Saly N. Thomas

Development of graphene–nanometre-sized cerium oxide-incorporated aluminium and its electrochemical evaluation

Graphene–nanometre-sized cerium oxide-incorporated aluminium was prepared and its electrochemical and surface morphological characteristics were studied. The atomic force micrographs and scanning electron micrographs evaluation highlighted that the graphene and nanometre-sized cerium oxide in aluminium had decreased the surface roughness and improved the surface morphological characteristics. The graphene: nanometre-sized cerium oxide (ratios 1:2 or 2:1) with lesser amounts of particle in the matrix showed excellent corrosion resistance in the marine environment as evidenced by linear polarization, electrochemical impedance and weight loss studies. Introduction of graphene in the aluminium matrix showed a barrier separation between the outermost layer and inner layer, increased roughness and increased corrosion. The material is found to be a potential candidate for use in marine environment.

Economic Performance of Three Different Gillnet Fishing Units Operating along Mumbai Coast

Economic analysis was carried out separately for Inboard Motors (IBM), Outboard Motors (OBM) and non-motorised gillnetters operated along Mumbai coast. The economic performance of fishing operation is affected by various factors including fluctuations in revenue, diminishing catch per unit effort, sudden increase in the cost of key inputs, catch and effort restrictions. Capital and labour will continue to enter the fishery until the economic rents are totally dissipated and profits to individual units are reduced to the levels of their opportunity costs. The economic performance also plays a crucial role in the investment decisions at micro level and is deciding factor for sustainable returns of any business. The paper analyses the economic viability of gillnet fishing operations of all the three sectors viz. Outboard Motors (OBM), Inboard Motors (IBM) and non-motorised operated along Mumbai coast were running in profit.