Graduate University of Advanced Technology

The growing demand for efficient energy storage systems has driven significant research into advanced electrode materials for supercapacitors.Among these, nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) has emerged as a promising candidate due to its unique properties, including high theor. capacitance, excellent redox activity, good elec. conductivity, and structural stability.This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in NiFe₂O₄-based electrode materials for supercapacitor applications.We discuss various synthesis methods and their impact on the material′s morphol., surface area, and electrochem. performance.The review highlights the role of nanostructuring, doping, and composite formation with carbon-based materials, metal sulfide, conductive polymers, etc. in enhancing the capacitive behavior, rate capability, and cycling stability of NiFe₂O₄-based electrodes.Challenges such as low conductivity, limited rate capability, and scalability are critically analyzed, along with potential strategies to overcome these limitations.The review highlights promising research directions, such as designing hybrid architectures, developing sustainable synthesis methods, and incorporating NiFe₂O₄-based materials into flexible and wearable energy storage systems.By addressing these key areas, this work provides critical insights to guide researchers in advancing next-generation, high-performance supercapacitors.

Recently, increasing attention has been directed toward the development of lead-free, non-toxic, and environmentally sustainable materials for use in radiation shielding applications.This research aims to create sustainable alternatives to lead by synthesizing zinc magnetite (ZnMn₂O₄) in different hydrothermal times (20 h = ZM1, 40 h = ZM2, and 72 h = ZM3).The optical, morphol. and structural characteristics were investigated using various techniques, including, Fourier Transform IR Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Photoluminescence Spectroscopy (PL), Field Emission SEM (FESEM), Thermal Anal. and High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM).XRD anal. confirmed the formation of a tetragonal zinc manganese oxide structure.FESEM images revealed notable morphol. changes with varying hydrothermal reaction times, and EDX anal. validated the anticipated elemental compositionThe most important gamma-ray shielding parameters were determined through both exptl. measurements and simulations conducted using the GEometry ANd Tracking (GEANT4) toolkit.The results showed that extending the hydrothermal reaction time enhanced the radiation shielding efficiency.The LAC values for ZM1, ZM2 and ZM3 samples were 8.2541 cm^-1, 7.3491 cm^-1, and 9.5549 cm^-1, resp., while HVL, TVL, MFP, and TF showed a decreasing trend.GEANT4 simulations supported these exptl. findings, demonstrating gamma-ray attenuation rates of 15.21 %, 13.66 %, and 17.39 % for ZM1, ZM2 and ZM3, resp.These results suggest that the ZM3 have strong potential as an effective gamma-ray attenuator.

Defect detection during pipeline production is essential to enhance efficiency, improve product quality, and ensure safety. One of the primary challenges in polyethylene pipe manufacturing is distinguishing between intact and defective pipes during the production process. In this study, nuclear techniques were employed for defect detection in polyethylene pipes using the GEometry ANd Tracking (GEANT4) simulation tool. The simulation was conducted in two detection configurations: a single NaI(Tl) scintillation detector setup and a NaI(Tl) scintillation quadruple-detector system. Three different pipe conditions-an intact pipe and two defective pipes with vertical and horizontal defects-were analyzed using Co-60 and Cs-137 radiation sources with activities of 15 mCi and 30 mCi, respectively. The simulation results indicated that defective pipes exhibited lower photon attenuation compared to intact pipes. Specifically, the photon detection percentages for Cs-137 and Co-60 sources at 15 mCi were: 76.21 % and 78.26 % (intact pipe), 77.16 % and 79.21 % (horizontal defect), and 77.35 % and 79.29 % (vertical defect). At 30 mCi, the values were: 84.32 % and 88.63 % (intact), 85.80 % and 89.74 % (horizontal defect), and 86.79 % and 90.42 % (vertical defect), respectively. Further analyses demonstrated that the Cs-137 source with an activity of 30 mCi and the quadruple cubic detector configuration were the most suitable choice for implementing this defect detection system. This system provides a cost-effective and efficient method for accurately assessing the quality of polyethylene pipe production in industrial settings.