Publications
Evaluation of the performance of improved biomass cooking stoves with different solid biomass fuel types
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
We have studied the performance of different types of improved solid biomass cookstoves (Two natural draft and one forced draft) in comparison to the traditional cookstove (control) while preparing a particular meal with a variety of solid biomass fuels (e.g. fuel wood, dung cake and crop residue). Five replicates of each type of cookstove and fuel were maintained. The study was conducted in an Indian rural kitchen. There was no significant difference in the indoor concentrations of PM2.5 and CO when natural draft and traditional cookstoves were used with any type of solid fuel.
Factors Influencing Grid Interactive Biomass Power Industry
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Presently, in India only 13% of the total installed generating capacity of electricity is from renewable energy sources while 70 % of electrical power is generated using fossil fuels. Contribution of biomass to the total installed generating capacity of the electricity is mere 2%. As on today, only 23% of the total biomass power potential in India is utilized for power generation. The scope for the biomass power industry enhances with the recent ambitious target of biomass power of 10000 MW by 2022.
Framing green consumer behaviour research: opportunities and challenges
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
This review article investigates existing research in green marketing with special reference to consumer behaviour and identifies challenges both in practice and research offering valuable insights for both the communities. While reviewing the existing literature in the paper, the authors define the scope of green marketing as a standalone discipline and discuss all aspects of green consumer behaviour and present opportunities for researchers.
Fuelwood and Fodder Consumption Pattern an Altitudinal Gradient (1000 - 1200 M) in Mountain Villages of Almora District
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
The rural population of the Kumaun Himalaya using fodder and fuelwood from their own sources as well as forest also for time immortal. Forest is the main sources of these requirements. The aim of this paper to analyze the fodder consumption pattern, availability and energy economics for fuel and fodder. The average consumption of fodder was 7.7 kg. for green and 2.07 kg dry per day. The main source for fodder was agricultural residue and the human energy consumed 0.14MJ/H/Day for the collection of reported fodder of animals.
Functional profiling of cyanobacterial genomes and its role in ecological adaptations
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
With the availability of complete genome sequences of many cyanobacterial species, it is becoming feasible to study the broad prospective of the environmental adaptation and the overall changes at transcriptional and translational level in these organisms. In the evolutionary phase, niche-specific competitive forces have resulted in specific features of the cyanobacterial genomes.
Grid Interactive Renewable Power in India—a Review
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
In February 2015, India announced 175 gigawatts (GW) of capacity additions in renewable power by 2022. Private sector dominates the Grid Interactive Renewable Power (GIRP) but at the same time is dependent on government policies substantially. The scenario of high investment costs is changing, especially in the case of wind and solar power, yet the challenges like high debt cost, variability output, inadequate grid infrastructure, and competition with conventional power prevail.
Hydrocarbon Cracking Over Red Mud and Modified Red Mud Samples
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
The aluminum industry generates large quantities of red mud during the beneficiation of bauxite ore. The red mud is disposed of as a waste in dry or wet form. Given the issues with its disposal due to the large volume and high alkalinity, many research groups and industries have examined the use of red mud for different applications. The use of red mud as a pre-catalyst for the cracking of hydrocarbon leads to hydrogen formation and carbon deposition.
Identification and topographical characterization of microbial nanowires in Nostoc punctiforme
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Extracellular pili-like structures (PLS) produced by cyanobacteria have been poorly explored. We have done detailed topographical and electrical characterisation of PLS in Nostoc punctiforme PCC 73120 using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and conductive atomic force microscopy (CAFM). TEM analysis showed that N. punctiforme produces two separate types of PLS differing in their length and diameter. The first type of PLS are 6–7.5 nm in diameter and 0.5–2 lm in length (short/thin PLS) while the second type of PLS are *20–40 nm in diameter and more than 10 lm long (long/thick PLS).
Inherent vulnerability of agricultural communities in Himalaya: A village-level hotspot analysis in the Uttarakhand state of India
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
Mountain regions are characterized by complex biophysical and marginal socio-economic conditions that contribute to the vulnerability of agricultural communities. Owing to the extremely heterogeneous conditions in mountains, it becomes imperative to understand the spatial distribution of vulnerability at fine-scale. This study assesses the inherent vulnerability of agricultural communities at village level for the entire state of Uttarakhand.
Isolation and characterization of Candida vishwanathii strain TERI MS1 for degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in marine environment
Research Paper
| January 11, 2018
"In an ongoing prospecting project for developing a bioremediation strategy for marine oil spills, a strain of yeast was isolated from petroleum crude oil contaminated sample. The strain, TERI MS1 was initially characterized biochemically, subsequently identified as Candida vishwanathii based on the sequence analysis of D1/D2 domain of 26S rRNA, and further confirmed by sequencing of internal transcribed spacer. The strain C. vishwanathii was able to utilize petroleum crude oil in natural seawater with 49 percent degradation in 72 h.