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Keywords = solute transport

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20 pages, 1884 KiB  
Article
A Software/Hardware Framework for Efficient and Safe Emergency Response in Post-Crash Scenarios of Battery Electric Vehicles
by Bo Zhang, Tanvir R. Tanim and David Black
Batteries 2025, 11(2), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11020080 (registering DOI) - 16 Feb 2025
Abstract
The adoption rate of battery electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly increasing. Electric vehicles differ significantly from conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and vary widely across different manufacturers. Emergency responders (ERs) and recovery personnel may have less experience with EVs and lack timely access [...] Read more.
The adoption rate of battery electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly increasing. Electric vehicles differ significantly from conventional internal combustion engine vehicles and vary widely across different manufacturers. Emergency responders (ERs) and recovery personnel may have less experience with EVs and lack timely access to critical information such as the extent of the stranded energy present, high-voltage safety hazards, and post-crash handling procedures in a user-friendly manner. This paper presents a software/hardware interactive tool named Electric Vehicle Information for Incident Response Solutions (EVIRS) to aid in the quick access to emergency response and recovery information. The current prototype of EVIRS identifies EVs using the VIN or Make, Model, and Year, and offers several useful features for ERs and recovery personnel. These features include integration and easy access to emergency response procedures tailored to an identified EV, vehicle structural schematics, the quick identification of battery pack specifications, and more. For EVs that are not severely damaged, EVIRS can perform calculations to estimate stranded energy in the EV’s battery and discharge time for various power loads using either EV dashboard information or operational data accessed through the CAN interface. Knowledge of this information may be helpful in the post-crash handling, management, and storage of an EV. The functionality and accuracy of EVIRS were demonstrated through laboratory tests using a 2021 Ford Mach-E and associated data acquisition system. The results indicated that when the remaining driving range was used as an input, EVIRS was able to estimate the pack voltage with an error of less than 3 V. Conversely, when pack voltage was used as an input, the estimated state of charge (SOC) error was less than 5% within the range of 30–90% SOC. Additionally, other features, such as retrieving emergency response guides for identified EVs and accessing lessons learned from archived incidents, have been successfully demonstrated through EVIRS for quick access. EVIRS can be a valuable tool for emergency responders and recovery personnel, both in action and during offline training, by providing crucial information related to assessing EV/battery safety risks, appropriate handling, de-energizing, transport, and storage in an integrated and user-friendly manner. Full article
37 pages, 6976 KiB  
Article
Mobility-as-a-Service Personalised Multi-Modal Multi-Objective Journey Planning with Machine-Learning-Guided Shortest-Path Algorithms
by Christopher Bayliss, Djamila Ouelhadj, Nima Dadashzadeh and Graham Fletcher
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 2052; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15042052 (registering DOI) - 15 Feb 2025
Abstract
Mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) apps provide a single platform for journey planning, booking, payment and ticketing, and are proposed as a medium for encouraging sustainable travel behaviour. Generating sustainable-vehicle-based journey alternatives can be formulated as a multi-modal multi-objective journey-planning problem, one that is known to [...] Read more.
Mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) apps provide a single platform for journey planning, booking, payment and ticketing, and are proposed as a medium for encouraging sustainable travel behaviour. Generating sustainable-vehicle-based journey alternatives can be formulated as a multi-modal multi-objective journey-planning problem, one that is known to have a prohibitively large solution space. Building on prior insights, we develop a scalable decomposition-based solution strategy. A Pareto set of journey profiles is generated based on inter-transfer-zone objective criteria contributions. Then, guided by neural-network predictions, extended versions of existing shortest-path algorithms for open and public transport networks are used to optimise the paths and transfers of journey profiles. A novel hybrid k-means and Dijkstra’s algorithm is introduced for generating transfer-zone samples while accounting for transport network connectivity. The resulting modularised algorithm knits together and extends the most effective existing shortest-path algorithms using neural networks as a look-ahead mechanism. In experiments based on a large-scale transport network, query response times are shown to be suitable for real-time applications and are found to be independent of transfer-zone sample size, despite smaller transfer-zone samples, leading to higher quality and more diverse Pareto sets of journeys: a win-win scenario. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Data Science and Machine Learning in Logistics and Transport)
18 pages, 927 KiB  
Article
Scalability of eVTOL Systems: Insights from Multi-Pad Configurations and CPN Analysis
by Amir Qanbari and Jacek Skorupski
Aerospace 2025, 12(2), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace12020147 (registering DOI) - 15 Feb 2025
Abstract
Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology can improve connectivity while minimizing reliance on traditional ground-based transportation systems. However, the rapid growth in eVTOL adoption brings challenges in managing landing pad operations and scheduling routes effectively. This study aims to analyze eVTOL landing [...] Read more.
Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology can improve connectivity while minimizing reliance on traditional ground-based transportation systems. However, the rapid growth in eVTOL adoption brings challenges in managing landing pad operations and scheduling routes effectively. This study aims to analyze eVTOL landing operations and provide a framework for evaluating system performance under different configurations. Key objectives include (i) identifying bottlenecks in landing pad operations, (ii) proposing improvements to enhance scalability and efficiency through multi-route and multi-pad configurations, and (iii) assessing the impact of operational parameters, such as increased horizontal speed, on overall performance. A simulation analysis was conducted using an original model developed with colored, timed Petri net technology. This methodology aligns with the principles of probabilistic modeling and queuing systems. The experiments provided a comprehensive analysis of the factors influencing the scalability and efficiency of eVTOL operations. A key finding across all experiments is the identification of the “Landing Confirmed—Move to V” as a consistent bottleneck stage. While increasing routes and pads significantly alleviates arrival delays, it does not address identified bottlenecks, which require innovative solutions such as route optimization or speed enhancements. The results underscore the importance of a robust and adaptable framework to support the increasing demand for eVTOL traffic. Urban planners and policymakers can utilize these findings to prioritize the development of vertiports capable of supporting this expanding mode of transportation. The scalability demonstrated in this study validates the feasibility of eVTOL systems as a viable solution for urban mobility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Traffic and Transportation)
15 pages, 4756 KiB  
Article
Inductor-Based Active Balancing Topology with Wide Voltage Range Capability
by Hourong Song, Branislav Hredzak and John Fletcher
Batteries 2025, 11(2), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries11020077 (registering DOI) - 15 Feb 2025
Abstract
With the increasing number of batteries integrated into the grid, the electrification of transportation, and the importance of reusing secondary batteries to preserve natural resources, active balancing techniques are becoming critical for optimizing battery performance, ensuring safety, and extending their lifespan. There is [...] Read more.
With the increasing number of batteries integrated into the grid, the electrification of transportation, and the importance of reusing secondary batteries to preserve natural resources, active balancing techniques are becoming critical for optimizing battery performance, ensuring safety, and extending their lifespan. There is a demand for battery management solutions that can efficiently manage the balancing of battery cells across a wide range of voltage levels. This paper proposes a new inductor-based active balancing topology that achieves balancing by transferring energy from battery cells to the battery pack. One of its main advantages over existing designs is that it can operate over a wide battery cell voltage range. Moreover, multicell balancing with a balancing current independent of the imbalance level can be achieved by adjusting the width and interval of pulses. The proposed topology can be implemented using traditional low-side gate driving integrated circuits, avoiding the need for expensive isolated power modules and high-side gate drivers. Sample balancer designs for low-voltage battery cells as well as higher-voltage cells are provided. The presented experimental results verify the operation of the proposed balancer on a lithium-ion battery pack. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Towards a Smarter Battery Management System: 2nd Edition)
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33 pages, 861 KiB  
Article
Secure Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in Smart Cities: A Blockchain-Based Smart Contract Approach
by Abdullahi Chowdhury, Sakib Shahriar Shafin, Saleh Masum, Joarder Kamruzzaman and Shi Dong
Smart Cities 2025, 8(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/smartcities8010033 (registering DOI) - 15 Feb 2025
Abstract
Increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the expansion of EV charging infrastructure present opportunities for enhancing sustainable transportation within smart cities. However, the interconnected nature of EV charging stations (EVCSs) exposes this infrastructure to various cyber threats, including false data injection, man-in-the-middle [...] Read more.
Increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) and the expansion of EV charging infrastructure present opportunities for enhancing sustainable transportation within smart cities. However, the interconnected nature of EV charging stations (EVCSs) exposes this infrastructure to various cyber threats, including false data injection, man-in-the-middle attacks, malware intrusions, and denial of service attacks. Financial attacks, such as false billing and theft of credit card information, also pose significant risks to EV users. In this work, we propose a Hyperledger Fabric-based blockchain network for EVCSs to mitigate these risks. The proposed blockchain network utilizes smart contracts to manage key processes such as authentication, charging session management, and payment verification in a secure and decentralized manner. By detecting and mitigating malicious data tampering or unauthorized access, the blockchain system enhances the resilience of EVCS networks. A comparative analysis of pre- and post-implementation of the proposed blockchain network demonstrates how it thwarts current cyberattacks in the EVCS infrastructure. Our analyses include performance metrics using the benchmark Hyperledger Caliper test, which shows the proposed solution’s low latency for real-time operations and scalability to accommodate the growth of EV infrastructure. Deployment of this blockchain-enhanced security mechanism will increase user trust and reliability in EVCS systems. Full article
18 pages, 3180 KiB  
Article
How 3D Printers for Houses Can Reduce CO2 Emissions
by Andrea Palazzo
Buildings 2025, 15(4), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15040599 - 14 Feb 2025
Abstract
Three-dimensional printing technology for building construction is rapidly emerging as a transformative force, offering innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce the environmental impact of the construction sector. Unlike traditional methods, this technology significantly lowers CO2 emissions by enabling the use of sustainable [...] Read more.
Three-dimensional printing technology for building construction is rapidly emerging as a transformative force, offering innovative and sustainable solutions to reduce the environmental impact of the construction sector. Unlike traditional methods, this technology significantly lowers CO2 emissions by enabling the use of sustainable materials such as geopolymers and recycled aggregates. Moreover, it minimizes waste, labor requirements, and the need for extensive on-site equipment, thereby reducing the overall carbon footprint of building projects. Studies indicate that adopting 3D printing in construction can cut CO2 emissions by up to 70%, depending on the materials used. By enhancing precision and integrating automation, 3D printing optimizes material consumption, reduces transportation needs, and minimizes energy-intensive activities. This research highlights the pivotal role of 3D printing in reshaping the construction process, quantifying its potential to drive sustainability and innovation, both directly and indirectly, at multiple stages of the building lifecycle. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)
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15 pages, 4956 KiB  
Article
Is Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production Through Hydroprocessing of Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) and Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) Technologies Feasible in Mexico?
by Jorge Aburto, Elías Martínez-Hernández and Arick Castillo-Landero
Sustainability 2025, 17(4), 1584; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17041584 - 14 Feb 2025
Abstract
The production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has gained more attention in recent years due to the initiative to implement new technologies to improve the decarbonization of the energy and transport industry, especially the aviation sector, in different countries. In Mexico, the production [...] Read more.
The production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) has gained more attention in recent years due to the initiative to implement new technologies to improve the decarbonization of the energy and transport industry, especially the aviation sector, in different countries. In Mexico, the production of SAF has been promoted as a sustainable initiative to boost the agro-industrial sector, the nation’s self-sufficiency, and compliance with national and international CO2 emission reduction goals. Nowadays, there are two technologies with a high level of technological readiness ready to be implemented as a solution to produce SAF, which are hydrotreating esters and fatty acids (HEFA) and Alcohol to Jet (ATJ). These technologies use biomass as a source of feedstock and are described as possible sustainable solutions to reduce the CO2 emissions from conventional aviation fuels. This work analyses the feasibility of implementing these two technologies as a strategy to promote the use of SAF in Mexico from the biomass available in the country based on a techno-economic analysis and a life cycle assessment of each technology. Based on this study on SAF production, a return on investment of 10.2% for HEFA-SPK technology and 13.7% for ATJ-SPK technology was obtained. Full article
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28 pages, 6706 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Autonomous Vehicle Safety Countermeasures in Freeways Under Sun Glare
by Hamed Esmaeeli, Arash Mazaheri, Tahoura Mohammadi Ghohaki and Ciprian Alecsandru
Future Transp. 2025, 5(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/futuretransp5010020 - 14 Feb 2025
Abstract
The use of traffic simulation to analyze traffic safety and performance has become common in transportation engineering. Microsimulation methods are increasingly used to analyze driving performance for different road geometries and environmental elements. Drivers’ perception has an important impact on driving performance factors [...] Read more.
The use of traffic simulation to analyze traffic safety and performance has become common in transportation engineering. Microsimulation methods are increasingly used to analyze driving performance for different road geometries and environmental elements. Drivers’ perception has an important impact on driving performance factors contributing to traffic safety on transportation facilities (highways, arterials, intersections, etc.). Impaired vision leads to failure in drivers’ perception and making right decisions. Various studies investigated the impact of environmental elements (fog, rain, snow, etc.) on driving performance. However, there is limited research examining the potentially detrimental effects on driving capabilities due to differing exposure to natural light brightness, in particular sun exposure. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) showed a significant impact enhancing traffic capacity and improving safety margins in car-following models. AVs may also enhance and/or complement human driving under deteriorated driving conditions such as sun glare. This study uses a calibrated traffic simulation and surrogate safety assessment model to improve traffic operations and safety performance under impaired visibility using different types of autonomous vehicles. A combination of visibility reduction, traffic flow characteristics, and autonomy levels of AVs was simulated and assessed in terms of the number of conflicts, severity level, and traffic operations. The simulation analysis results used to reveal the contribution of conflicts to the risk of crashes varied based on the influence of autonomy level on safe driving during sun glare exposure. The outcome of this study indicates the benefits of using different levels of AVs as a solution to driving under vision impairment situations that researchers, traffic engineers, and policy makers can use to enhance traffic operation and road safety in urban areas. Full article
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16 pages, 4383 KiB  
Article
The Effect of pH on Aniline Removal from Water Using Hydrophobic and Ion-Exchange Membranes
by Karla Filian, Jonathan I. Mendez-Ruiz, Daniel Garces, Kateryna Reveychuk, Lingshan Ma, Jesus R. Melendez, Claudia Díaz-Mendoza, Emile Cornelissen, Priscila E. Valverde-Armas and Leo Gutierrez
Water 2025, 17(4), 547; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17040547 - 14 Feb 2025
Abstract
The presence of aniline, a toxic aromatic amine, has been recorded in different industrial wastewaters. This study aims to investigate the transport of charged and neutral aniline species in aqueous solutions through hydrophobic and ion-exchange membranes (IEMs). Hydrophobic polyoctylmethylsiloxane (POMS) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) [...] Read more.
The presence of aniline, a toxic aromatic amine, has been recorded in different industrial wastewaters. This study aims to investigate the transport of charged and neutral aniline species in aqueous solutions through hydrophobic and ion-exchange membranes (IEMs). Hydrophobic polyoctylmethylsiloxane (POMS) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membranes and cationic (CEMs) and anionic (AEMs) exchange membranes were tested using diffusion cells and electrodialysis (ED). Diffusion experiments showed that neutral aniline removal reached 90% with POMS and 100% with PDMS due to the concentration gradient between feed (pH = 10) and receiving (pH = 3) solutions. For IEMs, neutral aniline exhibited a faster transport than charged species, with neutral-to-charged transport ratios of 6.6:1 for AEMs and 3.2:1 for CEMs, type I. During ED experiments, an external electric potential increased the charged aniline transport, achieving higher initial fluxes (124.7 mmol·m2·h1 at pH 4) compared to neutral aniline (43.6 and 53.2 mmol·m2·h1 for AEMs and CEMs, type I). ED also demonstrated that charged aniline can be removed up to 97% using IEMs. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of hydrophobic and IEMs in removing aniline, providing insights into its transport mechanism, contributing to the optimization of membrane technologies in treating industrial wastewater effluents, and environmental sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fate, Transport, Removal and Modeling of Pollutants in Water)
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22 pages, 5001 KiB  
Article
Energy Efficacy Enhancement in a Reactive Couple-Stress Fluid Induced by Electrokinetics and Pressure Gradient with Variable Fluid Properties
by Peace O. Banjo, Ramoshweu S. Lebelo, Samuel O. Adesanya and Emmanuel I. Unuabonah
Mathematics 2025, 13(4), 615; https://doi.org/10.3390/math13040615 - 13 Feb 2025
Abstract
This study presents a mathematical analysis of the collective effect of chemical reactions, variable fluid properties, and thermal stability of a hydromagnetic couple-stress fluid flowing through a microchannel driven by electro-osmosis and a pressure gradient. The viscosity of the biofluid is assumed to [...] Read more.
This study presents a mathematical analysis of the collective effect of chemical reactions, variable fluid properties, and thermal stability of a hydromagnetic couple-stress fluid flowing through a microchannel driven by electro-osmosis and a pressure gradient. The viscosity of the biofluid is assumed to depend on the temperature, while the electrical conductivity is assumed to be a linear function of the drift velocity. The governing equations are derived non-dimensionalized, and numerical solutions are obtained using the spectral Chebyshev collocation method. The numerical solution is validated using the shooting Runge–Kutta method. The effects of varying the parameters on the thermal stability, temperature, velocity, and entropy profiles are discussed with adequate interpretations using tables and graphs. The results reveal that the chemical reactions and viscosity parameter increase the fluid temperature, while the Hartmann number decreases the temperature and increases the flow velocity and entropy generation. It was also observed that the chemical reactions and viscosity parameter increased the entropy at the channel walls, while the Hartmann number decreased the entropy at the core center of the channel. This study has tremendous empirical significance, including but not limited to biophysical applications of devices, engineering applications such as control systems, and thermo-fluidic transport. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Computational Methods for Fluid Dynamics and Applications)
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24 pages, 7979 KiB  
Article
Vision-Based Hand Gesture Recognition Using a YOLOv8n Model for the Navigation of a Smart Wheelchair
by Thanh-Hai Nguyen, Ba-Viet Ngo and Thanh-Nghia Nguyen
Electronics 2025, 14(4), 734; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14040734 - 13 Feb 2025
Abstract
Electric wheelchairs are the primary means of transportation that enable individuals with disabilities to move independently to their desired locations. This paper introduces a novel, low-cost smart wheelchair system designed to enhance the mobility of individuals with severe disabilities through hand gesture recognition. [...] Read more.
Electric wheelchairs are the primary means of transportation that enable individuals with disabilities to move independently to their desired locations. This paper introduces a novel, low-cost smart wheelchair system designed to enhance the mobility of individuals with severe disabilities through hand gesture recognition. Additionally, the system aims to support low-income individuals who previously lacked access to smart wheelchairs. Unlike existing methods that rely on expensive hardware or complex systems, the proposed system utilizes an affordable webcam and an Nvidia Jetson Nano embedded computer to process and recognize six distinct hand gestures—“Forward 1”, “Forward 2”, “Backward”, “Left”, “Right”, and “Stop”—to assist with wheelchair navigation. The system employs the “You Only Look Once version 8n” (YOLOv8n) model, which is well suited for low-spec embedded computers, trained on a self-collected hand gesture dataset containing 12,000 images. The pre-processing phase utilizes the MediaPipe library to generate landmark hand images, remove the background, and then extract the region of interest (ROI) of the hand gestures, significantly improving gesture recognition accuracy compared to previous methods that relied solely on hand images. Experimental results demonstrate impressive performance, achieving 99.3% gesture recognition accuracy and 93.8% overall movement accuracy in diverse indoor and outdoor environments. Furthermore, this paper presents a control circuit system that can be easily installed on any existing electric wheelchair. This approach offers a cost-effective, real-time solution that enhances the autonomy of individuals with severe disabilities in daily activities, laying the foundation for the development of affordable smart wheelchairs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Human-Computer Interactions in E-health)
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13 pages, 2340 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Fluid Acidity on GeO2 Solubility and Complexation in Aqueous Solutions and Its Implications on Ge Mineralization
by Zhiwei Xu, Haotian Liu, Yan Zhang, Runsheng Han, Zonghui Li and Xing Ding
Minerals 2025, 15(2), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15020173 - 13 Feb 2025
Abstract
Germanium (Ge) has been recognized as a critical strategic metal due to its high-technology implications. It is predominantly found in sphalerite within the Pb-Zn deposits, whose genesis is closely related to chloride-bearing hydrothermal activities. However, the dissolution and complexation of Ge in chloride-bearing [...] Read more.
Germanium (Ge) has been recognized as a critical strategic metal due to its high-technology implications. It is predominantly found in sphalerite within the Pb-Zn deposits, whose genesis is closely related to chloride-bearing hydrothermal activities. However, the dissolution and complexation of Ge in chloride-bearing fluids have not yet been well understood. To address this issue, this study investigates the dissolution behavior of Ge and corresponding species in HCl and NaCl aqueous solutions at 150 °C using the solubility method. The results show that the solubility of Ge in HCl solutions reaches 300 ppm and decreases with increasing HCl concentration. In contrast, the solubility of Ge in NaCl solutions is up to 1500 ppm and exhibits no significant dependence on NaCl concentration. The new findings demonstrate that the solubility of Ge in chloride-bearing solutions is primarily controlled by the solution’s pH. As the pH increases, the concentration of Ge dissolved in solutions rises substantially, suggesting that alkaline fluid environments facilitate Ge dissolution and transport. Further analysis of the experimental data indicates that the dominant species of Ge is Ge(OH)04 in acidic chloride-bearing solutions and Ge(OH)5 in neutral-basic chloride-bearing solutions, in which the species Ge(OH)5 promotes higher Ge solubility compared to Ge(OH)04. On account of high solubility in both HCl and NaCl solutions, it is proposed that Ge mineralization is not controlled by the co-precipitation process with Pb and Zn but by subsequent solid–liquid reaction between sphalerite and fluids. These experimental data and computational results not only provide new insights into the dissolution, transport, and precipitation processes of Ge in Earth’s material cycling but also offer novel perspectives for the understanding of Ge mineralization and industrial extraction and recovery of Ge. Full article
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21 pages, 6957 KiB  
Article
Thermodynamic Evaluation of the Potential of a Sorption Storage System for Renewables and Waste Heat Integration
by Matteo Ametta, Gaetano Maggio and Salvatore Vasta
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 1951; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15041951 - 13 Feb 2025
Abstract
This work investigates the potential of a sorption-based thermal energy storage (TES) system for enhancing the integration of renewable energy and waste heat recovery in key sectors—industry, transport, and buildings. Sorption-based TES systems, which utilize reversible sorbent–sorbate reactions to store and release thermal [...] Read more.
This work investigates the potential of a sorption-based thermal energy storage (TES) system for enhancing the integration of renewable energy and waste heat recovery in key sectors—industry, transport, and buildings. Sorption-based TES systems, which utilize reversible sorbent–sorbate reactions to store and release thermal energy, offer long-term storage capabilities with minimal losses. In particular, the aim of the study is to evaluate the efficiency of an adsorption TES system for various working pairs under different operating conditions, by means of a thermodynamic model (supported by experimental data). Key findings demonstrate that water-based solutions (e.g., zeolite and silica gel composites) perform well for residential and transport applications, while methanol-based solutions, such as LiCl-silica/methanol, maintain higher efficiency in industrial contexts. Short-term storage shows higher energy efficiencies compared to long-term applications, and the choice of working pairs significantly influences performance. Industrial applications face unique challenges due to extreme operating conditions, limiting the viable solutions to water-based working pairs. This research highlights the capability of sorption-based TES systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and facilitate a transition to sustainable energy practices. The findings contribute to developing cost-effective and reliable solutions for energy storage and renewable integration in various applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Energy Science and Technology)
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17 pages, 5697 KiB  
Article
Alkali Halide Aqueous Solutions Under Pressure: A Non-Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics Investigation of Thermal Transport and Thermodiffusion
by Guansen Zhao and Fernando Bresme
Entropy 2025, 27(2), 193; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27020193 - 13 Feb 2025
Abstract
Thermal gradients induce thermodiffusion in aqueous solutions, a non-equilibrium effect arising from the coupling of thermal and mass fluxes. While thermal transport processes have garnered significant attention under standard conditions, thermal transport at high pressures and temperatures, typical of the Earth’s crust, has [...] Read more.
Thermal gradients induce thermodiffusion in aqueous solutions, a non-equilibrium effect arising from the coupling of thermal and mass fluxes. While thermal transport processes have garnered significant attention under standard conditions, thermal transport at high pressures and temperatures, typical of the Earth’s crust, has escaped scrutiny. Non-equilibrium thermodynamics theory and non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations provide an excellent means to quantify thermal transport under extreme conditions and establish a connection between the behaviour of the solutions and their microscopic structure. Here, we investigate the thermal conductivity and thermal diffusion of NaCl and LiCl solutions in the GPa pressure regime, targeting temperatures between 300 K and 1000 K at 1 molal concentration. We employ non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations along with the Madrid-2019 and TIP4P/2005 force fields. The thermal conductivity of the solutions increases significantly with pressure, and following the behaviour observed at standard pressure, the thermal conductivity is lower than that of pure water. The reduction in thermal conductivity is significant in the GPa pressure regime, ∼3% for 1 molal NaCl and LiCl solutions. We demonstrate that under GPa pressure conditions, the solutions feature thermophobic behaviour, with ions migrating towards colder regions. The pronounced impact of pressure is more evident in LiCl solutions, which display a thermophilic to thermophobic “transition” at pressures above 0.25 GPa. We discuss a correlation between the solution’s thermophobicity and the disruption of the water hydrogen bond structure at high pressure, where the water structure resembles that observed in simple liquids. Full article
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24 pages, 16534 KiB  
Article
The Diagnostic Significance of SLC26A2 and Its Potential Role in Ulcerative Colitis
by Lijuan Qian, Shuo Hu, Haizhou Zhao, Ye Han, Chenguang Dai, Xinquan Zan, Qiaoming Zhi and Chunfang Xu
Biomedicines 2025, 13(2), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13020461 - 13 Feb 2025
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The solute carrier family 26, member 2 (SLC26A2) gene, which belongs to the family of SLC26 transporters, can be detected in multiple tissues. However, the studies of SLC26A2 in colon-related diseases are still limited and incompletely understood, especially in ulcerative colitis (UC). [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The solute carrier family 26, member 2 (SLC26A2) gene, which belongs to the family of SLC26 transporters, can be detected in multiple tissues. However, the studies of SLC26A2 in colon-related diseases are still limited and incompletely understood, especially in ulcerative colitis (UC). Methods: In this study, we attempted to search and identify putative UC candidate genes within a large number of known genes by multiple bioinformatics analyses. The potential cellular characteristics and biological functions of SLC26A2 in the pathogenesis of UC were also elucidated. Results: Notably, SLC26A2 was representative and down-regulated in the intestinal mucosa of patients with active UC, compared to healthy controls. Decreased levels of SLC26A2 were proved to have a more value in diagnosis of UC patients, and closely correlated with some UC characteristics, including the Mayo score and Paediatric Ulcerative Colitis Activity Index (PUCAI). Mechanistically, subsequent results from published datasets and our validated clinical data all strongly implied that SLC26A2 was negatively correlated with the IL-17 signaling pathway, and positively associated with the tight junction, which led to abnormal immune cell infiltration and inflammatory injuries. After establishing the UC mice models in vivo by orally administration of DSS in portable water, SLC26A2 was significantly down-regulated at the mRNA or protein level, when compared to that in the control groups. Furthermore, the correlation analyses confirmed that SLC26A2 was positively associated with CLDN3, and negatively correlated with IL-17A expression in colon tissues. In addition, according to the SLC26A2 expression, UC patients were divided into different subgroups. The potential target drugs for UC treatment, such as progesterone, tetradioxin, and dexamethasone, were initially predicted and exerted anti-inflammatory effects via the common molecule-SLC26A2. Conclusions: SLC26A2 might be served as a protective candidate in the UC pathogenesis as well as a potential drug target for UC treatment. Full article
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