Research Papers

Mini-grid based off-grid electrification to enhance electricity access in developing countries: What policies may be required

Bhattacharyya Subhes C, Palit Debajit
| 2016

With 1.2 billion people still lacking electricity access by 2013, electricity access remains a major global challenge. Although mini-grid based electrification has received attention in recent times, their full exploitation requires policy support covering a range of areas. Distilling the experience from a five year research project, OASYS South Asia, this paper presents the summary of research findings and shares the experience from four demonstration activities.

Microbial production of 2,3-butanediol through a two-stage pH and agitation strategy in 150 l bioreactor

Priya Anchal, Dureja Prem, Talukdar Pooja, Rathi Rohit, Lal Banwari, Sarma Priyangshu M
| 2016

This study was focused on scaling up of 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BD) production, via fermentation in a 150 l bioreactor using the newly isolated strain Enterobacter cloacae TERI BD 18. Operational parameters were customized for the strain E. cloacae using a fed- batch strategy, which enhanced the glucose to 2,3-BD conversion yield (0.44 g/g).

Mapping long-term land use and land cover change in the central Himalayan region using a tree-based ensemble classification approach.

Chakraborty Anusheema, Sachdeva Kamna, Joshi P K
| 2016

Forest cover and its change analysis along with nexus between other land cover types are often seen as insufficient data quality for operational applications in the Himalayan region. Despite extensive documentation reporting rapid demographic, socio-economic and environmental changes in this region, we lack comprehensive detailed assessments of spatial distribution of land use/land cover (LULC) change over an extended period of time.

Isolation and characterization of Candida vishwanathii strain TERI MS1 for degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in marine environment

Priya Anchal, Sarma Priyangshu Manab, Lal Banwari
| 2016

"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.

Inherent vulnerability of agricultural communities in Himalaya: A village-level hotspot analysis in the Uttarakhand state of India

Shukla Roopam, Sachdeva Kamna, Joshi P K
| 2016

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.

Identification and topographical characterization of microbial nanowires in Nostoc punctiforme

Sure Sandeep, Torriero Angel AJ, Gaur Aditya, Li Lu Hua, Chen Ying, Tripathi Chandrakant , Adholeya Alok , Ackland M Leigh , Kochar Mandira
| 2016

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).

Hydrocarbon Cracking Over Red Mud and Modified Red Mud Samples

Alharthi A I, Hargreaves J S J, Pulford I D, Gupta N, Balakrishnan M, Batra V S, Sing R K
| 2016

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.

Grid Interactive Renewable Power in India—a Review

Banerjee Manjushree, Dutta Gautam
| 2016

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.

Functional profiling of cyanobacterial genomes and its role in ecological adaptations

Prabha Ratna, Singh Dhananjaya P, Pallavi Somvanshi, Rai Anil
| 2016

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.

Fuelwood and Fodder Consumption Pattern an Altitudinal Gradient (1000 - 1200 M) in Mountain Villages of Almora District

Singh Narayan, Lodhiyal L S
| 2016

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.