Yanzhao Yang¹, Kai Yang², Junwei Zhang³, Fengsuo Jiang¹, Sheng Xu¹, Lei Chen⁴, Jun Bai⁵, Luyi Lu⁵, Hua Ji⁵, Zhihao Jing⁵, Senhao Wang¹, Jingjing Zheng¹, Haifeng Zhai^1,*

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.22, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2026.075227 - 06 February 2026

Abstract The low-pressure and low-density conditions encountered at high altitudes significantly reduce the operating Reynolds number of micro radial-flow turbines, frequently bringing it below the self-similarity critical threshold of 3.5 × 10⁴. This departure undermines the applicability of conventional similarity-based design approaches. In this study, micro radial-flow turbines with rotor diameters below 50 mm are investigated through a combined approach integrating high-fidelity numerical simulations with experimental validation, aiming to elucidate the mechanisms by which low Reynolds numbers influence aerodynamic and thermodynamic performance. The results demonstrate that decreasing Reynolds number leads to boundary-layer thickening on blade surfaces, enhanced More >

Xiaolu Wang^1,2, Haoyu Sun¹, Aiguo Wang¹, Xin Xia^3,*

Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.073991 - 27 January 2026

Abstract To address the issues of insufficient and imbalanced data samples in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance degradation prediction, this study proposes a data augmentation-based model to predict PEMFC performance degradation. Firstly, an improved generative adversarial network (IGAN) with adaptive gradient penalty coefficient is proposed to address the problems of excessively fast gradient descent and insufficient diversity of generated samples. Then, the IGAN is used to generate data with a distribution analogous to real data, thereby mitigating the insufficiency and imbalance of original PEMFC samples and providing the prediction model with training data rich More >

Seenaa Khudhayer Salman¹, Shaymaa Husham Abdulmalek^2,*, Ali Ahmed Gitan¹, Thamer Khalif Salem³, Raaid Rashad Jassem Al-Doury³

Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.073940 - 27 January 2026

Abstract Operating Lithium-ion batteries at their temperature limits is a challenging design task due to explosion risk at high temperatures and rapid degradation at low temperatures. Depending on the battery package design, those risks can be solved with passive solutions, which require no active cooling or heating. The current work aims to optimize the pack design and materials of the type-NCR18650B battery based on a wide range of operation temperature. The lower limit was denoted by cold case while the maximum limit was expressed by hot case. A combined analytical-numerical approach was developed to model the… More >

Cheng Yang^*, Hanjie Qi, Qing Yin

Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.070957 - 27 January 2026

Abstract In order to enhance the off-peak performance of gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) units, a novel collaborative power generation system (CPG) was proposed. During off-peak operation periods, the remaining power of the GTCC was used to drive the adiabatic compressed air energy storage (ACAES), while the intake air of the GTCC was heated by the compression heat of the ACAES. Based on a 67.3 MW GTCC, under specific demand load distribution, a CPG system and a benchmark system (BS) were designed, both of which used 9.388% of the GTCC output power to drive the ACAES.… More >

Zujun Ding, Shuaichao Wu, Chenliang Ji, Xinyu Feng, Yuanyuan Shi, Baolian Liu, Wan Chen, Qiuchan Bai, Hengrui Zhou, Hui Huang, Jie Ji^*

Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.068106 - 27 January 2026

Abstract In the quest to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact in the transportation sector, the recovery of waste heat from diesel engines has become a critical area of focus. This study provided an exhaustive thermodynamic analysis optimizing Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems for waste heat recovery from diesel engines. The study assessed the performance of five candidate working fluids—R11, R123, R113, R245fa, and R141b—under a range of operating conditions, specifically varying overheat temperatures and evaporation pressures. The results indicated that the choice of working fluid substantially influences the system’s exergetic efficiency, net output power,… More >

Miriam Di Matteo^*, Domiziana Vespasiano, Gianluigi Lo Basso, Costanza Vittoria Fiorini, Andrea Vallati

Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.064353 - 27 January 2026

Abstract Decarbonising the building sector, particularly residential heating, represents a critical challenge for achieving carbon-neutral energy systems. Efficient solutions must integrate both technological performance and renewable energy sources while considering operational constraints of existing systems. This study investigates a hybrid heating system combining a natural gas boiler (NGB) with an air-to-water heat pump (AWHP), evaluated through a combination of laboratory experiments and dynamic modelling. A prototype developed in the Electrical and Energy Engineering Laboratory enabled the characterization of both heat generators, the collection of experimental data, and the calibration of a MATLAB/Simulink model, including emissions and… More >

Junyan Tian¹, Qingyuan Zhang¹, Lili Wu^1,2,*, Xia Hao^1,2, Guanggen Zeng¹, Wenwu Wang¹, Jingquan Zhang^1,2

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.23, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cl.2026.076362 - 26 January 2026

Abstract The incorporation of the Se element in CdTe solar cells is critical, while the low bandgap CdSe_xTe_1−x, formed by the interdiffusion of CdTe and CdSe during device preparation, can promote the carrier lifetime. Different window layers formed by CdSe w/o MZO or CdS have different Se distributions. This paper systematically evaluates the influence of four types of window layers (CdSe, CdS/CdSe, MZO/CdSe and MZO/CdS/CdSe) on the performance of CdTe solar cells, and focuses on the correlation between the window layers and the Se distribution characteristic, carrier recombination mechanism, and device efficiency. The results show that CdSe… More >

Aadarsha Lamichhane¹, Arun Kuttoor Vasudevan¹, Ethan Dean¹, Mostafa Mohammadabadi^1,*, Kevin Ragon¹, Ardeshir Adeli²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0146 - 23 January 2026

Abstract This study explores a novel method for processing cotton stalks—an abundant agricultural byproduct—into long strips that serve as sustainable raw material for engineered bio-based panels. To evaluate the effect of raw material morphology on panel’s performance, two types of cotton stalk-based panels were developed: one using long strips, maintaining fiber continuity, and the other using ground particles, representing conventional processing. A wood strand-based panel made from commercial southern yellow pine strands served as the control. All panels were bonded using phenol-formaldehyde resin and hot-pressed to a target thickness of 12.7 mm and density of 640 kg/m³.… More >

Herlina Marta¹, Novita Indrianti^2,*, Allifiyah Josi Nur Aziza³, Enny Sholichah⁴, Titik Budiati³, Achmat Sarifudin⁵, Yana Cahyana¹, Nandi Sukri¹, Aldila Din Pangawikan¹

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0145 - 23 January 2026

Abstract Corn starch (CS) is a renewable, biodegradable polysaccharide valued for its film-forming ability, yet native CS films exhibit low mechanical strength, high water sensitivity, and limited thermal stability. This study improves CS-based films by blending with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) or glycerol (GLY) and using citric acid (CA) as a green, non-toxic cross-linker. Composite films were prepared by casting CS–PVA or CS–GLY with CA at 0%–0.20% (w/w of starch). The influence of CA on physicochemical, mechanical, optical, thermal, and water barrier properties was evaluated. CA crosslinking markedly enhanced the tensile strength, water resistance, and thermal stability More > Graphic Abstract

Raviduth Ramful^*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0116 - 23 January 2026

Abstract Typically used thermal insulation materials such as foam insulation and fibreglass may pose notable health risks and environmental impacts thereby resulting in respiratory irritation and waste disposal issues, respectively. While these materials are affordable and display good thermal insulation, their unsustainable traits pertaining to an intensive manufacturing process and poor disposability are major concerns. Alternative insulation materials with enhanced sustainable characteristics are therefore being explored, and one type of material which has gained notable attention owing to its low carbon footprint and low thermal conductivity is natural fibre. Among the few review studies conducted on… More > Graphic Abstract