Enhancing wastewater treatment efficiency through innovative technologies is paramount in addressing global environmental challenges.This study explores utilizing stereoscopic hydrogel evaporators combined with renewa...Enhancing wastewater treatment efficiency through innovative technologies is paramount in addressing global environmental challenges.This study explores utilizing stereoscopic hydrogel evaporators combined with renewable energy sources to optimize wastewater treatment processes.A cross-linked super absorbent polymer(SAP)hydrogel was synthesized using acrylic acid and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate monomers and integrated with a light-absorbing carbon membrane to form a solar-assisted evaporator(MSAP).The MSAP achieved a high evaporation rate of 3.08 kg m^(-2)·h^(-1)and a photothermal conversion efficiency of 94.27%.It demonstrated excellent removal efficiency for dye-polluted wastewater,significantly reducing concentrations of pollutants.The MSAP maintained high performance in outdoor conditions,showcasing its potential for real-world applications.This approach,incorporating both solar and wind energy,significantly boosts water evaporation rates and presents a promising,eco-friendly solution for sustainable wastewater treatment within the circular development framework.展开更多
Hydrogel has developed into a very important platform in solar interface evaporator.However,the current hydrogel evaporators are usually three-dimensional evaporators,which will consume a lot of raw materials.Thus,a n...Hydrogel has developed into a very important platform in solar interface evaporator.However,the current hydrogel evaporators are usually three-dimensional evaporators,which will consume a lot of raw materials.Thus,a new two-dimensional hydrogel evaporator is urgently needed to alleviate this problem.Here,a double layer hydrogel evaporator was designed by twice vacuum filtration.Furthermore,through the arched design and the introduction of concentrated brine drainage system,the hydrogel evaporator has enhanced water transportation and tailored water transportation path.Such a unique drainage evaporation system greatly improves the stability of the evaporator.Thereby,a good balance is established between photothermal conversion and water supply,and solar energy is utilized efficiently.It can remain stable in continuous evaporation for up to 12 h with an excellent evaporation rate of 2.70 kg m^(-2)h^(-1)under 1 sun irradiation.Meanwhile,the drainage system realized the 1.8×10^(-10)mol m^(-2)s^(-1)diffusion flux of concentrated brine.Through one-time freeze-drying preparation,an arch-shaped drainage evaporator was used to prepare an evaporation area of more than 20 cm^(2).With the self-made condensate collecting device in outdoor environment,the fresh water yield reaches 7.5 L m^(-2)d^(-1).This provides a new scheme for building a new hydrogel evaporator and solving the fresh water crisis.展开更多
Fiber fabrics have been wildly utilized for solar interracial evaporators to address freshwater scarcity.However,the complex and expensive manufacturing processes remain limited to their scalable development.Herein,a ...Fiber fabrics have been wildly utilized for solar interracial evaporators to address freshwater scarcity.However,the complex and expensive manufacturing processes remain limited to their scalable development.Herein,a fabric-based Janus interracial evaporator is efficiently fabricated on a large scale by integrating an extremely innovative self-designed melt-centrifugal spinning technology with spray coating technology.The prepared fabric-based Janus interfacial evaporator has differential hydrophilicity,uneven surfaces,and channels that allow moisture escape.Benefiting from the excellent photothermai conversion of graphene oxide and the charge transfer actions of titanium dioxide,such a multifunction evaporator can reach a high evaporation rate of 1.72 kg m^(-2)h^(-1)under 1 sun irradiation,a superior antibacterial rate of 99%,excellent photocatalytic degradation,and effective thermoelectric ability simultaneously.Moreover,it also shows fantastic performance in salt resistance,recyclable evaporation,and real desalination,This work demonstrates a high-efficiency,cost-effective,multifunctional,and scalable strategy for high-performance fiber fabrics solar interfacial evaporation.展开更多
While desalination is a key solution for global freshwater scarcity,its implementation faces environmental challenges due to concentrated brine byproducts mainly disposed of via coastal discharge systems.Solar interfa...While desalination is a key solution for global freshwater scarcity,its implementation faces environmental challenges due to concentrated brine byproducts mainly disposed of via coastal discharge systems.Solar interfacial evaporation offers sustainable management potential,yet inevitable salt nucleation at evaporation interfaces degrades photothermal conversion and operational stability via light scattering and pathway blockage.Inspired by the mangrove leaf,we propose a photothermal 3D polydopamine and polypyrrole polymerized spacer fabric(PPSF)-based upward hanging model evaporation configuration with a reverse water feeding mechanism.This design enables zero-liquiddischarge(ZLD)desalination through phase-separation crystallization.The interconnected porous architecture and the rough surface of the PPSF enable superior water transport,achieving excellent solar-absorbing efficiency of 97.8%.By adjusting the tilt angle(θ),the evaporator separates the evaporation and salt crystallization zones via controlled capillary-driven brine transport,minimizing heat dissipation from brine discharge.At an optimal tilt angle of 52°,the evaporator reaches an evaporation rate of 2.81 kg m^(−2) h^(−1) with minimal heat loss(0.366 W)under 1-sun illumination while treating a 7 wt%waste brine solution.Furthermore,it sustains an evaporation rate of 2.71 kg m^(−2) h^(−1) over 72 h while ensuring efficient salt recovery.These results highlight a scalable,energy-efficient approach for sustainable ZLD desalination.展开更多
The agitated thin-film evaporator(ATFE)plays a crucial role in evaporation and concentration processes.The design of the scraper for processing high-viscosity non-Newtonian fluids in the ATFE is complex.The intricate ...The agitated thin-film evaporator(ATFE)plays a crucial role in evaporation and concentration processes.The design of the scraper for processing high-viscosity non-Newtonian fluids in the ATFE is complex.The intricate scraping action of the scraper introduces gas into the liquid film,leading to the formation of a gas ring along the wall.This process subsequently reduces wall heat flow,thereby affecting heat transfer.Computational fluid dynamics(CFD)is used to simulate the flow field of the non-Newtonian fluid in the ATFE.The investigation focuses on understanding the mechanism behind the formation of gas rings in the liquid film and proposes methods to prevent their formation.The results demonstrate a transition of the gas from a gas ring suspended in the liquid to a gas ring attached to the wall after entering the liquid film.The scraping action around the circumference of the scraper helps to expel gas rings,indicating the necessity of adjusting the scraper arrangement and increasing the frequency of scraping to enhance gas ring expulsion.The spiral motion of the bow wave serves as the source of gas entry into the liquid film.Therefore,the rotation speed can appropriately increase to reduce the size of the bow wave,thereby inhibiting the formation of the gas ring from the source.This research investigates the mechanism of gas ring generation and expulsion,offering theoretical guidance for processing high-viscosity non-Newtonian materials in the flow field of the ATFE.展开更多
The loop heat pipe with a flat evaporator is mainly divided into two forms:rectangular evaporator and disk-shaped evaporator.The rectangular evaporator has advantages such as low heat leakage,a thin shell,and a large ...The loop heat pipe with a flat evaporator is mainly divided into two forms:rectangular evaporator and disk-shaped evaporator.The rectangular evaporator has advantages such as low heat leakage,a thin shell,and a large contact area compared to the disk-shaped evaporator.However,most of the research on rectangular evaporators focuses onworking fluids such as water,methanol,and acetone,when theseworking fluids are in operation,the internal pressure of the evaporator is less than atmospheric pressure.Ammonia,propylene,and other working fluids can also be utilized in the loop heat pipe,these working fluids demonstrate better performance when operating within other temperature intervals,for example,the operating temperature range of ammonia is−20℃to 50℃,however,in an atmospheric pressure environment,it is very difficult for the shell of the rectangular evaporator to withstand the saturated vapor pressure of the working fluid.This paper designs a rectangular flat plate loop heat pipe that can use ammonia as the working fluid.The internal reinforcing structure is used to improve the pressure strength of the shell.The secondary wick connects the compensation chamber and the capillary wick hydraulically.The experiment indicates that this kind of rectangular evaporator is unaffected by the position,and the secondary wick can effectively supply liquid under different angles.The thermal resistance of the evaporator wall was analyzed,and it was found that the thermal resistance of the evaporator wall was the main component of the thermal resistance of the system.The heat transfer capacities of 460 W@0.5 m and 200W@10 m were tested.The test results indicate that by setting a reinforcing structure inside the flat plate evaporator,the evaporator can withstand internal pressure.Combined with the design of the secondary wick,the flat plate evaporator can use working fluids with different pressures,expanding the range of available working fluids.展开更多
The dynamics of vapor−liquid−solid(V−L−S)flow boiling in fluidized bed evaporators exhibit inherent complexity and chaotic behavior,hindering accurate prediction of pressure drop signals.To address this challenge,this...The dynamics of vapor−liquid−solid(V−L−S)flow boiling in fluidized bed evaporators exhibit inherent complexity and chaotic behavior,hindering accurate prediction of pressure drop signals.To address this challenge,this study proposes an innovative hybrid approach that integrates wavelet neural network(WNN)with chaos analysis.By leveraging the Cross-Correlation(C−C)method,the minimum embedding dimension for phase space reconstruction is systematically calculated and then adopted as the input node configuration for the WNN.Simulation results demonstrate the remarkable effectiveness of this integrated method in predicting pressure drop signals,advancing our understanding of the intricate dynamic phenomena occurring with V−L−S fluidized bed evaporators.Moreover,this study offers a novel perspective on applying advanced data-driven techniques to handle the complexities of multi-phase flow systems and highlights the potential for improved operational prediction and control in industrial settings.展开更多
Solar-driven interfacial evaporation is a promising technology for freshwater production from seawater,but salt accumulation on the evaporator surface hinders its performance and sustainability.In this study,we report...Solar-driven interfacial evaporation is a promising technology for freshwater production from seawater,but salt accumulation on the evaporator surface hinders its performance and sustainability.In this study,we report a simple and green strategy to fabricate a three-dimensional porous graphene spiral roll(3GSR)that enables highly efficient solar evaporation,salt collection,and water production from near-saturated brine with zero liquid discharge(ZLD).The 3GSR design facilitates energy recovery,radial brine transport,and directional salt crystallization,thereby resulting in an ultrahigh evaporation rate of 9.05 kg m^(-2) h^(-1) in 25 wt%brine under 1-sun illumina-tion for 48 h continuously.Remarkably,the directional salt crystallization on its outer surface not only enlarges the evaporation area but also achieves an ultrahigh salt collection rate of 2.92 kg m^(-2) h^(-1),thus enabling ZLD desalination.Additionally,3GSR exhibits a record-high water production rate of 3.14 kg m^(-2) h^(-1) in an outdoor test.This innovative solution offers a highly efficient and continuous solar desalination method for water production and ZLD brine treatment,which has great implications for addressing global water scarcity and environmental issues arising from brine disposal.展开更多
The flow field and flow state of thin-film evaporators are complex,and it is significant to effectively divide and quantify the flow field and flow state,as well as to study the internal flow field distribution and ma...The flow field and flow state of thin-film evaporators are complex,and it is significant to effectively divide and quantify the flow field and flow state,as well as to study the internal flow field distribution and material mixing characteristics to improve the efficiency of thin-film evaporators.By using computational fluid dynamics(CFD)numerical simulation,the distribution pattern of the high-viscosity fluid flow field in the thin-film evaporators was obtained.It was found that the staggered interrupted blades could greatly promote material mixing and transportation,and impact the film formation of high-viscosity materials on the evaporator wall.Furthermore,a flow field state recognition method based on radial volume fraction statistics was proposed,and could quantitatively describe the internal flow field of thin-film evaporators.The method divides the high-viscosity materials in the thin-film evaporators into three flow states,the liquid film state,the exchange state and the liquid mass state.The three states of materials could be quantitatively described.The results show that the materials in the exchange state can connect the liquid film and the liquid mass,complete the material mixing and exchange,renew the liquid film,and maintain continuous and efficient liquid film evaporation.展开更多
The development of tellurium(Te)-based semiconductor nanomaterials for efficient light-to-heat conversion may offer an effective means of harvesting sunlight to address global energy concerns.However,the nanosized Te(...The development of tellurium(Te)-based semiconductor nanomaterials for efficient light-to-heat conversion may offer an effective means of harvesting sunlight to address global energy concerns.However,the nanosized Te(nano-Te)materials reported to date suffer from a series of drawbacks,including limited light absorption and a lack of surface structures.Herein,we report the preparation of nano-Te by electrochemical exfoliation using an electrolyzable room-temperature ionic liquid.Anions,cations,and their corresponding electrolytic products acting as chemical scissors can precisely intercalate and functionalize bulk Te.The resulting nano-Te has high morphological entropy,rich surface functional groups,and broad light absorption.We also constructed foam hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol)/nano-Te,which achieved an evaporation rate and energy efficiency of 4.11 kg m^(−2)h^(−1)and 128%,respectively,under 1 sun irradiation.Furthermore,the evaporation rate was maintained in the range 2.5-3.0 kg m^(−2)h^(−1)outdoors under 0.5-1.0 sun,providing highly efficient evaporation under low light conditions.展开更多
The agitated thin film evaporator(ATFE),which is known for its high efficiency,force the material to form a film through the scraping process of a scraper,followed by evaporation and purification.The complex shape of ...The agitated thin film evaporator(ATFE),which is known for its high efficiency,force the material to form a film through the scraping process of a scraper,followed by evaporation and purification.The complex shape of the liquid film inside the evaporator can significantly affect its evaporation capability.This work explores how change in shape of the liquid films affect the evaporation of the materials with non-Newtonian characteristics,achieved by changing the structure of the scraper.Examining the distribution of circumferential temperature,viscosity,and mass transfer of the flat liquid film shows that the film evaporates rapidly in shear-thinning region.Various wavy liquid films are developed by using shear-thinning theory,emphasizing the flow condition in the thinning area and the factors contributing to the exceptional evaporation capability.Further exploration is conducted on the spread patterns of the wavy liquid film and flat liquid film on the evaporation wall throughout the process.It is noted that breaking the wavy liquid film on the evaporating wall during evaporation is challenging due to its film-forming condition.For which the fundamental causes are demonstrated by acquiring the data regarding the flow rate and temperature of the liquid film.The definitive findings of the analysis reveal a significant improvement in the evaporation capability of the wavy liquid film.This enhancement is attributed to increasing the shear-thinning areas and maintaining the overall shape of the film throughout the entire evaporation process.展开更多
The utilization of solar-driven interfacial evaporation technology is highly important in addressing the energy crisis and water scarcity,primarily because of its affordability and minimal energy usage.Enhancing the p...The utilization of solar-driven interfacial evaporation technology is highly important in addressing the energy crisis and water scarcity,primarily because of its affordability and minimal energy usage.Enhancing the performance of solar energy evaporation and minimizing material degradation during application can be achieved through the design of novel photothermal materials.In solar interfacial evaporation,photothermal materials exhibit a wide range of additional characteristics,but a systematic overview is lacking.This paper encompasses an examination of various categories and principles pertaining to photothermal materials,as well as the structural design considerations for salt-resistant materials.Additionally,we discuss the versatile uses of this appealing technology in different sectors related to energy and the environment.Furthermore,potential solutions to enhance the durability of photothermal materials are also highlighted,such as the rational design of micro/nano-structures,the use of adhesives,the addition of anti-corrosion coatings,and the preparation of self-healing surfaces.The objective of this review is to offer a viable resolution for the logical creation of high-performance photothermal substances,presenting a guide for the forthcoming advancement of solar evaporation technology.展开更多
This study develops an analytical model to evaluate the cooling performance of a porous terracotta tubular direct evaporative heat and mass exchanger. By combining energy and mass balance equations with heat and mass ...This study develops an analytical model to evaluate the cooling performance of a porous terracotta tubular direct evaporative heat and mass exchanger. By combining energy and mass balance equations with heat and mass transfer coefficients and air psychrometric correlations, the model provides insights into the impact of design and operational parameters on the exchanger cooling performance. Validated against an established numerical model, it accurately simulates cooling behavior with a Root Mean Square Deviation of 0.43 - 1.18˚C under varying inlet air conditions. The results show that tube geometry, including equivalent diameter, flatness ratio, and length significantly influences cooling outcomes. Smaller diameters enhance wet-bulb effectiveness but reduce cooling capacity, while increased flatness and length improve both. For example, extending the flatness ratio of a 15 mm diameter, 0.6 m long tube from 1 (circular) to 4 raises the exchange surface area from 0.028 to 0.037 m2, increasing wet-bulb effectiveness from 60% to 71%. Recommended diameters range from 5 mm for tubes under 0.5 m to 1 cm for tubes 0.5 to 1 m in length. Optimal air velocities depend on tube length: 1 m/s for tubes under 0.8 m, 1.5 m/s for lengths of 0.8 to 1.2 m, and up to 2 m/s for longer tubes. This model offers a practical alternative to complex numerical and CFD methods, with potential applications in cooling tower optimization for thermal and nuclear power plants and geothermal heat exchangers.展开更多
Porous liquid-conducting micro-heat exchangers have garnered considerable attention for their role in efficient heat dissipation in small electronic devices.This demand highlights the need for advanced mathematical mo...Porous liquid-conducting micro-heat exchangers have garnered considerable attention for their role in efficient heat dissipation in small electronic devices.This demand highlights the need for advanced mathematical models to optimize the selection of mixed heat exchange media and equipment design.A capillary bundle evaporation model for porous liquid-conducting media was developed based on the conjugate mass transfer evaporation rate prediction model of a single capillary tube,supplemented by mercury injection experimental data.Theoretical and experimental comparisons were conducted using 1,2-propanediol-glycerol(PG-VG)mixtures at molar ratios of 1:9,3:7,5:5,and 7:3 at 120,150,and 180℃.The Jouyban-Acree model was implemented to enhance the evaporation rate predictions.For the 7:3 PG-VG mixture at 180℃under the experimental conditions of the thermal medium,the model's error reduced from 16.75%to 10.84%post-correction.Overall,the mean relative error decreased from 11.76%to 5.98%after correction.展开更多
This review examines the processes of laser heating,melting,evaporation,fragmentation,and breakdown of metal nanoparticles,as well as the dependences and values of the threshold laser parameters that initiate these pr...This review examines the processes of laser heating,melting,evaporation,fragmentation,and breakdown of metal nanoparticles,as well as the dependences and values of the threshold laser parameters that initiate these processes.Literature results are analyzed from experimental studies of these processes with gold,silver,and other nanoparticles,including laser surface melting and evaporation of nanoparticles and Coulomb fragmentation of nanoparticles by ultrashort laser pulses.A theoretical model and description of the thermal mechanisms of mentioned processes with metal(solid)nanoparticles in a liquid(solid)medium,initiated by the action of laser pulses with the threshold fluences,are presented.Comparison of the obtained results with experimental data confirms the accuracy of the model and makes it possible to use them to evaluate the parameters of laser thermal processing of nanoparticles.Applications of the processes include the laser melting,reshaping,and fragmentation of nanoparticles,the formation of nanostructures and nanonetworks,the laser processing of nanoparticles located on substrates,and their cladding on surfaces in various laser nanotechnologies.The use of laser ignition,combustion,and incandescence of nanoparticles is discussed,as is the use of nanoparticle-triggered laser breakdown for spectroscopy.These laser processes are used in photothermal nanotechnologies,nanoenergy,laser processing of nanoparticles,nonlinear optical devices,high-temperature material science,etc.In general,this review presents a modern picture of the state of laser technology and high-temperature processes with nanoparticles and their applications,being focused on the latest publications with an emphasis on recent results from 2021-2024.展开更多
Intense evaporation in areas with loess-like sulfate saline soils has resulted in significant ecological challenges that include water shortages and soil salinization.Investigating evaporation rate in loess-like sulfa...Intense evaporation in areas with loess-like sulfate saline soils has resulted in significant ecological challenges that include water shortages and soil salinization.Investigating evaporation rate in loess-like sulfate saline soils under varying salt contents carries crucial implications for understanding regional water loss processes,predicting soil salinization advancement,and formulating effective ecological management strategies.Therefore,this study sampled the loess-like sulfate saline soil that is widely distributed in western China as experimental materials and investigated the impact of different initial salt contents(0.00%,0.50%,1.50%,3.00%,and 5.00%)on the evaporation rate,water content,and temperature of soil.The results showed that the evaporation rate decreased with increasing initial salt content.After a salt accumulation layer formed on the soil surface,the water content of the surface soil fluctuated.An increase in the initial salt content resulted in a corresponding increase in the surface temperature.Considering the evaporation characteristics of loess-like sulfate saline soil and the impact of an anomalous increase in surface soil water content on soil surface resistance,this study proposed a modified evaporation model on the basis of Fujimaki's evaporation model of saline soil by introducing a correction coefficientβto modify the soil surface resistance.A comparison of the calculated evaporation rates before and after the modification with the measured evaporation rates revealed a significant improvement in the calculation accuracy of the modified model,indicating that the modified model is capable of more accurately simulating the evaporation rate of sulfate saline soil with different initial salt contents.This paper proposes an effective method for calculating the evaporation rate of loess-like sulfate saline soils,providing a theoretical basis for evaporation research in saline soil.展开更多
The evaporation ofmicrometer and millimeter liquid drops,involving a liquid-to-vapor phase transition accompanied by mass and energy transfer through the liquid-vapor interface,is encountered in many natural and indus...The evaporation ofmicrometer and millimeter liquid drops,involving a liquid-to-vapor phase transition accompanied by mass and energy transfer through the liquid-vapor interface,is encountered in many natural and industrial processes as well as in numerous engineering applications.Therefore,understanding and predicting the dynamics of evaporating flows have become of primary importance.Recent efforts have been addressed using the method of Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics(SPH),which has proven to be very efficient in correctly handling the intrinsic complexity introduced by the multiscale nature of the evaporation process.This paper aims to provide an overview of published work on SPH-based simulations related to the evaporation of drops suspended in static and convective environments and impacting on heated solid surfaces.After a brief theoretical account of the main ingredients necessary for the modeling of drop evaporation,the fundamental aspects of SPH are revisited along with the various existing formulations that have been implemented to address the challenges imposed by the physics of evaporating flows.In the following sections,the paper summarizes the results of SPH-based simulations of drop evaporation and ends with a few comments on the limitations of the current state-of-the-art SPHsimulations and future lines of research.展开更多
Control of the wetting properties of biomimetic functional surfaces is a desired functionality in many applications.In this paper,the photoresist SU-8 was used as fabrication material.A silicon wafer was used as a sub...Control of the wetting properties of biomimetic functional surfaces is a desired functionality in many applications.In this paper,the photoresist SU-8 was used as fabrication material.A silicon wafer was used as a substrate to prepare a biomimetic surface with different surface roughness and micro-pillars arranged in array morphology.The evaporation dynamics and interfacial heat transfer processes of deionised water droplets on the bioinspired microstructure surface were experimentally studied.The study not only proves the feasibility of preparing hydrophilic biomimetic functional surfaces directly through photoresist materials and photolithography technology but also shows that by adjusting the structural parameters and arrangement of the surface micro-pillar structure,the wettability of the biomimetic surface can be significantly linearly regulated,thereby effectively affecting the heat and mass transfer process at the droplet liquid-vapour interface.Analysis of the results shows that by controlling the biomimetic surface microstructure,the wettability can be enhanced by about 22%at most,the uniformity of the temperature distribution at the liquid-vapour interface can be improved by about 34%,and the average evaporation rate can be increased by about 28%.This study aims to provide some guidance for the research on bionic surface design based on photoresist materials.展开更多
A new experimental method is developed to investigate the effect of dissolved substances on the evaporation rate of small water droplets suspended in the atmosphere.The laboratory setup is based on converting a genera...A new experimental method is developed to investigate the effect of dissolved substances on the evaporation rate of small water droplets suspended in the atmosphere.The laboratory setup is based on converting a generated droplet jet of complex structure into a directed flow of evaporating droplets falling in a vertical tube.Images of falling droplets captured by a high-speed camera through a window in the vertical channel wall are used to determine the sizes and velocities of individual droplets.The computational modeling of droplet motion and evaporation proved useful at all stages of the experimental work:from selecting the position of the vertical channel to processing the experimental data.It was found that even a 0.1%mass concentration of the dissolved ionic salt KCl has a considerable effect on decreasing the evaporation rate of the droplets.In contrast,a typical fungicide with a mass concentration of 2.5%has only a slight impact on the evaporation rate.The laboratory results enabled the authors to refine the evaporation model of water droplets to account for the presence of dissolved substances.Modified models of this type are expected to be useful in controling crop spraying and also in other potential applications.展开更多
Hygroscopic hydrogel is a promising evaporativecooling material for high-power passive daytime cooling with water self-regeneration.However,undesired solar and environmental heating makes it a challenge to maintain su...Hygroscopic hydrogel is a promising evaporativecooling material for high-power passive daytime cooling with water self-regeneration.However,undesired solar and environmental heating makes it a challenge to maintain sub-ambient daytime cooling.While different strategies have been developed to mitigate heat gains,they inevitably sacrifice the evaporation and water regeneration due to highly coupled thermal and vapor transport.Here,an anisotropic synergistically performed insulation-radiation-evaporation(ASPIRE)cooler is developed by leveraging a dual-alignment structure both internal and external to the hydrogel for coordinated thermal and water transport.The ASPIRE cooler achieves an impressive average sub-ambient cooling temperature of~8.2℃ and a remarkable peak cooling power of 311 W m^(-2)under direct sunlight.Further examining the cooling mechanism reveals that the ASPIRE cooler reduces the solar and environmental heat gains without comprising the evaporation.Moreover,self-sustained multi-day cooling is possible with water self-regeneration at night under both clear and cloudy days.The synergistic design provides new insights toward high-power,sustainable,and all-weather passive cooling applications.展开更多
基金financially supported by the“Qing-Lan”Project of Jiangsu ProvinceTop-notch Academic Programs Project of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(TAPP)the start-up fund from Yangzhou University。
文摘Enhancing wastewater treatment efficiency through innovative technologies is paramount in addressing global environmental challenges.This study explores utilizing stereoscopic hydrogel evaporators combined with renewable energy sources to optimize wastewater treatment processes.A cross-linked super absorbent polymer(SAP)hydrogel was synthesized using acrylic acid and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate monomers and integrated with a light-absorbing carbon membrane to form a solar-assisted evaporator(MSAP).The MSAP achieved a high evaporation rate of 3.08 kg m^(-2)·h^(-1)and a photothermal conversion efficiency of 94.27%.It demonstrated excellent removal efficiency for dye-polluted wastewater,significantly reducing concentrations of pollutants.The MSAP maintained high performance in outdoor conditions,showcasing its potential for real-world applications.This approach,incorporating both solar and wind energy,significantly boosts water evaporation rates and presents a promising,eco-friendly solution for sustainable wastewater treatment within the circular development framework.
基金the financial support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52075309)the Youth Innovation Team of Shaanxi Universities(21JP021)。
文摘Hydrogel has developed into a very important platform in solar interface evaporator.However,the current hydrogel evaporators are usually three-dimensional evaporators,which will consume a lot of raw materials.Thus,a new two-dimensional hydrogel evaporator is urgently needed to alleviate this problem.Here,a double layer hydrogel evaporator was designed by twice vacuum filtration.Furthermore,through the arched design and the introduction of concentrated brine drainage system,the hydrogel evaporator has enhanced water transportation and tailored water transportation path.Such a unique drainage evaporation system greatly improves the stability of the evaporator.Thereby,a good balance is established between photothermal conversion and water supply,and solar energy is utilized efficiently.It can remain stable in continuous evaporation for up to 12 h with an excellent evaporation rate of 2.70 kg m^(-2)h^(-1)under 1 sun irradiation.Meanwhile,the drainage system realized the 1.8×10^(-10)mol m^(-2)s^(-1)diffusion flux of concentrated brine.Through one-time freeze-drying preparation,an arch-shaped drainage evaporator was used to prepare an evaporation area of more than 20 cm^(2).With the self-made condensate collecting device in outdoor environment,the fresh water yield reaches 7.5 L m^(-2)d^(-1).This provides a new scheme for building a new hydrogel evaporator and solving the fresh water crisis.
基金the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2022YFC3901902)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52203037,52103031,and 52073107)。
文摘Fiber fabrics have been wildly utilized for solar interracial evaporators to address freshwater scarcity.However,the complex and expensive manufacturing processes remain limited to their scalable development.Herein,a fabric-based Janus interracial evaporator is efficiently fabricated on a large scale by integrating an extremely innovative self-designed melt-centrifugal spinning technology with spray coating technology.The prepared fabric-based Janus interfacial evaporator has differential hydrophilicity,uneven surfaces,and channels that allow moisture escape.Benefiting from the excellent photothermai conversion of graphene oxide and the charge transfer actions of titanium dioxide,such a multifunction evaporator can reach a high evaporation rate of 1.72 kg m^(-2)h^(-1)under 1 sun irradiation,a superior antibacterial rate of 99%,excellent photocatalytic degradation,and effective thermoelectric ability simultaneously.Moreover,it also shows fantastic performance in salt resistance,recyclable evaporation,and real desalination,This work demonstrates a high-efficiency,cost-effective,multifunctional,and scalable strategy for high-performance fiber fabrics solar interfacial evaporation.
基金supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFB3804902,2022YFB3804900)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52203226,52161145406,42376045)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2232024Y-01,2232025D-02).
文摘While desalination is a key solution for global freshwater scarcity,its implementation faces environmental challenges due to concentrated brine byproducts mainly disposed of via coastal discharge systems.Solar interfacial evaporation offers sustainable management potential,yet inevitable salt nucleation at evaporation interfaces degrades photothermal conversion and operational stability via light scattering and pathway blockage.Inspired by the mangrove leaf,we propose a photothermal 3D polydopamine and polypyrrole polymerized spacer fabric(PPSF)-based upward hanging model evaporation configuration with a reverse water feeding mechanism.This design enables zero-liquiddischarge(ZLD)desalination through phase-separation crystallization.The interconnected porous architecture and the rough surface of the PPSF enable superior water transport,achieving excellent solar-absorbing efficiency of 97.8%.By adjusting the tilt angle(θ),the evaporator separates the evaporation and salt crystallization zones via controlled capillary-driven brine transport,minimizing heat dissipation from brine discharge.At an optimal tilt angle of 52°,the evaporator reaches an evaporation rate of 2.81 kg m^(−2) h^(−1) with minimal heat loss(0.366 W)under 1-sun illumination while treating a 7 wt%waste brine solution.Furthermore,it sustains an evaporation rate of 2.71 kg m^(−2) h^(−1) over 72 h while ensuring efficient salt recovery.These results highlight a scalable,energy-efficient approach for sustainable ZLD desalination.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51905089)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China(No.2232020D-31)。
文摘The agitated thin-film evaporator(ATFE)plays a crucial role in evaporation and concentration processes.The design of the scraper for processing high-viscosity non-Newtonian fluids in the ATFE is complex.The intricate scraping action of the scraper introduces gas into the liquid film,leading to the formation of a gas ring along the wall.This process subsequently reduces wall heat flow,thereby affecting heat transfer.Computational fluid dynamics(CFD)is used to simulate the flow field of the non-Newtonian fluid in the ATFE.The investigation focuses on understanding the mechanism behind the formation of gas rings in the liquid film and proposes methods to prevent their formation.The results demonstrate a transition of the gas from a gas ring suspended in the liquid to a gas ring attached to the wall after entering the liquid film.The scraping action around the circumference of the scraper helps to expel gas rings,indicating the necessity of adjusting the scraper arrangement and increasing the frequency of scraping to enhance gas ring expulsion.The spiral motion of the bow wave serves as the source of gas entry into the liquid film.Therefore,the rotation speed can appropriately increase to reduce the size of the bow wave,thereby inhibiting the formation of the gas ring from the source.This research investigates the mechanism of gas ring generation and expulsion,offering theoretical guidance for processing high-viscosity non-Newtonian materials in the flow field of the ATFE.
基金Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scholars 2020-JCJQ-ZQ-042.
文摘The loop heat pipe with a flat evaporator is mainly divided into two forms:rectangular evaporator and disk-shaped evaporator.The rectangular evaporator has advantages such as low heat leakage,a thin shell,and a large contact area compared to the disk-shaped evaporator.However,most of the research on rectangular evaporators focuses onworking fluids such as water,methanol,and acetone,when theseworking fluids are in operation,the internal pressure of the evaporator is less than atmospheric pressure.Ammonia,propylene,and other working fluids can also be utilized in the loop heat pipe,these working fluids demonstrate better performance when operating within other temperature intervals,for example,the operating temperature range of ammonia is−20℃to 50℃,however,in an atmospheric pressure environment,it is very difficult for the shell of the rectangular evaporator to withstand the saturated vapor pressure of the working fluid.This paper designs a rectangular flat plate loop heat pipe that can use ammonia as the working fluid.The internal reinforcing structure is used to improve the pressure strength of the shell.The secondary wick connects the compensation chamber and the capillary wick hydraulically.The experiment indicates that this kind of rectangular evaporator is unaffected by the position,and the secondary wick can effectively supply liquid under different angles.The thermal resistance of the evaporator wall was analyzed,and it was found that the thermal resistance of the evaporator wall was the main component of the thermal resistance of the system.The heat transfer capacities of 460 W@0.5 m and 200W@10 m were tested.The test results indicate that by setting a reinforcing structure inside the flat plate evaporator,the evaporator can withstand internal pressure.Combined with the design of the secondary wick,the flat plate evaporator can use working fluids with different pressures,expanding the range of available working fluids.
基金supported by the open foundation of State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering(SKL-ChE-22B01)the Natural Science Foundation of China(22008169).
文摘The dynamics of vapor−liquid−solid(V−L−S)flow boiling in fluidized bed evaporators exhibit inherent complexity and chaotic behavior,hindering accurate prediction of pressure drop signals.To address this challenge,this study proposes an innovative hybrid approach that integrates wavelet neural network(WNN)with chaos analysis.By leveraging the Cross-Correlation(C−C)method,the minimum embedding dimension for phase space reconstruction is systematically calculated and then adopted as the input node configuration for the WNN.Simulation results demonstrate the remarkable effectiveness of this integrated method in predicting pressure drop signals,advancing our understanding of the intricate dynamic phenomena occurring with V−L−S fluidized bed evaporators.Moreover,this study offers a novel perspective on applying advanced data-driven techniques to handle the complexities of multi-phase flow systems and highlights the potential for improved operational prediction and control in industrial settings.
基金This work was supported by the Taishan Young Scholar Program(tsqn202306267)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51802168)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province(ZR2023ME172).
文摘Solar-driven interfacial evaporation is a promising technology for freshwater production from seawater,but salt accumulation on the evaporator surface hinders its performance and sustainability.In this study,we report a simple and green strategy to fabricate a three-dimensional porous graphene spiral roll(3GSR)that enables highly efficient solar evaporation,salt collection,and water production from near-saturated brine with zero liquid discharge(ZLD).The 3GSR design facilitates energy recovery,radial brine transport,and directional salt crystallization,thereby resulting in an ultrahigh evaporation rate of 9.05 kg m^(-2) h^(-1) in 25 wt%brine under 1-sun illumina-tion for 48 h continuously.Remarkably,the directional salt crystallization on its outer surface not only enlarges the evaporation area but also achieves an ultrahigh salt collection rate of 2.92 kg m^(-2) h^(-1),thus enabling ZLD desalination.Additionally,3GSR exhibits a record-high water production rate of 3.14 kg m^(-2) h^(-1) in an outdoor test.This innovative solution offers a highly efficient and continuous solar desalination method for water production and ZLD brine treatment,which has great implications for addressing global water scarcity and environmental issues arising from brine disposal.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51905089 and 52075093)Special Fund for Basic Research and Operating Costs of Central Colleges and Universities,China(No.22320D-31)Open Fund for National Key Laboratory of Tribology of Tsinghua University,China(No.SKLTKF20B05)。
文摘The flow field and flow state of thin-film evaporators are complex,and it is significant to effectively divide and quantify the flow field and flow state,as well as to study the internal flow field distribution and material mixing characteristics to improve the efficiency of thin-film evaporators.By using computational fluid dynamics(CFD)numerical simulation,the distribution pattern of the high-viscosity fluid flow field in the thin-film evaporators was obtained.It was found that the staggered interrupted blades could greatly promote material mixing and transportation,and impact the film formation of high-viscosity materials on the evaporator wall.Furthermore,a flow field state recognition method based on radial volume fraction statistics was proposed,and could quantitatively describe the internal flow field of thin-film evaporators.The method divides the high-viscosity materials in the thin-film evaporators into three flow states,the liquid film state,the exchange state and the liquid mass state.The three states of materials could be quantitatively described.The results show that the materials in the exchange state can connect the liquid film and the liquid mass,complete the material mixing and exchange,renew the liquid film,and maintain continuous and efficient liquid film evaporation.
基金the Science and Technology Innovation Council of Shenzhen(Grant Nos.JCYJ20200109105212568,KQTD20170810105439418,JCYJ20200109114237902,20200812203318002,and 20200810103814002)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.12274197)the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(Grant Nos.2023A1515030240,2019A1515010790,2021A0505110015).
文摘The development of tellurium(Te)-based semiconductor nanomaterials for efficient light-to-heat conversion may offer an effective means of harvesting sunlight to address global energy concerns.However,the nanosized Te(nano-Te)materials reported to date suffer from a series of drawbacks,including limited light absorption and a lack of surface structures.Herein,we report the preparation of nano-Te by electrochemical exfoliation using an electrolyzable room-temperature ionic liquid.Anions,cations,and their corresponding electrolytic products acting as chemical scissors can precisely intercalate and functionalize bulk Te.The resulting nano-Te has high morphological entropy,rich surface functional groups,and broad light absorption.We also constructed foam hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol)/nano-Te,which achieved an evaporation rate and energy efficiency of 4.11 kg m^(−2)h^(−1)and 128%,respectively,under 1 sun irradiation.Furthermore,the evaporation rate was maintained in the range 2.5-3.0 kg m^(−2)h^(−1)outdoors under 0.5-1.0 sun,providing highly efficient evaporation under low light conditions.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.52375172,52075093,and 51905089).
文摘The agitated thin film evaporator(ATFE),which is known for its high efficiency,force the material to form a film through the scraping process of a scraper,followed by evaporation and purification.The complex shape of the liquid film inside the evaporator can significantly affect its evaporation capability.This work explores how change in shape of the liquid films affect the evaporation of the materials with non-Newtonian characteristics,achieved by changing the structure of the scraper.Examining the distribution of circumferential temperature,viscosity,and mass transfer of the flat liquid film shows that the film evaporates rapidly in shear-thinning region.Various wavy liquid films are developed by using shear-thinning theory,emphasizing the flow condition in the thinning area and the factors contributing to the exceptional evaporation capability.Further exploration is conducted on the spread patterns of the wavy liquid film and flat liquid film on the evaporation wall throughout the process.It is noted that breaking the wavy liquid film on the evaporating wall during evaporation is challenging due to its film-forming condition.For which the fundamental causes are demonstrated by acquiring the data regarding the flow rate and temperature of the liquid film.The definitive findings of the analysis reveal a significant improvement in the evaporation capability of the wavy liquid film.This enhancement is attributed to increasing the shear-thinning areas and maintaining the overall shape of the film throughout the entire evaporation process.
基金supported by Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(No.LR23C160001)Scientific Research Startup Foundation of Zhejiang Ocean University(No.11034150220006).
文摘The utilization of solar-driven interfacial evaporation technology is highly important in addressing the energy crisis and water scarcity,primarily because of its affordability and minimal energy usage.Enhancing the performance of solar energy evaporation and minimizing material degradation during application can be achieved through the design of novel photothermal materials.In solar interfacial evaporation,photothermal materials exhibit a wide range of additional characteristics,but a systematic overview is lacking.This paper encompasses an examination of various categories and principles pertaining to photothermal materials,as well as the structural design considerations for salt-resistant materials.Additionally,we discuss the versatile uses of this appealing technology in different sectors related to energy and the environment.Furthermore,potential solutions to enhance the durability of photothermal materials are also highlighted,such as the rational design of micro/nano-structures,the use of adhesives,the addition of anti-corrosion coatings,and the preparation of self-healing surfaces.The objective of this review is to offer a viable resolution for the logical creation of high-performance photothermal substances,presenting a guide for the forthcoming advancement of solar evaporation technology.
文摘This study develops an analytical model to evaluate the cooling performance of a porous terracotta tubular direct evaporative heat and mass exchanger. By combining energy and mass balance equations with heat and mass transfer coefficients and air psychrometric correlations, the model provides insights into the impact of design and operational parameters on the exchanger cooling performance. Validated against an established numerical model, it accurately simulates cooling behavior with a Root Mean Square Deviation of 0.43 - 1.18˚C under varying inlet air conditions. The results show that tube geometry, including equivalent diameter, flatness ratio, and length significantly influences cooling outcomes. Smaller diameters enhance wet-bulb effectiveness but reduce cooling capacity, while increased flatness and length improve both. For example, extending the flatness ratio of a 15 mm diameter, 0.6 m long tube from 1 (circular) to 4 raises the exchange surface area from 0.028 to 0.037 m2, increasing wet-bulb effectiveness from 60% to 71%. Recommended diameters range from 5 mm for tubes under 0.5 m to 1 cm for tubes 0.5 to 1 m in length. Optimal air velocities depend on tube length: 1 m/s for tubes under 0.8 m, 1.5 m/s for lengths of 0.8 to 1.2 m, and up to 2 m/s for longer tubes. This model offers a practical alternative to complex numerical and CFD methods, with potential applications in cooling tower optimization for thermal and nuclear power plants and geothermal heat exchangers.
基金the funding support of National Natural Science Foundation of China(21978204)。
文摘Porous liquid-conducting micro-heat exchangers have garnered considerable attention for their role in efficient heat dissipation in small electronic devices.This demand highlights the need for advanced mathematical models to optimize the selection of mixed heat exchange media and equipment design.A capillary bundle evaporation model for porous liquid-conducting media was developed based on the conjugate mass transfer evaporation rate prediction model of a single capillary tube,supplemented by mercury injection experimental data.Theoretical and experimental comparisons were conducted using 1,2-propanediol-glycerol(PG-VG)mixtures at molar ratios of 1:9,3:7,5:5,and 7:3 at 120,150,and 180℃.The Jouyban-Acree model was implemented to enhance the evaporation rate predictions.For the 7:3 PG-VG mixture at 180℃under the experimental conditions of the thermal medium,the model's error reduced from 16.75%to 10.84%post-correction.Overall,the mean relative error decreased from 11.76%to 5.98%after correction.
文摘This review examines the processes of laser heating,melting,evaporation,fragmentation,and breakdown of metal nanoparticles,as well as the dependences and values of the threshold laser parameters that initiate these processes.Literature results are analyzed from experimental studies of these processes with gold,silver,and other nanoparticles,including laser surface melting and evaporation of nanoparticles and Coulomb fragmentation of nanoparticles by ultrashort laser pulses.A theoretical model and description of the thermal mechanisms of mentioned processes with metal(solid)nanoparticles in a liquid(solid)medium,initiated by the action of laser pulses with the threshold fluences,are presented.Comparison of the obtained results with experimental data confirms the accuracy of the model and makes it possible to use them to evaluate the parameters of laser thermal processing of nanoparticles.Applications of the processes include the laser melting,reshaping,and fragmentation of nanoparticles,the formation of nanostructures and nanonetworks,the laser processing of nanoparticles located on substrates,and their cladding on surfaces in various laser nanotechnologies.The use of laser ignition,combustion,and incandescence of nanoparticles is discussed,as is the use of nanoparticle-triggered laser breakdown for spectroscopy.These laser processes are used in photothermal nanotechnologies,nanoenergy,laser processing of nanoparticles,nonlinear optical devices,high-temperature material science,etc.In general,this review presents a modern picture of the state of laser technology and high-temperature processes with nanoparticles and their applications,being focused on the latest publications with an emphasis on recent results from 2021-2024.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51769013,52168052)。
文摘Intense evaporation in areas with loess-like sulfate saline soils has resulted in significant ecological challenges that include water shortages and soil salinization.Investigating evaporation rate in loess-like sulfate saline soils under varying salt contents carries crucial implications for understanding regional water loss processes,predicting soil salinization advancement,and formulating effective ecological management strategies.Therefore,this study sampled the loess-like sulfate saline soil that is widely distributed in western China as experimental materials and investigated the impact of different initial salt contents(0.00%,0.50%,1.50%,3.00%,and 5.00%)on the evaporation rate,water content,and temperature of soil.The results showed that the evaporation rate decreased with increasing initial salt content.After a salt accumulation layer formed on the soil surface,the water content of the surface soil fluctuated.An increase in the initial salt content resulted in a corresponding increase in the surface temperature.Considering the evaporation characteristics of loess-like sulfate saline soil and the impact of an anomalous increase in surface soil water content on soil surface resistance,this study proposed a modified evaporation model on the basis of Fujimaki's evaporation model of saline soil by introducing a correction coefficientβto modify the soil surface resistance.A comparison of the calculated evaporation rates before and after the modification with the measured evaporation rates revealed a significant improvement in the calculation accuracy of the modified model,indicating that the modified model is capable of more accurately simulating the evaporation rate of sulfate saline soil with different initial salt contents.This paper proposes an effective method for calculating the evaporation rate of loess-like sulfate saline soils,providing a theoretical basis for evaporation research in saline soil.
文摘The evaporation ofmicrometer and millimeter liquid drops,involving a liquid-to-vapor phase transition accompanied by mass and energy transfer through the liquid-vapor interface,is encountered in many natural and industrial processes as well as in numerous engineering applications.Therefore,understanding and predicting the dynamics of evaporating flows have become of primary importance.Recent efforts have been addressed using the method of Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics(SPH),which has proven to be very efficient in correctly handling the intrinsic complexity introduced by the multiscale nature of the evaporation process.This paper aims to provide an overview of published work on SPH-based simulations related to the evaporation of drops suspended in static and convective environments and impacting on heated solid surfaces.After a brief theoretical account of the main ingredients necessary for the modeling of drop evaporation,the fundamental aspects of SPH are revisited along with the various existing formulations that have been implemented to address the challenges imposed by the physics of evaporating flows.In the following sections,the paper summarizes the results of SPH-based simulations of drop evaporation and ends with a few comments on the limitations of the current state-of-the-art SPHsimulations and future lines of research.
基金supported by H2020-MSCA-RISE-778104–ThermaSMART,Royal Society(IEC\NSFC\211210)doctoral degree scholarship of China Scholarship Council(CSC).
文摘Control of the wetting properties of biomimetic functional surfaces is a desired functionality in many applications.In this paper,the photoresist SU-8 was used as fabrication material.A silicon wafer was used as a substrate to prepare a biomimetic surface with different surface roughness and micro-pillars arranged in array morphology.The evaporation dynamics and interfacial heat transfer processes of deionised water droplets on the bioinspired microstructure surface were experimentally studied.The study not only proves the feasibility of preparing hydrophilic biomimetic functional surfaces directly through photoresist materials and photolithography technology but also shows that by adjusting the structural parameters and arrangement of the surface micro-pillar structure,the wettability of the biomimetic surface can be significantly linearly regulated,thereby effectively affecting the heat and mass transfer process at the droplet liquid-vapour interface.Analysis of the results shows that by controlling the biomimetic surface microstructure,the wettability can be enhanced by about 22%at most,the uniformity of the temperature distribution at the liquid-vapour interface can be improved by about 34%,and the average evaporation rate can be increased by about 28%.This study aims to provide some guidance for the research on bionic surface design based on photoresist materials.
基金financially supported by the Russian Science Foundation(project No.24-29-00303:https://rscf.ru/project/24-29-00303/,accessed on 01 July 2025).
文摘A new experimental method is developed to investigate the effect of dissolved substances on the evaporation rate of small water droplets suspended in the atmosphere.The laboratory setup is based on converting a generated droplet jet of complex structure into a directed flow of evaporating droplets falling in a vertical tube.Images of falling droplets captured by a high-speed camera through a window in the vertical channel wall are used to determine the sizes and velocities of individual droplets.The computational modeling of droplet motion and evaporation proved useful at all stages of the experimental work:from selecting the position of the vertical channel to processing the experimental data.It was found that even a 0.1%mass concentration of the dissolved ionic salt KCl has a considerable effect on decreasing the evaporation rate of the droplets.In contrast,a typical fungicide with a mass concentration of 2.5%has only a slight impact on the evaporation rate.The laboratory results enabled the authors to refine the evaporation model of water droplets to account for the presence of dissolved substances.Modified models of this type are expected to be useful in controling crop spraying and also in other potential applications.
基金financially supported by the Young Scientists Fund of National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52303106)Research Grants Council of Hong Kong SAR(16200720)+3 种基金Environment and Conservation Fund of Hong Kong SAR(Project No.21/2022)Research Institute of Sports Science and Technology(Project No.P0043535)Research Institute of Advanced Manufacturing(Project No.P0046125)the start-up fund for new recruits of Poly U(Project No.P0038855 and P0038858)。
文摘Hygroscopic hydrogel is a promising evaporativecooling material for high-power passive daytime cooling with water self-regeneration.However,undesired solar and environmental heating makes it a challenge to maintain sub-ambient daytime cooling.While different strategies have been developed to mitigate heat gains,they inevitably sacrifice the evaporation and water regeneration due to highly coupled thermal and vapor transport.Here,an anisotropic synergistically performed insulation-radiation-evaporation(ASPIRE)cooler is developed by leveraging a dual-alignment structure both internal and external to the hydrogel for coordinated thermal and water transport.The ASPIRE cooler achieves an impressive average sub-ambient cooling temperature of~8.2℃ and a remarkable peak cooling power of 311 W m^(-2)under direct sunlight.Further examining the cooling mechanism reveals that the ASPIRE cooler reduces the solar and environmental heat gains without comprising the evaporation.Moreover,self-sustained multi-day cooling is possible with water self-regeneration at night under both clear and cloudy days.The synergistic design provides new insights toward high-power,sustainable,and all-weather passive cooling applications.
