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Search Results (13,664)

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Keywords = state-of-temperature

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17 pages, 1357 KB  
Article
Impact of Temperature Drift on Thermal Sensation in nZEB Residential Buildings Under Winter Conditions
by Arturs Staveckis and Anatolijs Borodinecs
Energies 2026, 19(1), 151; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19010151 (registering DOI) - 27 Dec 2025
Abstract
This paper is dedicated to investigating how short-term indoor temperature drift influences occupants’ thermal sensation in residential nZEB buildings and how this affects the applicability of steady-state comfort prediction. Residential buildings frequently operate under transient conditions, where the classical PMV approach may deviate [...] Read more.
This paper is dedicated to investigating how short-term indoor temperature drift influences occupants’ thermal sensation in residential nZEB buildings and how this affects the applicability of steady-state comfort prediction. Residential buildings frequently operate under transient conditions, where the classical PMV approach may deviate from reported sensation. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the agreement between steady-state PMV and occupants’ thermal sensation votes under winter conditions to test a regression-based correction index Aeff and an adjusted indicator PMVadj while preserving the PMV concept. The study uses high-resolution measurements of indoor air temperature and mean radiant temperature synchronised with TSV responses, followed by statistical evaluation using error metrics and correlation analysis. The results show that baseline PMV correlates well with TSV but exhibits a consistent magnitude mismatch under transient conditions. The proposed PMVadj reduces this mismatch, decreasing NRMSE from 17.61% to 14.00% and slightly improving agreement with Pearson r = 82.18%, R2 = 67.54%. Regression analysis shows that Aeff is strongly associated with the indoor air temperature drift rate ΔTint with R2 = 0.6805, but has a weaker relationship with ΔTMRTt, R2 = 0.1851. The research provides a practical basis for improving PMV-based comfort assessment during winter operation in residential nZEB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section G: Energy and Buildings)
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24 pages, 2545 KB  
Article
Impact of Winter Air Supply Strategies on Thermal Comfort in Yamen Buildings: A Case Study of The Jiangsu Provincial Judicial Commissioner’s Office
by Jie Wu, Yiyu Chen and Yi Deng
Atmosphere 2026, 17(1), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17010038 (registering DOI) - 26 Dec 2025
Abstract
The Jiangsu Provincial Judicial Commissioner’s Office, a significant official yamen and regional judicial-administrative center during the Ming and Qing dynasties, exemplifies one of the rare remaining instances of official architecture in Suzhou. Notwithstanding its historical continuity, the thermal and hygrothermal performance of its [...] Read more.
The Jiangsu Provincial Judicial Commissioner’s Office, a significant official yamen and regional judicial-administrative center during the Ming and Qing dynasties, exemplifies one of the rare remaining instances of official architecture in Suzhou. Notwithstanding its historical continuity, the thermal and hygrothermal performance of its high and large historical building areas is unable to meet modern thermal comfort standards. Due to the concept of heritage conservation, “restoring the original state”, changing the thermal properties of the building envelope is difficult. Therefore, this study adopts a combined simulation method using DesignBuilder and Fluent to explore the potential to improve the indoor thermal climate by optimizing the HVAC air supply system. Various situations with differing supply air angles, velocities, and outlet configurations are assessed, utilizing temperature fields, velocity fields, and PMV-PPD indices as the primary evaluation criteria. The study’s findings demonstrate that air supply configurations have a substantial impact on the distribution of comfortable zones. The judicious selection of supply angles, velocities, and outlet arrangements can effectively mitigate vertical temperature stratification and enhance thermal comfort in the primary activity areas. The results offer technical guidance for optimizing HVAC operations in high and large historical buildings while preserving their original architectural characteristics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality)
19 pages, 6526 KB  
Article
Risks Associated with the Use of Stainless Steel X10CrNi18-8 Under Combined Impact-Oscillatory Loading and Cryogenic Cooling
by Mykola Chausov, Pavlo Maruschak, Andrii Pylypenko, Vladyslav Shmanenko, Maksym Lisnichuk, Daria Yudina, Pavol Sovák, Jakub Brezina and Volodymyr Hutsaylyuk
Metals 2026, 16(1), 30; https://doi.org/10.3390/met16010030 (registering DOI) - 26 Dec 2025
Abstract
The study establishes key patterns in the influence of pre-applied impact-oscillatory loading (IOL) of varying intensity—realizing dynamic non-equilibrium processes (DNP)—in liquid nitrogen on the mechanical properties and structural state of stainless steel X10CrNi18-8. Static tensile deformation was investigated at room temperature following impulsive [...] Read more.
The study establishes key patterns in the influence of pre-applied impact-oscillatory loading (IOL) of varying intensity—realizing dynamic non-equilibrium processes (DNP)—in liquid nitrogen on the mechanical properties and structural state of stainless steel X10CrNi18-8. Static tensile deformation was investigated at room temperature following impulsive strain levels of εimp = 0.06–2.69%. A wave-like mechanical response of the steel to DNP was observed within this εimp range, most pronounced at εimp = 0.11% and εimp = 2.69%. After DNP at εimp = 0.11%, despite a maximum increase in ultimate strength by 5.25%, the relative elongation of the specimen increased to 10.3%. The scatter in ultimate tensile strength specimens across all loading regimes was within 6.38%, while the variation in ductility reached up to 21.25%. In contrast, after εimp = 2.69%, the stress–strain diagram resembled that of the steel in its initial state. Metallophysical investigations and X-ray diffraction analysis were conducted to explain the observed effects. At εimp > 2.7%, the high-strength but low-ductility X10CrNi18-8 steel undergoes brittle failure under impulsive loading. At the same time, the total fraction of the more brittle martensitic phase in the steel microstructure reaches approximately 22%. Full article
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21 pages, 2614 KB  
Article
Effect of Ba/Ce Ratio on the Structure and Performance of Pt-Based Catalysts: Correlation Between Physicochemical Properties and NOx Storage–Reduction Activity
by Dongxia Yang, Yanxing Sun, Tingting Zheng, Lv Guo, Yao Huang, Junchen Du, Xinyue Wang and Ping Ning
Catalysts 2026, 16(1), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16010021 (registering DOI) - 26 Dec 2025
Abstract
The continuous tightening of emission regulations and the escalating costs of palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rh) have renewed interest in platinum (Pt)-based three-way catalysts (TWCs) as cost-effective alternatives for gasoline aftertreatment. However, despite extensive studies on Pt/CeO2 and Pt/Ba-based formulations, the cooperative [...] Read more.
The continuous tightening of emission regulations and the escalating costs of palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rh) have renewed interest in platinum (Pt)-based three-way catalysts (TWCs) as cost-effective alternatives for gasoline aftertreatment. However, despite extensive studies on Pt/CeO2 and Pt/Ba-based formulations, the cooperative roles of Ba and Ce and, in particular, the fundamental influence of the Ba/Ce ratio on oxygen mobility, NOx storage behavior, and Pt–support interactions remain poorly understood. In this work, we address this gap by systematically tuning the Ba/Ce molar ratio in a series of Pt–Ba–Ce/Al2O3 catalysts prepared from Ba(CH3COO)2 and CeO2 precursors, and evaluating their structure–function relationships in both fresh and hydrothermally aged states. Through comprehensive characterization (N2 physisorption, XRD, XPS, H2-TPR, NOx-TPD, SEM, CO pulse adsorption, and dynamic light-off testing), we establish previously unrecognized correlations between Ba/Ce ratio–dependent structural evolution and TWC performance. The results reveal that the Ba/Ce ratio exerts a decisive control over catalyst textural properties, Pt dispersion, and interfacial Pt–CeO2 oxygen species. Low Ba/Ce ratios uniquely promote Pt–Ce interfacial oxygen and O2 spillover—providing a new mechanistic basis for enhanced low-temperature oxidation and reduction reactions—while higher Ba loading selectively drives BaCO3 formation and boosts NOx storage capacity. A clear volcano-type dependence of NOx storage on the Ba/Ce ratio is demonstrated for the first time. Hydrothermal aging at 850 °C induces PtOx decomposition, BaCO3–Al2O3 solid-state reactions forming inactive BaAl2O4, and Pt sintering, collectively suppressing Pt–Ce interactions and reducing TWC activity. Importantly, an optimized Ba/Ce ratio is shown to mitigate these degradation pathways, offering a new design principle for thermally durable Pt-based TWCs. Overall, this study provides new mechanistic insight into Ba–Ce cooperative effects, establishes the Ba/Ce ratio as a critical and previously overlooked parameter governing Pt–support interactions and NOx storage, and presents a rational strategy for designing cost-effective, hydrothermally robust Pt-based alternatives to Pd/Rh commercial TWCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Catalytic Materials)
36 pages, 5812 KB  
Review
Advances in Flow Chemistry for Organolithium-Based Synthesis: A Process Perspective
by Feng Zhou, Yijun Zhou, Chuansong Duanmu, Yanxing Li, Jin Li, Haiqing Xu, Pan Wang and Kai Zhu
Molecules 2026, 31(1), 105; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31010105 (registering DOI) - 26 Dec 2025
Abstract
While organolithium reactions hold great promise in synthetic chemistry, their high reactivity, strong exothermicity, and the instability of intermediates often limit their application, making the effective control of reaction processes difficult in traditional batch reactors. This review systematically summarizes the latest advances in [...] Read more.
While organolithium reactions hold great promise in synthetic chemistry, their high reactivity, strong exothermicity, and the instability of intermediates often limit their application, making the effective control of reaction processes difficult in traditional batch reactors. This review systematically summarizes the latest advances in utilizing flow chemistry technology to address process challenges related to organolithium reactions from 2014 to 2025. From a process perspective, we systematically discuss the literature cases regarding three key themes: the synthesis of organic compounds applied in the pharmaceutical field, the development of novel methods centered on effective process control (reaction temperature, residence time, phase state, multi-step reaction sequence, and safety), and fundamental process research on continuous flow organolithium reactions. Analysis shows that continuous flow systems provide a powerful platform for fully realizing the potential of organolithium chemistry by enhancing heat/mass transfer and precisely controlling reaction parameters. This review emphasizes how flow chemistry technology not only improves process safety and efficiency but also enables transformations and process scaling that are difficult or impossible in batch modes, thus providing a novel process intensification method for modern synthetic chemistry. Full article
36 pages, 9610 KB  
Article
Phase Change Mechanism and Safety Control During the Shutdown and Restart Process of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Pipelines
by Xinze Li, Dezhong Wang, Weijie Zou, Jianye Li and Xiaokai Xing
Molecules 2026, 31(1), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31010104 (registering DOI) - 26 Dec 2025
Abstract
Supercritical CO2 pipeline transportation is a crucial link in Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). Compared with traditional oil and gas pipelines, if a supercritical CO2 pipeline is shut down for an excessively long time, the phase state of CO2 [...] Read more.
Supercritical CO2 pipeline transportation is a crucial link in Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). Compared with traditional oil and gas pipelines, if a supercritical CO2 pipeline is shut down for an excessively long time, the phase state of CO2 may transform into a gas–liquid two-phase state. It is urgently necessary to conduct research on the phase change mechanism and safety control during the restart process of gas–liquid two-phase CO2 pipelines. Based on a certain planned supercritical carbon dioxide pipeline demonstration project, this paper proposes a new pipeline safety restart scheme that actively seeks the liquefaction of gaseous CO2 inside the pipeline by injecting liquid-phase CO2 at the initial station. Through numerical simulation and experimental methods, the co-variation laws of parameters such as temperature, pressure, density, and phase state during the pipeline restart process were revealed. It was found that the pipeline shutdown and restart process could be subdivided into four stages: shutdown stage, liquefaction stage, pressurization stage, and displacement stage. The phase transition line would form a closed curve that is approximately trapezoidal. It is suggested to optimize the restart scheme from aspects such as reducing the restart time, controlling the pressure rise rate, and saving CO2 consumption. It is proposed that the liquid holdup of CO2 fluid in the pipe at the initial moment of restart and the mass flow rate of CO2 injected at the initial station during the restart process are the main controlling factors affecting the evolution of the phase path of pipeline restart. For the demonstration project, the specific critical threshold values are given. The research results can provide a certain theoretical guidance and reference basis for the safe restart method of supercritical CO2 pipelines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Materials Chemistry)
21 pages, 1039 KB  
Article
Assessment of Insulation Aging Condition for Dry-Type Transformer Epoxy Resin Based on Dielectric Response and Activation Energy Analysis
by Yu Dong, Youhang Wang, Zhiqiang Li, Ning Lei, Yanchen Wei and Bin Song
Energies 2026, 19(1), 144; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19010144 (registering DOI) - 26 Dec 2025
Abstract
The accurate assessment of the aging state of epoxy resin insulation is critical for the safe operation of cast resin dry-type transformers. This study investigates the evolution of activation energy during thermal aging and its correlation with insulation degradation. Accelerated aging experiments at [...] Read more.
The accurate assessment of the aging state of epoxy resin insulation is critical for the safe operation of cast resin dry-type transformers. This study investigates the evolution of activation energy during thermal aging and its correlation with insulation degradation. Accelerated aging experiments at 150 °C, 170 °C, and 200 °C were conducted, followed by frequency-domain dielectric spectroscopy and Havriliak–Negami (HN) model analysis. An improved method for calculating activation energy, incorporating temperature correction via an HN-based model, is proposed. The evolution of key HN parameters—relaxation strength (Δε), relaxation time (τ), and shape parameters (α, β)—serves as the criterion for identifying the dominant aging mechanism: crosslinking at 150 °C, competition between crosslinking and degradation at 170 °C, and degradation-dominated chain scission at 200 °C. Using 150 °C data as a baseline, the initial activation energy is determined to be 90.03 kJ/mol, increasing to 166.83 kJ/mol at the end of service life. A practical, graded insulation condition indicator based on the rate of change in activation energy (ΔEa) is established, providing clear guidance for maintenance decisions—from routine monitoring (ΔEa ≤ 20%) to prioritized inspection or replacement (ΔEa > 60%). The proposed method offers a non-destructive tool for insulation diagnosis, residual life prediction, and condition-based maintenance of dry-type transformers. Full article
11 pages, 1457 KB  
Communication
Ammonia Synthesis via Chemical Looping Using Nano-Confined Lithium Hydride in Alloy Matrix
by Koki Tsunematsu, Hiroki Miyaoka and Takayuki Ichikawa
Hydrogen 2026, 7(1), 3; https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrogen7010003 (registering DOI) - 26 Dec 2025
Abstract
Recently, the kinetic improvement of the nitrogenation reaction of lithium hydride (LiH) to form lithium imide (Li2NH) by adding a scaffold was reported. The scaffold prevents agglomeration of Li2NH and maintains the activity of LiH, achieving a reduction in [...] Read more.
Recently, the kinetic improvement of the nitrogenation reaction of lithium hydride (LiH) to form lithium imide (Li2NH) by adding a scaffold was reported. The scaffold prevents agglomeration of Li2NH and maintains the activity of LiH, achieving a reduction in reaction temperature and an increase in reaction rate. In this work, a Li–Si alloy, Li22Si5, was used as a starting material to form nano-sized LiH dispersed in a Li alloy matrix. Lithium nitride (Li3N) is generated by the reaction between Li22Si5 and N2 to form Li7Si3, and then Li3N is converted to LiH with ammonia (NH3) generation during heat treatment under H2 flow conditions. Since Li3N is formed at the nano-scale on the surface of alloy particles, LiH generated from the above nano-Li3N is also nano-scale. The differential scanning calorimetry results indicate that direct nitrogenation of LiH in the alloy matrix occurred from around 280 °C, which is much lower than that of the LiH powder itself. Such a highly active state might be achieved due to the nano-crystalline LiH confined by the Li alloy as a self-transformed scaffold. From the above experimental results, the nano-confined LiH in the alloy matrix was recognized as a potential NH3 synthesis technique based on the LiH-Li2NH type chemical looping process. Full article
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16 pages, 1302 KB  
Article
Thermodynamic, Kinetic, and UV–Vis/CD Spectroelectrochemical Studies on Interaction and Electron Transfer Between Glucose Oxidase and Ferrocene Carboxylic Acid
by Luis Gabriel Talavera-Contreras, Marisela Cruz-Ramírez, Juan Pablo F. Rebolledo-Chávez, Janet Ocampo-Hernández, Gilberto Rocha-Ortiz and Luis Ortiz-Frade
Molecules 2026, 31(1), 102; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31010102 (registering DOI) - 26 Dec 2025
Abstract
In this research, we investigate the interaction between the redox mediator ferrocene carboxylic acid (Fc-COOH) and glucose oxidase (GOD) in order to determine the thermodynamics parameters Kint, ΔGint, ΔHint, and ΔSint using simple UV–visible experiments at different [...] Read more.
In this research, we investigate the interaction between the redox mediator ferrocene carboxylic acid (Fc-COOH) and glucose oxidase (GOD) in order to determine the thermodynamics parameters Kint, ΔGint, ΔHint, and ΔSint using simple UV–visible experiments at different temperatures. Positive values of ΔHint, ΔSint, together with a negative value of ΔGint indicate an entropy-driven hydrophobic interaction typical of spontaneous association processes. The homogeneous electron transfer rate constants between the oxidized organometallic mediator and the reduced enzyme (ks), along with their activation parameters (ΔGET, ΔHET and ΔSET), were calculated using data obtained from foot of the wave analysis (FOWA) of cyclic voltammetry experiments performed at variable temperature. According to transition state theory, the obtained parameters indicate a low activation enthalpy that reflects minimal energetic requirements for electron transfer, while the large negative activation entropy suggests the formation of an ordered transition state. The positive activation free energy falls within the expected range for biological electron transfer processes. Variable temperature cyclic voltammetry experiments of ferrocene carboxylic acid (Fc-COOH) were also performed. The obtained ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS° parameters indicate strong stabilization of the redox pair, consistent with a small difference in solvation energy. Circular dichroism, UV–vis spectroscopy, and combined CD and UV–Vis Spectroelectrochemistry measurements performed during redox mediation demonstrate that no significant structural alterations occur in either the enzyme or the redox mediator before or during the electron transfer processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Electrochemistry: Analysis and Application)
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13 pages, 2011 KB  
Article
Data-Driven State-of-Health Estimation by Reconstructing Virtual Full-Charge Segments
by Dongxu Guo, Zhenghang Zou, Xin Lai and Yuejiu Zheng
Batteries 2026, 12(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/batteries12010010 (registering DOI) - 26 Dec 2025
Abstract
The rapid growth of new energy vehicles necessitates accurate battery state of health (SOH) assessment to ensure safety and reliability. However, real-world SOH estimation is challenging because users rarely perform full charge–discharge cycles, leaving only fragmented charging segments that obscure true battery capacity. [...] Read more.
The rapid growth of new energy vehicles necessitates accurate battery state of health (SOH) assessment to ensure safety and reliability. However, real-world SOH estimation is challenging because users rarely perform full charge–discharge cycles, leaving only fragmented charging segments that obscure true battery capacity. To address this, we propose a data-driven method that reconstructs a virtual full-charge cycle. By clustering charging segments based on temperature and current, the approach creatively splices multiple incomplete curves from similar mileages and conditions into a complete charging profile. This enables robust full-capacity estimation on a large-scale real-world vehicle dataset, achieving estimation errors below 2% when compared with offline validation tests. The method offers a practical and scalable solution for SOH monitoring and fleet management using field data. Full article
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23 pages, 4379 KB  
Article
Hybrid Parallel Temporal–Spatial CNN-LSTM (HPTS-CL) for Optimized Indoor Environment Modeling in Sports Halls
by Ping Wang, Xiaolong Chen, Hongfeng Zhang, Cora Un In Wong and Bin Long
Buildings 2026, 16(1), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010113 - 26 Dec 2025
Abstract
We propose a Hybrid Parallel Temporal–Spatial CNN-LSTM (HPTS-CL) architecture for optimized indoor environment modeling in sports halls, addressing the computational and scalability challenges of high-resolution spatiotemporal data processing. The sports hall is partitioned into distinct zones, each processed by dedicated CNN branches to [...] Read more.
We propose a Hybrid Parallel Temporal–Spatial CNN-LSTM (HPTS-CL) architecture for optimized indoor environment modeling in sports halls, addressing the computational and scalability challenges of high-resolution spatiotemporal data processing. The sports hall is partitioned into distinct zones, each processed by dedicated CNN branches to extract localized spatial features, while hierarchical LSTMs capture both short-term zone-specific dynamics and long-term inter-zone dependencies. The system integrates model and data parallelism to distribute workloads across specialized hardware, dynamically balanced to minimize computational bottlenecks. A gated fusion mechanism combines spatial and temporal features adaptively, enabling robust predictions of environmental parameters such as temperature and humidity. The proposed method replaces monolithic CNN-LSTM pipelines with a distributed framework, significantly improving efficiency without sacrificing accuracy. Furthermore, the architecture interfaces seamlessly with existing sensor networks and control systems, prioritizing critical zones through a latency-aware scheduler. Implemented on NVIDIA Jetson AGX Orin edge devices and Google Cloud TPU v4 pods, HPTS-CL demonstrates superior performance in real-time scenarios, leveraging lightweight EfficientNetV2-S for CNNs and IndRNN cells for LSTMs to mitigate gradient vanishing. Experimental results validate the system’s ability to handle large-scale, high-frequency sensor data while maintaining low inference latency, making it a practical solution for intelligent indoor environment optimization. The novelty lies in the hybrid parallelism strategy and hierarchical temporal modeling, which collectively advance the state of the art in distributed spatiotemporal deep learning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)
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13 pages, 2739 KB  
Article
A High-Regularity Porous SERS Substrate Prepared by Two-Step Mild and Hard Anodization for Sorbic Acid Detection
by Chin-An Ku, Cheng-Hao Chiu, Chung-Yu Yu, Chuan-Yi Yang and Chen-Kuei Chung
Sensors 2026, 26(1), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/s26010156 - 25 Dec 2025
Abstract
Traditional colloid SERS substrates are mostly based on metal nanoparticles (MNPs), which have complex and time-consuming fabrication processes, poor structural control, and are susceptible to oxidation. As a result, solid-state SERS substrates have emerged as an effective alternative. Here, we propose using two-step [...] Read more.
Traditional colloid SERS substrates are mostly based on metal nanoparticles (MNPs), which have complex and time-consuming fabrication processes, poor structural control, and are susceptible to oxidation. As a result, solid-state SERS substrates have emerged as an effective alternative. Here, we propose using two-step mild and hard anodization to fabricate ordered anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) substrates with high total pore circumference for SERS detection. Hybrid pulse anodization (HPA) enables the fabrication of AAO at room temperature using 40 V in the first step and 40, 110, and 120 V in the second step of anodization. The different voltages applied in the second step effectively control the pore diameter, thereby achieving various nanostructures. The enhancement mechanism primarily originates from the high total pore circumference of nanostructures, which generates abundant hot spots around the pore peripherals, thereby significantly amplifying the SERS signal. Sorbic acid is a common preservative widely used in food products and employed as a test substance on high regularity AAO substrates at concentrations of 1000 ppm to 10 ppb. The resulting SERS spectra exhibited distinct characteristic peaks at 1640–1645 cm−1. The analytical enhancement factor is calculated as 1.02 × 105 at the AAO substrate prepared by 110 V with the Si substrate as the reference. By appropriately tuning the process parameters, a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 10 ppb of sorbic acid was achieved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optical Sensors for Industry Applications)
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22 pages, 7153 KB  
Article
High-Pressure Phase Behavior of α-Olefin + n-Hexane + Ethylene/1-Octene Copolymer Systems: Experimental Study and Modeling
by Ruijun Zhang, Ziyi Dong, Qiqi He, Junhua Li, Yuexin Hu and Jianhua Qian
Polymers 2026, 18(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18010064 - 25 Dec 2025
Abstract
Accurate knowledge of phase behavior in polyolefin–solvent mixtures is critical for ensuring stable operation and safe scale-up of industrial solution polymerization processes. The binary (n-hexane + ethylene/1-octene copolymer, POE96k-10) and ternary (α-olefin + n-hexane + POE96k-10) phase behaviors were investigated [...] Read more.
Accurate knowledge of phase behavior in polyolefin–solvent mixtures is critical for ensuring stable operation and safe scale-up of industrial solution polymerization processes. The binary (n-hexane + ethylene/1-octene copolymer, POE96k-10) and ternary (α-olefin + n-hexane + POE96k-10) phase behaviors were investigated via a visual high-pressure cell (POE96k-10: Mw = 96 kg·mol–1, Mw/Mn = 3.87, 1-octene mole fraction = 10.31 mol%) at temperatures of 380~480 K and pressures as high as 14 MPa. To systematically analyze the effects of α-olefin mass fraction and type on phase transition, four industrially relevant α-olefins (ethylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene) were investigated. The results show that the phase transition temperature and pressure for liquid–liquid and liquid–vapor transitions show an approximately linear dependence on α-olefin mass fraction. Ethylene, 1-butene, and 1-hexene lower the phase transition temperature, whereas 1-octene increases it. Ethylene exhibits a strong anti-solvent effect, significantly lowering the transition temperature while increasing the phase transition pressure. The modified Sanchez-Lacombe equation of state (MSL EOS) effectively correlates and reproduces the phase equilibrium data of the α-olefin + n-hexane + POE96k-10 ternary systems, though its accuracy decreases with increasing α-olefin chain length. Full article
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11 pages, 2047 KB  
Article
A Numerical Study for Optimizing a New Experimental Method on Inhalation Toxicology
by So Yeong Jeong, Sungryong Bae, Hyojong Im and Yoonkook Son
Fire 2026, 9(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/fire9010013 - 25 Dec 2025
Abstract
In this study, a new experimental method is proposed to evaluate the interaction between psychological state and behavioral changes under fire conditions. The ISO 5660-1 and the OFM (Open Field Maze) were employed to measure combustion characteristics and behavioral responses, respectively. Additional structure [...] Read more.
In this study, a new experimental method is proposed to evaluate the interaction between psychological state and behavioral changes under fire conditions. The ISO 5660-1 and the OFM (Open Field Maze) were employed to measure combustion characteristics and behavioral responses, respectively. Additional structure components were designed to establish appropriate inhalation environments with controlled temperature and uniform gas concentration within the OFM. A numerical simulation was then conducted to optimize these structural components for each inhalation method. The results confirmed that the proposed structures effectively provided proper thermal conditions and consistent gas concentrations inside the OFM. Therefore, the proposed experimental method improves the practicality and reliability of inhalation toxicology experiments. However, further research is required to enhance gas dispersion and to reduce excessive thermal effects under different inhalation conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fire Social Science)
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20 pages, 5523 KB  
Article
Synthesis and Magnetic and Optical Properties of Novel Fe@ZSM-5 Composites
by Irina A. Zvereva, Denis A. Pankratov, Elena G. Zemstova, Vladimir K. Kudymov, Azamat Samadov, Sergey A. Kurnosenko, Sergey O. Kirichenko, Marina G. Shelyapina and Vitalii Petranovskii
Molecules 2026, 31(1), 89; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31010089 - 25 Dec 2025
Abstract
Alkaline treatment in 0.2 and 0.4 M NaOH solutions successfully generated controlled mesoporosity into ZSM-5 (Zeolite Socony Mobil-5) zeolite, resulting in average mesopore diameters of approximately 15 and 25 nm, respectively, while preserving the crystalline structure of the zeolite framework. Parent ZSM-5 and [...] Read more.
Alkaline treatment in 0.2 and 0.4 M NaOH solutions successfully generated controlled mesoporosity into ZSM-5 (Zeolite Socony Mobil-5) zeolite, resulting in average mesopore diameters of approximately 15 and 25 nm, respectively, while preserving the crystalline structure of the zeolite framework. Parent ZSM-5 and its mesoporous derivatives obtained by desilication were used to prepare (Fe species)@(zeolite matrix) composites. The synthesis was carried out by co-precipitating Fe2+/Fe3+ ions onto both parent and desilicated ZSM-5 matrices under oxygen-free conditions. Comprehensive characterization by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, N2 adsorption, vibrating-sample magnetometry, 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectroscopy revealed that the degree of introduced mesoporosity dramatically influences the size, dispersion, phase composition, and oxidation state of the iron-containing nanospecies. On purely microporous ZSM-5, relatively large (~15 nm) partially oxidized magnetite nanoparticles are formed predominantly on the external surface, exhibiting superparamagnetism at room temperature (Mₛ = 11 emu/g) and a band gap of 2.12 eV. Increasing mesoporosity leads to progressively smaller and more highly dispersed iron(III) oxo/hydroxo clusters with significantly lower blocking temperatures and reduced magnetization (down to 0.7 emu/g for Fe@ZSM-5_0.4). All composites display strong visible-light absorption confirming their potential as magnetically separable visible-light-driven photocatalysts for environmental remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Application of Multifunctional Nanocomposites)
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