Recovering bioethanol from fruit wastes
1. Purpose of the research: Recovering bioethanol from fruit wastes by using brewing yeast and enzyme Viscozyme L\r 2. Procedures: Four different experiments were conducted in our project.\r Experiment-1: Samples in RM by the addition of only S.Cerevisia.\r Experiment-2: Samples in RM broth meduim by the addtion of 100 μl/g ViscozymeL and S. Cerevisiae\r Experiment-3 : ViscozymeL with different concentration\r Experiment-4: to determenine whether the enzyme with high concentration inhibited the fermentation.\r Analysis of ethanol: HPLC method was used for the analysis;\r HPLC method: (high performance liquid chromatography)\r 3. Data\r HPLC measured initial and final concentrations of glucose and ethanol by the addtion of S. Cerevisiae.\r Initial glucose concentration and final ethanol concentration was the highest in Grape pulp 12 and 9 g/L respectively. Despite the glucose concentration was the lowest, the ethanol concentration was quite high (7 g/L) in the mixture with orange. The lowest ethanol was produced in the mixture with pomegranate.\r Concentrations of ethanol and glucose from the samples in RM broth meduim by the addtion of 100 μl/g ViscozymeL and S. Cerevisiae\r After the 24 hour incubation by the addition of enzyme glucose concentration incresed by 1, 4 and 2 respectively in sample 1, 2 and 3. The ethanol concentrations in comparison to first experiment were higher especially in the sample1 (grape pulp).\r Effect of ViscozymeL with different concentration on glucose production.\r The glucose concentration generally increased by the addition of 200 micro L of enzyme as the time proceeded. In grape pulp sample glucose concentartion didnt increased by the addition of 500 micro L enzyme.\r The remaning glucose and produced ethanol concentrations by the addition of viscozyme L with two different concentartion and S. Cerevisiae\r As the concentartion of enzyme added incresed the amout of ethanol also inreased in sample 2 and 3 but in the sample 3 the fermentation was inhibited.\r 4. Conclusions\r In this study sugars in fruit wastes that are regularly not recylecled were fermented successfully into ethanol by using S. Cerevisiae.\r Generally we get more ethanol from the samples when the enzyme was used. As the graph5 shows the ethanol concentration generally increased as the enzyme concentration increased. But especially in the sample1 (mixture with pomegranate) at 200 and 500 micro liter concentrations, ethanol production were 2 and 0 g/L respectively. In the light of this daha we conluded that the enzyme with high concentartion might inhibit the fermentation. When the activity of enzyme was inhibited by keeping the pretreated enzyme in boiling water, the fermentation restarted and recovered more ethanol; 8 and 12 g/L at the enzyme concentration of 200 and 500 microliter respectively.
USING IRON-STEEL INDUSTRIAL WASTE SLAGS AS A FERTILIZER
Steel slag, is received from iron and steel production facilities in Turkey, and is up to 25-30% from steel production. These couldn’t have been reclamation for any field of use and free stored in nature. When the structure of this slag examined, it was contained metallic formation (Fe2O3, Al2O3, MnO2, MgO2 etc.) and oxide compositions (SiO2, CaO2 etc.). The aim of this project is investigate metallic content of steel slag used as fertilizer in plants. For this purpose, slag is used to determine the physical and chemical characterization. Then, it is separated from metallic content by using shaking table and multi gravity separative (MGS) method. After these procedures, there are determinate 6 groups with different densities and different grit size. Element analysis was made of these groups by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS) and ICP-OES system. In addition, mineral analysis was determined by XRD device. Thus, within each group minerals have been identified. Slag-soil mixture was prepared for determination the highest yield of using six different slag groups as fertilizer in the plant. Thus, corn crops were grown in different combinations. Then harvested corn plants and done soil analysis of the plants. As a result of experiments, percentage of the most effective slag-soil composition for corn was determined. The highest yield in the slag pot was determined the rate of %12.5 and coarse-grained. Ideally, the slag content found to be chinerals such as merwinite (3CaO-MgO-2SiO2), akermanite (2CaO-MgO-2SiO2), gehlenite (2CaO-Al2O3-SiO2). Thus, it was detected the steel slags can be used as feed material for plants. Hence by maintaining the ecological balance economic contribution to the country was achieved.
ELECTRONIC STUDENT-TEACHER POLL ATTANDANCE SYSTEM
Our goal is to make roll call systems at schools technological. While Rolling Call system is getting technological capacities some useful outcomes occur as well like; To remove the cost for class books by abolishing the class books used for roll call To eliminate mistakes with the usage of class book .(The numbers written incorrectly) To save again a large amount of waste paper( The short messages will be send to the parents instead of mailing the letters to the their adresses once a week about their students' absance.) To improve communication among school and parents ,by this way to prevent various kinds of problems arising from absenteeism. To make teachers school boards more efficently and motivated besides their affairs will get easier as well. To save time of school managers(They have no Works like saving the absenteeisms into e-school network because everything including all the absenteeism info will be carried into the system automatically) To save time of each lesson the teachers will not loose time for the roll call ,so they will be able to devote their time to their students and training. -Technological polling mechanism will contribute to education, this contribution will make all the students and teachers happy because all the teachers carry concern whether their curriculum will be finished or not through this system recording all the rests of teachers because of illnesses and some national celebrations.
GAS SENSOR APPLICATIONS WITH PHOTONIC CRYSTAL FIBER AND CARBON DIOXIDE SENSOR DESIGN
It’s very important to control and monitor gases that are produced by industrial applications in different values and kinds because they can cause environmental pollution and health problems. Photonic Crystal Fiber (PCF), which is a different kind of optical fiber, is a new alternative for gas sensors due to their small sample volumes, low transmission losses and high flexibility properties. PCF’s are silica-glass fibers, made by periodic sequence of hollows along the fiber. By filling these hollows with optical liquids or gases very sensitive sensors can be made. In this project, we aimed to design a sensitive sensor by filling the hollows with proper gases and liquids in the solid core PCF. For these applications ethanol, methanol, toluene vapors and carbon dioxide was used. And to observe carbon dioxide’s effects ionic liquid (EMIMBF4), which carbon dioxide can dissolve in, was filled then the experiments were repeated. It was observed that the transmission of light in PCF changed depending on the refractive index of the gas that was filled. With this change, it was understood that there were another gas besides the usual containments of air. Our system could measure the absorbtion peak of toluen so it can be used as a toluen dedector and when ionic liquid filled the fiber, two steps that occur in the spectra of corbon dioxide so it can also be used as a carbon dioxide dedector. The system was customized as a carbon doxide sensor in a cost-efficient and portable way. Our system can be specialized and easiliy used with right light source, which is efficient to see the absorbtion peaks, and proper liquids to dedect intended gas. Making a carbon dioxide sensor by filling PCF with ionic liquid was never attempted before. Also the lack of carbon dioxide sensor studies supports the originality of our project. That’s why we think our project will contribute very importancies to the existing literature.
Novel Biotechnological Approach for Recognition and Purification of Antibody: Lectin Affinity Membranes
Immunoglobulin G is a glycoprotein structured molecule that is produced by the immune system and protects organism from harmful effects of antigens. Ig G amount in the blood plasma is an appropriate indicator of; infection, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer and other autoimmune diseases. Besides, purification of Ig G used in the treatment of these diseases from naturel sources is carried out at high costs on the World market. It is hard to obtain Ig G in high amounts and without any decomposes, that’s why it is important to develop new systems that will help to recognize and purify Ig G antibody. In this project, my purpose was; recognizing Ig G antibody with efficient, high amounted, fast, easily, with less toxicity, economically and purifying Ig G in high ratios from its natural sources. For this purpose p(HEMA-EDMA) membranes are synthesized with free radical photo polymerization method and characterized according to SEM images, swelling behaviors FTIR analysis and elemental analysis. In order to adsorb Ig G to polymeric membranes; polymeric membranes are activated with silanization agent (IMEO) and derivatized with Con A which is a lectin affinity ligand. In the SEM results it is examined that membranes are in spherical structures. Highest swelling value is determined as 224.8%.Binding of IMEO was demonstrated with FTIR and Elemental Analysis. Optimum conditions for Ig G adsorption to membranes are; 1.5 mg/ml initial Ig G concentration, 30 minutes of adsorption time, pH 4 citrate buffer 37 0C and without any different ion strength. Optimum adsorption capacity is determined as 253.8 mg/cm2 and it is also determined that this value is 7 times higher than nonspecific Ig G adsorption to p(HEMA-EDMA) membranes. Ig G adsorption-desorption cycles (5 times) proved that product is reusable without losing its adsorption capacity. According to the electrophoresis, Ig G could be desorbed in pure form without any denaturation to its structure.
SeedBot: Low-Cost Seeding Robot for Agricultural Applications
This paper presents a semi-autonomous seeding robot which is based on both electrical and mechanical platforms that perform advance agriculture process. SeedBot composed of four components: drilling mechanism, body of robot, seed container and paving mechanism. Other than those components the sensor system and the control system are also discussed. The aim of this study is designing and building a low-cost robotic system to automate and optimize process during farming especially for personal usage. This study demonstrates that semi-autonomous farming has crucial advantages over conventional farming. In addition to that, SeedBot provides safer, requires less manpower and precise farming than usual methods that we have so far.
A New Generation Colorimetric Method for Lead Analysis: APTAMER MODIFIED GOLD NANOPARTICLES
Lead is a toxic element which is used in the production of chemicals, dyes, accumulators and various industrial areas. It may cause complications even extended to death when it is taken consistently in high amounts. Lead poisoning is in the first place among the occupational diseases. It is gaining importance to develop new and sensitive methods for lead analysis. Because lead poisoning can progress without any symptoms and poisoning level (10µg/dL) is low. Disadvantages of the systems used for lead analysis are such as longer detection time, being expensive and difficult to implement. The aim of this project is to develop a new generation method in order to detect lead in blood, based on aptamer modified gold nanoparticles. We detected the lead in terms of color change obtained in gold nanoparticle solutions, with composite biochemosensor that is prepared with 20 & 80 nm sized gold nanoparticles and TBA(Thrombin Binding Aptamer). While immobilizing TBA to the gold nanoparticles, we benefitted from the magnificent surface affinity of the –SH (Thiol) groups that modified to the TBA. Gold nanoparticles that are used in development of our biotechnological method do not stimulate the immune system. The preparation of aptamers in completely sterile medium provides us to use our system in the lead detection of blood. Our method can also be used in the lead detection of mediums such as waste water, food and soil. We have developed a biochemosensor that can be used to detect the presence and absence of Pb2+ by taking into consideration the toxic effect in the human body. Also we detected the presence of lead colorimetrically, in low concentration levels and wide interval values of 4.4 – 11 µg/dL. The developed system is first that; it provides TBA to be used with its complimentary sequence detects the presence of lead colorimetrically and can be used in physiological media such as blood. Also our system can detect lead in amounts that are lower than the poisoning threshold.
FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CARBON NANOTUBE DOPED PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
Nowadays, the increase in population and the rapid depletion of nonrenewable energy sources brings the need for energy. In this case, scientists are forced to develop technologies by using renewable energy sources. Sun is the unlimited and renewable energy source. Organic solar cells absorb the light from the sun by the active polymer layer and transform it into electrical power. Organic solar cells are advantageous than inorganic ones because of being low-cost, easy-to-use and proper for large scale applications. In this project, it is aimed to produce organic solar cells by using specific amounts of carbon nanotube (CNT) doping. According to this aim, it is detected by using the fluorescence spectroscopy that CNTs can be used in organic solar cells. Later, the homogenous distribution of doping SWCNT into donor material was displayed by AFM, and correct proportion of SWCNTs are chosen by those images. In order to increase the efficiency of organic solar cell SWCNT doped P3HT was used as donor molecule. The acceptor molecule was PCBM in here. Surface characterization of prepared samples was made by Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), while electrical characterization of them is done with airless environment cabin (glove-box) system in nitrogen environment. As a result, devices prepared with addition of cyclohexanone in P3HT: SWCNT%:PCBM new load paths to carbon nanotubes were provided, as a result of the measurements short circuit current obtained was raised from the reference to 53%. The best yields were found as 2.24% in 0.2% SWCNT doped devices. This result shows efficiency is healed according to the reference rate as 64%. In this study, certain amounts of carbon nanotube doped organic solar cells were produced, which are highly efficient rather than traditional organic solar cells and low cost, easy-to-produce rather than inorganic solar cells, by using environmentally friendly materials.
Synthesis of Macro Porous Activated Carbon from Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottles and Investigation of Usability in Dye Removal from Water Sources
Colorants are used in many industries, especially in the textile industry. These substances both cause visual pollution and create an anaerobic environment for aquatic creatures. In this study, it is aimed to examine the usability of activated carbon synthesized from waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, which is an important environmental problem, in removing the pollution caused by the colorants caused by industrial activities in water resources.
New Approach to Food Packaging: Antimicrobial and Edible Materials
In addition to adequate and balanced nutrition in the protection of human health, the reliability of consumed foods is also of great importance. When foods contact with the environment, they are undergoing many microbiological, physical and chemical changes such as moisture loss, aroma exchange, oxidation and contamination with microorganisms. So this changes reduce quality and shorten the shelf life. During cutting and processing of chicken meat, especially contamination on the surface causes deterioration of the meat starting from the surface and thus short shelf life. Though contamination of chicken meat surface is inevitable, growth of contaminant microorganisms can be inhibited and microorganisms can be killed. In recent years, increased risks of infection due to antibiotic-resistant microorganisms have forced the discovery of new and natural antibacterial materials. It is a new and advantageous approach to avoid environmental pollution caused by the use of food packaging and safety of food, prolongation of product shelf life by natural, edible, antibacterial biomolecules in packaging products. In the scope of the project, in order to produce an edible alginate gel containing the antimicrobial peptide nisin, which has an antibacterial property to prevent microbial growth on the surface of chicken meat, following steps was done; Synthesis of calcium alginate and nisin immobilized calcium alginate beads Optimization of immobilizing nisin in calcium alginate beads, Characterization of nisin immobilized calcium alginate beads by ATR-FTIR Spectrum and SEM Analysis, Determination of the antimicrobial activity of white meat product chicken which is coated by nisin immobilizing calcium alginate gel.