Poly­(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) [P­(VDF-TrFE)], one of well-known ferroelectric polymers, has relatively high crystallinity and shows large polarization–electric field hysteresis loop (PE loop). On the other hand, poly­(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene-clorotrifluoroethylene) [P­(VDF-TrFE-CTFE)], one of relaxor ferroelectric polymers in which the third monomer CTFE breaks coherent polarization domain into nanopolar regions, shows narrow PE loop. In this study, P­(VDF-TrFE) copolymer and P­(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) terpolymer were blended together, and their polarization behavior was investigated. The enhancement in the polarization as compared to neat P­(VDF-TrFE-CTFE) is observed with the antiferroelectric-like behavior of blends which give rise to the additional energy density. The result shows the evolution in properties of ferroelectric polymer blends from paraelectric to antiferroelectric behavior, especially for α = 0.1 and α = 0.2 blend system, and shows fast charged and discharged energy density.

Strain sensors are devices used in applications such as electronic skin, prosthetic limbs, and e-textile applications, etc., for the purpose of measuring the physical elongation of a desired structure under a given or applied force. An artificial throat, using a strain sensor, was recently developed as an aid for speech impaired individuals. Strain sensors have been developed using graphene and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), with a reported gauge factor ranging from (5~120). We have developed a strain sensor through laser scribing. Using laser scribing is a recent and facile technology, used for printed electronics. Complex geometries and patterns can be drawn very easily using this method. The laser scribing method relies on the property of certain materials to form a graphene-like conductive material upon irradiation by lasers. Polyimide and graphene oxide (GO) are two such materials.In these experiments, 2×2 cm sheet of polyimide were taken and printed 1×1 cm box on the sheet using a laser patterning setup of 450 nm wavelength. Graphene oxide solution was drop-casted on the reduced polyimide sheet of 1×1cm, to increase its sensitivity, and then the drop-casted graphene oxide was reduced using the same laser. The strain sensor was characterized by a micro-strain testing machine. The normalized resistance was plotted against strain and the gauge factor was calculated. The effect of the laser intensity was investigated and different gauge factors were calculated by varying the intensity of the laser. The gauge factors were found to be in the range of 49-54 and was compared with the polyimide reduced strain sensor (without drop-casting the GO).

Recently, supercapacitors have attracted a tremendous amount of attention as energy-storage devices due to their high-power density, fast charge–discharge ability, excellent reversibility, and long cycling life. In this research work, we demonstrate a laser scribed super capacitor based on polyimide (PI) substrate for the storage of electrical energy. PI substrate of thickness 200μm and area 1cm × 1cm was reduced by a laser engraver with a 450 nm wavelength in the form of stackable supercapacitor electrodes. Although, PI itself exhibits non-conductive behavior; however, by laser irradiation we change the surface properties of PI and reduce its resistance. The chemical property of irradiated PI was characterized with XRD where the carbon peak was observed at 2*theta = 25.44, which confirms the reduction of PI material in to a graphene-like substance. The electrical conductivity was analyzed with a probe station and observed to be 1.6mS. Two conductive regions were assembled into a capacitor device by sandwiching a PVA/H3PO4 electrolyte in between. During the charging and discharging characterization of the capacitor device, current density was observed to be 1.5mA/cm2. Capacitance versus voltage analysis was carried out and the device showed 75mF/cm2 against a voltage sweep of ±2V. The galvanostatic charging and discharging curve shows a symmetric behavior with respect to time exhibiting the stability and durability of the device.

In the present study, intramuscular injection of ovaprim-C was studied on the number of eggs/kg, fertilization rate and hatching percentage during April to June 2008 at Fish Seed Hatchery, Satyana Road, Faisalabad, Pakistan on Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Fishes were spawned successfully following a single dose of injection of ovaprim-C (luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogue) with 0.6 ml/kg for female and 0.2 ml/kg for male. Ova and milt were stripped simultaneously and mixture was stirred for 15 to 30 s during which fertilization occurred. Hatching occurred within 18 to 22 h after fertilization. Experiment was conducted in circular spawning tank with 2 m diameter. Regression analysis was applied to assess the body weight dependence of absolute fecundity (total ripe eggs in the ovary) and relative fecundity (number of eggs/kg). It was observed that body weight has positive influence on absolute fecundity (r = 0.926). Equations were developed to describe these relationships. If it is impossible to determine the absolute and relative fecundity, then these parameters can be determined from the body weight. The equations of these parameters are highly significant (P < 0.001) and can be used to estimate the absolute and relative fecundity with a fair amount of accuracy.

Extensive work has been done on the modification of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to improve their characteristics. Here, polystyrene (PS) was adsorbed on the surface of MWCNTs by dispersion process, using toluene as medium. PS modified MWCNTs (PS-MWCNTs) have been dispersed in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) matrix to prepare composite, PS-MWCNTs/PMMA. It is expected that PS adsorbed at the surface of the MWCNTs will help in improving the interaction between MWCNTs and PMMA which results uniform and homogeneous dispersion of the former in later. Thus, synthesized composites were characterized by UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy to monitor the functionality of developed product. Electrical parameters including conductivity and dielectric properties were measured with the help of LCR meter. Electrical characters of the composites were explored by investigating the effect of contents of PS-MWCNTs on conductivity and dielectric properties. Percolation behaviour was examined and calculated value of percolation threshold was 0.1wt%.