Aim: The present study aims to evaluate the impact strength of PMMA incorporated with TiO 2 nanoparticles by two different processing techniques i.e. water bath and microwave processing techniques. Materials and methods: A total of 80 samples made of PMMA were divided into four groups. Each group includes 20 samples with group I and II comprising of samples made of normal acrylic resin and acrylic resin reinforced with 1 wt% TiO 2 nanoparticles processed with conventional water bath technique respectively, groups III and IV include normal acrylic resin and acrylic resin reinforced with 1 wt% TiO 2 processed using microwave technique respectively. The specimens were tested for impact strength using IZOD pendulum impact tester. The impact energy values obtained were analyzed statistically. Results: The results through one-way ANOVA showed a high mean impact strength with group IV samples (23.13) and lowest with respect to group I (19.42) with highest statistical significance (p < 0.001). A post hoc Tukey test intergroup analysis showed a statistically significant difference between group I and other groups, whereas there was no statistical significance associated with other intergroup comparisons. Conclusion: PMMA with its current drawbacks in the physical and mechanical properties requires modifications to make it an ideal denture base material. The current investigation evaluates that a high mean impact strength with samples made of PMMA incorporated with TiO 2 nanoparticles processed by microwave technique was obtained when compared with normal acrylic resins processed by water bath technique. Clinical significance: The methodology of current study can be used while processing of denture bases for patients to evaluate the effect of oral environment on inclusion of TiO 2 nanoparticles with microwave processing in a clinical setup. This could help in reducing the amount of fractures associated with heavy load masticatory stresses and improving the mechanical properties in denture bases.

In heat transportation applications, water is most commonly used fluid. The efficiency of equipment used in these applications depends on thermal characteristics of water used. The thermal characteristics of water could be upgraded by suspending high thermal conducting solid nanoparticles. In this paper an attempt has been made to know how the use of surfactants and functionalization of carbon nanotube walls can affect the thermal characteristics and stability of nanofluid. A thorough analysis of collected literature revealed that carbon nanotubes have much higher thermal conductivity than any other nanoparticles and hence improve the thermal properties of water when suspended in them. Further it is concluded that suspension of carbon nanotubes in water requires use of surfactant or functionalization of carbon nanotube walls with proper group. By setting optimum pH and better dispersion, better thermal conductivity is possible. Experimental studies in the literature survey reveal that chemical stabilization techniques and physical stabilization techniques together decide the stability of the nanofluid.