Search Results (393)

Low-voltage electrical contacts are core components of power distribution systems, renewable energy installations, and industrial automation equipment. The electric arc generated during contact switching is the primary cause of contact erosion, material transfer, and equipment failure, posing significant threats to system reliability and operational safety. The accurate prediction of arc parameters is hindered by two challenges: the high scatter in available data undermines empirical models, and purely data-driven approaches risk physically implausible results. To address this, a Gaussian Mixture-enhanced Bayesian-optimized Physics-Informed Neural Network (GB-PINN) is proposed. Three core contributions are made: (1) High-fidelity MHD simulation foundation: A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) multi-physics coupling model of the contact arc was constructed and validated against experiments, showing high fidelity with only 1.63% error in arc duration and 1.82% in arc energy. A multivariate simulation dataset was generated by varying key contact parameters based on this validated model. (2) GMM-based data augmentation: The measured and simulated data were modeled and sampled via Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) to enrich the dataset while preserving physical consistency. (3) BOHB-optimized PINN prediction: The Bayesian Optimization and Hyperband (BOHB) algorithm was employed to optimize the PINN hyperparameters, enhancing training efficiency and predictive accuracy. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed GB-PINN achieved superior performance in predicting arc duration and energy, with mean absolute errors (MAE) of 0.079 ms and 0.624 mJ, root mean square errors (RMSE) of 0.099 ms and 0.774 mJ, and coefficients of determination (R²) of 0.980 and 0.979, significantly outperforming grey model (GM (1, N)), long short-term memory (LSTM), and Transformer models. As a physics-informed data-driven tool, GB-PINN enables high-precision arc prediction, providing reliable support for electrical contact design. Full article

This study presents a comparative sensitivity analysis of the Hartmann number (Ha) and Brinkman number (Br) on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow in rectangular channels and circular pipes. Normalized sensitivity coefficients quantify the response of key metrics, including velocity, wall shear stress, temperature, and convective heat transfer, with validation against recent experimental and numerical studies. The system equations were solved through a coupled analytical–numerical method coded in Python 3.14; velocity field was solved analytically whereas temperature field was discretized using a finite differences scheme and solved numerically using the Thomas algorithm. The entire code was written by the authors. The results show that Ha predominantly governs hydrodynamics, inducing velocity suppression, flow flattening, and enhanced wall shear stress. Rectangular channels experience stronger Hartmann layer effects, while circular pipes exhibit smoother velocity profiles. Conversely, Br primarily controls thermal behavior, with higher values intensifying internal heat generation and elevating centerline temperature, potentially attenuating the average Nusselt number at high Br levels. Nonlinear Ha–Br interactions define distinct operational regimes, from heat transfer enhancement to thermal degradation. Optimal performance windows are identified: Ha ≈ 8–12 and Br ≈ 0.05–0.3 for channels, and Ha ≈ 10–15 and Br ≈ 0.1–0.4 for pipes, balancing thermal and hydraulic efficiency. Deviations from benchmark studies remain within ±5%, confirming predictive reliability. This work provides practical design guidance for advanced MHD thermal systems and establishes a foundation for future studies on temperature-dependent properties, three-dimensional effects, and complex flow regimes. Full article

High-voltage self-blast circuit breakers feature complex gas flow field dynamics during the arc interruption process due to the multiple gas chambers and valves in the interrupter. The structure of key interrupter components and the characteristics of the operating mechanism significantly influence the gas flow field behavior, thereby affecting the breaking performance. The C₄F₇N gas mixture is currently the most promising alternative to SF₆. However, the influence mechanisms of various factors on its breaking performance remain unclear, which limits the design of C₄F₇N-based self-blast interrupter chambers. This paper investigates the impact of nozzle throat length and mechanism stroke on the breaking performance of a 126 kV double-motion self-blast circuit breaker prototype by establishing a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) arc model for C₄F₇N gas mixtures. The results indicate that a longer throat length can enhance the pressure-buildup capability in the expansion chamber to some extent, but its effect on short arcing times is limited, whereas it has a more pronounced influence on medium and long arcing times. However, it also impedes arc energy dissipation, potentially reducing the breaking capability for short and medium arcing times while improving performance for long arcing times. A larger mechanism stroke not only ensures a greater contact gap at current zero for long arcing times but also accelerates the gas flow velocity between the contacts, facilitating arc energy dissipation and enhancing the thermal interruption performance. Full article

Significance: This study addresses critical industrial and biomedical applications including glass blowing (thermal management of shrinking sheets), polymer sheet extrusion (controlled cooling), magnetic drug delivery (nanoparticle targeting), and nuclear reactor cooling (enhanced heat transfer). Aim: We present a novel nonlinear analysis of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) boundary layer flow of a Jeffery Al₂O₃ nanofluid over a shrinking permeable plate with convective boundary conditions, uniquely integrating mixed convection, Ohmic dissipation, heat generation, Brownian motion, and thermophoresis within a non-Newtonian nanofluid framework. Methodology: The governing partial differential equations are transformed using similarity transformations and solved via the Adomian decomposition method (ADM). Comprehensive validation against RK4, RK45, and bvp4c demonstrates excellent agreement with maximum relative errors below $5\times {10}^{-4}$. Key Contribution: (i) Normal velocity decreases by 15–25% as the Biot number increases from $Bi=0.4$ to $0.6$; (ii) tangential velocity decreases by 20–30% as the magnetic parameter increases from $M=5$ to 15; (iii) temperature increases by 30–40% as the Eckert number increases from $Ec=0.5$ to $2.5$; (iv) ADM converges within 12–15 terms with $L_2$ errors $<{10}^{-5}$; (v) skin friction coefficient increases from $C_f=3.02713$ to $3.90082$ as $Q_0$ increases from 1 to 4; (vi) Nusselt number values: $Nu/\sqrt{Re}=0.4621$ at $Pr=0.7$, $0.8954$ at $Pr=2$, $3.2890$ at $Pr=20$. These quantitative findings provide design guidelines for engineers in thermal management and biomedical applications. Full article

Low-voltage (LV) alternating current (AC) power distribution systems are widely used, where phase-to-neutral short-circuit faults are a major cause of electrically induced fires. Prior to a circuit breaker interruption, arc discharges may develop between conductors, leading to intense localized heating of the cable insulation and a potential ignition risk. In this study, a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model of 220 V AC short-circuit arcs is established to investigate the coupled electrical and thermal behavior of arc discharges and their induced heating effects on conductor insulation. The transient temperature distribution in the arc region and insulation layer is numerically analyzed under different tripping currents and tripping times, and insulation ignition risk is evaluated based on characteristic thermal thresholds. To validate the simulations, a controllable 220 V AC short-circuit experimental platform is developed using a motor-driven wire contact mechanism. Circuit breakers rated at 20 A, 32 A, and 63 A are tested, and short-circuit current and voltage waveforms are recorded. The results indicate that insulation ignition risk is jointly governed by short-circuit current magnitude and breaker tripping time. Delayed interruption significantly increases insulation temperature and ignition susceptibility, whereas rapid interruption effectively suppresses arc-induced heating. Full article

This study investigates the enhancement of hydrogen production efficiency in water electrolysis through the application of external magnetic fields. A series of controlled experiments were conducted using four distinct electrode materials—stainless steel (SS), low-carbon steel (LCS), titanium (Ti), and platinum-plated titanium (Ti/Pt)—to identify the optimal configuration for maximizing gas output. The research evaluated the influence of electrolyte concentration (KOH), current density, and magnetic field intensity ranging from 0 to 1800 G. Our findings indicate that the application of a 200 G magnetic field leads to a notable 6% increase in the rate of gas production compared to non-magnetized conditions. Specifically, a magnetic field oriented parallel to the electrode plates outperformed a perpendicular orientation by approximately 5%, a phenomenon attributed to the Lorentz force facilitating ionic mass transfer and gas bubble detachment. Furthermore, the integration of ion-exchange and proton-exchange membranes (MC-3470 and N-117) effectively isolated the anodic and cathodic products, elevating hydrogen purity from 67.4% to approaching 100% without compromising electrolysis efficiency. These results demonstrate that the strategic coupling of moderate magnetic fields with optimized electrode configurations provides a promising pathway for improving the efficiency and cleanliness of hydrogen production, which is essential for its role as a sustainable energy carrier. Full article

Building upon our previous research in which we derived two formulations of the governing equations expressed in terms of $\left(\rho ,\mathit{B},\mathit{v}\right)$ and the perturbation displacement $\mathit{\xi }$, we extend our analysis to investigate the dispersion relation of linear magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves in a one-dimensional flux-sheet magneto-lattice. The convergence of the dispersion relations is examined by increasing the truncation order of the reciprocal lattice vectors from 3 to 10, for the central equations expressed in terms of $\left(\rho ,\mathit{B},\mathit{v}\right)$, and for modulation amplitudes of $B_m=0.01$, $0.02$, $0.1$, $0.2$, $0.3$ and $0.4$. The dispersion relations obtained at different truncation orders exhibit rapid convergence for small modulation amplitudes $B_m$, with only minor discrepancies emerging as $B_m$ increases, indicating overall satisfactory convergence of the plane wave expansion (PWE) method within the investigated parameter range. A comparative analysis with the previously studied sinusoidal magneto-lattice reveals that, while the overall dispersion structure remains qualitatively similar, the flux-sheet magneto-lattice yields wider bandgaps at equivalent modulation amplitudes. This is shown to result from the distinct Fourier spectra of the two periodic structures, which differ in both the magnitude and the harmonic content of their reciprocal lattice components. Full article

DC fault arcs comprise one of the most serious safety hazards in photovoltaic systems, and their danger far exceeds that of AC arcs. DC arcs lack a natural zero-crossing point, and their burning time can last from several seconds to several minutes, which is sufficient to ignite cable lines and surrounding combustibles, causing fires. To explore the characteristics and mechanism of the ignition of external combustibles by DC fault arcs, this paper, based on the theory of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), constructed a three-dimensional numerical simulation model of a DC fault arc considering the coupling of electromagnetic, thermal, and flow fields. A DC fault arc experimental platform that can simulate the actual working conditions of photovoltaic systems was built to verify the accuracy of the model. Based on this, by integrating the complex pyrolysis model and the combustion reaction model, and selecting cotton fibers as the typical combustible indicator substances, as stipulated in the UL 1699 standard, a coupled simulation model for the ignition of solid combustibles by direct current fault arcs was established. The numerical simulation of the entire ignition process of the arc was realized, and the coupling mechanism of heat transfer, mass transfer, and chemical reactions during the ignition process was revealed. The research results of this paper fill a research gap in the numerical simulation of arc ignition caused by DC faults in photovoltaic systems, clarify the fire ignition risk patterns of DC fault arcs under different working conditions, and provide important theoretical support and technical references for the formulation of arc fire prevention strategies and the optimized design of fault arc protection devices for photovoltaic systems and other DC power systems. Full article

Hybrid nanofluids possess exceptional thermal conductivity, but one of the major concerns with nanoparticles is agglomeration. While the usage of surfactants or dispersants can be used to mitigate this issue, numerical investigation and sensitivity analyses can be more affordable when attempting to optimize and design a thermal device. The consideration of thermal radiation with conductive and convective heat transfer and appropriate nanoparticles may provide a greater solution without compromising the efficacy of hybrid nanofluids. In the present work, the concept of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) is used to examine the impact of thermal radiation on a stable, two-dimensional, incompressible hybrid fluid consisting of nanoparticles (MWNCT)${\mathrm{-Fe}}_3{\mathrm{O}}_4$ and water flowing over a vertical surface. The flow is governed by established equations of fluid dynamics, which use the Rosseland diffusion model to incorporate radiation effects. The implicit finite difference (IFD) was used to solve the mathematical equations. Sensitivity analyses were conducted as functions of volume fraction, radiation and magnetic variables. This study also examines the streamlines and isotherm lines with respect to the volume fraction, radiation parameter and magnetic parameter of the heat source. The results indicate that for a fixed radiation parameter, increasing the nanoparticle volume fraction by up to $20\%$ leads to a reduction of approximately $37\%$ in the skin friction coefficient, while the corresponding Nusselt number increases by nearly $50\%$. Furthermore, the introduction of a magnetic field parameter significantly suppresses wall shear stress and modifies the thermal boundary layer thickness, demonstrating the competing interaction between Lorentz-force-induced momentum damping and radiation-enhanced thermal diffusion. These quantified trends highlight the sensitivity of coupled momentum and heat transport to combined magnetic and radiative effects in hybrid nanofluid systems. Full article

The breeding blanket is a key component of tokamaks, primarily responsible for extracting heat from fusion reactions and for tritium breeding, which is essential to ensure a fusion reactor’s fuel self-sufficiency. Recent technological advancements have led to the development of Dual-Cooled Lead–Lithium (DCLL) breeding blankets, which employ a liquid metal (specifically a Lead–Lithium eutectic alloy) as a heat transfer medium and tritium breeder, while helium gas is used to cool the structural components of the reactor. The interaction between the moving electrically conducting fluid and the strong magnetic field in the tokamak environment leads to magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effects. The latter are characterized by the induction of eddy currents within the fluid and resulting Lorentz forces generated by their interaction with the magnetic field, which cause additional pressure losses and reduce heat transfer efficiency. This work investigates the pressure drop experienced by a Lead–Lithium flow within a rectangular section conduit under the action of an external, uniform magnetic field of different intensities. An analytical model was developed to estimate the total MHD-induced pressure losses along the channel for different values of the external magnetic field intensity and then benchmarked against relative computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations carried out using COMSOL Multiphysics. This comparison allowed the validation of the analytical predictions as well as a better understanding of the influence of the applied magnetic field intensity on the overall pressure drop. Therefore, the aim of the analytical model is to provide analytical tools for reasonably accurate estimations of MHD pressure losses suitable for future preliminary design purposes. Full article

This study aims to advance the understanding of laminar magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) fluid flow between two parallel plates subjected to a uniform transverse magnetic field, motivated by its significant applications in engineering and industrial systems such as nuclear reactor cooling, MHD generators, and electromagnetic pumping devices. The governing equations are simplified using a one-parameter Lie group symmetry transformation, which exploits the inherent symmetry properties of the system to reduce the original unsteady partial differential equations to a system of ordinary differential equations. The reduced equations are solved exactly under appropriate boundary and initial conditions, ensuring mathematically consistent and physically realistic solutions. A comprehensive analysis is conducted to examine the influence of key physical parameters, along with the applied magnetic field, on the velocity, temperature, and concentration profiles. The selected parameter ranges encompass a broad spectrum of physically relevant cases, enabling a detailed assessment of their effects. The results indicate that the transverse magnetic field exerts a damping effect on the flow, reducing the velocity profile due to the Lorentz force. Moreover, an increase in the Schmidt number accelerates the achievement of a steady-state concentration, while higher Prandtl numbers reduce the temperature profile. In contrast, the radiation parameter enhances the temperature distribution. In addition, the skin-friction coefficient is presented graphically, and the Nusselt number is evaluated to characterize the heat transfer performance. Overall, the findings provide valuable insight into the effects of magnetic, thermal, and solutal parameters on laminar MHD flow between parallel plates. Full article

Effective thermal management is critical for high-power lithium-ion batteries to mitigate excessive heat generation and ensure operational reliability. Failure to maintain a uniform temperature distribution can lead to accelerated capacity fading and severe safety risks, such as thermal runaway. In this study, a ferrofluid-based magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) microchannel cooling system was numerically investigated to elucidate the influence of magnetic intensity, magnet geometry, and electrical boundary conditions on flow behavior and heat transfer performance for battery cooling applications. A fully coupled multiphysics model incorporating electromagnetic, fluid flow, and heat transfer phenomena was developed and validated against experimental and numerical data from the literature. The results show that increasing the applied voltage enhances current density and Lorentz force almost linearly, leading to significant flow acceleration and improved convective heat transfer. Electrical insulation effectively suppresses current leakage into the channel walls, increasing the average current density by up to 222% and the Lorentz force by more than 300%. Compared with a cylindrical magnet, a rectangular magnet provides a more uniform magnetic field distribution and stronger near-wall Lorentz forcing, resulting in superior cooling performance. Under a 4C discharge condition, the insulated rectangular magnet reduces the maximum battery temperature by approximately 30% and increases the average Nusselt number by up to 103% relative to the non-insulated case. The findings reveal the critical roles of magnetic-field-controlled flow symmetry and near-wall forcing in MHD-driven microchannels, and provide practical design guidelines for battery cooling systems with no moving mechanical parts and active electromagnetic flow control. Full article

Ni–Fe alloys were prepared via electrodeposition from a citrate electrolyte under different magnetic field (MF) strengths (0.1 T, 0.3 T, and 0.5 T) and configurations parallel (B_‖) and perpendicular (B_⊥) to the electrode surface. The magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) induced by the magnetic field influences their structural, compositional, and electrocatalytic properties. The application of an external homogeneous magnetic field significantly altered the alloy morphology, composition, and crystallinity, which we investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) studies reflected that moderate MF intensity (0.3 T) led to modest variation in Fe incorporation and produced smoother, denser, and more homogeneous Ni–Fe films, particularly under (B_⊥), while high field strength (0.5 T) resulted in surface roughening and compositional nonuniformity. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that the perpendicular MF enhanced crystallinity and favored (111) and (200) texture growth, while parallel orientation led to weaker and broader diffraction peaks, providing less-ordered growth. Furthermore, slight variations in Fe content were observed with changes in magnetic field strength and direction. Electrochemical measurements demonstrated that the deposited Ni-Fe under various magnetic field conditions modulated both the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in 1 M NaOH. For HER, the lowest overpotential (η₁₀ = −227 mV at 10 mA cm⁻²) and Tafel slope (120 mV·dec⁻¹) were obtained for the deposited Ni-Fe under (B_‖) at 0.1 T, while for OER, the best catalytic performance occurred for fabricated Ni-Fe alloy under (B_⊥) at 0.3 T with an overpotential value of (η₁₀ = 320 mV, Tafel = 202 mV·dec⁻¹). The deposited Ni-Fe alloys under both orientations exhibited reasonable stability and durability during a prolonged operation process. Overall, the findings demonstrate that controlling magnetic field orientation and intensity during electrodeposition provides a versatile route to tailor the microstructure and optimize the bifunctional electrocatalytic performance of Ni–Fe alloys for the water-splitting reaction in an alkaline medium. Full article

The tokamak is a toroidal device that utilizes magnetic confinement to achieve controlled nuclear fusion. One of the major technical challenges hindering the development of this technology lies in effectively dissipating the generated heat. In this study, the inner blanket structure of a tokamak is selected as the research object, and a multi–physics numerical model coupling magnetic field, temperature field, and flow field is established. The effects of background magnetic field strength, blanket channel width, and inlet velocity of the liquid metal coolant on the thermal–flow characteristics of the blanket were systematically investigated. The results indicate that compared with the L-shaped channel, the U-shaped channel reduces flow resistance in the turning region by 6%, exhibits a more uniform temperature distribution, and decreases the outlet–inlet temperature difference by 4%, thereby significantly enhancing the heat transfer efficiency. An increase in background magnetic field strength suppresses coolant flow but has only a limited impact on the temperature field. When the background magnetic field reaches a certain strength, the magnetic field has a certain hindering effect on the flow of the working fluid. Increasing the thickness of the blankets appropriately can alleviate the hindering effect of the magnetic field on the flow and improve the velocity distribution in the outlet area. Full article

This paper investigates the long-term asymptotic behavior of solutions to the initial-boundary value problem for the three-dimensional incompressible viscous magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations in general unbounded domains. Addressing the difficulty that traditional analytical methods (such as Fourier separation techniques and semigroup estimates for the Stokes operator) fail in unbounded domains, we introduce the operator regularization technique to construct a sequence of approximate solutions. By combining spectral analysis skills and the theory of analytic semigroups, a unified estimation method applicable to the nonlinear terms in the system is proposed. Through energy estimates and the theory of weak convergence, the existence of global weak solutions is proven, and the algebraic decay rate of the solutions is further derived. The results show that the decay behavior of the weak solutions is mainly dominated by the corresponding linear part (i.e., the semigroup solution of the Stokes equations). The estimation method established in this paper is applicable to general smooth unbounded domains, which generalizes the existing results that were only applicable to special domains. Full article