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Keywords = radiative near-field

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21 pages, 2764 KB  
Article
Three-Dimensional Temperature Distribution Reconstruction via an Ellipsoidal Reflector: Algorithm Development and Numerical Validation
by Yaofang Zhang and Shi Liu
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(14), 7359; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16147359 - 22 Jul 2026
Viewed by 162
Abstract
Accurate measurement of three-dimensional flame temperature distribution is crucial for combustion diagnosis. Traditional optical methods rely on observation windows or multi-camera arrays, which can be difficult to deploy in environments with restricted optical access, such as aviation engine burners. This paper proposes a [...] Read more.
Accurate measurement of three-dimensional flame temperature distribution is crucial for combustion diagnosis. Traditional optical methods rely on observation windows or multi-camera arrays, which can be difficult to deploy in environments with restricted optical access, such as aviation engine burners. This paper proposes a passive radiation temperature measurement method based on ellipsoidal reflector (ER). By using the confocal characteristics of the ER, the radiation inside the flame is collected through a single aperture at one focus and guided to the Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) at another focus. A complete measurement model has been developed, combining the ray tracing of each detector element through the ER with the discretized Radiative Transfer Equation (RTE) under the pure absorption approximation. Temperature reconstruction is performed using the Least Squares QR (LSQR) algorithm. The method is validated numerically on a cylindrical flame under three configurations with identical grid and detection settings, differing only in the temperature field and absorption coefficient: symmetric with uniform absorption, asymmetric with uniform absorption, and asymmetric with non-uniform absorption. Gaussian noise (0–5%) is added to the simulated measurements. Noise-free reconstruction converges to near machine precision. Under 5% noise, the mean relative errors are 3.1%, 8.7%, and 6.1% for the three cases, with errors concentrated at the flame periphery while the core remains accurately reconstructed. The proposed method provides a practical solution for temperature monitoring where optical access is severely limited. Full article
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23 pages, 541 KB  
Article
Joint Element and Power Optimization in NOMA-RIS-Assisted Indoor Near-Field Communications
by Periyakarupan Gurusamy Sivabalan Velmurugan, Vinoth Babu Kumaravelu, Samikkannu Rajkumar, Arthi Murugadass, Mathan Nanjan Suresh and Samarendra Nath Sur
Future Internet 2026, 18(7), 369; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi18070369 - 16 Jul 2026
Viewed by 179
Abstract
Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) equipped with extremely large aperture arrays (ELAA) are emerging as a key technology for enhancing beamforming gain, spatial multiplexing, and angular resolution in sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks. When combined with non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), RIS can further improve spectral [...] Read more.
Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS) equipped with extremely large aperture arrays (ELAA) are emerging as a key technology for enhancing beamforming gain, spatial multiplexing, and angular resolution in sixth-generation (6G) wireless networks. When combined with non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), RIS can further improve spectral efficiency, system throughput, and energy efficiency. However, most existing studies on RIS-aided NOMA assume far-field propagation, where the incident wavefronts are approximately planar. In contrast, RIS-ELAA systems operating at millimeter wave (mmWave) experience spherical wavefronts in the radiative near-field regions. Also, it creates spatial non-stationarity and distance-dependent phase curvature. These effects invalidate the conventional monotonic path-loss assumption and make fairness-oriented NOMA design more challenging. This paper proposes a joint element and power optimization (JEPO) algorithm for near-field RIS-ELAA-assisted indoor NOMA systems, in which the RIS is dynamically partitioned into user-specific subarrays performing near-field phase synthesis toward the near user (NU) and far user (FU). The reversed far-to-near successive interference cancellation (SIC) ordering, governed by an effective FU channel gain greater than an effective NU channel gain, is formally established, and a closed-form optimal power allocation is derived by reducing the max-min fairness condition to a scalar quadratic in the target signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR), eliminating iterative power search. Simulation results confirm that JEPO consistently outperforms four baseline schemes across transmit power, NU distance, angular separation, and RIS aperture size, with the largest gain observed at θNU40 where fixed-partition baselines collapse to near-zero fairness while JEPO maintains robust performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disruptive Technologies and Digital Transformation)
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19 pages, 16289 KB  
Article
Dispersion and Explosion Characteristics of Hydrogen Released from a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle
by Zhixin Wu, Dianji Wang, Xuefang Li, Huan Liu, Shishuai Nie, Peirong Chen and Wenfeng Zhan
Fire 2026, 9(7), 300; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire9070300 - 15 Jul 2026
Viewed by 462
Abstract
Safety concerns regarding hydrogen dispersion, fire, and explosion hinder the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs). This study developed and validated a numerical model for hydrogen leakage, dispersion, and explosion in representative accident scenarios using real-vehicle experimental data from a manufacturer-provided HFCV. [...] Read more.
Safety concerns regarding hydrogen dispersion, fire, and explosion hinder the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs). This study developed and validated a numerical model for hydrogen leakage, dispersion, and explosion in representative accident scenarios using real-vehicle experimental data from a manufacturer-provided HFCV. The analysis examined the effects of leakage orifice diameter, leakage orientation, vehicle motion, and ignition timing on hazard evolution. Large-orifice leakage accelerates flammable cloud formation and expands the hazard range, whereas small-orifice leakage prolongs cloud persistence. Vehicle motion enhances turbulent mixing and reduces near-field accumulation. Immediate ignition produces a jet flame with a maximum radiative heat-flux impact distance of 44.1 m, whereas delayed ignition increases explosion severity and generates a peak overpressure of 0.14 bar. These findings support the risk assessment and safety design of HFCVs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Assessment and Mitigation of Hydrogen-Fuelled Fire Hazards)
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37 pages, 48009 KB  
Article
Filling Satellite Microwave Observation Gaps via Generative Synthesis
by Han Du, Baoxiang Pan, Fan Ping, Jin Xu, Congyi Nai, Sencan Sun, Jie Chao, Jingnan Wang, Shangshang Yang, Xi Chen, Jingyuan Li, Jiahua Mao, Lei Yin, Yupeng Li and Ziniu Xiao
Remote Sens. 2026, 18(13), 2256; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18132256 - 7 Jul 2026
Viewed by 417
Abstract
Polar-orbiting microwave radiometers provide indispensable all-weather measurements of the atmospheric state, yet revisit intervals of many hours leave critical gaps during rapidly evolving weather events. To address this limitation, we developed MIDAS (Microwave Inference via Diffusion Across Satellites), a probabilistic framework that estimates [...] Read more.
Polar-orbiting microwave radiometers provide indispensable all-weather measurements of the atmospheric state, yet revisit intervals of many hours leave critical gaps during rapidly evolving weather events. To address this limitation, we developed MIDAS (Microwave Inference via Diffusion Across Satellites), a probabilistic framework that estimates microwave brightness temperature (BT) fields across the geostationary full-disk domain from infrared observations at 10 min intervals. This study focuses on the five Microwave Humidity Sounder-2 (MWHS-2) humidity-sounding channels near 183 GHz, which provide vertically resolved water vapor information. MIDAS achieves relative errors below 0.5% for the majority of cases, with a channel-averaged mean absolute error of 1.15 K, outperforming a deterministic U-Net baseline (1.43 K). Beyond per-sample evaluation, MIDAS reproduces large-scale climatological patterns across the full-disk domain over a three-month summer period, consistent with Radiative Transfer for TOVS–Scattering (RTTOV-SCATT) simulations. In deep convective scenes where reconstruction is most difficult, the ensemble spread naturally tracks reconstruction difficulty, providing a built-in indicator of prediction confidence. Notably, MIDAS incorporates real-time polar-orbiting observations as physical constraints via a merge-sampling mechanism, reducing ensemble RMSE by over 20% and improving probabilistic calibration by more than 30%. Proof-of-concept assimilation experiments for two high-impact weather cases show that MIDAS-generated fields yield forecast improvements comparable to those from real satellite observations, reducing tropical cyclone track errors from approximately 110 km to 40 km and improving heavy precipitation forecasts at extreme rainfall thresholds where direct infrared assimilation shows no benefit. Overall, our framework demonstrates the potential of generative models to supplement sparse observational coverage and provide physically plausible microwave humidity fields for downstream applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section AI Remote Sensing)
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26 pages, 11437 KB  
Article
Numerical Investigation of Thermal Field Characteristics in an EGR-Assisted Methane–Hydrogen Co-Fired Radiant Tube Burner
by Dongkyu Lee, Jongseo Kwon and Gwang G. Lee
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(12), 6273; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16126273 - 22 Jun 2026
Viewed by 323
Abstract
Radiant tube burners (RTBs) are widely used in industrial heat-treatment furnaces, yet the coupled effects of hydrogen co-firing and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on their thermal fields remain insufficiently understood. This study presents a three-dimensional CFD analysis of 28 operating conditions, spanning hydrogen [...] Read more.
Radiant tube burners (RTBs) are widely used in industrial heat-treatment furnaces, yet the coupled effects of hydrogen co-firing and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on their thermal fields remain insufficiently understood. This study presents a three-dimensional CFD analysis of 28 operating conditions, spanning hydrogen fractions from 0 to 100% and EGR rates from 0 to 20% at a fixed excess air ratio of 10%. The model employs the eddy dissipation concept with a reduced two-step methane mechanism, detailed hydrogen kinetics, and a Discrete Ordinates radiation model with a weighted-sum-of-gray-gases approach. All cases exhibit splitting flames: hydrogen enrichment intrinsically raises the laminar flame speed above the flame morphological transition threshold, while in pure methane, radiative preheating increases the flame speed by 29%, eliminating the triangular flame mode. The volumetric temperature uniformity index peaks near 30% H2, whereas EGR improves uniformity in hydrogen-rich cases but slightly degrades it in methane-rich conditions. Surface temperature uniformity is maximized at 20% EGR due to near-wall thermal blanketing. Thermal efficiency increases with hydrogen fraction, from 59.1% at 0% H2 without EGR to 68.6% at 100% H2 with 10% EGR, while higher EGR suppresses peak temperatures. These findings provide guidance for balancing energy efficiency and temperature uniformity in hydrogen-ready RTBs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applied Research in Combustion Technology and Heat Transfer)
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29 pages, 1844 KB  
Article
GRMHD Simulations of Magnetized Accretion Disk/Jet: Variabilities of Black Holes and Spectral Energy Distributions in Magnetic States
by Rohan Raha, Banibrata Mukhopadhyay and Koushik Chatterjee
Universe 2026, 12(5), 142; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe12050142 - 12 May 2026
Viewed by 637
Abstract
We perform three-dimensional general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations of a near-maximally spinning black hole (spin parameter a=0.998) with varying initial magnetic field geometries, systematically exploring the parameter space connecting magnetically arrested disk (MAD), intermediate (INT), and standard and normal evolution [...] Read more.
We perform three-dimensional general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations of a near-maximally spinning black hole (spin parameter a=0.998) with varying initial magnetic field geometries, systematically exploring the parameter space connecting magnetically arrested disk (MAD), intermediate (INT), and standard and normal evolution (SANE) accretion states. The magnetic flux threading the black hole horizon emerges as the fundamental state variable controlling jet efficiency, flow magnetization, and radiative output across all three states. We introduce complementary diagnostics—broadband spectral energy distributions spanning radio through hard X-ray frequencies and time-resolved X-ray light curves—that together connect simulation dynamics directly to multiwavelength observables. The radiative output follows a clear MAD > INT > SANE hierarchy in time-averaged luminosity, mean X-ray emission, as well as variability. Furthermore, MAD exhibits the highest fractional variability through quasi-periodic magnetic flux eruption events, and INT and SANE show moderate variability driven by episodic reconnection and stochastic MRI turbulence, respectively. Scaling to GRS 1915+105, Cyg X-1, and HLX-1, we demonstrate that all twelve temporal classes of GRS 1915+105 map naturally onto our three magnetic states, Cyg X-1’s persistent hard state is reproduced by a sustained INT configuration, and HLX-1’s extreme luminosities arise through efficient Blandford–Znajek extraction in MAD states scaled to higher black hole mass. Full article
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16 pages, 1822 KB  
Article
Beaming of Polarized Radiation in Subcritical X-Ray Pulsars
by Ivan D. Markozov, Alexander Y. Potekhin, Alexander D. Kaminker and Alexander A. Mushtukov
Particles 2026, 9(2), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/particles9020049 - 5 May 2026
Viewed by 444
Abstract
Radiation of X-ray pulsars is powered by accretion on the neutron star surface from a binary companion under the influence of a strong magnetic field. We study the beaming of this radiation in the case of subcritical X-ray pulsars, where it is formed [...] Read more.
Radiation of X-ray pulsars is powered by accretion on the neutron star surface from a binary companion under the influence of a strong magnetic field. We study the beaming of this radiation in the case of subcritical X-ray pulsars, where it is formed in the accretion channel close to the neutron star surface. We solve equations of the hydrodynamics and radiative transfer of two coupled polarization modes in the accretion channel numerically, taking into account resonant Compton scattering and vacuum polarization. The beaming patterns are obtained for different accretion rates, photon energies, and polarizations, as well as for different models of the neutron star surface radiation. The calculated beaming patterns are converted into light curves for both the intensity and polarization, taking into account the effects of General Relativity. These beaming patterns and light curves are found to be strongly affected by the resonant Compton scattering for photon energies comparable with the electron cyclotron energy. In particular, the angular redistribution of radiation near the cyclotron resonance may reduce the light-curve modulation amplitude, which is consistent with observational indications of a suppressed pulsed fraction at these energies. Full article
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18 pages, 1742 KB  
Article
Thermal Impacts of Stationary Vehicles on Urban Microclimates: Insights from Field Measurements and Exploratory 3D Modelling
by Márcia Matias, Carolina Girotti, Tiago Silva, Gerald Mills, Luiz Fernando Kowalski and António Lopes
Atmosphere 2026, 17(4), 390; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17040390 - 12 Apr 2026
Viewed by 979
Abstract
Urban microclimates are traditionally interpreted and modelled based on permanent built surfaces, while semi-permanent elements such as stationary vehicles remain largely overlooked in urban climate studies. Despite their distinct radiative and thermal behaviour and increasing spatial prevalence in contemporary cities, parked vehicles are [...] Read more.
Urban microclimates are traditionally interpreted and modelled based on permanent built surfaces, while semi-permanent elements such as stationary vehicles remain largely overlooked in urban climate studies. Despite their distinct radiative and thermal behaviour and increasing spatial prevalence in contemporary cities, parked vehicles are rarely represented in urban microclimate modelling frameworks. This study provides an exploratory assessment of a commonly used three-dimensional modelling workflow to approximate near-vehicle air temperature patterns at the micro-scale by comparing simulated results with field measurements collected in Lisbon, Portugal. Air temperature was measured in an open parking environment with unobstructed sky exposure, at multiple heights above two black and two white parked vehicles during summer, and corresponding simulated values were extracted at matching locations. Simulated mean air temperatures showed reasonable agreement with observations (MAE = 0.6–0.9 °C; RMSE = 0.7–1.3 °C), suggesting that simplified modelling approaches can reproduce general air temperature patterns under controlled conditions. However, larger localised deviations were observed near vehicle surfaces and rear positions, particularly for dark-coloured vehicles, highlighting limitations in resolving fine-scale radiative and aerodynamic processes. The findings indicate that stationary vehicles can be represented as distinct urban surfaces, while emphasising the need for improved parameterisation to enable their integration into urban microclimate models at larger spatial scales. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Climatology)
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19 pages, 3093 KB  
Article
Regional Evolution of the Meteosat Solar and Infrared Spectra (2005–2024) Linked to Cloud Cover and Ocean Surface
by José I. Prieto-Fernández and Humberto A. Barbosa
Atmosphere 2026, 17(4), 385; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17040385 - 10 Apr 2026
Viewed by 1189
Abstract
We analyze the evolution of atmospheric and surface physical properties over the region of the Earth observed by the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellites during the period 2005–2024. Long-term changes are detected in the observed radiances, with a decrease in the solar domain [...] Read more.
We analyze the evolution of atmospheric and surface physical properties over the region of the Earth observed by the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellites during the period 2005–2024. Long-term changes are detected in the observed radiances, with a decrease in the solar domain (−1.3%) and an increase in the thermal infrared domain (+0.4%), consistent with trends reported by independent broadband radiometers such as CERES. The outgoing solar radiance (OSR) exhibits a marked decline, which we associate with a reduction in low-level cloud cover within the nominal Meteosat field of view (MFoV) centered at 0° longitude. Changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration also contribute to the observed radiative imbalance at the top of the atmosphere (TOA). Instrument calibration stability and inter-satellite homogenization across the MSG series are explicitly addressed, enabling the detection of robust interdecadal signals. By subdividing the MFoV into 60 regional sectors, we characterize spatial variations in cloud amount at low and high atmospheric levels and relate these changes to regional TOA radiative imbalances and concurrent variations in Atlantic sea surface temperature (SSTs). The spectral information provided by SEVIRI allows a more detailed attribution of radiative changes than broadband observations alone from other instruments. In particular, radiances measured in the atmospheric split-window region near 11 µm are shown to be sensitive to variations in low-tropospheric humidity, which exhibits a widespread decadal-scale increase. The results indicate a close coupling between cloud-cover changes, radiative fluxes, and SST evolution on the recent interdecadal time scale. The observed decrease in low-level total cloud cover is independently in line with ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis data. These findings highlight the value of long, stable geostationary observations for investigating atmosphere–ocean interactions and their role in regional climate variability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Climatology)
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17 pages, 4591 KB  
Article
Electromagnetically Induced Transparency-like Effect in U-Shaped Silicon Metasurfaces and Gap-Mode-Enhanced Refractive Index Sensing
by Guangyue Shi, Ou Zhang, Changliang Li, Yiming Liu and Feng Luo
Sensors 2026, 26(8), 2328; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26082328 - 9 Apr 2026
Viewed by 689
Abstract
Electromagnetically induced transparency-like effects in silicon metasurfaces have attracted considerable interest due to their capability to manipulate optical resonances and improve sensing performance. In this work, a U-shaped silicon metasurface is proposed, consisting of a horizontal nanopillar supporting bright mode and two vertical [...] Read more.
Electromagnetically induced transparency-like effects in silicon metasurfaces have attracted considerable interest due to their capability to manipulate optical resonances and improve sensing performance. In this work, a U-shaped silicon metasurface is proposed, consisting of a horizontal nanopillar supporting bright mode and two vertical nanopillars supporting dark mode. The coupling and coherent interference between the bright and dark modes lead to a pronounced EIT-like effect at specific wavelengths. By introducing nanoscale gaps between the horizontal and vertical silicon pillars, a U-shaped silicon metasurface with gap mode (UG metasurface) is formed, which induces strong near-field enhancement and is associated with reduced radiative losses, thereby improving the quality factor of the EIT-like resonance of UG metasurfaces. Two silicon metasurface samples are fabricated, and their transmission spectra are experimentally measured, showing good agreement with numerical simulations. In addition, the refractive index sensing performance of silicon metasurfaces is numerically investigated. The results show that the UG metasurface design significantly enhances the sensing capability, increasing the figure of merit from 6 RIU−1 to 60 RIU−1. The proposed silicon metasurfaces and near-field enhancement with the gap-mode mechanism provide a promising strategy for realizing high-performance optical sensing and offer valuable insights into the manipulation of electromagnetic responses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Physical Sensors)
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16 pages, 4052 KB  
Article
Impact of Combustible Linings in the Simulated Fluid Dynamics of a Compartment Fire
by Ignacio Calderón, Agustín H. Majdalani and Wolfram Jahn
Fire 2026, 9(2), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire9020080 - 12 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 933
Abstract
The increasing use of engineered timber in modern architecture raises critical concerns about fire safety, particularly when combustible linings are exposed within compartments. Classical compartment fire framework, largely derived from non-combustible enclosures, may not adequately capture the dynamics introduced by materials such as [...] Read more.
The increasing use of engineered timber in modern architecture raises critical concerns about fire safety, particularly when combustible linings are exposed within compartments. Classical compartment fire framework, largely derived from non-combustible enclosures, may not adequately capture the dynamics introduced by materials such as cross-laminated timber (CLT). This study investigates how combustible linings influence the fluid dynamic fields of compartment fires derived from the thermal field using CFD simulations informed by experimental data. A series of configurations, from inert to fully lined compartments, were analysed to isolate the effect of burning boundaries. Results show a progressive intensification of fire conditions with additional combustible surfaces: upper-layer temperatures approach 900 °C, smoke layers thicken, and stratification becomes more pronounced. Velocity fields are similarly affected, with peak inflow and outflow velocities doubling compared to the inert case and new vortical structures emerging near burning walls. These findings highlight that exposed CLT significantly amplifies radiative and convective heat feedback, modifying both temperature distributions and flow patterns in ways not captured by the traditional framework based on the inverse opening factor. This underscores the need for performance-based fire design approaches integrating both thermal and fluid dynamic perspectives, ensuring safe implementation of timber in modern construction. Full article
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32 pages, 1763 KB  
Review
Research Progress on Doping Control Technology for SnSe Thin Film Characteristics
by Zhengjie Guo, Chi Zhang, Fuyueyang Tan, Jinhui Zhou, Xi Cao, Xuezhi Li, Yuying Feng, Yixian Xie, Kaiquan Lei, Wenbin Li, Yikun Yang, Chenyao Huang, Zaijin Li and Yi Qu
Coatings 2026, 16(2), 170; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16020170 - 30 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1014
Abstract
With the increasingly prominent issues of energy shortage and environmental pollution, the development of clean energy materials has become a core topic in the academic community. SnSe, as a material with moderate bandgap, a high light absorption coefficient, and environmental friendliness, has shown [...] Read more.
With the increasingly prominent issues of energy shortage and environmental pollution, the development of clean energy materials has become a core topic in the academic community. SnSe, as a material with moderate bandgap, a high light absorption coefficient, and environmental friendliness, has shown broad application prospects in the fields of photovoltaics and thermoelectrics. However, pure SnSe thin films have inherent defects, low carrier concentration, and high recombination rates, which limit their photoelectric conversion efficiency. This article provides a detailed overview of the characteristics of band engineering control technology, defect control technology, and carrier concentration control technology, as well as the improvements in the characteristics of SnSe thin films that they bring. This article systematically reviews the research progress on doping control technology for SnSe thin films characteristics in recent years and analyzes and discusses the differences in typical doping elements on SnSe thin films characteristics, such as optical bandgap and absorption coefficient, and applicable application scenarios, such as photovoltaics, near-infrared/infrared detection, and thermoelectric and flexible optoelectronic devices. Furthermore, the interaction between the doping mechanism of dopants and natural defects, as well as the influence of the structural parameters of doped films on doping efficiency, were analyzed, and a predictive design route for the doping mechanism of SnSe films was proposed. Finally, the influence of different atomic fractions on the characteristics of SnSe thin films was discussed. Low atomic fractions are beneficial for bandgap tuning and absorption enhancement; high atomic fractions can easily introduce phase separation and non-radiative recombination. It is suggested that future researchers can continue to focus on the precise control of atomic fractions, exploration of new element co-doping, and industrial large-scale production applications, providing theoretical guidance for the design and application of SnSe thin films in photothermal devices. Full article
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19 pages, 5322 KB  
Article
Cooling-Fog Impacts on Microclimate and Thermal Comfort in Gwajeong Park, Busan
by Joowon Choi, Jaemoon Kim, Jaekyoung Kim, Taeyoon Kim and Soonchul Kwon
Buildings 2026, 16(3), 503; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16030503 - 26 Jan 2026
Viewed by 902
Abstract
Rapid urbanization and climate change have increased urban air temperatures and intensified the urban heat island effect through the expansion of impervious surfaces, loss of green areas, and high-density development. This study quantitatively evaluates the heat-mitigation performance and outdoor-thermal-comfort benefits of a high-pressure [...] Read more.
Rapid urbanization and climate change have increased urban air temperatures and intensified the urban heat island effect through the expansion of impervious surfaces, loss of green areas, and high-density development. This study quantitatively evaluates the heat-mitigation performance and outdoor-thermal-comfort benefits of a high-pressure micro-mist cooling-fog system installed in the Oncheoncheon area of Busan, South Korea. Five environmental sensors were deployed in Gwajeong Park to monitor the near-pedestrian air temperature and relative humidity, and thermal comfort was assessed using the Universal Thermal Climate Index and the Physiological Equivalent Temperature derived from meteorological variables. Both indices indicated improved thermal comfort during fog operation relative to the control condition. The relationship between air temperature and perceived thermal conditions was strong, while the mean radiant temperature exhibited substantial dispersion even under similar air temperatures. Higher global horizontal irradiance (GHI: incoming solar radiation on a horizontal surface) was associated with elevated mean radiant temperature, highlighting the importance of radiative load in pedestrian thermal stress. Overall, the findings provide field-based evidence that high-pressure micro-misting can improve outdoor thermal comfort and function as practical cooling infrastructure for heat-stress mitigation and urban climate resilience. Full article
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12 pages, 2655 KB  
Article
Microstructural, Electrical, and Magnetic Characterization of Degraded Photovoltaic Cells from Desert Environments: A Preliminary Study
by Fahima Djefaflia, Farida Khammar, Nadir Hachemi, Elfahem Sakher, Nozha El Ahlem Doghmane, Mounir Sakmeche, Houssem Eddine Doghmane, Leila Belgacem, Lala Gahramanli, Talia Tene and Cristian Vacacela Gomez
Sci 2026, 8(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci8010022 - 21 Jan 2026
Viewed by 943
Abstract
This study examines the functional degradation of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells after 17 years of field exposure in the Adrar Desert, Algeria. Harsh thermal, radiative, and mechanical conditions accelerate aging, affecting electrical performance and structural stability. Monocrystalline silicon cells were extracted and analyzed [...] Read more.
This study examines the functional degradation of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells after 17 years of field exposure in the Adrar Desert, Algeria. Harsh thermal, radiative, and mechanical conditions accelerate aging, affecting electrical performance and structural stability. Monocrystalline silicon cells were extracted and analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, electrical resistivity measurements, and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). SEM revealed microcracks, delamination, and corrosion products. EDS showed Ag, Si, O, and C signals, while Raman indicated silicon features and signatures consistent with encapsulant (EVA) degradation. The temperature-dependent resistivity displayed a dual behavior with a minimum near ~72 °C, above which resistivity increased, consistent with a transition in the dominant transport mechanisms. VSM measurements showed an overall diamagnetic response with a weak hysteresis loop suggestive of defect-related contributions. The observed aging is primarily associated with oxidation, metal migration, and encapsulant degradation. These findings motivate more robust materials and interfaces for desert climates, alongside improved thermal management and active monitoring. Full article
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32 pages, 8079 KB  
Article
Daytime Sea Fog Detection in the South China Sea Based on Machine Learning and Physical Mechanism Using Fengyun-4B Meteorological Satellite
by Jie Zheng, Gang Wang, Wenping He, Qiang Yu, Zijing Liu, Huijiao Lin, Shuwen Li and Bin Wen
Remote Sens. 2026, 18(2), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18020336 - 19 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1201
Abstract
Sea fog is a major meteorological hazard that severely disrupts maritime transportation and economic activities in the South China Sea. As China’s next-generation geostationary meteorological satellite, Fengyun-4B (FY-4B) supplies continuous observations that are well suited for sea fog monitoring, yet a satellite-specific recognition [...] Read more.
Sea fog is a major meteorological hazard that severely disrupts maritime transportation and economic activities in the South China Sea. As China’s next-generation geostationary meteorological satellite, Fengyun-4B (FY-4B) supplies continuous observations that are well suited for sea fog monitoring, yet a satellite-specific recognition method has been lacking. A key obstacle is the radiometric inconsistency between the Advanced Geostationary Radiation Imager (AGRI) sensors on FY-4A and FY-4B, compounded by the cessation of Cloud–Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) observations, which prevents direct transfer of fog labels. To address these challenges and fill this research gap, we propose a machine learning framework that integrates cross-satellite radiometric recalibration and physical mechanism constraints for robust daytime sea fog detection. First, we innovatively apply a radiation recalibration transfer technique based on the radiative transfer model to normalize FY-4A/B radiances and, together with Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) cloud/fog classification products and ERA5 reanalysis, construct a highly consistent joint training set of FY-4A/B for the winter-spring seasons since 2019. Secondly, to enhance the model’s physical performance, we incorporate key physical parameters related to the sea fog formation process (such as temperature inversion, near-surface humidity, and wind field characteristics) as physical constraints, and combine them with multispectral channel sensitivity and the brightness temperature (BT) standard deviation that characterizes texture smoothness, resulting in an optimized 13-dimensional feature matrix. Using this, we optimize the sea fog recognition model parameters of decision tree (DT), random forest (RF), and support vector machine (SVM) with grid search and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms. The validation results show that the RF model outperforms others with the highest overall classification accuracy (0.91) and probability of detection (POD, 0.81) that surpasses prior FY-4A-based work for the South China Sea (POD 0.71–0.76). More importantly, this study demonstrates that the proposed FY-4B framework provides reliable technical support for operational, continuous sea fog monitoring over the South China Sea. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Atmospheric Remote Sensing)
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