Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Article Types

Countries / Regions

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Search Results (440)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = water vapor transport

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
25 pages, 15818 KB  
Article
Source-Normalized Radiative Effects of Spatially Non-Uniform CO2 During the Active-Emission Phase: Contrasting Emissions from China and India
by Zhiyin Zou, Zhe Wang, Xueshun Chen, Wending Wang, Huansheng Chen, Zijian Jiang and Zifa Wang
Atmosphere 2026, 17(9), 835; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17090835 - 27 Aug 2026
Viewed by 143
Abstract
During rapidly changing emission conditions, including climate overshoot pathways, the conventional globally well-mixed representation of CO2 may not fully resolve its short-term spatial heterogeneity and associated radiative effects. This study aims to diagnose how source-specific three-dimensional transport and the meteorological and radiative [...] Read more.
During rapidly changing emission conditions, including climate overshoot pathways, the conventional globally well-mixed representation of CO2 may not fully resolve its short-term spatial heterogeneity and associated radiative effects. This study aims to diagnose how source-specific three-dimensional transport and the meteorological and radiative environments sampled by emitted CO2 are associated with differences in source-normalized radiative effect (RE) during the active emission phase, using China and India as two contrasting source-region cases. Fossil-fuel CO2 concentration increments from China and India in 2010 were isolated using IAP-AACM with online source tagging, driven by WRF meteorology and CarbonTracker flux and initial fields. Top-of-atmosphere longwave radiative perturbations relative to the realistic baseline atmosphere were then calculated using libRadtran to quantify the RE, while CO2-mass-weighted meteorological fields were analyzed to characterize the environments sampled along the transport pathways. In the 2010 case, the global annual mean RE was 3.46 mW·m−2·GtC−1 for Indian emissions and 3.15 mW·m−2·GtC−1 for Chinese emissions, corresponding to a 9.8% difference. The maximum local annual mean RE reached 10.0 mW·m−2·GtC−1 for India and 5.5 mW·m−2·GtC−1 for China, indicating a substantially stronger source-dependent spatial contrast than suggested by the global mean alone. CO2-mass-weighted diagnostics showed that the Indian source sampled higher surface skin temperatures (Tsk), lower atmospheric temperatures (Tk), and lower cloud water paths (CWP) than the Chinese source, conditions that are physically consistent with its larger RE. In contrast, the higher precipitable water vapor (PW) sampled along the Indian transport pathways would tend to enhance spectral masking and partially offset this contrast. These results indicate that, before global mixing is approached, the realized radiative effect per unit CO2 emission reflects the combined influence of source features, three-dimensional atmospheric transport, and the meteorological and radiative environments sampled by the transported CO2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Air Quality)
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 9625 KB  
Article
Atmospheric and Oceanic Parameter Responses to the Super Typhoon Lekima over the Zhejiang Coast
by Guiting Song, Muhsan Ali Kalhoro, Veeranjaneyulu Chinta, Mingbo Jiang, Chenyang Zhang and Senfeng Liu
Atmosphere 2026, 17(9), 822; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos17090822 - 25 Aug 2026
Viewed by 210
Abstract
This study investigates the atmospheric and upper-ocean responses associated with Super Typhoon (TY) Lekima (2019) during 4–12 August, including its landfall over Zhejiang Province, China. Variations in sea surface temperature (SST), latent heat flux (LHF), water vapor flux (WVF), total column water vapor [...] Read more.
This study investigates the atmospheric and upper-ocean responses associated with Super Typhoon (TY) Lekima (2019) during 4–12 August, including its landfall over Zhejiang Province, China. Variations in sea surface temperature (SST), latent heat flux (LHF), water vapor flux (WVF), total column water vapor (TCWV), vertical integral moisture divergence (VIMD), mean sea level pressure (MSLP), wind circulation, precipitation, subsurface temperature and salinity, and Ekman pumping velocity (WE) were analyzed throughout the typhoon life cycle. Before intensification, SSTs of 29.5–31.0 °C indicated favorable ocean-surface conditions. During and after the storm passage, SST decreased to approximately 26.0–27.5 °C along portions of the track and below 25.0 °C near the Zhejiang coast, with stronger cooling on the right-hand side of the track. Surface salinity decreased by approximately 0.3–0.8 PSU during 8–10 August, with freshening extending through the upper 30–40 m. The Ekman pumping field identified regions where wind-stress curl favored upwelling and downwelling, with stronger positive signals occurring on the right side of the track. During the active maritime stage, LHF values of approximately −300 to −200 W m−2 indicated enhanced upward latent heat transfer. WVF reached 1800–2200 kg m−1 s−1, TCWV exceeded 70 kg m−2, and VIMD decreased below approximately −100 × 10−5 kg m−2 s−1, indicating enhanced moisture transport and convergence. These conditions coincided with daily precipitation exceeding 120 mm and locally reaching approximately 160 mm over northern and northwestern coastal Zhejiang. The minimum daily mean MSLP decreased from 1000 to 972–976 hPa during peak intensity and subsequently increased as Lekima approached landfall and weakened inland. While these responses are qualitatively consistent with previous TY case studies, our study provides new quantitative benchmarks and process attribution through heat budget analysis. This integrated, stage-based analysis provides a comprehensive quantitative reference for model validation and future comparative studies of landfalling typhoons in the western North Pacific. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 6012 KB  
Article
Retrieval of Warm-Season Radar Composite Reflectivity in Sichuan by Integrating FY-4A Multi-Channel Satellite Data and DEM Topographic Information
by Wen Kang, Hao Wang, Qiangyu Zeng, Tiantian Yu, Jiafeng Zheng, Zhi Li and Jinzhi Liao
Remote Sens. 2026, 18(17), 2866; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18172866 - 24 Aug 2026
Viewed by 255
Abstract
Warm-season precipitation over Sichuan, China, is jointly modulated by complex terrain, monsoon water vapor transport, and local convective activities, leading to significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity. However, radar observations over mountainous areas are frequently impaired by terrain blockage, beam shielding, and insufficient network coverage, which [...] Read more.
Warm-season precipitation over Sichuan, China, is jointly modulated by complex terrain, monsoon water vapor transport, and local convective activities, leading to significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity. However, radar observations over mountainous areas are frequently impaired by terrain blockage, beam shielding, and insufficient network coverage, which cause missing data and spatial discontinuity, thereby restricting the accurate monitoring of precipitation systems. To alleviate these problems, this study develops an Efficient Multi-Scale Attention (EMA) U-Net model integrated with Digital Elevation Model (DEM) information, termed EMA-U-Net-DEM, to retrieve radar composite reflectivity by utilizing multi-channel observations from the Fengyun-4A (FY-4A) Advanced Geostationary Radiation Imager (AGRI). In the experiments, FY-4A AGRI multi-spectral measurements were used as model inputs, while radar composite reflectivity products from the Severe Weather Automatic Nowcasting (SWAN) system were applied as reference labels. The modeling and validation were carried out using warm-season (June–August) datasets over Sichuan Province. The results indicate that the proposed EMA-U-Net-DEM exhibits better performance than the traditional U-Net and several typical attention-based benchmark models. Quantitatively, the model achieves a root mean square error (RMSE) of 6.728 dBZ, a mean absolute error (MAE) of 4.788 dBZ, a coefficient of determination R2 of 0.656, a peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of 25.243 dB, and a structural similarity index measure (SSIM) of 0.793. Categorical verification further reveals that the model yields the highest critical success indices (CSI) of 0.850, 0.560, and 0.364 in the reflectivity ranges of 0–25 dBZ, 25–45 dBZ, and 45–70 dBZ, respectively, demonstrating its superior ability in characterizing weak precipitation backgrounds, moderate precipitation structures, and intense convective cores. The performance enhancements are mainly attributed to the strengthened multi-scale feature extraction by the EMA module and the effective topographic constraints introduced by DEM data. This study confirms that the fusion of FY-4A multi-spectral observations and topographic information can effectively improve radar composite reflectivity retrieval over complex terrain, providing a feasible solution for precipitation monitoring, quantitative precipitation estimation, and severe weather nowcasting in mountainous regions with limited radar coverage. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

24 pages, 2412 KB  
Article
Electrospun Gelatin/Chitosan Coatings on PLA Films: Effects of Processing Parameters and Incorporated Phenolic Compounds on Network Morphology and Film’s Physical and Functional Properties
by Kullaya Poomithorn, Supaporn Pengrawa, Ponusa Songtipya, Krisana Nilsuwan, Soottawat Benjakul and Thummanoon Prodpran
Sci 2026, 8(8), 214; https://doi.org/10.3390/sci8080214 - 19 Aug 2026
Viewed by 272
Abstract
This study developed surface-functionalized polylactic acid (PLA) films by depositing electrospun gelatin/chitosan (GE/CH) nanofibrous coatings formulated with and without bioactive phenolic compounds (curcumin and anthocyanin). Evaluating various polymer blending ratios and operational parameters revealed that a GE:CH ratio of 7:3 (v/ [...] Read more.
This study developed surface-functionalized polylactic acid (PLA) films by depositing electrospun gelatin/chitosan (GE/CH) nanofibrous coatings formulated with and without bioactive phenolic compounds (curcumin and anthocyanin). Evaluating various polymer blending ratios and operational parameters revealed that a GE:CH ratio of 7:3 (v/v), processed at an applied voltage of 25 kV and a collector speed of 300 rpm, provided the most stable electrospinning behavior among those tested, yielding a uniform nanoscale fibrillar network. The deposition of this selected GE/CH layer onto the PLA substrate significantly improved the composite bilayer film’s tensile strength and oxygen barrier properties, although it increased macroscopic opacity. Furthermore, active coatings containing 0.25% and 0.50% (w/w) curcumin or anthocyanin were successfully processed. This 0.50% level was the maximum concentration quantitatively evaluated in the present study, as preliminary observations suggested poorer processability at higher concentrations, which induced premature gelation and needle clogging. While interactions (mostly non-covalent physical interactions) associated with the phenolic compounds synergistically reinforced the mechanical rigidity and reduced the water vapor permeability of the bilayer films, the macroscopic bioactive functionality was limited. The low loading concentrations, coupled with severe optical masking and restricted aqueous extraction, resulted in moderate antioxidant activity (10.31–30.46% DPPH radical inhibition) and no visually detectable halochromic (pH-responsive) color changes. Overall, these findings highlight a significant functional trade-off in the design of active coatings, where structural and mass transport barrier enhancements are achieved, but macroscopic bioactive functionality is constrained, underscoring the necessity for advanced encapsulation strategies in future developments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Materials Science)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

27 pages, 8497 KB  
Article
Microenvironment Regulation and Plant Growth Responses Under Different Photovoltaic Tilt Angles for Sustainable Utilization of an Ash Storage Yard
by Daorina Bao, Guangqiang Yu, Qianqian Huang, Yuang Tang, Yanqiang Di, Xiaohu Ao and Chuanjiu Zhang
Sustainability 2026, 18(16), 8465; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18168465 - 18 Aug 2026
Viewed by 325
Abstract
Degraded industrial sites in arid and semi-arid regions often suffer from loose surface substrates, weak water-retention capacity, high wind-erosion risk, and poor early vegetation establishment. Combining photovoltaic (PV) deployment with ecological utilization may improve near-surface habitats by shading, reducing wind speed, and regulating [...] Read more.
Degraded industrial sites in arid and semi-arid regions often suffer from loose surface substrates, weak water-retention capacity, high wind-erosion risk, and poor early vegetation establishment. Combining photovoltaic (PV) deployment with ecological utilization may improve near-surface habitats by shading, reducing wind speed, and regulating soil heat and moisture. This study investigated an ash storage yard of a coal-fired power plant in Ordos, Inner Mongolia, China, by comparing soil temperature, soil moisture, and near-surface wind-speed responses under three representative fixed PV tilt angles of 36°, 43°, and 50°, together with the corresponding early plant-growth suitability. A multi-physics model coupling near-surface airflow, water-vapor transport, and porous-media hydrothermal migration was established. A Gaussian suitability function combined with AHP-CRITIC weighting was used to construct a model-based comprehensive growth index (CGI) from soil temperature and moisture, while short-term field monitoring was used to validate afternoon soil hydrothermal trends. Among the three scenarios, the 36° configuration produced the widest horizontal heat–moisture-affected zone and the highest CGI values for alfalfa and Elymus nutans, reaching 0.7741 and 0.6875, respectively. Relative to the outside reference area, the rear PV zone reduced the near-surface wind speed by 33–40% and increased the plant heights of alfalfa and Elymus nutans by 49.4% and 37.8%, respectively. A first-order PVsyst assessment showed that the 43° configuration achieved the highest specific energy yield of 1814 kWh kWp−1 year−1, whereas the annual grid-connected output at 36° was only 0.59% lower. These findings indicate that the 36° configuration may provide a favorable compromise between early vegetation establishment and photovoltaic electricity generation among the tested scenarios. By linking renewable-energy production with microenvironment regulation and early vegetation establishment, the proposed framework provides a decision basis for the multifunctional and sustainable reuse of degraded industrial land. Nevertheless, the results represent a site-specific, single-season assessment and should not be interpreted as a universal optimum. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 3477 KB  
Article
In Situ Inorganic Salt-Enabled Laser-Induced Graphene for High-Performance Flexible Capacitive Humidity Sensing
by Jitong Ren, Zihan Li, Lei Gu, Weilu Chen, Xinyi Zhou, Yanyan Guo and Jiang Zhao
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(16), 996; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16160996 - 13 Aug 2026
Viewed by 355
Abstract
Flexible capacitive humidity sensors are pivotal for next-generation wearable electronics and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. However, conventional devices suffer from severe salt leaching and delamination of hygroscopic sensing materials, alongside poor interfacial adhesion and mechanical fragility of metallic electrodes. Herein, an innovative [...] Read more.
Flexible capacitive humidity sensors are pivotal for next-generation wearable electronics and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. However, conventional devices suffer from severe salt leaching and delamination of hygroscopic sensing materials, alongside poor interfacial adhesion and mechanical fragility of metallic electrodes. Herein, an innovative in situ strategy is reported for constructing LiCl-CH3COOK/laser-induced graphene (LIG) composite flexible electrodes via single-step laser direct writing. This approach simultaneously patterns three-dimensional (3D) porous LIG interdigitated networks on polyimide substrates and drives deep infiltration of the LiCl-CH3COOK hygroscopic phase within the graphene pores. The 3D interconnected LIG skeleton not only provides abundant physical anchoring sites and rapid water vapor transport channels but also effectively suppresses the physical loss and leaching of the deliquesced salts through micro-nanoscale spatial confinement, yielding remarkable interfacial stability and cycling lifetime. Benefiting from the synergistic deliquescence of the composite salts, the sensor delivers an exceptional sensitivity of 65,570% (ΔC/C0), moderate response/recovery times of 75/90 s, and ultralow hysteresis of 0.981%. Furthermore, the streamlined laser-scribing route replaces conventional costly microfabrication sequences, enabling low-cost, high-precision customization. Demonstrations in human respiration monitoring and smart agriculture validate the sensor’s superior reliability and practical applicability, establishing a novel pathway for miniaturized, highly integrated, and robust flexible humidity detection systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nanoelectronics, Nanosensors and Devices)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 3364 KB  
Article
Recyclable and Scalable Cellulose/SiO2 Fiber Enabling Thermal and Moisture Comfort
by Xinxin Li, Chaoqun Ji, Youjia Yang, Kaisheng Zeng, Lihui Chen, Jianguo Li, Yonghao Ni and Bin Chen
Polymers 2026, 18(15), 1888; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18151888 - 31 Jul 2026
Viewed by 398
Abstract
Developing sustainable and scalable personal thermal management textiles that simultaneously provide radiative cooling, moisture comfort, and responsible end-of-life management remains challenging. Here, we report a sustainable, scalable, and recyclable bamboo dissolving pulp-derived cellulose/SiO2 fiber (CSF), fabricated by a wet-spinning process involving the [...] Read more.
Developing sustainable and scalable personal thermal management textiles that simultaneously provide radiative cooling, moisture comfort, and responsible end-of-life management remains challenging. Here, we report a sustainable, scalable, and recyclable bamboo dissolving pulp-derived cellulose/SiO2 fiber (CSF), fabricated by a wet-spinning process involving the dissolution and regeneration of cellulose and nano-SiO2. The resultant CSF exhibits a hierarchical interface-pore structure, which enhances solar scattering (up to 94.56% in 0.4–1.0 μm) by Mie scattering of nano-SiO2 particles and multiple scattering at micro- and nanopore-induced air/cellulose/SiO2 interfaces. By coupling high mid-infrared emissivity of 94.8% (8–13 μm), the CSF demonstrates average daytime sub-ambient cooling of 9.5 °C under hot and humid summer conditions. More importantly, the CSF presents a multiscale water-transport network that integrates molecular water capture (–OH groups), capillary infiltration (nanoscale interfaces between nano-SiO2 and cellulose), and liquid spreading and evaporation (interconnected microchannels between fibers), which realizes larger liquid diffusion area and water-vapor transmission rate (7.55 cm2 and 175.48 g m−2 24 h−1), compared to commercial cotton and polyester. In addition, the CSF demonstrates desirable soil-biodegradation capability, while the feasibility of closed-loop reuse is demonstrated through a single recycling cycle, supporting environmentally friendly wearable cooling textiles. The wet-spinning strategy paves the way for the construction of sustainable, scalable and recyclable fiber for thermal- and moisture-comfort textiles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biobased and Biodegradable Polymers)
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 4329 KB  
Article
Influence of Spirulina and Chlorella Biomass on the Structure and Transport Properties of Electrospun PVA-Based Nanofiber Mats
by Margarita Neznakomova, Boris Mahltig, Mehmet Şen and Dilyana Gospodinova
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(15), 929; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16150929 - 28 Jul 2026
Viewed by 363
Abstract
Electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibrous mats containing Spirulina or Chlorella biomass were deposited directly onto a woven cotton fabric to produce fabric–nanomat composites. The effects of the microalgal species on the physicochemical properties of the electrospinning solutions, nanofiber morphology, nanomat development, surface porosity, [...] Read more.
Electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibrous mats containing Spirulina or Chlorella biomass were deposited directly onto a woven cotton fabric to produce fabric–nanomat composites. The effects of the microalgal species on the physicochemical properties of the electrospinning solutions, nanofiber morphology, nanomat development, surface porosity, and through-plane transport properties were comparatively investigated. The incorporation of either biomass increased the viscosity, electrical conductivity, and surface tension of the PVA solution, indicating interactions between the microalgal components and the polymer matrix. FTIR analysis showed that the nanomats largely retained the characteristic absorption bands of neat PVA, with minor spectral features consistent with the incorporated biomass. SEM observations revealed continuous, bead-free nanofibers without visible surface defects. The average fiber diameters were 192 ± 34 nm for PVA/Spirulina and 173 ± 39 nm for PVA/Chlorella. The PVA/Chlorella system produced thicker nanomats, whereas the PVA/Spirulina system exhibited greater projected-area expansion during prolonged electrospinning. Surface porosity was significantly higher for PVA/Spirulina nanomats (57.54 ± 1.34%) than for PVA/Chlorella nanomats (52.69 ± 1.49%). Correspondingly, the PVA/Spirulina composites exhibited higher air permeability, whereas both systems showed comparable relative water vapor permeability. These results demonstrate that the type of microalgal biomass influences nanomat development, morphology, porosity, and air permeability while having a limited effect on relative water vapor permeability, providing a basis for the development of functional textile and filtration-related materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Synthesis and Theory of Nanoscale Architectures)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

28 pages, 10207 KB  
Article
Parametric Influence of Yarn Microstructure on Coupled Heat and Moisture Transport
by Wang Xu, Yunchu Yang and Abdel-Fattah Seyam
Fibers 2026, 14(7), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/fib14070082 - 15 Jul 2026
Viewed by 394
Abstract
This study examines how yarn microstructure influences isothermal water-vapor transport and the associated evaporative heat loss under ISO 11092 skin-model conditions. Sweating guarded hotplate experiments were performed on PET yarn-array specimens to measure evaporative heat flux and moisture resistance. A fiber-level two-dimensional finite [...] Read more.
This study examines how yarn microstructure influences isothermal water-vapor transport and the associated evaporative heat loss under ISO 11092 skin-model conditions. Sweating guarded hotplate experiments were performed on PET yarn-array specimens to measure evaporative heat flux and moisture resistance. A fiber-level two-dimensional finite element model was then developed to reproduce the same boundary conditions and simulate transport through a PET fiber/air matrix. Using a full-factorial design, denier per filament, the number of filaments, and packing factor were varied independently, with multiple random filament arrangements used for each parameter combination to account for microstructural variability. The model reproduced the main experimental trends and gave predictions consistent with measured heat flux and moisture resistance for representative yarn configurations. Over the investigated design space, packing factor had the strongest influence: higher packing reduced heat and moisture flux and increased moisture resistance. Denier per filament and the number of filaments showed smaller but systematic effects, mainly through changes in pore connectivity and tortuosity. Statistical analysis indicated that main effects accounted for most response variation, while interaction effects were limited within the studied ranges. Flow-field results further showed a shift from internal flow penetration at low packing to bypass-dominated transport at high packing. These findings provide a validated framework for linking yarn-level structural parameters with heat–moisture transport performance in fibrous assemblies. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

18 pages, 24467 KB  
Article
A Novel Method of Improving the Water Resistance of Gypsum Using Soluble Salts
by Jitka Krejsová, Vojtěch Pommer, Alicia Zaragoza-Benzal and Alena Vimmrová
Buildings 2026, 16(14), 2733; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16142733 - 10 Jul 2026
Viewed by 376
Abstract
The poor moisture resistance of gypsum remains one of the main factors limiting its wider application in construction. This study investigates a novel approach to improving the moisture resistance of gypsum through the addition of soluble salts capable of reacting with dissolved calcium [...] Read more.
The poor moisture resistance of gypsum remains one of the main factors limiting its wider application in construction. This study investigates a novel approach to improving the moisture resistance of gypsum through the addition of soluble salts capable of reacting with dissolved calcium sulfate to form insoluble products within the gypsum matrix. The formation of insoluble reaction products was considered as one of the possible mechanisms contributing to this effect. Three salts were examined—trisodium phosphate dodecahydrate (TSP), potassium sodium tartrate tetrahydrate (PS), and sodium oxalate (SO)—each added at 2 wt.% of gypsum mass. The influence of the salts on phase composition, microstructure, setting behavior, density, porosity, mechanical properties, and water-vapor transport was evaluated. The reference gypsum exhibited compressive strengths of 5.18 MPa and 0.79 MPa and flexural strengths of 3.01 MPa and 0.57 MPa after storage in laboratory conditions and water, respectively. The results showed that salt chemistry strongly affected gypsum performance. TSP significantly altered crystal morphology, accelerated the initial setting time from 16.0 min to approximately 4.0 min, and delayed the final setting to the third day after mixing. Consequently, TSP exhibited the poorest mechanical performance, with compressive strengths of 2.77 MPa and 0.09 MPa and flexural strengths of 2.03 MPa and 0.27 MPa in dry and wet conditions, respectively. In contrast, the organic salts PS and SO preserved a gypsum crystal network similar to that of the reference material. PS achieved compressive strengths of 4.89 MPa and 0.79 MPa and flexural strengths of 2.84 MPa and 0.67 MPa, while SO reached 4.43 MPa and 0.34 MPa in compression and 2.59 MPa and 0.55 MPa in flexure. Moreover, PS and SO improved the flexural softening coefficient by 24% and 11%, respectively, whereas TSP reduced it by approximately 30%. Total porosity ranged from 53 to 61% for specimens stored in laboratory conditions and decreased to 35–39% after water storage. Water-vapor diffusion resistance was affected only marginally, and the vapor-open character typical of gypsum materials was preserved. Among the investigated admixtures, potassium sodium tartrate exhibited the most promising overall performance, maintaining compressive strength after water exposure at the same level as the reference gypsum while improving moisture resistance. The results indicate that the selected organic salts represent a promising route for improving the moisture resistance of gypsum-based materials. However, the present results suggest that the observed improvement cannot be attributed solely to the formation of insoluble reaction products, and further research is required to clarify the relative contribution of the underlying mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation)
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 2905 KB  
Article
Study of Three-Phase Flow Field Characteristics in a Multi-Stage Friction–Shear Cavitating Waterjet for Flake Graphite Liberation
by Xing Dong, Yun Jiang, Deqiang Peng, Jiaxing Li and Dongsheng Li
Materials 2026, 19(14), 2961; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma19142961 - 9 Jul 2026
Viewed by 316
Abstract
Flake graphite is a natural non-metallic material with excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and good lubricity. This study proposed a multi-stage friction–shear cavitating waterjet method to enhance the liberation of flake graphite from gangue minerals. A corresponding nozzle was designed and fabricated by [...] Read more.
Flake graphite is a natural non-metallic material with excellent electrical and thermal conductivity and good lubricity. This study proposed a multi-stage friction–shear cavitating waterjet method to enhance the liberation of flake graphite from gangue minerals. A corresponding nozzle was designed and fabricated by integrating liquid–solid two-phase transport, grinding kinetics, profile-based design, and similarity design. Fluent simulations were conducted with the Eulerian multiphase model to analyze the water–vapor–flake graphite three-phase flow field at different inlet pressures, focusing on vapor volume fraction, water phase flow, and flake graphite particle phase behavior. A distinct cavitation region appeared in the outlet diverging section, mainly near the wall. At inlet pressures of 25 MPa and above, the maximum vapor volume fraction was maintained above 99%, suggesting strong cavitation-inducing capability. Jet liberation experiments showed that the fixed carbon content increased from 49.11% in the feed sample to 78.77% in the waterjet-treated flotation concentrate, while D90 decreased from 121.36 to 103.33 μm and the average particle size decreased from 62.78 to 55.02 μm. These results indicate that multi-stage friction–shear cavitating waterjet treatment facilitates the liberation of flake graphite from gangue minerals, thereby improving the fixed carbon content of the flake graphite concentrate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Materials Simulation and Design)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

24 pages, 3293 KB  
Article
Low-Frequency, Pulsatile Delivery of Water Vapor to the Maxillary Sinus: Feasibility, Limitations, and Design Implications
by Amr Seifelnasr, Xiuhua Si and Jinxiang Xi
Int. J. Med. Devices 2026, 1(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijmd1010004 - 8 Jul 2026
Viewed by 340
Abstract
Efficient aerosol delivery to the maxillary sinuses remains challenging because narrow ostia limit sinus entry. This in vitro study evaluated whether low-frequency, large-amplitude pulsatile flow can deliver humidifier-generated water aerosols to the maxillary sinuses, compared retention with e-vapor under identical conditions, and identified [...] Read more.
Efficient aerosol delivery to the maxillary sinuses remains challenging because narrow ostia limit sinus entry. This in vitro study evaluated whether low-frequency, large-amplitude pulsatile flow can deliver humidifier-generated water aerosols to the maxillary sinuses, compared retention with e-vapor under identical conditions, and identified setup modifications required for water aerosol transport. Experiments used three transparent anatomically realistic sinonasal models: two single-passage models with narrow-long (NL) and wide-short (WS) ostial geometries, and one dual-passage dual-maxillary-sinus (RL) model. Water aerosols and e-vapor were delivered using a modified servo-actuated syringe generator under fixed conditions: 50 mL stroke volume, 0.33 Hz frequency, 1 L/min vacuum-induced flow, and 1.5 min delivery. Water aerosols were larger than e-vapor aerosols (D50 = 5.553 µm vs. 3.394 µm) and required setup modification because of greater wall interactions, condensation, coalescence, and transport losses. Pulsatile delivery achieved plume entry into all tested maxillary sinuses. E-vapor showed greater retained mass than water aerosols in NL (1.060 ± 0.152 vs. 0.540 ± 0.089 mg) and WS (0.800 ± 0.071 vs. 0.520 ± 0.110 mg). Water-sensitive Sar-Gel visualization confirmed bilateral water aerosol retention in RL. These findings support pulsatile delivery as a feasible strategy for water aerosol transport to the maxillary sinuses but with a lower efficiency than e-vapor aerosols. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 1933 KB  
Article
Holistic Approach for the Comparative Assessment of Chemical Structure and Functional Properties of Major Categories of Agricultural Plastics
by Sarai Agustin Salazar, Paolo Maria Riccobene, Sabrina Carola Carroccio, Fabiana Convertino, Antonis Mistriotis, Christina Pyromali, Andrea Antonino Scamporrino, Evelia Schettini, Giuliano Vox and Pierfrancesco Cerruti
Polymers 2026, 18(13), 1656; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18131656 - 3 Jul 2026
Viewed by 613
Abstract
This study evaluates the performance of major types of conventional and bio-based plastic items commonly used in agriculture to provide comprehensive insights into their key structural and functional properties, including the chemical composition of the polymer matrix and additives, mechanical behavior, and thermal [...] Read more.
This study evaluates the performance of major types of conventional and bio-based plastic items commonly used in agriculture to provide comprehensive insights into their key structural and functional properties, including the chemical composition of the polymer matrix and additives, mechanical behavior, and thermal and radiometric properties. Twelve agricultural plastic (AP) items were analyzed: covering mulch films, geotextile ground cover, protection fleece and low tunnel fleece cover, fertilizer sack, fly trap, irrigation pipe, tree binding net, guide for tree, silage film and hay bales protection fabric. This selection of APs also encompasses a broad range of basic polymers, including conventional materials (mainly polyethylene and polypropylene) and bio-based formulations (primarily starch- or lignocellulose-containing blends). Mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy analyses were performed to assess polymer composition and additives. Mechanical properties were assessed through tensile and puncture tests; in addition, radiometric, thermogravimetric, surface wettability, water absorption and permeability tests were also performed to assess other relevant physical characteristics. The study identified significant differences among bio-based biodegradable APs and compared them with their conventional polyolefin-based counterparts. Material composition and structure were found to critically influence water interactions, shaping the balance between durability, degradation, and crop protection performance. Notably, bio-based mulch films exhibited higher water vapor permeability (0.6–1.1 × 10−13 g/m Pa s), reduced penetration resistance (12.1 N) and lowered impact and tensile strengths (21.8 MPa). Water interaction tests showed that the starch-based mulch film displayed very high swelling (above 100%), favoring biodegradation, whereas a biodegradable blend based on polyhydroxybutyrate and polybutylene succinate exhibited minimal swelling (<3%). Material composition and morphology were also key determinants of water vapor transport: dense polymer films provided superior moisture barriers (permeability range 0.013–0.04 × 10−13 g/m Pa s), while fibrous or biodegradable materials allowed enhanced vapor permeability. The results of this study, highlighting functionality, advantages and limitations of biodegradable APs versus conventional APs, are intended to guide future innovation in AP design, ensuring alignment with both the operational demands of modern agriculture and environmental sustainability goals. The data obtained from this study can support scientific advancements and policy recommendations on the use and management of plastics in agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Circular and Green Sustainable Polymer Science)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

32 pages, 4242 KB  
Review
Cellulose-Based Interfacial Solar Steam Generation: Material Classification, Architectural Design, and Multifunctional Strategies
by Jiayuan Sun and Ling Jiang
Polymers 2026, 18(13), 1627; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym18131627 - 30 Jun 2026
Viewed by 720
Abstract
The increasing global demand for freshwater, together with the high energy consumption and environmental footprint of conventional desalination technologies, has stimulated growing interest in interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG). ISSG is a solar-driven water purification strategy that localizes heat at the air–water evaporation [...] Read more.
The increasing global demand for freshwater, together with the high energy consumption and environmental footprint of conventional desalination technologies, has stimulated growing interest in interfacial solar steam generation (ISSG). ISSG is a solar-driven water purification strategy that localizes heat at the air–water evaporation interface, thereby promoting surface evaporation without heating the entire bulk water body. The development of efficient, durable, and multifunctional ISSG systems depends strongly on substrate materials that can regulate water transport, heat localization, vapor release, and mechanical stability. This review focuses on cellulose-based substrates for ISSG and examines how their molecular structure, fibrillar assembly, and macroscopic porous architecture influence evaporation behavior and device function. The reviewed cellulose platforms are classified into three major groups: bottom–up assembled nanocellulose substrates, including cellulose nanocrystals, cellulose nanofibers, and bacterial cellulose; natural hierarchical substrates, including wood, cotton fabrics, and agricultural residues; and commercial planar substrates, including cellulose paper and membranes. Beyond evaporation performance, this review discusses multifunctional design strategies for salt regulation, antifouling and antibacterial operation, water–electricity cogeneration, and photocatalytic pollutant degradation, with emphasis on their mechanisms and functional trade-offs. Finally, we identify critical bottlenecks limiting practical deployment and propose a roadmap for future intelligent, adaptive, and multi-energy-coupled cellulose-based ISSG systems. These systems offer a promising platform for distributed and resource-efficient water treatment, but their practical and environmental benefits depend on fabrication energy, material safety, device lifetime, and end-of-life management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application and Characterization of Cellulose-Based Polymers)
Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 16489 KB  
Article
Multiscale Hygrothermal Assessment of Bio-Fiber-Reinforced Materials for Energy-Efficient Building Envelopes
by Kenza Sidqui, Yousra Taouirte, Michael Marion, Ionut Voicu, Anne-Lise Tiffonnet and Hasna Louahlia
Buildings 2026, 16(12), 2456; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16122456 - 21 Jun 2026
Viewed by 461
Abstract
Earth-based materials are promising candidates for balancing thermal performance, hygrothermal regulation, and environmental sustainability. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the hygrothermal behavior of two earthen materials, structural cob and lightweight insulating earth, against conventional reference concrete, taking into [...] Read more.
Earth-based materials are promising candidates for balancing thermal performance, hygrothermal regulation, and environmental sustainability. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the hygrothermal behavior of two earthen materials, structural cob and lightweight insulating earth, against conventional reference concrete, taking into account not only their insulating properties but also their ability to regulate coupled heat and moisture transfers. Experimental tests show a significantly higher hygroscopic buffering capacity for earth-based materials, with an MBV of 2.23 g/(m2∙%RH) for the structural material and 1.21 g/(m2∙%RH) for the insulation material, compared to less than 0.5 g/(m2∙%RH) for concrete. The sorption isotherms confirm distinct water storage behaviors, with an average sensitivity to relative humidity of 10.47% for the insulation material, compared to 3.8% for concrete and 2.25% for the structural material, in addition to an average reduction of 26% in the adsorption capacity between 23 °C and 45 °C for both earthen materials. Coupled heat–moisture simulations in COMSOL quantitatively demonstrate the hygrothermal superiority of bio-based materials over conventional concrete, as concrete promotes interstitial moisture accumulation due to its low vapor permeability. The parametric sensitivity analysis highlights the effect of hygrothermal properties, where diffusivity controls transport kinetics and sorption governs water storage, while thermal conductivity modulates the spatial redistribution of thermo-hygric fields. The next and final step made it possible to link the phenomena observed at the material scale to the actual energy performance of the building, confirming the potential of the double-wall cob + lightweight earth system to reduce heating and cooling requirements and maintain stable indoor comfort, where the annual heating demand is reduced by approximately 24% compared to the conventional prototype. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop