The Global Research Network for Verified Scholars

Purpose: The recent COVID-19 pandemic affects all segments of the population in all possible fields of life. To encounter this critical situation and to safeguard the health of the library users & library staff, the library services have been forced to adapt and accept the “new normal” and give a greater use and reliance on virtual space than ever before with physical spaces. This paper aims to demonstrate an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solution that can be practically implemented in the form of a “InfoBot” or “Chatbot” to fulfil user needs 24/7 with minimal or without human intervention. Design/methodology/approach: To give a general overview of the use of AI Chatbot in libraries and its multitasking features followed by the practical implementation, a versatile AIchatbot service, Engati is used as a target bot with its basic free plan. Findings: The study findings reveal that AI Chatbots offer a dependable solution for the libraries to initiate virtual assistance, thus augmenting the reference service while adding a newer dimension to virtual reference service. Social implications: Innovative and intelligent information service would be overcoming the time and location barriers reaffirming the concept of “library without walls” while falling in line with the five laws of library science as propounded by Dr S.R. Ranganathan, the father of library science in India. Originality/value: Though the implementation of bots and chatbots is not a purely novel concept to explore, no such research has been conducted focusing particularly on its exceptional benefits in the library in reference to the recent pandemic.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility of using ChatGPT-based chatbot systems as an alternative to traditional knowledge base-based chatbot systems in library and information centers (LICs). Design/methodology/approach: The study used a qualitative research approach to examine the viability of ChatGPT-based chatbot systems in LICs. The researchers conducted an extensive literature review and analyzed data collected from interviews with experts in the field of library and information science. Findings: The findings of the study reveal that ChatGPT-based chatbot systems are a viable alternative to traditional knowledge base-based chatbot systems in LICs. ChatGPT has the potential to provide more accurate and personalized responses to user queries, improve the user experience and reduce the workload of library staff. However, there are some limitations to the use of ChatGPT in LICs, such as the need for substantial training data and the risk of perpetuating biases. Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to explore the potential of ChatGPT-based chatbot systems in the context of LICs. The research provides insights into the advantages and limitations of ChatGPT-based chatbots and highlights the possibilities for future use of this technology in the information service industry.

Lead-free ferroelectric ceramics have attracted significant attention as sustainable alternatives to Pb-based materials due to their environmental compatibility and multifunctional properties. In this study, the presence of Er and Fe in BNT-based ceramics , (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25) were synthesized using the conventional solid-state reaction method and characterized through a combination of structural, optical, microstructural, dielectric, and magnetic analyses. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of a single-phase rhombohedral perovskite structure. Microstructural analysis using FESEM and AFM revealed an increase in grain size from 297.71 to 5.08 μm and decrease in the roughness, which contributed to improved dielectric performance. A clear decreasing trend in the band gap 2.811 eV to 1.509 eV with increasing doping concentration (x = 0.05 to 0.25) was observed, highlighting the material’s application for optoelectronic devices. Dielectric studies indicated appropriate permittivity with low dielectric loss across a wide frequency range, making the material suitable for energy storage and capacitor applications. Furthermore, magnetic hysteresis (M-H) measurements demonstrated the antiferromagnetic nature with weak ferromagnetism. Er3+ ions with unique f-electron transitions impart to optical behavior and Fe3+ ions with magnetic moments contribute to magnetic properties of the doped BNT material. This multifunctional behavior is not typically seen in undoped BNT. Hence, this material poses applications for magneto-dielectric sensors, spintronics, opto-electronic devices

The ferrite samples Mg0.5Mn0.5Fe2-xErxO4 (x = 0, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.1) prepared using the solid-state route were evaluated for microwave absorption applications. X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement revealed multiphase characteristics and the coexistence of a spinel phase with an orthorhombic phase attributed to the larger Er3+ ionic radius. The SEM analysis of rare earth-doped spinel ferrites reveals that grain size and porosity are significantly influenced by doping concentration, which in turn strongly affect the dielectric and magnetic properties. AFM indicated high surface roughness. The favourable figures of dielectric constant and loss factor recorded at frequency variation makes the material suitable in high frequency performances. The Er modified ferrites possessing a broad range of relaxation period can interact and effectively absorb an extended range of spectrum from the microwave frequency range. UV–Vis spectroscopy demonstrated an increase in the optical forbidden band gap from 1.06 eV to 2.30 eV after doping of erbium, enhancing light absorption. The combined improvements in optical, dielectric, and thermal properties confirm that Er-modified ferrites are promising candidates for high-frequency, high-temperature microwave absorbing applications. The increase of coercivity with respect to doping concentration may be attributed to the anisotropy due to the strong spin orbit coupling of Er3+.

Erbium doped MgNiFe2O4 with composition MgNiFe2-xErxO4 (x = 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) have been prepared by ceramic processing technique. The existence of spinel cubic phase and secondary phase of ErFeO3 orthorhombic structure have been confirmed in the Er-doped MgNiFe2O4 from the Rietveld analysis of XRD pattern. The Williamson-Hall graph shows the decrease of average crystallite size of spinel phase due to compressive strain after Er-doping. UV spectra analysis shows an increasing trend of band gap after incorporating Er3+. The dielectric constant shows decreasing trend and dielectric loss shows increasing trend with respect to frequency for all the ferrites. The nature of the M − H loops for all the specimens show a soft ferromagnetic behavior. The synthesized samples have modified electrical and magnetic behaviors suitable for microwave applications.

Smart nanomaterials have emerged as a pivotal class of materials due to their unique and tunable properties making them ideal candidates for advanced technological applications. This review focuses on the magnetic, transport, and surface properties of these materials, which play a crucial role in their functionality across diverse fields. The discussion begins with an overview of magnetic properties, highlighting the role of size, morphology, and composition in tailoring magnetism for applications such as data storage, biomedical imaging, and drug delivery. Next, the transport properties, including electrical and thermal conductivity are analyzed with emphasis on the mechanisms driving charge transport and their implications for electronic devices, sensors, and energy storage systems. The surface properties, including surface reactivity, wettability, and functionalization potential, are also explored, demonstrating their importance in catalysis, environmental remediation, and biomedical interfaces. A comprehensive analysis of recent advances, experimental techniques, and theoretical frameworks is provided to connect these properties to practical applications. Finally, the review identifies current challenges and prospects in the development of smart nanomaterials, emphasizing their role in next-generation technologies.