Search Results (463)

Boehmite has been widely used in theoretical research and industry, especially for hazardous material processing. For the liquid-phase treating process, the interfacial properties of boehmite are believed to be affected by pH conditions, which change its physicochemical behavior. However, molecular-level detection on cluster ions is challenging when using bulk approaches. Herein we employ in situ vacuum ultraviolet single-photon ionization mass spectrometry (VUV SPI-MS) coupled with a vacuum-compatible microreactor system for analysis at the liquid–vacuum interface (SALVI) to investigate the solute molecular composition of boehmite under different pH conditions for the first time. The mass spectral results show that more complex clustering of solute molecules exists at the solid–liquid (s–l) interface than conventionally perceived in a “simple” aqueous solution. Besides solute ions, such as boehmite molecules and fragments, the composition and appearance energies of these newly discovered solvated cluster ions are determined by VUV SPI-MS in different pH solutions. We offer new results for the pH-dependent effect of boehmite and provide insights into a more detailed solvation mechanism at the s–l interface. By comparing the key products under different pH conditions, fundamental understanding of boehmite dissolution is revealed to assist the engineering design of waste processing and storage solutions. Full article

Solid–liquid phase-change materials (PCMs) have attracted considerable attention in heat energy storage due to their appropriate phase-transition temperatures and high thermal storage density. The primary issues that need to be addressed in the wide application of traditional PCMs are easy leakage during solid–liquid phase transitions, low thermal conductivity, and poor energy conversion function. The heat transfer properties of PCMs can be improved by compounding with carbon materials. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are widely used in PCMs for heat storage because of their high thermal conductivity, strong electrical conductivity, and high chemical stability. This study investigates the thermal properties of 1-octadecanol (OD) modified with different diameters and amounts of CNTs using the melt blending method and the ultrasonic dispersion method. The aim is to enhance thermal conductivity while minimizing latent heat loss. The physical phase, microstructure, phase-change temperature, phase-transition enthalpy, thermal stability, and thermal conductivity of the OD/CNTs CPCMs were systematically studied using XRD, FTIR, SEM, DSC, and Hot Disk. Moreover, the heat charging and releasing performance of the OD/CNTs CPCMs was investigated through heat charging and releasing experiments, and the relationship among the composition–structure–performance of the CPCMs was established. Full article

The microtubule-associated protein tau plays an essential role in regulating the dynamic assembly of microtubules and is implicated in axonal elongation and maturation, axonal transport, synaptic plasticity regulation, and genetic stability maintenance. Nevertheless, the assembly of tau into neurofibrillary tangles in neurons is a pathological hallmark of a group of neurodegenerative diseases known as tauopathies. Despite enormous efforts and rapid advancements in the field, effective treatment remains lacking for these diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the structure and phase transition of tau protein. In particular, we focus on the involvement of liquid–liquid phase separation in the biology and pathology of tau. We then discuss several potential strategies for combating tauopathies in the context of phase separation: (i) modulating the formation of tau condensates, (ii) delaying the liquid-to-solid transition of tau condensates, (iii) reducing the enrichment of aggregation-prone species into tau condensates, and (iv) suppressing abnormal post-translational modifications on tau inside condensates. Deciphering the structure–activity relationship of tau phase transition modulators and uncovering the conformational changes in tau during phase transitions will aid in developing therapeutic agents targeting tau in the context of phase separation. Full article

The present work aimed to develop a simple simulation tool to support studies of slip and other non-traditional boundary conditions in solid–fluid interactions. A mesoscale particle model (movable automata) was chosen to enable performant simulation of all relevant aspects of the system, including phase changes, plastic deformation and flow, interface phenomena, turbulence, etc. The physical system under study comprised two atomically flat surfaces composed of particles of different sizes and separated by a model fluid formed by moving particles with repulsing cores of different sizes and long-range attraction. The resulting simulation method was tested under a variety of particle densities and conditions. It was shown that the particles can enter different (solid, liquid, and gaseous) states, depending on the effective temperature (kinetic energy caused by surface motion and random noise generated by spatially distributed Langevin sources). The local order parameter and formation of solid domains was studied for systems with varying density. Heating of the region close to one of the plates could change the density of the liquid in its proximity and resulted in chaotization (turbulence); it also dramatically changed the system configuration, the direction of the average flow, and reduced the effective friction force. Full article

This study investigated the treatment of unsterilized, undiluted, and unfiltered liquid digestate in a large-scale photobioreactor over a period of 33 weeks using a consortium of microalgae and bacteria. The generated biomass was analyzed for a wide spectrum of value-added compounds. The impact of organic loading rates (OLR) on the microbial culture was determined, and the influence of the biomass storage method on its qualitative composition was also analyzed. The experiment showed optimal growth of microalgae at OLR = 0.1 gCOD/L/day (where COD is Chemical Oxygen Demand), while a higher OLR value led to culture destabilization. Microglena sp., an algae not commonly applied for digestate treatment, showed low tolerance to changes in process conditions (OLR increase) but high readaptation potential when the OLR was lowered to its initial value. Significant changes in the microbial community were observed during the treatment. In Phases 1 and 2, Desmodesmus subspicatus and Actinomycetota phylum dominated in the community, while in Phase 3, Microglena sp. and Firmicutes were the most abundant. Total nitrogen, orthophosphates, and soluble COD were reduced by 89–99%. The biomass storage method had a notable impact on the content of lipids, fatty acids, and pigments. The protein amount was 32.75–33.59% of total solids (TS), while total lipid content was 15.76–19.00% TS, with stearic and palmitic acid being dominant. The effect of the storage regime on the potential biomass valorization was also discussed. Full article

This paper investigates the coupled relationship between solid-phase temperature fields and droplet evaporation, focusing on the effects of substrate thermal conduction properties on droplet evaporation behavior. A mathematical model is developed to analyze the impacts of substrate thermal conductivity, thickness, and lower-surface temperature on evaporation rate, surface temperature, and evaporation flux. A dimensionless relative evaporation rate (HCs) is introduced to characterize the influence of substrate thermal conduction. Results show that increasing substrate thermal conductivity enhances droplet surface temperature and evaporation flux, thereby monotonically increasing evaporation rate until it approaches the rate of the evaporative cooling model. Conversely, increasing substrate thickness lengthens the heat transfer path, reducing heat conducted to the solid–liquid interface and decreasing evaporation rate. Changes in substrate lower-surface temperature significantly affect evaporation rate, but HCs remains nearly unaffected. The concept of equivalent substrates is proposed and verified through dimensionless analysis and simulations. It is found that different combinations of substrate thickness and thermal conductivity exhibit consistent effects on droplet evaporation, with minimal relative errors in evaporation rate and total heat transfer at the solid–liquid interface. This confirms the existence of the equivalent substrate phenomenon. Additionally, the effects of droplet properties, such as contact angle and evaporative cooling coefficient (Ec), on the equivalent substrate phenomenon are explored, revealing negligible impacts. These findings provide theoretical guidance for optimizing droplet evaporation processes in practical applications, such as micro/nanoscale thermal management systems. Full article

This study presents an innovative approach to processing refractory zinc-bearing clinker using microwave thermal treatment followed by acid leaching. Microwave irradiation induces phase transformations, converting sphalerite (ZnS) to zincite (ZnO), and generates microcracks that enhance clinker porosity and reactivity. These changes significantly improve zinc dissolution during sulfuric acid leaching. Key parameters—acid concentration, temperature, solid-to-liquid ratio, and leaching time—were optimized, achieving a zinc extraction of 92.5% under optimal conditions (40 g/L H₂SO₄, solid-to-liquid ratio 1:4, 600 °C, 5–7 min) compared to 39.1% without pre-treatment. Thermodynamic analysis confirms the higher reactivity of ZnO, driven by favorable Gibbs free energy and exothermic reaction characteristics. These findings demonstrate the potential of microwave processing to intensify hydrometallurgical processes, offering energy efficiency and environmental benefits for industrial zinc recovery. Full article

Proteins have the ability to form foam, which is a system consisting of a gas phase dispersed within a continuous phase, either liquid or solid. In certain types of food, the incorporation of gas is important for maintaining quality and sensory attributes. However, foam is a thermodynamically unstable system, and its stabilization is a highly researched area. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the application of ultrasound not only to improve foaming properties, but also to alter physicochemical and structural characteristics of proteins, making it an environmentally friendly and versatile technology. Ultrasound can enhance formation and stability by inducing conformational changes through the cavitation phenomenon. However, the benefits of this technology depend on the inherent characteristics of the proteins and the conditions applied during its use, such as frequency, time, amplitude, energy, protein concentration, volume, and medium conditions. This review aims to explore how ultrasound influences the physicochemical properties, induces structural modifications, and consequently enhances functional characteristics such as foaming capacity. Full article

To address the challenges of high flow resistance and poor temperature uniformity in conventional PCM–liquid cooling hybrid heat exchangers—which significantly impair the performance and lifespan of electronic devices—a topology optimization approach was adopted. A dual-objective function, aimed at minimizing the average temperature and pressure drop, was introduced to reconstruct the cooling channel layout and PCM filling region. A two-dimensional transient thermo-fluid model coupling the solid–liquid phase-change process with coolant flow and heat transfer was established, alongside the development of an experimental platform. A comprehensive comparison was performed against a conventional liquid cooling plate with straight channels. The results showed that the topology-optimized cooling plate exhibited a pressure drop of 15.80 Pa and a pumping power of 1.19 × 10⁻⁴ W, representing reductions of 38.28% and 38.02%, respectively. The PCM solidification time was shortened by 6 min. Under these conditions, the convective heat transfer coefficient (h_w) and performance evaluation criterion (j/f) of the optimized plate reached 1319.06 W/(m²·K) and 0.56, which corresponded to increases of 60.71% and 47.5%, respectively. The topology-optimized configuration significantly improved temperature uniformity and overall cooling performance. As the inlet velocity increased from 0.05 m/s to 0.2 m/s, h_w increased by 38.65%; however, j/f decreased by 57.14%, due to the limited thermal conductivity of the PCMs, resulting in only a slight reduction in the average PCM temperature. Furthermore, the topology-optimized cooling plate demonstrated stronger steady-state regulation capability under fluctuating thermal loads. This study provides valuable insights and design guidance for the development of high-efficiency hybrid liquid cooling plates. Full article

Latent heat thermal energy storage systems play a crucial role in aligning energy supply with demand, enhancing the efficiency of energy usage, thereby aiding in energy conservation and emissions reduction, and promoting the efficient use of renewable energy. Therefore, we constructed an experimental apparatus for a shell-and-tube latent heat storage. This apparatus was utilized to investigate how varying the inclination angle of the heat storage device, the inlet temperature of the heat transfer fluid (HTF), and water flow direction affect both the heat transfer behavior and the thermal efficiency of the system. The findings indicate that as the inlet temperature rises, the melting rate of the phase-change material (PCM) increases; when the inclination angle is 0°, for every 5 °C increase in water temperature, the time required to reach thermal equilibrium is shortened by 2 h, and the time needed for the PCM to transition from a solid to a liquid state is correspondingly reduced by 2 h. Additionally, the temperature variation trend of the phase-change material remains fundamentally consistent at different inclination angles. However, as the angle increases from 0° to 90°, there is a gradual reduction in the melting rate. Whether the water enters from the top or bottom, the melting rate of the PCM remains almost unchanged, and the stabilized temperature of the PCM is also nearly the same. Full article

Amylostereum areolatum (Chaillet ex Fr.) Boidin (Russulales: Amylostereaceae) is a symbiotic fungus of Sirex noctilio Fabricius that has ecological significance. Terpenoids are key mediators in fungal–insect interactions, yet the biosynthetic mechanisms of terpenoids in this species remain unclear. Under nutritional conditions that mimic natural growth, A. areolatum was sampled during the lag phase (day 7), exponential phase (day 14), and stationary phase (day 21). Metabolome (solid-phase microextraction (SPME) combined with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS)) and transcriptome (Illumina NovaSeq) profiles were integrated to investigate terpenoid–gene correlations. This analysis identified 103 terpenoids in A. areolatum, substantially expanding the known repertoire of terpenoid compounds in this species. Total terpenoid abundance progressively increased across three developmental stages, with triterpenoids and sesquiterpenoids demonstrating the highest diversity and abundance levels. Transcriptomic profiling (61.66 Gb clean data) revealed 26 terpenoid biosynthesis-associated genes, establishing a comprehensive transcriptional framework for fungal terpenoid metabolism. Among 11 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (|log2Fold Change| ≥ 1, adjusted p < 0.05), HMGS1, HMGR2, and AaTPS1-3 emerged as key regulators potentially governing terpenoid biosynthesis. These findings provide foundational insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying terpenoid production in A. areolatum and related basidiomycetes. Full article

Energy storage technologies, particularly those utilizing phase change materials (PCMs), have gained attention for their high energy density and efficient thermal management. PCMs, which store energy through solid-liquid phase transitions, can efficiently capture and release thermal energy, but face the challenge of leakage during the phase change process. Inorganic PCMs, such as salt hydrates, offer high energy storage capacity, but are difficult to encapsulate due to their corrosive nature. Conventional encapsulation techniques for inorganic PCMs are limited, particularly for scalable applications. In this work, we present an innovative method for the encapsulation of salt hydrate-based inorganic PCMs (CaCl₂·6H₂O) using co-axial electrospinning. The process involves the creation of co-axial fibers, with salt hydrate as the core and polymer (e.g., PVP) as the outer shell, effectively preventing leakage and improving the stability of the PCM. This approach demonstrates the potential for scalable microencapsulation of inorganic PCMs, marking the first report of using co-axial electrospinning for this purpose. This novel technique could contribute to enhancing the performance and applicability of PCMs in thermal energy storage systems and other energy efficiency applications. Full article

Butyriboletus roseoflavus is a rare wild edible mushroom. Yet, the relationship between its chemical composition and quality, as well as the influence of geographic origin on its flavor profile, remains unclear. In this study, ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) were used to investigate flavor differences and influencing factors among samples from different regions. Seventeen key volatile compounds (OAV > 1) were identified, with α-pinene, styrene, octanal, 1,3,5-trithiane, and 2,4-undecadienal being the primary aroma contributors. Six characteristic taste-active compounds (TAV > 1) were detected, among which Glu, Ala, and His played dominant roles. Differential metabolites were mainly enriched in nucleotides and their derivatives, suggesting their importance in environmental adaptation and quality formation. Correlation analysis revealed that the abundance of key metabolites was closely related to geographic origin: temperature, humidity, light intensity, and CO₂ concentration mainly influenced aroma variation, while taste differences were associated with soil electrical conductivity and microclimatic changes mediated by altitude. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the flavor characteristics of B. roseoflavus and offer a theoretical basis for its future processing and utilization. Full article

Fly ash (FA) is a porous solid waste produced by coal-fired power plants that can be used as a carrier for solid–liquid phase change materials (PCM). Due to the disadvantages of FA, including small adsorption capacity and poor thermal performance, its application range is limited. Therefore, FA modification methods have received increasing attention. Two modification methods were used to improve the adsorption capacity of FA. After the modification experiments, the surface structure of modified fly ash (MFA) was eroded, revealing a three-dimensional porous structure. The Al/Si mass ratio of the alkali-modified sample increased from 0.67 to 1.28, and the specific surface area and pore volume increased from 3.82 m²/g and 0.008 cm³/g to 40.86 m²/g and 0.026 cm³/g, respectively. The shape-stable phase change material (SSPCM) prepared using the hybrid sintering method of Al-12Si alloy and alkali-modified fly ash (MFA-OH) exhibits excellent thermal properties and thermal cycling stability. The results showed that the heat storage density and thermal conductivity of SSPCM increased with an increase in PCM content. The thermal conductivity and latent heat of phase change in the composite with the highest latent heat of phase change in the sample were 18.24 W/(m·K) and 124.10 J/g, respectively. The optimum loading rate for the alloy is 65 wt%. After 100 thermal cycles, the latent heat and thermal conductivity of the phase change at SSPCM were 93.3% and 94.6% of the initial values, respectively. The research findings provide a feasible process for FA as a phase change carrier, and the application scope is extended. Full article

Stabilizing micron-sized particles in low-viscosity polymer dispersions is challenging when density differences are present. This study demonstrates that graphite particles in aqueous polyurethane dispersions can be efficiently prevented from sedimentation using the capillary suspension concept. Capillary suspensions are solid/liquid/liquid systems and the capillary forces inferred from adding a second immiscible fluid can lead to drastic changes in texture and flow. Here, both spherical and flake-shaped graphite particles were used as fillers, with octanol as the secondary liquid. At low graphite concentrations, octanol increases the low-shear viscosity significantly attributed to the formation of loose particle aggregates immobilizing part of the continuous phase. Above a critical graphite concentration, capillary forces induce a self-assembling, percolating particle network, leading to a sharp yield stress increase (>100 Pa). The corresponding percolating particle network efficiently suppresses sedimentation; for the system including 28 vol% spherical particles, a shelf life of at least six months was achieved. Capillary forces do not affect the high-shear viscosity of suspensions; here, a hydrophobically modified polyether thickener can be used. Transfer of the stabilization concept presented here to other high-density particles like silver or metal oxides suspended in other polymer dispersions is straightforward and is applicable in various fields like flexible printed electronics. Full article