Nanomaterials for Water-Food-Energy Nexus

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy and Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 June 2024) | Viewed by 3041

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
Interests: advanced nanomaterials; sustainable technologies; clean water; safe food
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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA
Interests: desalination; energy storage; humidification-dehumidification; water-energy
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Guest Editor
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Interests: thermal environment modeling; energy-efficient design; renewable energy-based operation of controlled environment agricultural (CEA) production facilities
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The rapid growth of the global population is exerting increasing pressure on essential resources such as water, energy, and food, which are central to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Arid regions in Asia, Africa, and Australia, characterized by limited water and vegetation, face food security challenges and often rely on resource imports. The influx of people into these areas further intensifies the demand for resources, despite the harsh environmental conditions marked by low rainfall and high temperatures. Notably, these regions often possess abundant sources of both renewable and non-renewable energy. Recognizing the interconnectedness of these resources, the "water-energy-food (WEF) nexus" concept has emerged, offering potential improvements in resource efficiency, economic development, and living standards. Interdisciplinary solutions are increasingly recognized as essential to address these challenges.

Nanomaterials hold significant promise in enhancing energy systems, particularly in the realms of thermal energy storage, solar energy utilization, and resource efficiency across various applications such as oil and gas, water treatment, and food production. Their application can significantly enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of these critical sectors. By taking a comprehensive nexus approach that incorporates nanomaterials and renewable energy technologies, substantial system-wide improvements can be achieved.

This Special Issue aims to highlight research papers and review articles within the field of nanomaterials-based studies to strengthen the water–energy–food nexus. We welcome contributions that focus on the design, fabrication, characterization, integration, and application of nanomaterial-based systems, with a particular emphasis on technology based on renewable energy to enhance the efficiency of the water–energy–food nexus.

Dr. Das Rasel
Dr. Amrit Kumar Thakur
Dr. Md Shamim Ahamed
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • nanomaterials
  • advanced materials
  • clean water
  • energy
  • food safety
  • food production

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 8693 KiB  
Article
Enhancement in Heat Transfer Performance of Water Vapor Condensation on Graphene-Coated Copper Surfaces: A Molecular Dynamics Study
by Nurrohman Nurrohman, Hind Almisbahi, Elena Tocci, Hani Abulkhair, Mohammed Albeirutty, Ramzi Othman and Omar Bamaga
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(13), 1137; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14131137 - 1 Jul 2024
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Abstract
The condensation of water vapor plays a crucial role in various applications, including combating water scarcity. In this study, by employing molecular dynamics simulations, we delved into the impact of graphene coatings on water vapor condensation on copper surfaces. Unique to this work [...] Read more.
The condensation of water vapor plays a crucial role in various applications, including combating water scarcity. In this study, by employing molecular dynamics simulations, we delved into the impact of graphene coatings on water vapor condensation on copper surfaces. Unique to this work was the exploration of various levels of graphene coverage and distribution, a facet largely unexplored in prior investigations. The findings demonstrated a notable increase in the rate of water vapor condensation and heat transfer performance as the graphene coverage was reduced. Using graphene coverages of 84%, 68%, and 52%, the numbers of condensed water molecules were 664, 735, and 880 molecules/ns, respectively. One of the most important findings was that when using the same graphene coverage of 68%, the rate of water vapor condensation and heat transfer performance increased as the graphene coating became more distributed. The overall performance of the water condensation correlated well with the energy and vibrational interaction between the graphene and the copper. This phenomenon suggests how a hybrid surface can enhance the nucleation and growth of a droplet, which might be beneficial for tailoring graphene-coated copper surfaces for applications demanding efficient water vapor condensation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Water-Food-Energy Nexus)
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Review

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25 pages, 3226 KiB  
Review
Solar Hydrogen Production and Storage in Solid Form: Prospects for Materials and Methods
by Kathalingam Adaikalam, Dhanasekaran Vikraman, K. Karuppasamy and Hyun-Seok Kim
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(19), 1560; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14191560 - 27 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1809
Abstract
Climatic changes are reaching alarming levels globally, seriously impacting the environment. To address this environmental crisis and achieve carbon neutrality, transitioning to hydrogen energy is crucial. Hydrogen is a clean energy source that produces no carbon emissions, making it essential in the technological [...] Read more.
Climatic changes are reaching alarming levels globally, seriously impacting the environment. To address this environmental crisis and achieve carbon neutrality, transitioning to hydrogen energy is crucial. Hydrogen is a clean energy source that produces no carbon emissions, making it essential in the technological era for meeting energy needs while reducing environmental pollution. Abundant in nature as water and hydrocarbons, hydrogen must be converted into a usable form for practical applications. Various techniques are employed to generate hydrogen from water, with solar hydrogen production—using solar light to split water—standing out as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach. However, the widespread adoption of hydrogen energy is challenged by transportation and storage issues, as it requires compressed and liquefied gas storage tanks. Solid hydrogen storage offers a promising solution, providing an effective and low-cost method for storing and releasing hydrogen. Solar hydrogen generation by water splitting is more efficient than other methods, as it uses self-generated power. Similarly, solid storage of hydrogen is also attractive in many ways, including efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This can be achieved through chemical adsorption in materials such as hydrides and other forms. These methods seem to be costly initially, but once the materials and methods are established, they will become more attractive considering rising fuel prices, depletion of fossil fuel resources, and advancements in science and technology. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are highly efficient for converting hydrogen into electrical energy, producing clean electricity with no emissions. If proper materials and methods are established for solar hydrogen generation and solid hydrogen storage under ambient conditions, solar light used for hydrogen generation and utilization via solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) will be an efficient, safe, and cost-effective technique. With the ongoing development in materials for solar hydrogen generation and solid storage techniques, this method is expected to soon become more feasible and cost-effective. This review comprehensively consolidates research on solar hydrogen generation and solid hydrogen storage, focusing on global standards such as 6.5 wt% gravimetric capacity at temperatures between −40 and 60 °C. It summarizes various materials used for efficient hydrogen generation through water splitting and solid storage, and discusses current challenges in hydrogen generation and storage. This includes material selection, and the structural and chemical modifications needed for optimal performance and potential applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials for Water-Food-Energy Nexus)
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