 66 model catalysts of the types, TM-Pc, TM-NXCY, and TM-N3, where TM is a 3d transition metal or molybdenum. We identified the best SACs as Sc-Pc, Cr-N4, Mn-Pc, and Fe-N2C2; these show eNRR selectivity over HER and no hydrogen poisoning. The catalysts are identified through multi-parameter optimization which includes the condition of hydrogen poisoning. We propose a new electronic descriptor Oval, the valence electron occupancy of the metal center, that exhibits a volcano-type relationship with eNRR overpotential. Our multi-parameter optimization approach can be mapped onto a simple graphical construction to find the best catalyst for eNRR over HER and hydrogen poisoning.
