Optimizing the water magnetization process in cementitious concrete: A novel static approach

<abstract> <p>The magnetic field can change the polarity characteristics and hydrogen-bond structure of water; therefore, magnetized water can affect plant growth and development. Magnetized water is hexagonal water created by passing water through a specific magnet that can activate and ionize water molecules to change its structure. This review highlights the use of magnetized water in the agricultural sector to enhance plant growth and food productivity. We discussed the impact of magnetized water on seed germination, vegetative growth, fruit production, soil and pigments of treated plants. Plant growth and development can be improved both qualitatively and quantitatively via irrigation with magnetized water. It can promote seed germination, seedling early vegetative development, improvement of the mineral content of fruits and seeds, the enzyme activity of the soil, improved water use efficiency, higher nutrient content, and better transformation and consumption efficiency of nutrients; it can also mitigate soil salinity. Furthermore, magnetized water had a substantial good influence on the mobility and uptake of micronutrient concentrations, as well as promoted better growth criteria, all of which increased biomass and total yield. Also, irrigating plants with magnetized water resulted in a considerable increase in chloroplast pigments (carotenoids, chlorophyll a, and b) and photosynthetic activity. Magnetizing low-quality water (brackish water, saline water or water contaminated with metals) can be considered as an alternative tool to overcome the problem of scarcity and shortage of water resources. As a result, magnetic treatment of irrigation water could be a promising technique to boost agricultural production while also being environmentally beneficial in the future. The major challenge in using magnetized water in agriculture is creating pumps that are compatible with the technical and practical needs of magnetic systems while also effectively integrating irrigation components.</p> </abstract>

We studied the use of magnetized water on the size of the nanoparticles. Magnetized water found to reduce the diameter of the nanoparticles during a homogeneous precipitation process, which is a combination of nucleation and nuclei growth processes. We found that the modified water, which demonstrated different physical properties especially on the surface tension and viscosity, significantly influenced the both processes. Therefore, the nucleation process was initially prolonged in the homogeneous precipitation process due to the lower critical size of nucleus and higher rate of nucleation, and consequently formed smaller particles and a larger number of particles. Furthermore, the growth rate of nanoparticles was hindered owing to the higher viscosity of the water and restriction in the mass transport process. As a result, the precipitated particles with the magnetized water were eventually structured smaller particle diameter compared to the bulk. The presented method in here indicated a low cost, straightforward, and feasible technique for industrial application. In addition, this method could open a new promising perspective on nanomaterial synthesis in order to facilitate the production of monodispersed nanoparticles. Molecular dynamic confirmed that surface tension decreased as the external magnetic field was applied. Moreover, the density profile illustrated that the average number of hydrogen atoms is greater than oxygen atoms.

2Plant Genetic Resources Programme, NARC, Islamabad-45500, Pakistan. 3 Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), Peshawar, Pakistan. Accepted 23 January, 2012 To study the invigoration impact of magnetized seed and water on germination, wheat seeds with low viability (45%) were subjected to magnetization treatments. Seed and water was passed through specifically designed magnetic funnels. Comparison was made between treatments and control for seed germination (%), shoot and root length (cm) and their fresh and dry weight (g). Seed germination index (SGI) was also calculated and compared. Magnetized water (structured water) was more invigorative to seed germination with linearity to number of passing as compared to seed magnetization. A 13.3% increase in germination was observed as compared to control using magnetized water, whereas increase in germination was insignificant with the seed magnetization. The interaction exhibited no effect on germination. It was concluded that wheat seeds with low vigor can be invigorated with the use of magnetized water; whereas, the potential to use magnetized seed remain to be extensively studied on larger groups of crops/samples.

Introduction Water is essential for life and is vital for almost all functions of the human body. Recent studies have shown that treating water with magnets can alter its physicochemicalproperties, including intracluster bonds and water-ion interactions. Magnetized water also undergoes modifications in its physicochemical characteristics, such as pH, salinity, and dissolved oxygen. While there is a significant amount of literature on the use of magnetized water in agricultural settings, research on its potential biomedical applications is still limited. Based on previous findings indicating a potential relationship between autophagy activation and hair loss reversal, a pilot study was designed to explore the effects of topically applied magnetized saline water in patients with androgenetic alopecia. The hypothesis was that the process of water magnetization, which promotes the creation of hydroxyl ions, could potentially induce hair growth through the induction of alkali-induced autophagy in the scalp. Methods We recruited 20 Caucasian men with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia (Norwood-Hamilton stages II-III). Initially, we conducted a 12-week open-label study to evaluate the potential of a topical lotion containing 95% magnetized saline water (2 mL applied once daily) to increase hair count and hair mass index (HMI). Subsequently, we investigated the effect of the lotion on two autophagy markers (Beclin-1 and LC3B) in scalp biopsies from a subgroup of 10 men. Results Hair count significantly increased after 12 weeks of topical treatment with magnetized saline water (from 20.6 ± 9.8 at baseline to 32.5 ± 12.4 at 12 weeks, P < 0.001). Similarly, the mean HMI increased from 37.8 ± 11.4 at baseline to 45.1 ± 13.6 at 12 weeks (P < 0.01). At the molecular level, the topical lotion effectively increased Beclin-1 levels in scalp biopsies by 44% at 12 weeks as compared to the baseline. Similarly, LC3B levels increased by 36% from baseline to 12 weeks, indicating that the lotion effectively activated autophagy in the scalp. Conclusions After 12 weeks of topical treatment, a lotion containing magnetized saline water activated scalp autophagy and significantly increased hair count and HMI in men with mild-to-moderate androgenetic alopecia.

Investigation on utilization and microstructure of fine iron tailing slag in road subbase construction

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of seed magnetization (SM) and irrigation water (WI), using commercial (CO) and Neodymium (NEO) magnetizers, on the development of seedlings of lettuce, eggplant, cucumber, sweet pepper and okra. Method: The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design, with 5 treatments for each species, with 4 replications, being T1: irrigation with non-magnetized water; T2: SM-NEO + non-magnetized water; T3: SM-CO + non-magnetized water; T4: non-magnetized seeds + WI-NEO; and T5: non-magnetized seeds + WI-CO. The following were evaluated: emergence speed, emergence time, percentage of emergence, dry matter, root length, stem diameter, number of leaves and plant height. Result and conclusion: For lettuce, WI-NEO showed the best results and, for sweet pepper, SM-CO, irrigating with non-magnetized water. For cucumber, SM or WI provided a reduction in seedling formation time. For eggplant and okra, we recommended SM-NEO and irrigated with non-magnetized water. In general, seed magnetization caused better results than irrigation water magnetization. Implications of research: Quality seedlings produced in short time and at low cost are of great importance for the formation of vegetable crops. Originality/value: Seed magnetization and the use of magnetized water are innovative, low-cost technologies for producing seedlings of high vigor and quality.

The influence of batched water exposed to a constant magnetic field (B = 1 T) on the properties of concrete was investigated. Fillers such as coal fly ash (CFA), phosphogypsum (PB) and native potato starch dispersed in epoxy resin [EP(S)], were used to obtain concrete based on Portland cement (PC). The magnetized batched water had a positive effect on the properties of concrete, reducing water absorption and increasing flexural and compressive strengths. The obtained concrete is a new promising building material that can be used to manufacture e.g. building foundations, flush-mounted installations and insulation layers.

The paper explores the potential of Support Vector Machines (SVM) approach in predicting 28-day compressive strength and slump flow of self-compacting concrete. Total of 80 data collected from the exiting literature were used in present work. To compare the performance of the technique, prediction was also done using a back propagation neural network model. For this data-set, RBF kernel worked well in comparison to polynomial kernel based support vector machines and provide a root mean square error of 4.688 (MPa) (correlation coefficient=0.942) for 28-day compressive strength prediction and a root mean square error of 7.825 cm (correlation coefficient=0.931) for slump flow. Results obtained for RMSE and correlation coefficient suggested a comparable performance by Support Vector Machine approach to neural network approach for both 28-day compressive strength and slump flow prediction.

There has recently been a rapid growth in the manufacture of less energy-intensive cement and high-performance concretes (resistance and durability). The key benefits of randomly dispersed fiber reinforcement of cement-based materials are strengthened by its flexural strength and toughness. Therefore, the main aim of this research is to evaluate the influence of cement mortar type on fresh mortar (slump flow test), and hardened mortar (apparent density, compressive strength and modulus of rupture) by using mineral admixtures (silica fume), as a partial replacement (8%) by weight of cement. As well, study the effect of fiber types used {micro steel fiber or hybrid fiber (hooked end + micro steel fiber)} with the fiber volume fraction of 1.5% on the self-compacted mortar properties (SCM). Results indicated that it is possible to attain the self-compacted property through this mix explained by slump flow between (240–260) mm. Moreover, SCM incorporating densified silica fume shows a significant increase in compressive strength and modulus of rupture compared to reference mortar, and the addition of 1.5% by volume micro steel fibers or hybrid fiber to SCM with densified silica fume compared to corresponding mixes without fibers caused an increase in the compressive strength to about 24.4% and 35.3% respectively, and in modulus of rupture to about 159.5%, and 192%, respectively.

Upcycling carbon dioxide to improve mechanical strength of Portland cement

Optimizing fresh properties and compressive strength of self-consolidating concrete

Influence of supplementary materials on the early age hydration reactions and microstructural progress of magnesium phosphate cement matrices

Enhancing Solidification in One-Part Geopolymer Systems through Alkali-Thermal Activation of Bauxite residue and Silica fume Integration

In order to improve early-age strength, steam curing is mostly used for railway prefabricated components, which consumes a lot of energy and affects the durability of concrete. Synthetic calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) has an excellent early-age strength effect, which can improve the early-age strength of concrete and help to reduce the energy consumption of steam curing, but C-S-H will increase the shrinkage of concrete and affect the durability of concrete. In this work, C-S-H/SRPCA was synthesized using a shrinkage-reducing polycarboxylate superplasticizer (SRPCA) in order to increase the early-age strength and decrease the shrinkage of concrete. The effects of 0.5%, 4.0%, and 8.0% C-S-H/SRPCA on the shrinkage and strength of concrete were studied. Meanwhile, the internal mechanism was also explored through cement hydration, the physical aggregation morphology of hydration products, pore structure and classification, and the chemical properties of pore solution. The results suggest that C-S-H/SRPCA can shorten the setting time and accelerate cement hydration. Specifically, when the dosage of C-S-H/SRPCA is 4.0%, the initial setting time of concrete is shortened by 2.5 h and the final setting time is shortened by 6.2 h compared with the control group. As a result, the 1-day compressive strength is effectively increased by 29.5%, and the plastic shrinkage is reduced. In the stage of plastic shrinkage, the plastic shrinkage time of the concrete with 4.0% C-S-H/SRPCA is 4.1 h, which is 6.1 h shorter than that of the control group. In addition, C-S-H/SRPCA decreases the porosity. When the dosage is 4.0%, the porosity of the hardened cement paste at 28 days is reduced by 15% compared with the control group. It lessens the content of the capillary pores at 10–50 nm. At 24 h, the content of 10–50 nm capillary pores in the paste with 4.0% C-S-H/SRPCA is 40% lower than that of the control group. It also reduces the surface tension of the pore solution. The surface tension of the simulated pore solution with 4.0% C-S-H/SRPCA is 34 mN/m, which is 53% of that of the control group, and it inhibits the volatilization of the pore solution. At 28 days, the evaporation rate of the pore solution in the paste with 4.0% C-S-H/SRPCA is 40% lower than that of the control group. Thus, the drying shrinkage of concrete is inhibited. Given the above, at the optimum content of 4.0%, C-S-H/SRPCA improves the 1-day compressive strength of concrete by 29.5%, reduces the 28-day total shrinkage by 21.7%, and restrains the development of microcracks.

Shotcrete technology has been widely used in tunnel engineering, road repair, underground engineering, and other scenarios due to its advantages of simple construction and fast progress. Liquid alkali-free accelerator is a necessary additive used in sprayed concrete, which can quickly set the concrete in a short period of time. Therefore, the development of alkali-free liquid accelerator is of great significance. The purpose of this research is to obtain low-cost and high-performance accelerator products and explore the influence of aluminum sulfate, hexafluorosilicic acid, and other raw materials on performance and stability. The main research results are as follows: (1) The accelerator product with low cost and high performance has been prepared. Its aluminum sulfate content is about 43%, hexafluorosilicic acid content is about 17%, sodium aluminate content is about 21%, the initial setting time is 1′ 15″, the final setting time is 2′ 05″, and the 1-day compressive strength is 9.5 MPa. (2) F ion plays a solubilizing role in the solution, and the appropriate ratio of aluminum sulfate and fluorine ion can greatly enhance the stability of accelerator solution. (3) Under the same cost condition, the influence of aluminum sulfate on the condensation performance is far greater than that of hexafluorosilicic acid and sodium metaaluminate. Subsequent research and development should focus on how to effectively increase the solubility of aluminum sulfate.