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Sustainable Thermal Management: Innovations in Energy Efficiency and Eco-Friendly Materials

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 July 2025 | Viewed by 575

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA
Interests: solar cooling technologies; renewable energy; thermal human comfort; nano-material; system optimization; alternative fuel
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
Interests: combustion and fuels; renewable energy; desalination; waste management systems; optimization
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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical and Maintenance Engineering, School of Applied Technical Sciences, German Jordanian University, Amman 11180, Jordan
Interests: prognostics and health management; predictive maintenance; RAMS; artificial intelligence; machine learning; data mining; optimization; mathematical modelling; renewable energy; wind and solar photovoltaic systems; energy forecasting; performance analysis; mechanical engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Thermal management plays a crucial role in various industries, including electronics, automotive, aerospace, and building construction. With the increasing demand for energy-efficient systems and the growing concern for environmental sustainability, the development of innovative solutions for sustainable thermal management has become imperative. This Special Issue will explore the latest advancements in energy-efficient technologies and eco-friendly materials that can revolutionize thermal management practices.

The scientific background of this research area lies in the need to address the challenges posed by excessive heat generation in various applications. Inefficient thermal management not only leads to energy wastage but also contributes to environmental degradation. By focusing on innovations in energy efficiency and the use of eco-friendly materials, researchers can mitigate these issues and pave the way for a more sustainable future.

This Special Issue will provide a platform for researchers, scientists, and industry experts to share their insights, findings, and innovations regarding sustainable thermal management. By highlighting cutting-edge research in energy efficiency and eco-friendly materials, this Special Issue will foster collaboration, inspire new ideas, and drive advancements in the field.

Our areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Advanced Cooling Technologies: Exploring novel cooling techniques such as phase-change materials, microfluidic cooling, and thermoelectric cooling for improved energy efficiency;
  • Materials for Thermal Insulation: Investigating the use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials for thermal insulation to reduce heat loss and enhance energy conservation;
  • Heat Recovery Systems: Studying innovative heat recovery systems that capture and reuse waste heat to improve overall energy efficiency;
  • Smart Thermal Management Systems: Discussing the integration of smart sensors, controls, and algorithms for optimized thermal management in various applications;
  • Thermal Management in Renewable Energy Systems: Strategies for managing heat in solar panels, wind turbines, and other renewable energy technologies to improve efficiency and lifespan;
  • Nanomaterials for Thermal Management: Exploring the use of nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanofluids, and nanostructured materials for enhancing heat transfer, improving thermal conductivity, and achieving energy-efficient thermal management solutions;
  • Modeling and Simulation: Advanced computational methods for predicting thermal behavior in materials and systems, aiding the design of efficient thermal management solutions;
  • Applications in Electronics and Beyond: Case studies and research on thermal management applications in electronics, automotive, aerospace, and other industries.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original research articles, reviews, and case studies that address these themes and contribute to the advancement of sustainable thermal management practices.

Dr. Ali Alahmer
Dr. Mohammad Alrbai
Dr. Sameer Al-Dahidi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainable thermal management
  • energy efficiency
  • nanomaterials
  • eco-friendly materials
  • phase change materials
  • thermal insulation
  • renewable energy systems
  • advanced cooling technologies
  • heat recovery systems
  • smart thermal systems

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

32 pages, 4015 KiB  
Article
Performance Enhancement of Photovoltaic Panels Using Natural Porous Media for Thermal Cooling Management
by Ismail Masalha, Omar Badran and Ali Alahmer
Sustainability 2025, 17(12), 5468; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125468 - 13 Jun 2025
Viewed by 57
Abstract
This study investigates the potential of low-cost, naturally available porous materials (PoMs), gravel, marble, flint, and sandstone, as thermal management for photovoltaic (PV) panels. Experiments were conducted in a controlled environment at a solar energy laboratory, where variables such as solar irradiance, ambient [...] Read more.
This study investigates the potential of low-cost, naturally available porous materials (PoMs), gravel, marble, flint, and sandstone, as thermal management for photovoltaic (PV) panels. Experiments were conducted in a controlled environment at a solar energy laboratory, where variables such as solar irradiance, ambient temperature, air velocity, and water flow were carefully regulated. A solar simulator delivering a constant irradiance of 1250 W/m2 was used to replicate solar conditions throughout each 3 h trial. The test setup involved polycrystalline PV panels (30 W rated) fitted with cooling channels filled with PoMs of varying porosities (0.35–0.48), evaluated across water flow rates ranging from 1 to 4 L/min. Experimental results showed that PoM cooling significantly outperformed both water-only and passive cooling. Among all the materials tested, sandstone with a porosity of 0.35 and a flow rate of 2.0 L/min demonstrated the highest cooling performance, reducing the panel surface temperature by 58.08% (from 87.7 °C to 36.77 °C), enhancing electrical efficiency by 57.87% (from 4.13% to 6.52%), and increasing power output by 57.81% (from 12.42 W to 19.6 W) compared to the uncooled panel. The enhanced heat transfer (HT) was attributed to improved conductive and convective interactions facilitated by lower porosity and optimal fluid velocity. Furthermore, the cooling system improved I–V characteristics by stabilizing short-circuit current and enhancing open-circuit voltage. Comparative analysis revealed material-dependent efficacy—sandstone > flint > marble > gravel—attributed to thermal conductivity gradients (sandstone: 5 W/m·K vs. gravel: 1.19 W/m·K). The configuration with 0.35 porosity and a 2.0 L/min flow rate proved to be the most effective, offering an optimal balance between thermal performance and resource usage, with an 8–10% efficiency gain over standard water cooling. This study highlights 2.0 L/min as the ideal flow rate, as higher rates lead to increased water usage without significant cooling improvements. Additionally, lower porosity (0.35) enhances convective heat transfer, contributing to improved thermal performance while maintaining energy efficiency. Full article
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