Search Results (41)

Understanding hydrogeochemical change after coal mine closure is needed to protect groundwater in multi-layer aquifer systems, but predictions that span decades are scarce. Earlier FEFLOW–PHREEQC studies of mine hydrogeochemistry have reduced the subsurface to one aquifer, so they cannot resolve the goaf-to-aquifer transport that governs post-closure risk. This study presents a decadal-scale (10-year) reactive transport simulation for a 9-layer mine system with layer-specific kinetics, a step beyond the single-aquifer simplifications of earlier applications. We modeled groundwater rebound and water–rock interaction at a permanently closed deep coal mine in Xuzhou, China, with a three-dimensional FEFLOW–PHREEQC framework. The four aquifers (Q, 7S, L4, O) each received their own reactive parameters, so the goaf and surrounding units were coupled yet chemically distinct. Pyrite-driven acid mine drainage was set as a non-point source in the mined-out zone, with initial pH 2.1 and pyrite content 0.225 mol/L. pH in the stope rose from 2.1 to 5.6 in 5 years and to 6.6 at year 10, a result of fast neutralization by carbonate-buffered alkaline water. Sulfate and total Fe in the overlying 7S aquifer rose without interruption, and Fe passed the 0.3 mg/L drinking-water limit in every monitored aquifer (0.34 to 14 mg/L). Plumes stayed within the mined area for the first 5 years, then moved down-gradient toward dewatering centers. A sensitivity test found that longitudinal dispersivity and porosity controlled SO4²⁻ transport, while transverse dispersivity had little effect. The 7S aquifer is the most vulnerable receptor of post-closure contamination. The deep Ordovician aquifer stayed stable because carbonate buffering and hydraulic isolation protected it. Because each aquifer carries its own parameters, the framework transfers to other abandoned coalfields and supports long-term groundwater-quality forecasting there. Full article

Battery electric vehicle (BEV) fires in road tunnels can intensify thermal, smoke transport, visibility, and CO exposure hazards under confined ventilation. This study evaluated the combined mitigation performance of water mist and semi-transverse mechanical ventilation. A three-dimensional PyroSim/FDS model of a 200 m × 10 m × 5 m tunnel was established with a 7 MW BEV design fire at the midpoint. The prescribed-source model was assessed against a reduced-scale lithium-ion battery tunnel experiment; at the representative monitoring location, the simulated temperature history reproduced the main trend, with deviations of approximately 7% and 10% at the first and second peaks. Thirty-six coupled cases examined ventilation mode, nominal opening velocity, nozzle arrangement and spacing, flow rate input, droplet diameter, and spray cone angle. Supply ventilation improved hot-smoke-layer cooling and visibility, whereas exhaust ventilation more effectively reduced the local CO volume fraction. Under the baseline weighting scheme, the highest-ranked case reduced the peak local ceiling-region and near-fire gas temperatures by 77.8% and 82.2%, increased average visibility during 200–500 s by 42.9%, and achieved a comprehensive relative mitigation index (CRMI) of 56.6%. Two supplementary nominal 10 MW simulations showed that this case retained substantial thermal control, reducing the two peak temperatures by 65.7% and 74.1%, but did not improve local visibility or CO. Thus, the thermal-mitigation trend persisted at the higher nominal input, whereas the full multi-hazard ranking was not transferable across fire sizes. Full article

The middle trough of spirals serves simultaneously as a buffer zone for variations in hydrodynamic parameters and as a region where mineral particles of different densities are prone to mixing, exerting a profound influence on particle-separation effect. This study employed a multi-fluid volume of fluid (VOF) model incorporating the Bagnold effect to simulate the ilmenite–chlorite slurry flow in a custom-designed Φ400 mm short-travel spiral concentrator with three turns. This study systematically investigated the influence of the transverse inclination angle of the middle trough (ranging from 3.5° to 9.5°) on separation indicators, flow film morphology, secondary circulation characteristics, and particle force dynamics. The results indicate that employing a lower transverse inclination angle is more conducive to improving the technical separation indicators for ilmenite and chlorite. When using enrichment ratio and separation efficiency as criteria, the optimal inclination angles range from 3.5° to 5° and 3.5° to 6.5°, respectively. Meanwhile the separation efficiency and its sensitivity to the middle trough transverse inclination angle vary remarkably with different feeding sizes. Feeding of 112 μm ilmenite and 19 μm chlorite yields the premium separation performance and is minimally affected by the middle trough transverse inclination angle. Conversely, as the ilmenite particle size decreases or the chlorite particle size increases, the separation indicators decline but become significantly regulated by the middle trough transverse inclination angle, exhibiting a desirable angle range of 3.5–6.5°. Hydrodynamic parameter analyses indicate that a moderate flow film depth, continuous secondary circulation morphology and stabilizing inner circulation in the middle trough can be obtained at a middle trough transverse inclination angle scope of 3.5–6.5°. Once the inclination angle exceeds 6.5°, a distinct ridge forms in the flow film of the middle trough, and extensive disruptions occur in the outward circulation, which subsequently impedes the outward transport of low-density particles along with the fluid. At a middle trough transverse inclination angle scope of 3.5–6.5°, the Bagnold force exerted on the ilmenite particles in the middle trough remains low during the initial stage of flow field evolution, which favors their retention in the lower fluid layer to become the concentrate product. Concurrently, the chlorite particles near the inner region experience a higher Bagnold force, which facilitates their suspension into the upper outer circulation, thereby amplifying the kinematic differences between the chlorite and ilmenite particles. This study demonstrates that fluid dynamic parameters and the force characteristics of mineral particles can effectively characterize the separation process of mineral particles in spirals. Full article

Anisotropic polymers fabricated via additive manufacturing exhibit complex thermal transport profiles that are challenging to characterize using steady-state techniques. We present a transient thermal method utilizing a short rectangular current pulse excitation to determine the directional thermal diffusivity and conductivity of anisotropic materials. The measurement is conducted on finite specimens, where the low diffusivity of the polymer media results in a highly attenuated and dispersed rear-side temperature profile over an extended transient window. Conduction losses to the adjacent coolers are accounted for by solving the one-dimensional heat conduction equation on an asymmetric multi-layer sandwich structure using the implicit Crank–Nicolson method. Because thermal diffusivity and conductivity are not independent quantities ($\lambda =a\rho c$), the inverse problem is deliberately formulated to estimate the diffusivity alone: the volumetric heat capacity is predetermined and held fixed, and the conductivity follows directly as $\lambda =a\rho c$. This removes the ill-conditioning that would otherwise arise from treating $\lambda$ and a as free, independent parameters in the fit. A two-parameter non-linear least-squares fit is applied to the rear-side temperature rise following Savitzky–Golay noise filtering to estimate the directional diffusivity and effective heat flux. The method is validated using an isotropic reference standard to rule out false system anisotropy, and is subsequently applied to additively manufactured polymer specimens to resolve print-induced directionality through sequential, axis-aligned (unidirectional) measurements along the axial and transverse printing directions. The validity of the one-dimensional reduction is confirmed quantitatively by two- and three-dimensional anisotropic simulations of the exact geometry, which bound the lateral-spreading bias below $0.01\%$ even for the highest-anisotropy specimen, and the robustness of the method to sensor thermal response, signal filtering, and effective-flux estimation is quantified. A rigorous evaluation of the expanded metrological uncertainty demonstrates the high accuracy and reliability of this low-energy excitation technique for highly dispersing media, making it a viable and highly accessible alternative for evaluating material anisotropy. Full article

In this work, we present a numerical proof-of-concept study of a device for nanoparticle sorting, targeting size ranges relevant to exosome-like dimensions (typically 40–200 nm), which remains challenging for passive sorting techniques. The system consists of three silicon waveguides embedded in a CYTOP layer and arranged in a two-step directional-coupler configuration, integrated with a microchannel that carries a water-based buffer as the carrier fluid, transporting the suspended nanoparticles. Three-dimensional Finite Element Method (3D-FEM) simulations were performed, incorporating both optical and hydrodynamic forces to track particle dynamics within the microchannel and demonstrate controlled, size-selective particle deflection. First, numerical simulations show that nanospheres with diameters ranging from 500 nm to 700 nm can be effectively separated by the transverse trapping force at a 4:1 power-splitting ratio. Then, to extend the concept toward smaller size ranges, a bifurcated microchannel is introduced, enabling fluid-assisted transport in low-optical-field regions and allowing reliable separation of particles with smaller diameters (between 200 nm and 400 nm), accompanied by an 8:1 power-splitting ratio. These results demonstrate, within a numerical framework, the feasibility of an integrated photonic–microfluidic approach for size-selective nanoparticle sorting. The proposed strategy may support future pre-processing steps in liquid biopsy workflows, particularly for enriching nanoscale components such as exosome-sized vesicles, rather than constituting a direct diagnostic tool. Full article

Natural waves are widely used in seismology and seismic exploration as tools for nondestructive testing of the surface layer. The study examines longitudinal and transverse vibrations of a polymer pipeline transporting petroleum products, which is modeled as a viscoelastic cylindrical shell filled with a viscous fluid. This work examines the longitudinal–transverse vibrations of a viscoelastic cylindrical shell filled with a viscous fluid, considering the viscous properties of both the fluid and the cylindrical shell during longitudinal–transverse oscillations. The differential equations governing the longitudinal–transverse vibrations of a cylindrical shell in contact with a viscous fluid are derived based on thin-shell equations satisfying the Kirchhoff–Love hypotheses, while the motion of the viscous fluid obeys the Navier–Stokes equations. The viscoelastic properties of the shell are described using the Boltzmann–Volterra hereditary integral. After applying the “freezing method” to the system of integro-differential equations, we obtain ordinary differential equations with complex coefficients, which are subsequently solved by the method of separation of variables and Godunov’s orthogonal sweep combined with Müller’s and Gauss’s methods in complex arithmetic. It is established that for small viscosity, the frequencies of both modes are close to each other in the low-frequency region, while at high frequencies, the phase velocity of the first mode tends toward the velocity of the dry shell. Full article

The Eastern Cordillera of the Colombian Andes is a high-elevation asymmetric plateau subjected to NW–SE shortening. An interesting aspect of this plateau is the presence of high geothermal gradients (up to 52 °C/km), constrained by wells drilled in sedimentary basins. Radial and transverse receiver functions were computed at key sites in the plateau and the adjacent low-elevation foreland region to better understand the controlling factors of these anomalous gradients. Results indicate the presence of tilted anisotropic layers in the uppermost crust of the Cordillera, and nonexistent to weak anisotropy in the foreland region. The estimated SE fast-axis trend of the anisotropy is related to NNE-striking faults and top-to-the-east tectonic transport during deformation. We interpret the SE fast axis as being associated with shearing of NW-dipping faults in the plateau. Compiled thermochronological data point to high deformation and exhumation rates since the middle Miocene, which we use to propose that the rapid rise of deep and hot blocks along major regional faults is perturbing the background geothermal gradient. Regions near major thrust faults in the Eastern Cordillera are potential areas for geothermal energy exploration due to the perturbed geothermal gradient and enhanced fluid infiltration related to deep fault systems. Full article

Valley-dependent topological physics offers a promising avenue for designing nanoscale devices based on gapless single-layer graphene. To demonstrate this potential, we investigate an electrical bias-controlled topological discontinuity in valley polarization within a two-segment armchair nanoribbon of gapless single-layer graphene. This discontinuity is created at the interface by applying opposite in-plane, transverse electrical biases to the two segments. An efficient tight-binding theoretical formulation is developed to calculate electron states in the structure. In a reference configuration, we obtain energy eigenvalues and probability distributions that feature interface-confined electron eigenstates induced by the topological discontinuity. Moreover, to elucidate the implications of interface confinement for electron transport, a modified configuration is introduced to transform the eigenstates into transport-active, quasi-localized ones. We show that such states result in Fano “anti-resonances” in transmission spectra. The resilience of these quasi-localized states and their associated Fano fingerprints is examined with respect to fluctuations. Finally, a proof-of-concept band-stop electron energy filter is presented, highlighting the potential of this confinement mechanism and, more broadly, valley-dependent topological physics in designing nanoscale devices in gapless single-layer graphene. Full article

Laser slicing has emerged as a promising low-kerf and low-damage technique for SiC wafer fabrication; however, its effects on the crystal integrity, near-surface modification, and charge-transport properties require further clarification. Here, a heavily N-doped 4° off-axis 4H-SiC wafer was sliced using an ultraviolet (UV) picosecond laser, and both laser-irradiated and laser-sliced surfaces were comprehensively characterized. X-ray diffraction and pole figure measurements confirmed that the 4H stacking sequence and macroscopic crystal orientation were preserved after slicing. Raman spectroscopy, including analysis of the folded transverse-optical and longitudinal-optical phonon–plasmon coupled modes, enabled dielectric function fitting and determination of the plasmon frequency, yielding a free-carrier concentration of ~3.1 × 10¹⁸ cm⁻³. Hall measurements provided consistent carrier density, mobility, and resistivity, demonstrating that the laser slicing process did not degrade bulk electrical properties. Multi-scale Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Angle-Resolved X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (ARXPS), Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)/Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) analyses revealed the formation of a near-surface thin amorphous/polycrystalline modified layer and an oxygen-rich region, with significantly increased roughness and thicker modified layers on the hilly regions of the sliced surface. These results indicate that UV laser slicing maintains the intrinsic crystalline and electrical properties of 4H-SiC while introducing localized nanoscale surface damage that must be minimized by optimizing the slicing parameters and the subsequent surface-finishing processes. Full article

A novel, eco-friendly perovskite solar cell design is investigated using numerical simulations based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The proposed structure incorporates a two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal (PhC) architecture featuring a titanium dioxide (TiO₂) cylindrical electron extraction layer. To reduce fabrication complexity and overall production costs, a hole-transport-layer-free (HTL-free) configuration is employed. Simulation results reveal a significant enhancement in photovoltaic performance compared to conventional planar structures, achieving an ultimate efficiency of 42.3%, compared to 36.6% for the traditional design—an improvement of over 16%. Electromagnetic field distributions are analyzed to elucidate the physical mechanisms behind the enhanced absorption. The improved optical performance is attributed to strong coupling between photonic modes and surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), which enhances light–matter interaction. Furthermore, the device exhibits polarization-insensitive and angle-independent absorption characteristics, maintaining high performance for both transverse magnetic (TM) and transverse electric (TE) polarizations at incidence angles up to 60°. These findings highlight a promising pathway toward the development of cost-effective, lead-free perovskite solar cells with high efficiency and simplified fabrication processes. Full article

To address the hydrogeological parameters of polluted sites at the site scale, a series of physical and numerical simulation experiments were conducted to investigate seepage and solute transport under the influence of various physical fields. These experiments utilized an experimental platform designed for the acquisition of pollutant transport and transformation data, which incorporated three-dimensional multifield coupling, alongside a numerical model that also accounted for multiphysical field interactions. The numerical simulations employed Darcy’s law, the heat conduction equation, and convective–dispersive equations to analyze the seepage field, heat transfer, and solute transport processes, respectively. The findings from both physical and numerical tests indicate that variations in groundwater temperature and solute concentration significantly influence solute transport dynamics. Specifically, an increase in groundwater temperature correlates with an accelerated migration rate of sodium chloride (NaCl) solute, resulting in a reduced time for the solute to achieve equivalent concentrations in observation wells. Conversely, when the concentration of NaCl in groundwater rises, the temperature of the groundwater also increases when the solute reaches the same concentration in the observation wells. This phenomenon can be attributed to the decrease in the specific heat capacity of groundwater with higher solute concentrations. Moreover, as the concentration of sodium chloride in groundwater increases, the rate of temperature elevation in the groundwater accelerates due to a decrease in specific heat capacity associated with higher solute concentrations, thereby requiring less thermal energy for the groundwater to attain the same temperature. The results further reveal that the hydraulic conductivity of the target aquifer, specifically the pulverized clay layer, ranges from 6.72 to 8.52 × 10⁻⁶ m/s, with an effective thermal conductivity of 2.2 W/(m·K), a longitudinal dispersion of 0.554 m, and a transverse dispersion of 0.05 m. Full article

Wood-based membranes have garnered increasing attention due to their structural advantages and durability in the efficient treatment of oily kitchen wastewater. However, conventional fabrication methods often rely on toxic chemicals or synthetic processes, generating secondary pollutants and suffering from fouling, which reduces performance and increases resource loss. In this study, an innovative bilayer membrane was developed from balsa wood by combining a hydrophilic longitudinal layer for water transport with a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-impregnated carbonized transverse layer to enhance hydrophobicity, resulting in increased separation efficiency and a reduction in fouling by 98.38%. The results show a high permeation flux of 1176.86 Lm^–2 h^–1 and a separation efficiency of 98.60%, maintaining low fouling resistance (<3%) over 20 cycles. Mechanical tests revealed a tensile strength of 10.92 MPa and a fracture elongation of 10.42%, ensuring robust mechanical properties. Wettability measurements indicate a 144° contact angle and a 7° sliding angle with water on the carbonized side, and a 163.7° contact angle with oil underwater and a 5° sliding angle on the hydrophilic side, demonstrating excellent selective wettability. This study demonstrates the potential of carbonized wood-based membranes as a sustainable, effective alternative for large-scale wastewater treatment. Full article

This study introduces an innovative and scalable approach for automated road surface assessment by integrating Mobile Mapping System (MMS)-based LiDAR data analysis with an open-source WebGIS platform. In a U.S.-based case study, over 20 datasets were collected along Interstate I-65 in West Lafayette, Indiana, using the Purdue Wheel-based Mobile Mapping System—Ultra High Accuracy (PWMMS-UHA), following Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) guidelines. Preprocessing included noise removal, resolution reduction to 2 cm, and ground/non-ground separation using the Cloth Simulation Filter (CSF), resulting in Bare Earth (BE), Digital Terrain Model (DTM), and Above Ground (AG) point clouds. The optimized BE layer, enriched with intensity and color information, enabled crack detection through Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) and Random Forest (RF) classification, with and without intensity normalization. DBSCAN parameter tuning was guided by silhouette scores, while model performance was evaluated using precision, recall, F1-score, and the Jaccard Index, benchmarked against reference data. Results demonstrate that RF consistently outperformed DBSCAN, particularly under intensity normalization, achieving Jaccard Index values of 94% for longitudinal and 88% for transverse cracks. A key contribution of this work is the integration of geospatial analytics into an interactive, open-source WebGIS environment—developed using Blender, QGIS, and Lizmap—to support predictive maintenance planning. Moreover, intervention thresholds were defined based on crack surface area, aligned with the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) and FHWA standards, offering a data-driven framework for infrastructure monitoring. This study emphasizes the practical advantages of comparing clustering and machine learning techniques on 3D LiDAR point clouds, both with and without intensity normalization, and proposes a replicable, computationally efficient alternative to deep learning methods, which often require extensive training datasets and high computational resources. Full article

Density stratification plays a crucial role in estuarine hydrodynamics and material transport. In this study, we utilized a well-calibrated numerical model to investigate the stratification processes and underlying mechanisms in the dynamically wide Pearl River Estuary (PRE). In the upper estuary, longitudinal straining governs stratification, enhancing it during ebb tide and reducing it during flood tide. The Coriolis force becomes significant in the lower estuary due to the increased basin width, causing seaward freshwater to be confined to the West Shoal, where a pronounced transverse salinity gradient forms. Interacting with lateral current shear, density stratification is most pronounced in this region. The prevailing northeasterly wind creates a mixed layer near the surface, shifting stratification to the middle layer of the water column in the upper estuary. Wind stirring reduces stratification throughout the estuary. Under the wind’s influence, the seaward outflow is confined to a narrower region and shifts westward, resulting in the most apparent stratification occurring on the West Shoal of the PRE due to lateral straining. These findings on the evolution of freshwater pathways and their role in modulating density stratification have significant implications for other wide estuaries, such as Delaware Bay and the La Plata-Parana estuary. Full article

The efficiency of supersonic combustion is largely dependent on inlet and injection parameters. Additional energy input is required in some off-design conditions, and nanosecond discharge actuation can be a solution. In the present study, a phenomenological model of a nanosecond-pulsed surface dielectric barrier discharge (NS-SDBD) actuator was developed to analyze the combustion enhancement effect for a supersonic combustor with transverse H₂ injection. A seven-reaction H₂–air combustion model was adopted for the numerical simulation. Dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) was employed to acquire temperature perturbation in spatial and temporal domains. The results show that the actuator provides additional temperature-increment and species transportation through compression waves. The combustion enhancement effect is mainly attributed to the flow perturbation in the shear layer, which promotes the turbulent diffusion of fuel. Given the same power input, the combustion efficiency at the shockwave reflection point is increased by 17.5%, and the flame height is increased by 15.4% at its maximum. Full article