Metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) is a unique phenomenon of surface plasmons, where light interacts with the metallic nanostructures and produces electromagnetic fields to enhance the sensitivity of fluorescence-based detection. In particular, this enhancement in sensing capacity is of importance to many research areas, including medical diagnostics, forensic science, and biotechnology. The article covers the basic mechanism of MEF and recent developments in plasmonic nanostructures fabrication for efficient fluorescence signal enhancement that are critically reviewed. The implications of current fluorescence-based technologies for biosensors are summarized, which are in practice to detect different analytes relevant to food control, medical diagnostics, and forensic science. Furthermore, characteristics of existing fabrication methods have been compared on the basis of their resolution, design flexibility, and throughput. The future projections emphasize exploring the potential of non-conventional materials and hybrid fabrication techniques to further enhance the sensitivity of MEF-based biosensors.

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The rising global warming concerns and explosive degradation of the environment requires the mainstream utilization of alternative fuels, such as hydroxy gas (HHO) which presents itself as a viable substitute for extracting the benefits of hydrogen. Therefore, an experimental study of the performance and emission characteristics of alternative fuels in contrast to conventional gasoline was undertaken. For experimentation, a spark ignition engine was run on a multitude of fuels comprising of gasoline, Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and hybrid blend of HHO with LPG. The engine was operated at 60% open throttle with engine speed ranging from 1600 rpm to 3400 rpm. Simultaneously, the corresponding performance parameters including brake specific fuel consumption, brake power and brake thermal efficiency were investigated. Emission levels of CO, CO2, HC and NOx were quantified in the specified speed range. To check the suitability of the acquired experimental data, it was subjected to a Weibull distribution fit. Enhanced performance efficiency and reduced emissions were observed with the combustion of the hybrid mixture of LPG with HHO in comparison to LPG: on average, brake power increased by 7% while the brake specific fuel consumption reduced by 15%. On the other hand, emissions relative to LPG decreased by 21%, 9% and 21.8% in cases of CO, CO2, and unburned hydrocarbons respectively. Incorporating alternative fuels would not only imply reduced dependency on conventional fuels but would also contribute to their sustainability for future generations. Simultaneously, the decrease in harmful environmental pollutants would help to mitigate and combat the threats of climate change.

Considering the importance of alternative fuels in IC engines for environment safety, compressed natural gas has been extensively employed in SI engines. However, scarce efforts have been made to investigate the effect of compressed natural gas on engine lubricant oil for a long duration. In this regard, a comprehensive analysis has been made on the engine performance, emissions, and lubricant oil conditions using gasoline ( G)92 and compressed natural gas at different operating conditions using reliable sampling methods. The key parameters of the engine performance like brake power and brake-specific energy consumption were investigated at 80% throttle opening within 1500–4500 range of r/min. For the sake of emission tests, speed was varied uniformly by varying the load at a constant throttle. Furthermore, the engine was run at high and low loads for lubricant oil comparison. Although compressed natural gas showed a decrease in brake-specific energy consumption (7.94%) and emissions content, ( G)92 performed relatively better in the case of brake power (39.93% increase). Moreover, a significant improvement was observed for wear debris, lubricant oil physiochemical characteristics, and additives depletion in the case of compressed natural gas than those of ( G)92. The contents of metallic particles were decreased by 23.58%, 36.25%, 42.42%, and 66.67% for iron, aluminum, copper, and lead, respectively, for compressed natural gas.

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A piperazine (PZ)-promoted methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) solution for a carbon dioxide (CO2) removal process from the flue gas of a large-scale coal power plant has been simulated. An Aspen Plus® was used to perform the simulation process. Initially, the effects of MDEA/PZ concentration ratio and stripper pressure on the regeneration energy of CO2 capture process were investigated. The MDEA/PZ concentration ratio of 35/15 wt.% (35 wt. MDEA and 15 wt.% PZ) was selected as an appropriate concentration. The reboiler duty of 3.235 MJ/kg CO2 was obtained at 35/15 wt.% concentration ratio of MDEA/PZ. It was considered a reference or base case, and process modifications including rich vapor compression (RVC) process, cold solvent split (CSS), and the combination of both processes were investigated to check its effect on the energy requirement. A total equivalent work of 0.7 MJe/kg CO2 in the RVC and a reboiler duty of 2.78 MJ/kg CO2 was achieved in the CSS process. Similarly, the total equivalent work, reboiler duty, and condenser duty of 0.627 MJe/kg CO2, 2.44 MJ/kg CO2, and 0.33 MJ/kg CO2, respectively, were obtained in the combined process. The reboiler duty and the total equivalent work were reduced by about 24.6 and 16.2%, respectively, as compared to the reference case. The total energy cost saving was 1.79 M$/yr. Considering the additional equipment cost in the combined process, the total cost saving was 0.67 M$ per year.