Xianzhi Chen¹, Dong Niu^1,*, Hongtao Gao¹, Mu Du^2,3,*

Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.22, No.6, pp. 1743-1760, 2024, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2024.058274 - 19 December 2024

Abstract Thermosensitive hydrogel can integrate vapor molecular capture, in-situ liquefaction, and thermal-induced water release for freshwater capture. This study aimed to examine the dynamic behavior of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) single chain and cross-linking thermosensitive hydrogel through molecular dynamics simulation. Specifically, the impact of lower critical solution temperature (LCST) on the conformation of polymer chain and the interaction between water and polymer chain were also investigated. The polymer chain conformation underwent a transition from coil to globule when the temperature exceeded the LCST, indicating the temperature responsiveness of PNIPAM. Additionally, thermosensitive hydrogel samples with different cross-linking degrees (DOC) More > Graphic Abstract

J. L. Rodríguez-Muñoz^1,*, J. S. Pacheco-Cedeño^1,*, J. F. Ituna-Yudonago², J. J. Ramírez-Minguela³, I. J. González-Hernández⁴

Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.22, No.6, pp. 1719-1741, 2024, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2024.057924 - 19 December 2024

Abstract In conventional absorption refrigeration systems (ARS), the heat from the condenser is usually rejected by the environment in place to be used in the system, so recuperating this is a good alternative to enhance the system’s performance. For instance, in this paper, an alternative ARS in which LiBr/Water is used as a refrigerant mixture, where part of condensing heat is recovered via the solution heat recovery generator absorption cycle (HR-ARS) was energy and exergy evaluated. The influence of generator, condenser and evaporator temperatures, as well as the efficiency of the solution heat exchanger on the coefficient of… More > Graphic Abstract

Yuri Ivochkin¹, Igor Teplyakov¹, Oleg Sinkevich^1,2, Sergei Shchigel¹, Stepan Yudin^1,2,*

Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.22, No.6, pp. 1805-1821, 2024, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2024.056787 - 19 December 2024

Abstract This study explores the mechanism behind the generation of pressure pulses on the outer surface of a molten metal droplet when immersed in water. The absence of any external trigger is assumed, and the droplet is surrounded by a vapor layer with surface hydrodynamic waves at the vapor-liquid interface. The study examines the heating conditions of a cylindrical column of water used to model a volume of cold liquid interacting with a hot metal surface, which explosively boils upon direct contact. Within the framework of classical homogeneous nucleation theory, the relationship between pressure pulse magnitude… More >

Xiaojuan He¹, Chanyuan Li¹, Shaokang Wang¹, Jingyi Zhu¹, Yabin Zhang^1,*, Zhen Guo², Lihua Wu^3,*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.41, No.4, pp. 263-279, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2024.055821 - 16 December 2024

Abstract Eye drops are the usual method to treat eye diseases, and gel polymer provides the carrier which could be used for ophthalmic drug delivery. However, the stable and sustained release is the main issue for the ophthalmic drug and is concerned by many researchers. In this study, composite hydrogels were prepared using 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (NVP) used for ophthalmic drug loading and release. According to the results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the disappearance of the C=C bond in hydrogel indicated that the copolymerization reaction between HEMA and NVP was successful. The… More > Graphic Abstract

Rui Li^1,*, Yonggang Huang², John A. Rogers²

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.4, pp. 1-2, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.012578

Abstract Bioresorbable electronic devices represent an emerging class of technology that involves components which physically disappear, in whole or in part, at prescribed rates and at programmed times [1,2]. Obtaining reliable performance and favorable degradation behavior demands materials that can serve as biofluid barriers in encapsulating structures that avoid premature degradation of active electronic components [3–5]. We have recently presented a multilayer organic–inorganic film design that addresses this need, with properties in water impermeability, mechanical flexibility, and processability that are superior to alternatives [6,7]. Theoretical modeling for water permeation across the multilayer films provides an important More >

Haimin Yao^1,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.3, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.012649

Abstract Despite the remarkable progress of anti-icing and deicing technologies in the past decades, it remains a grand challenge to dislodge freezing water from a solid surface without consuming external energy. Herein, we propose a strategy to dislodge freezing water from solid surfaces just by leveraging its volume expansion resulting from the phase change from water to ice. The implementation of this energy-saving strategy relies on a simple micropillar-based gadget on the surface, termed freezing-empowered droplet catapult (FEDC), whereby the work done by the volume expansion of a freezing droplet accreted on it can be harvested… More >

Ken-ichi Saitoh^1,*, Makoto Watanabe²

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.3, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.012624

Abstract Natural nanofibers, e.g., cellulose nanofiber (CNF) of plant, collagen fibril in human body and fibroin fiber in spider silk, show interesting and distinctive atomistic mechanisms in deformation under mechanical loading as well as exhibition of extraordinary strength. These fibers are comprising more larger bulk and wire materials by constructing structural hierarchy. However, the initiation of unique behavior of these materials largely originates from atomic-scale and chemical energetics in loading. Besides, the experimental approach is often difficult and is too limited to reveal the basic mechanism. Therefore, it is crucial to clarify atomic behavior of these… More >

Haijian Yang¹, Mingzhi Zhang^1,*, Na Xiao¹, Yuan Li²

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.11, pp. 2813-2836, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.057795 - 30 November 2024

Abstract Moistube irrigation was driven by the gradient of water potential inside and outside the pipe wall, which has the advantages of continuous irrigation during the crop growth period. However, the response mechanism of soil nutrients and enzyme activities of greenhouse tomatoes under the integration of water and fertilizer by moistube irrigation is still unclear. In order to explore the changes in soil nutrients and enzyme activities of greenhouse tomatoes regulated by irrigation and fertilization in moistube irrigation greenhouse, a completely randomized experimental design was conducted to explore the effects of different irrigation amounts (I, controlling… More >

Liangyu Luo^1,#, Ru Li^1,#, Daocheng Ma¹, Yijin Wang^2,*, Linghui Wang^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.93, No.11, pp. 2927-2947, 2024, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2024.056429 - 30 November 2024

Abstract Camellia petelotii (Merr.) Sealy is an endangered Chinese native species that originates from Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Previous research demonstrated that proper water and fertilizer treatments could improve the growth and quality of Camellia species. This study uses a three-factor, five-level quadratic rotational combination experimental design to investigate the impact of water-fertilizer coupling on plant growth characteristics and the most suitable treatment for 24-month-old grafted C. petelotii seedlings. The experimental design includes irrigation levels [30%, 40%, 55%, 70%, 80% of field capacity (FC)], nitrogen application (0, 2.17, 5.43, 8.70, 10.87 g·plant⁻¹), and phosphorus application (0, 0.96, 2.40,… More >

Mianheng Lai¹, R. Q. Lu¹, Fengming Ren^1,*

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.31, No.1, pp. 1-1, 2024, DOI:10.32604/icces.2024.012824

Abstract Coral aggregates have become a promising alternative to natural coarse aggregates in the offshore construction projects. In this paper, seawater sea-sand coral aggregates concrete (SSCAC) with 4 basic materials: cement, seawater, sea-sands and coral aggregates was produced. By adding various minerals fly ash (FA) and limestone powder (LSP) to partially replace cement, the performance of SSCAC can be improved while reducing the carbon dioxide emission. Due to the higher chloride ion content of SSCAC, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) was used to confined SSCAC instead of the traditional steel to solve the corrosion problem. This paper conducted More >