The present study aims to investigate the textural, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of lean grade placer monazite from the Bramhagiri beach sand deposit to assess the possibility for its use in industrial applications. The bulk back dune sand deposit with 18 samples showed the elements uranium and thorium in traces, phosphorus and calcium in minor amounts, and alumina, silica and titanium in major amounts. Since apatite was absent in this placer deposit, P and Ca were attributed to monazite only. Based on the chemical analysis, it was established that the monazite mineral exists in this deposit. The monazite is generally below the −150- to +90-micron size range, and the concentration of the monazite mineral in the bulk back dune sand is around 0.01% by weight. The structural data and complete chemical analysis established that the monazite is Ce-monazite. The monazites with other heavy mineral sands of the Bramhagiri beach placer deposits were derived from the Eastern Ghats, which closely resembles the mineralogical composition of khondalite, charnockite, leptynite and pegmatite groups of rocks. The Eastern Ghats’ provenance appears to be the primary source for the heavy mineral assemblages of the Bramhagiri placer deposit. Thus, these monazite sands are derived from the granulite facies of metamorphic rocks such as khondalites and charnockites from the Eastern Ghats group of rocks. Garnet is the major mineral, following ilmenite and sillimanite. Zircon, rutile and monazite are minor minerals in the deposit. All these minerals are well liberated and have uniform shapes with variable densities and size ranges, with different magnetic, electrical and surface properties. Hence, the occurrences of these heavy minerals are of economic importance. Further, these minerals can be recovered individually for industrial applications.

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Present work is on synthesis of high purity Nano-structured TBC materials, Lanthanum Zirconate and YSZ. They were prepared via wet chemical routes, starting from the indigenous source minerals such as zircon and monazite available in the beach sand. This is first time that the results of TBC materials synthesis from these base minerals, their purification and a high end application being presented comprehensively. Their characterisation and thermal barrier application on aeroengine components have been presented. The total oxide impurities being critical to the life of the coating, could be controlled within 0.03 per cent by weight. On comparison with other powders it was found that the indigenously synthesised YSZ powder had practically 100 per cent tetragonal prime phase and no monoclinic phase; whereas others had significant amounts of monoclinic phases present in them. Both YSZ and LZ powders were sinter agglomerated at 850 °C to preclude the possibility of any contamination and sieved. APS process was used to realise nano-structured bi-layer coating on the exhaust nozzle parts of an aeroengine. The components were subjected to rapid thermal transients during long accelerated endurance testing, equivalent to 1000 h of engine operations. The coatings also withstood the gas erosion of supersonic combustion products, vibratory loads of 4 g and more than 30000 nozzle actuations similar to aircraft maneuver. The paper also presents a brief review of implications of a nano-structured thermal barrier coating and certain nuances of chemical synthesis which forms the backbone of the strategies for durable coatings.

IntroductionThe therapeutic use of lithium in bipolar disorder is often restricted due to its narrow therapeutic window and adverse drug reactions. Lithium-induced early renal dysfunction is clinically important as it may lead to sodium depletion due to natriuresis leading to lithium retention and lithium toxicity. This is most often seen in the initial phases of therapy, and psychiatrists struggle titrating the dose of lithium and stabilizing the serum lithium level.ObjectivesThe present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of add-on sodium chloride on serum lithium levels in bipolar disorder.MethodsThe present randomized controlled trial (NCT04222816) was conducted in 60 patients with type I bipolar disorder who were randomized into the control group who received lithium carbonate with the advice not to take additional salt (at the table) and the test group who received sachets of sodium chloride (1 g/d) as an add-on to lithium carbonate and were advised to restrict their additional salt intake (at the table) to 1 g/d. After baseline assessments, all patients were followed up at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks when serum lithium, sodium and potassium were estimated. Serum creatinine and aldosterone were repeated at 12 weeks.ResultsIn the test group, the fluctuation rate in serum lithium (26.7%) was significantly (p=0.01) lower than in the control group (63.3%). There was a significant difference in serum lithium in the control group at different time points; however, the changes were not significant in the test group. There was a significant difference in serum lithium between the groups at 8 and 12 weeks of follow-up. There were no significant differences in the change in serum sodium, potassium, creatinine, aldosterone, creatinine clearance, and blood pressure within the group and between the groups. A significant positive correlation was found between serum lithium and aldosterone at baseline.ConclusionsIntake of add-on sodium chloride (1 gm/day) may reduce the fluctuations in serum lithium during the maintenance phase of lithium therapy in type I bipolar disorder.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared