Phase Change Material(PCM)-based cold energy storage system(CESS)can effectively utilize the peak and valley power resources to reduce the excessive dependence on the power grid.In this study,a PCM-based CESS was desi...Phase Change Material(PCM)-based cold energy storage system(CESS)can effectively utilize the peak and valley power resources to reduce the excessive dependence on the power grid.In this study,a PCM-based CESS was designed for cold storage applications.The optimal number of PCM plates was determined through numerical simulations to meet the required cold storage temperature and control time.Additionally,the air temperature field,flow field,and melting characteristics of the PCMplates during the cooling release process were analyzed.The effects of plate positioning and thickness on the cooling release performance were further investigated.The results indicated that when 64PCMplateswere used,the duration formaintaining temperatures below−18℃increased from0.6 h to approximately 16.94 h.During the cooling release process,the temperature field in the cold storage exhibited stratification,and the melting of the PCM plates was non-uniform.Placing the PCM plates at the top or within the interlayers without cargo above proved more effective,with their cooling release power being approximately twice that of the PCM plates placed in the interlayers with cargo above.Furthermore,reducing the thickness of the PCMplates from15 to 7.5mmresulted in a 3.6-h increase in the time below−18℃and a 4.5-h reduction in the time required to reach 80%liquid phase fraction.展开更多
The stress-strain behavior of confined concrete under heating and residual conditions has been preliminarily addressed in previous research;however,its behavior at subsequent cooling temperatures after being heated to...The stress-strain behavior of confined concrete under heating and residual conditions has been preliminarily addressed in previous research;however,its behavior at subsequent cooling temperatures after being heated to peak temperature has yet to be thoroughly investigated.It is crucial for determining confined concrete structures’post-fire performance and burnout resistance.The paper presents the fundamental behavior of the confined concrete constitutive parameters and stress-strain curve at subsequent cooling temperatures after being heated to peak temperature.The study includes the stress-stress relationship of a 200 mm diameter cylinder with two distinct confinement spacings of 60 mm and 120 mm.The constitutive parameters for confined concrete were initially determined for a peak heating temperature of 750℃ and then modified to establish the stress-strain relationship for successive cooling temperatures of 500℃,250℃,and ambient temperature.The study results show that confinement has a considerable impact on compressive strength,stiffness,and ductility at ambient and fire conditions.After being heated to peak temperature,the confined concrete compressive strength recovers during successive cooling temperatures,with the recovery dependent on confinement spacing.The established stress-strain relationship can assist in better comprehending structural performance and capacity degradation for different tie spacings,and is useful for the analysis and design of confined RC(reinforced concrete)elements during and after a fire.展开更多
The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature(DBTT)of high strength steels can be optimized by tailoring microstructure and crystallographic orientation characteristics,where the start cooling temperature plays a key ...The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature(DBTT)of high strength steels can be optimized by tailoring microstructure and crystallographic orientation characteristics,where the start cooling temperature plays a key role.In this work,X70 steels with different start cooling temperatures were prepared through thermo-mechanical control process.The quasi-polygonal ferrite(QF),granular bainite(GB),bainitic ferrite(BF)and martensite-austenite constituents were formed at the start cooling temperatures of 780℃(C1),740℃(C2)and 700℃(C3).As start cooling temperature decreased,the amount of GB decreased,the microstructure of QF and BF increased.Microstructure characteristics of the three samples,such as high-angle grain boundaries(HAGBs),MA constituents and crystallographic orientation,also varied with the start cooling temperatures.C2 sample had the lowest DBTT value(−86℃)for its highest fraction of HAGBs,highest content of<110>oriented grains and lowest content of<001>oriented grains parallel to TD.The high density of{332}<113>and low density of rotated cube{001}<110>textures also contributed to the best impact toughness of C2 sample.In addition,a modified model was used in this paper to quantitatively predict the approximate DBTT value of steels.展开更多
For P91 steel weldment,performing post-weld heat treatment immediately after welding can enhance welding efficiency and reduce the risk of hydrogen-induced cracking.However,determining the post-weld cooling temperatur...For P91 steel weldment,performing post-weld heat treatment immediately after welding can enhance welding efficiency and reduce the risk of hydrogen-induced cracking.However,determining the post-weld cooling temperature(PWCT)is challenging due to potential impact on the mechanical properties of weldment after subsequent heat treatment.A systematic investigation is conducted to explore the effect of PWCT on the impact toughness of P91 steel welded joints.It has been demonstrated that the impact energy of the weld metal gradually increases from 40.2 to 49.5 J as the PWCT decreases from 300 to 100℃.Microstructural analysis reveals that PWCTs above 100℃ led to an increased dislocation density in the weld metal.Furthermore,in situ observations using a high-temperature confocal laser scanning microscope confirm that excessively high PWCTs result in the formation of untempered martensite after post-weld heat treatment.Such untempered martensites are identified as the primary cause of the reduced impact toughness in the weld metal.These findings underscore the importance of carefully controlling PWCT in welding procedures for P91 steel and similar grades.展开更多
The advancement of sophisticated smart windows exhibiting superior thermoregulation capabilities in both solar spectrum and long-wave infrared range maintains a prominent objective for researchers in this field.In thi...The advancement of sophisticated smart windows exhibiting superior thermoregulation capabilities in both solar spectrum and long-wave infrared range maintains a prominent objective for researchers in this field.In this study,a Janus window is proposed and prepared based on polymer-stabilized liquid-crystal films/thermochromic materials.It can achieve switchable front long-wave infrared emissivity(ε_(Front))and solar modulation ability(ΔT_(sol))through dynamic flipping,making it suitable for different seasonal energy-saving requirements.Outdoor experiments show that under daytime illumination,the indoor temperature decreases by 8℃,and the nighttime temperature drops by 5℃.MATLAB simulation calculations indicate that the daytime cooling power is 93 W m^(-2),while the nighttime cooling power reaches 142 W m^(-2).Interestingly,by modifying the conductive layer,it can effectively shield electromagnetic radiation(within the X-band frequency range(8.2-12.4)GHz).Energy simulation reveals the substantial superiority of this device in energy savings compared with single-layer polymer-stabilized liquid crystal,poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide),and normal glass when applied in different climate zones.This research presents a compelling opportunity for the development of sophisticated smart windows characterized by exceptional thermoregulation capabilities.展开更多
In order to meet the growing global energy demand and fulfill energy conservation and emission reduction goals, the efficient utilization of solar energy is becoming increasingly critical. However, the effects of high...In order to meet the growing global energy demand and fulfill energy conservation and emission reduction goals, the efficient utilization of solar energy is becoming increasingly critical. However, the effects of high temperatures on solar absorption are rarely considered in practical research. Therefore, this study presents a porous zinc and silver sulfide solar absorber with high-temperature radiative cooling capabilities. The solar absorption rate and radiative cooling efficiency in the high-temperature range(636 K–1060 K) are computed using the finite-difference time-domain method. Furthermore, the impact of parameters such as characteristic length, porosity, incident angle, and pore shape factor on both the absorption rate and efficiency of the solar absorber is analyzed. The mechanism is further examined from the perspective of microscopic thermal radiation. The results show that, in the high-temperature range, the solar absorption rate increases with higher porosity and incident angles, reaching its peak when the characteristic length is 1 μm. These findings highlight the significant potential of the solar absorber for efficient solar energy harvesting in photo-thermal conversion applications within a specific high-temperature range.展开更多
In liquid rocket engines,regenerative cooling technology is essential for preserving structural integrity under extreme thermal loads.However,non-uniform coolant flow distribution within the cooling channels often lea...In liquid rocket engines,regenerative cooling technology is essential for preserving structural integrity under extreme thermal loads.However,non-uniform coolant flow distribution within the cooling channels often leads to localized overheating,posing serious risks to engine reliability and operational lifespan.This study employs a three-dimensional fluid–thermal coupled numerical model to systematically investigate the influence of geometric parameters-specifically the number of inlets,the number of channels,and inlet manifold configurations-on flow uniformity and thermal distribution in non-pyrolysis zones.Key findings reveal that increasing the number of inlets from one to three significantly enhances flow uniformity,reducing mass flow rate deviation from 1.2%to below 0.3%.However,further increasing the inlets to five yields only marginal improvements indicating diminishing(<0.1%),returns beyond three inlets.Additionally,temperature non-uniformity at the combustion chamber throat decreases by 37%-from 3050 K with 18 channels to 1915 K with 30 channels-highlighting the critical role of channel density in effective thermal regulation.Notably,while higher channel counts improve cooling efficiency,they also result in increased pressure losses of approximately 18%–22%,emphasizing the need to balance thermal performance against hydraulic resistance.An optimal configuration comprising 24 channels and three inlets was identified,providing minimal temperature gradients while maintaining acceptable pressure losses.The inlet manifold structure also plays a pivotal role in determining flow distribution.Configuration 3(Config-3),which features an enlarged manifold and reduced inlet velocity,achieves a 40%reduction in velocity fluctuations compared to Configuration 1(Config-1).This improvement leads to a more uniform mass flow distribution,with a relative standard deviation(RSD)of less than 0.15%.Furthermore,this design effectively mitigates localized hot spots near the nozzle-where temperature gradients are most severe-achieving a reduction of approximately 1135 K.展开更多
Microstructure, precipitate and magnetic characteristic of fmal products with different normalizing cooling processes for Fe-3.2%Si low-temperature hot-rolled grain-oriented silicon steel were analyzed and compared wi...Microstructure, precipitate and magnetic characteristic of fmal products with different normalizing cooling processes for Fe-3.2%Si low-temperature hot-rolled grain-oriented silicon steel were analyzed and compared with the hot-rolled plate by optical microscopy (OM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The results show that, the surface microstructure is uniform, the proportion of recrystallization in matrix increases, and the banding textures are narrowed; the precipitates, whose quantity in normalized plate is more than that in hot-rolled plate greatly, are mainly A1N, MnS, composite precipitates (Cu,Mn)S and so on. Normalizing technology with a temperature of 1120 ℃, holding for 3 min, and a two-stage cooling is a most advantaged method to obtain oriented silicon steel with sharper Goss texture and higher magnetic properties, owing to the uniform surface microstructures and the obvious inhomogeneity of microstructures along the thickness. The normalizing technology with the two-stage cooling is the optimum process, which can generate more fine precipitates dispersed over the matrix, and be beneficial for finished products to get higher magnetic properties.展开更多
The mathematical model of the grinding temperature is established. The grinding temperature and the cooling rate are measured in the grind-hardening process of 40Cr steel under different conditions. Moreover, the grin...The mathematical model of the grinding temperature is established. The grinding temperature and the cooling rate are measured in the grind-hardening process of 40Cr steel under different conditions. Moreover, the grind-hardening effects are investigated. Experimental results show that the calculated temperatures are comparatively close to the measured ones, and the required temperature and cooling rate can be achieved. Furthermore, the microstructure of the hardened zone is similar to that obtained through the high-frequency induction technique. The average hardness of the entirely hardened zone is HV670 and the thickness of the hardened layer is adjacent to 1.3 mm. It indicates that the hardening mechanism induced by the grinding heat and high-frequency heating is identical. Finally, the fine needlelike martensite is obtained.展开更多
By combining the merits of radiative cooling(RC)and evaporation cooling(EC),radiative coupled evaporative cooling(REC)has attracted considerable attention for sub-ambient cooling purposes.However,for outdoor devices,t...By combining the merits of radiative cooling(RC)and evaporation cooling(EC),radiative coupled evaporative cooling(REC)has attracted considerable attention for sub-ambient cooling purposes.However,for outdoor devices,the interior heating power would increase the working temperature and fire risk,which would suppress their above-ambient heat dissipation capabilities and passive water cycle properties.In this work,we introduced a REC design based on an all-in-one photonic hydrogel for above-ambient heat dissipation and flame retardancy.Unlike conventional design RC film for heat dissipation with limited cooling power and fire risk,REC hydrogel can greatly improve the heat dissipation performance in the daytime with a high workload,indicating a 12.0℃lower temperature than the RC film under the same conditions in the outdoor experiment.In the nighttime with a low workload,RC-assisted adsorption can improve atmospheric water harvesting to ensure EC in the daytime.In addition,our REC hydrogel significantly enhanced flame retardancy by absorbing heat without a corresponding temperature rise,thus mitigating fire risks.Thus,our design shows a promising solution for the thermal management of outdoor devices,delivering outstanding performance in both heat dissipation and flame retardancy.展开更多
Radiative cooling textiles with spectrally selective surfaces offer a promising energy-efficient approach for sub-ambient cooling of outdoor objects and individuals.However,the spectrally selective mid-infrared emissi...Radiative cooling textiles with spectrally selective surfaces offer a promising energy-efficient approach for sub-ambient cooling of outdoor objects and individuals.However,the spectrally selective mid-infrared emission of these textiles significantly hinders their efficient radiative heat exchange with self-heated objects,thereby posing a significant challenge to their versatile cooling applicability.Herein,we present a bicomponent blow spinning strategy for the production of scalable,ultra-flexible,and healable textiles featuring a tailored dual gradient in both chemical composition and fiber diameter.The gradient in the fiber diameter of this textile introduces a hierarchically porous structure across the sunlight incident area,thereby achieving a competitive solar reflectivity of 98.7%on its outer surface.Additionally,the gradient in the chemical composition of this textile contributes to the formation of Janus infrared-absorbing surfaces:The outer surface demonstrates a high mid-infrared emission,whereas the inner surface shows a broad infrared absorptivity,facilitating radiative heat exchange with underlying self-heated objects.Consequently,this textile demonstrates multi-scenario radiative cooling capabilities,enabling versatile outdoor cooling for unheated objects by 7.8℃ and self-heated objects by 13.6℃,compared to commercial sunshade fabrics.展开更多
In recent years,the research on superconductivity in one-dimensional(1D)materials has been attracting increasing attention due to its potential applications in low-dimensional nanodevices.However,the critical temperat...In recent years,the research on superconductivity in one-dimensional(1D)materials has been attracting increasing attention due to its potential applications in low-dimensional nanodevices.However,the critical temperature(T_(c))of 1D superconductors is low.In this work,we theoretically investigate the possible high T_(c) superconductivity of(5,5)carbon nanotube(CNT).The pristine(5,5)CNT is a Dirac semimetal and can be modulated into a semiconductor by full hydrogenation.Interestingly,by further hole doping,it can be regulated into a metallic state with the sp3-hybridized𝜎electrons metalized,and a giant Kohn anomaly appears in the optical phonons.The two factors together enhance the electron–phonon coupling,and lead to high-T_(c) superconductivity.When the hole doping concentration of hydrogenated-(5,5)CNT is 2.5 hole/cell,the calculated T_(c) is 82.3 K,exceeding the boiling point of liquid nitrogen.Therefore,the predicted hole-doped hydrogenated-(5,5)CNT provides a new platform for 1D high-T_(c) superconductivity and may have potential applications in 1D nanodevices.展开更多
Radiative cooling systems(RCSs)possess the distinctive capability to dissipate heat energy via solar and thermal radiation,making them suitable for thermal regulation and energy conservation applications,essential for...Radiative cooling systems(RCSs)possess the distinctive capability to dissipate heat energy via solar and thermal radiation,making them suitable for thermal regulation and energy conservation applications,essential for mitigating the energy crisis.A comprehensive review connecting the advancements in engineered radiative cooling systems(ERCSs),encompassing material and structural design as well as thermal and energy-related applications,is currently absent.Herein,this review begins with a concise summary of the essential concepts of ERCSs,followed by an introduction to engineered materials and structures,containing nature-inspired designs,chromatic materials,meta-structural configurations,and multilayered constructions.It subsequently encapsulates the primary applications,including thermal-regulating textiles and energy-saving devices.Next,it highlights the challenges of ERCSs,including maximized thermoregulatory effects,environmental adaptability,scalability and sustainability,and interdisciplinary integration.It seeks to offer direction for forthcoming fundamental research and industrial advancement of radiative cooling systems in real-world applications.展开更多
Temperature has a substantial impact on the emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds(BVOCs).Moder-ate warm temperatures,e.g.,30–40°C,could boost plant metabolism,increasing BVOC emissions.Against the back...Temperature has a substantial impact on the emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds(BVOCs).Moder-ate warm temperatures,e.g.,30–40°C,could boost plant metabolism,increasing BVOC emissions.Against the backdrop of global warming,plants emit more BVOCs to cope with thermal stress,leading to elevated concen-trations of tropospheric ozone(O_(3))and secondary organic aerosols(SOA).In recent years,a considerable body of research has explored the interaction between tree species and BVOCs under the influence of various environ-mental factors.Although many studies have examined explored the temperature dependence of BVOC emissions in the past,few studies have conducted a comprehensive and in-depth investigation into the impacts of tempera-ture.This review summarizes the relevant studies on BVOCs in the past decade,including the main biosynthetic pathways,emission observation techniques and emission inventories,as well as how temperature affects isoprene and monoterpene emission rates and the formation of O_(3) and SOA.Our work offers a theoretical foundation and guidance for future efforts to advance the comprehension of BVOC emission characteristics and develop strategies to mitigate secondary pollution.展开更多
Human activities have significantly impacted the land surface temperature(LST),endangering human health;however,the relationship between these two factors has not been adequately quantified.This study comprehensively ...Human activities have significantly impacted the land surface temperature(LST),endangering human health;however,the relationship between these two factors has not been adequately quantified.This study comprehensively constructs a Human Activity Intensity(HAI)index and employs the Maximal Information Coefficient,four-quadrant model,and XGBoostSHAP model to investigate the spatiotemporal relationship and influencing factors of HAI-LST in the Yellow River Basin(YRB)from 2000 to 2020.The results indicated that from 2000 to 2020,as HAI and LST increased,the static HAI-LST relationship in the YRB showed a positive correlation that continued to strengthen.This dynamic relationship exhibited conflicting development,with the proportion of coordinated to conflicting regions shifting from 1:4 to 1:2,indicating a reduction in conflict intensity.Notably,only the degree of conflict in the source area decreased significantly,whereas it intensified in the upper and lower reaches.The key factors influencing the HAI-LST relationship include fractional vegetation cover,slope,precipitation,and evapotranspiration,along with region-specific factors such as PM_(2.5),biodiversity,and elevation.Based on these findings,region-specific ecological management strategies have been proposed to mitigate conflict-prone areas and alleviate thermal stress,thereby providing important guidance for promoting harmonious development between humans and nature.展开更多
Understanding the temperature dependent deformation behavior of Mg alloys is crucial for their expanding use in the aerospace sector.This study investigates the deformation mechanisms of hot-rolled AZ61 Mg alloy under...Understanding the temperature dependent deformation behavior of Mg alloys is crucial for their expanding use in the aerospace sector.This study investigates the deformation mechanisms of hot-rolled AZ61 Mg alloy under uniaxial tension along rolling direction(RD)and transverse direction(TD)at-50,25,50,and 150℃.Results reveal a transition from high strength with limited elongation at-50℃ to significant softening and maximum ductility at 150℃.TD samples consistently showed 2%-6%higher strength than RD;however,this yield anisotropy diminished at 150℃ due to the shift from twinning to thermally activated slip and recovery.Fractography indicated a change from semi-brittle to fully ductile fracture with increasing temperature.Electron backscattered diffraction(EBSD)analysis confirmed twinning-driven grain refinement at low temperatures,while deformation at high temperatures involved grain elongation along shear zones,enabling greater strain accommodation before material failure.展开更多
Marine thin plates are susceptible to welding deformation owing to their low structural stiffness.Therefore,the efficient and accurate prediction of welding deformation is essential for improving welding quality.The t...Marine thin plates are susceptible to welding deformation owing to their low structural stiffness.Therefore,the efficient and accurate prediction of welding deformation is essential for improving welding quality.The traditional thermal elastic-plastic finite element method(TEP-FEM)can accurately predict welding deformation.However,its efficiency is low because of the complex nonlinear transient computation,making it difficult to meet the needs of rapid engineering evaluation.To address this challenge,this study proposes an efficient prediction method for welding deformation in marine thin plate butt welds.This method is based on the coupled temperature gradient-thermal strain method(TG-TSM)that integrates inherent strain theory with a shell element finite element model.The proposed method first extracts the distribution pattern and characteristic value of welding-induced inherent strain through TEP-FEM analysis.This strain is then converted into the equivalent thermal load applied to the shell element model for rapid computation.The proposed method-particularly,the gradual temperature gradient-thermal strain method(GTG-TSM)-achieved improved computational efficiency and consistent precision.Furthermore,the proposed method required much less computation time than the traditional TEP-FEM.Thus,this study lays the foundation for future prediction of welding deformation in more complex marine thin plates.展开更多
Rechargeable Zn/Sn-air batteries have received considerable attention as promising energy storage devices.However,the electrochemical performance of these batteries is significantly constrained by the sluggish electro...Rechargeable Zn/Sn-air batteries have received considerable attention as promising energy storage devices.However,the electrochemical performance of these batteries is significantly constrained by the sluggish electrocatalytic reaction kinetics at the cathode.The integration of light energy into Zn/Sn-air batteries is a promising strategy for enhancing their performance.However,the photothermal and photoelectric effects generate heat in the battery under prolonged solar irradiation,leading to air cathode instability.This paper presents the first design and synthesis of Ni_(2)-1,5-diamino-4,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone(Ni_(2)DDA),an electronically conductiveπ-d conjugated metal-organic framework(MOF).Ni_(2)DDA exhibits both photoelectric and photothermal effects,with an optical band gap of~1.14 eV.Under illumination,Ni_(2)DDA achieves excellent oxygen evolution reaction performance(with an overpotential of 245 mV vs.reversible hydrogen electrode at 10 mA cm^(−2))and photothermal stability.These properties result from the synergy between the photoelectric and photothermal effects of Ni_(2)DDA.Upon integration into Zn/Sn-air batteries,Ni_(2)DDA ensures excellent cycling stability under light and exhibits remarkable performance in high-temperature environments up to 80℃.This study experimentally confirms the stable operation of photo-assisted Zn/Sn-air batteries under high-temperature conditions for the first time and provides novel insights into the application of electronically conductive MOFs in photoelectrocatalysis and photothermal catalysis.展开更多
This paper investigated the influences of pouring temperature and cooling rate on the microstructure development and mechanical properties for casting A1-Si-Cu aluminum alloy. The microstructure of the as-cast samples...This paper investigated the influences of pouring temperature and cooling rate on the microstructure development and mechanical properties for casting A1-Si-Cu aluminum alloy. The microstructure of the as-cast samples was characterized by an optical microscope. The results showed that the dendrite arm spacing (DAS,),) is well refined by pouring at a higher temperature. The A decreases with increasing pouring temperature due to the multiplication of the nucleation sites in the superheating liquid melt, and the mechanical properties, such as microhardness and ultimate tensile strength increase correspondingly, while the elongation decreases. The relationships between microhardness and 3, for the samples cooled in metal mould and sand mould, are given as HV:l18.9 - 1.246A and HV=l15.2- 1.029A, respectively. The effects of the cooling rate controlled by using permanent mould casting and sand mould casing processes (the cooling medium is air and sand, respectively) on the dendrite arm spacing and mechanical properties are similar to the effect of the pouring temperature.展开更多
Pipe cooling is an effective method of mass concrete temperature control, but its accurate and convenient numerical simulation is still a cumbersome problem. An improved embedded model, considering the water temperatu...Pipe cooling is an effective method of mass concrete temperature control, but its accurate and convenient numerical simulation is still a cumbersome problem. An improved embedded model, considering the water temperature variation along the pipe, was proposed for simulating the temperature field of early-age concrete structures containing cooling pipes. The improved model was verified with an engineering example. Then, the p-version self-adaption algorithm for the improved embedded model was deduced, and the initial values and boundary conditions were examined. Comparison of some numerical samples shows that the proposed model can provide satisfying precision and a higher efficiency. The analysis efficiency can be doubled at the same precision, even for a large-scale element. The p-version algorithm can fit grids of different sizes for the temperature field simulation. The convenience of the proposed algorithm lies in the possibility of locating more pipe segments in one element without the need of so regular a shape as in the explicit model.展开更多
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51806092,52201410)Non-Carbon Energy Conversion and Utilization Institute under the Shanghai Class IV Peak Disciplinary Development Program,High-End Foreign Experts Recruitment Plan of China(G2022013028L).
文摘Phase Change Material(PCM)-based cold energy storage system(CESS)can effectively utilize the peak and valley power resources to reduce the excessive dependence on the power grid.In this study,a PCM-based CESS was designed for cold storage applications.The optimal number of PCM plates was determined through numerical simulations to meet the required cold storage temperature and control time.Additionally,the air temperature field,flow field,and melting characteristics of the PCMplates during the cooling release process were analyzed.The effects of plate positioning and thickness on the cooling release performance were further investigated.The results indicated that when 64PCMplateswere used,the duration formaintaining temperatures below−18℃increased from0.6 h to approximately 16.94 h.During the cooling release process,the temperature field in the cold storage exhibited stratification,and the melting of the PCM plates was non-uniform.Placing the PCM plates at the top or within the interlayers without cargo above proved more effective,with their cooling release power being approximately twice that of the PCM plates placed in the interlayers with cargo above.Furthermore,reducing the thickness of the PCMplates from15 to 7.5mmresulted in a 3.6-h increase in the time below−18℃and a 4.5-h reduction in the time required to reach 80%liquid phase fraction.
文摘The stress-strain behavior of confined concrete under heating and residual conditions has been preliminarily addressed in previous research;however,its behavior at subsequent cooling temperatures after being heated to peak temperature has yet to be thoroughly investigated.It is crucial for determining confined concrete structures’post-fire performance and burnout resistance.The paper presents the fundamental behavior of the confined concrete constitutive parameters and stress-strain curve at subsequent cooling temperatures after being heated to peak temperature.The study includes the stress-stress relationship of a 200 mm diameter cylinder with two distinct confinement spacings of 60 mm and 120 mm.The constitutive parameters for confined concrete were initially determined for a peak heating temperature of 750℃ and then modified to establish the stress-strain relationship for successive cooling temperatures of 500℃,250℃,and ambient temperature.The study results show that confinement has a considerable impact on compressive strength,stiffness,and ductility at ambient and fire conditions.After being heated to peak temperature,the confined concrete compressive strength recovers during successive cooling temperatures,with the recovery dependent on confinement spacing.The established stress-strain relationship can assist in better comprehending structural performance and capacity degradation for different tie spacings,and is useful for the analysis and design of confined RC(reinforced concrete)elements during and after a fire.
基金Project(2018XK2301) supported by the Change-Zhu-Tan National Independent Innavation Demonstration Zone Special Program,China。
文摘The ductile-to-brittle transition temperature(DBTT)of high strength steels can be optimized by tailoring microstructure and crystallographic orientation characteristics,where the start cooling temperature plays a key role.In this work,X70 steels with different start cooling temperatures were prepared through thermo-mechanical control process.The quasi-polygonal ferrite(QF),granular bainite(GB),bainitic ferrite(BF)and martensite-austenite constituents were formed at the start cooling temperatures of 780℃(C1),740℃(C2)and 700℃(C3).As start cooling temperature decreased,the amount of GB decreased,the microstructure of QF and BF increased.Microstructure characteristics of the three samples,such as high-angle grain boundaries(HAGBs),MA constituents and crystallographic orientation,also varied with the start cooling temperatures.C2 sample had the lowest DBTT value(−86℃)for its highest fraction of HAGBs,highest content of<110>oriented grains and lowest content of<001>oriented grains parallel to TD.The high density of{332}<113>and low density of rotated cube{001}<110>textures also contributed to the best impact toughness of C2 sample.In addition,a modified model was used in this paper to quantitatively predict the approximate DBTT value of steels.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2022YFE0123300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.U20A20277 and 52474351)Major Project of Liaoning Province Innovation Consortium(No.2023JH1/11200012).
文摘For P91 steel weldment,performing post-weld heat treatment immediately after welding can enhance welding efficiency and reduce the risk of hydrogen-induced cracking.However,determining the post-weld cooling temperature(PWCT)is challenging due to potential impact on the mechanical properties of weldment after subsequent heat treatment.A systematic investigation is conducted to explore the effect of PWCT on the impact toughness of P91 steel welded joints.It has been demonstrated that the impact energy of the weld metal gradually increases from 40.2 to 49.5 J as the PWCT decreases from 300 to 100℃.Microstructural analysis reveals that PWCTs above 100℃ led to an increased dislocation density in the weld metal.Furthermore,in situ observations using a high-temperature confocal laser scanning microscope confirm that excessively high PWCTs result in the formation of untempered martensite after post-weld heat treatment.Such untempered martensites are identified as the primary cause of the reduced impact toughness in the weld metal.These findings underscore the importance of carefully controlling PWCT in welding procedures for P91 steel and similar grades.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52372279,52103071,52203322,52473289,52303220)the Interdisciplinary Research Project for Young Teachers of USTB(Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities in China,FRF-IDRY-GD22-001)。
文摘The advancement of sophisticated smart windows exhibiting superior thermoregulation capabilities in both solar spectrum and long-wave infrared range maintains a prominent objective for researchers in this field.In this study,a Janus window is proposed and prepared based on polymer-stabilized liquid-crystal films/thermochromic materials.It can achieve switchable front long-wave infrared emissivity(ε_(Front))and solar modulation ability(ΔT_(sol))through dynamic flipping,making it suitable for different seasonal energy-saving requirements.Outdoor experiments show that under daytime illumination,the indoor temperature decreases by 8℃,and the nighttime temperature drops by 5℃.MATLAB simulation calculations indicate that the daytime cooling power is 93 W m^(-2),while the nighttime cooling power reaches 142 W m^(-2).Interestingly,by modifying the conductive layer,it can effectively shield electromagnetic radiation(within the X-band frequency range(8.2-12.4)GHz).Energy simulation reveals the substantial superiority of this device in energy savings compared with single-layer polymer-stabilized liquid crystal,poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide),and normal glass when applied in different climate zones.This research presents a compelling opportunity for the development of sophisticated smart windows characterized by exceptional thermoregulation capabilities.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52406102)Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. ZR2023QE258)。
文摘In order to meet the growing global energy demand and fulfill energy conservation and emission reduction goals, the efficient utilization of solar energy is becoming increasingly critical. However, the effects of high temperatures on solar absorption are rarely considered in practical research. Therefore, this study presents a porous zinc and silver sulfide solar absorber with high-temperature radiative cooling capabilities. The solar absorption rate and radiative cooling efficiency in the high-temperature range(636 K–1060 K) are computed using the finite-difference time-domain method. Furthermore, the impact of parameters such as characteristic length, porosity, incident angle, and pore shape factor on both the absorption rate and efficiency of the solar absorber is analyzed. The mechanism is further examined from the perspective of microscopic thermal radiation. The results show that, in the high-temperature range, the solar absorption rate increases with higher porosity and incident angles, reaching its peak when the characteristic length is 1 μm. These findings highlight the significant potential of the solar absorber for efficient solar energy harvesting in photo-thermal conversion applications within a specific high-temperature range.
基金supported by the Key project of Hunan Provincial Education Department(Grant Number:22A0485)The Natural Science Foundation of Hunan(Grant Number:2024JJ5293)The Key project of Hunan University of Arts and Science(Grant Number:23ZZ08).
文摘In liquid rocket engines,regenerative cooling technology is essential for preserving structural integrity under extreme thermal loads.However,non-uniform coolant flow distribution within the cooling channels often leads to localized overheating,posing serious risks to engine reliability and operational lifespan.This study employs a three-dimensional fluid–thermal coupled numerical model to systematically investigate the influence of geometric parameters-specifically the number of inlets,the number of channels,and inlet manifold configurations-on flow uniformity and thermal distribution in non-pyrolysis zones.Key findings reveal that increasing the number of inlets from one to three significantly enhances flow uniformity,reducing mass flow rate deviation from 1.2%to below 0.3%.However,further increasing the inlets to five yields only marginal improvements indicating diminishing(<0.1%),returns beyond three inlets.Additionally,temperature non-uniformity at the combustion chamber throat decreases by 37%-from 3050 K with 18 channels to 1915 K with 30 channels-highlighting the critical role of channel density in effective thermal regulation.Notably,while higher channel counts improve cooling efficiency,they also result in increased pressure losses of approximately 18%–22%,emphasizing the need to balance thermal performance against hydraulic resistance.An optimal configuration comprising 24 channels and three inlets was identified,providing minimal temperature gradients while maintaining acceptable pressure losses.The inlet manifold structure also plays a pivotal role in determining flow distribution.Configuration 3(Config-3),which features an enlarged manifold and reduced inlet velocity,achieves a 40%reduction in velocity fluctuations compared to Configuration 1(Config-1).This improvement leads to a more uniform mass flow distribution,with a relative standard deviation(RSD)of less than 0.15%.Furthermore,this design effectively mitigates localized hot spots near the nozzle-where temperature gradients are most severe-achieving a reduction of approximately 1135 K.
基金Projects(51274083,51074062)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘Microstructure, precipitate and magnetic characteristic of fmal products with different normalizing cooling processes for Fe-3.2%Si low-temperature hot-rolled grain-oriented silicon steel were analyzed and compared with the hot-rolled plate by optical microscopy (OM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The results show that, the surface microstructure is uniform, the proportion of recrystallization in matrix increases, and the banding textures are narrowed; the precipitates, whose quantity in normalized plate is more than that in hot-rolled plate greatly, are mainly A1N, MnS, composite precipitates (Cu,Mn)S and so on. Normalizing technology with a temperature of 1120 ℃, holding for 3 min, and a two-stage cooling is a most advantaged method to obtain oriented silicon steel with sharper Goss texture and higher magnetic properties, owing to the uniform surface microstructures and the obvious inhomogeneity of microstructures along the thickness. The normalizing technology with the two-stage cooling is the optimum process, which can generate more fine precipitates dispersed over the matrix, and be beneficial for finished products to get higher magnetic properties.
文摘The mathematical model of the grinding temperature is established. The grinding temperature and the cooling rate are measured in the grind-hardening process of 40Cr steel under different conditions. Moreover, the grind-hardening effects are investigated. Experimental results show that the calculated temperatures are comparatively close to the measured ones, and the required temperature and cooling rate can be achieved. Furthermore, the microstructure of the hardened zone is similar to that obtained through the high-frequency induction technique. The average hardness of the entirely hardened zone is HV670 and the thickness of the hardened layer is adjacent to 1.3 mm. It indicates that the hardening mechanism induced by the grinding heat and high-frequency heating is identical. Finally, the fine needlelike martensite is obtained.
基金financially supported by the Science and Technology Innovation Program of Hunan Province(2024RC3003)the Central South University Innovation-Driven Research Programme(2023CXQD012)the Initiative for Sustainable Energy for its financial support。
文摘By combining the merits of radiative cooling(RC)and evaporation cooling(EC),radiative coupled evaporative cooling(REC)has attracted considerable attention for sub-ambient cooling purposes.However,for outdoor devices,the interior heating power would increase the working temperature and fire risk,which would suppress their above-ambient heat dissipation capabilities and passive water cycle properties.In this work,we introduced a REC design based on an all-in-one photonic hydrogel for above-ambient heat dissipation and flame retardancy.Unlike conventional design RC film for heat dissipation with limited cooling power and fire risk,REC hydrogel can greatly improve the heat dissipation performance in the daytime with a high workload,indicating a 12.0℃lower temperature than the RC film under the same conditions in the outdoor experiment.In the nighttime with a low workload,RC-assisted adsorption can improve atmospheric water harvesting to ensure EC in the daytime.In addition,our REC hydrogel significantly enhanced flame retardancy by absorbing heat without a corresponding temperature rise,thus mitigating fire risks.Thus,our design shows a promising solution for the thermal management of outdoor devices,delivering outstanding performance in both heat dissipation and flame retardancy.
基金financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52273067,52233006)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.2232023A-03)+3 种基金the Shuguang Program of Shanghai Education Development Foundation and Shanghai Municipal Education Commission(Grant No.23SG29)the Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai(Grant No.24ZR1402400)the Shanghai Scientific and Technological Innovation Project(Grant No.24520713000)Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission(Grant No.2021-01-07-00-03-E00108).
文摘Radiative cooling textiles with spectrally selective surfaces offer a promising energy-efficient approach for sub-ambient cooling of outdoor objects and individuals.However,the spectrally selective mid-infrared emission of these textiles significantly hinders their efficient radiative heat exchange with self-heated objects,thereby posing a significant challenge to their versatile cooling applicability.Herein,we present a bicomponent blow spinning strategy for the production of scalable,ultra-flexible,and healable textiles featuring a tailored dual gradient in both chemical composition and fiber diameter.The gradient in the fiber diameter of this textile introduces a hierarchically porous structure across the sunlight incident area,thereby achieving a competitive solar reflectivity of 98.7%on its outer surface.Additionally,the gradient in the chemical composition of this textile contributes to the formation of Janus infrared-absorbing surfaces:The outer surface demonstrates a high mid-infrared emission,whereas the inner surface shows a broad infrared absorptivity,facilitating radiative heat exchange with underlying self-heated objects.Consequently,this textile demonstrates multi-scenario radiative cooling capabilities,enabling versatile outdoor cooling for unheated objects by 7.8℃ and self-heated objects by 13.6℃,compared to commercial sunshade fabrics.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.12074213 and 11574108)the Major Basic Program of Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (Grant No.ZR2021ZD01)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (Grant No.ZR2023MA082)。
文摘In recent years,the research on superconductivity in one-dimensional(1D)materials has been attracting increasing attention due to its potential applications in low-dimensional nanodevices.However,the critical temperature(T_(c))of 1D superconductors is low.In this work,we theoretically investigate the possible high T_(c) superconductivity of(5,5)carbon nanotube(CNT).The pristine(5,5)CNT is a Dirac semimetal and can be modulated into a semiconductor by full hydrogenation.Interestingly,by further hole doping,it can be regulated into a metallic state with the sp3-hybridized𝜎electrons metalized,and a giant Kohn anomaly appears in the optical phonons.The two factors together enhance the electron–phonon coupling,and lead to high-T_(c) superconductivity.When the hole doping concentration of hydrogenated-(5,5)CNT is 2.5 hole/cell,the calculated T_(c) is 82.3 K,exceeding the boiling point of liquid nitrogen.Therefore,the predicted hole-doped hydrogenated-(5,5)CNT provides a new platform for 1D high-T_(c) superconductivity and may have potential applications in 1D nanodevices.
基金support from the Contract Research(“Development of Breathable Fabrics with Nano-Electrospun Membrane”,CityU ref.:9231419“Research and application of antibacterial and healing-promoting smart nanofiber dressing for children’s burn wounds”,CityU ref:PJ9240111)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(“Study of Multi-Responsive Shape Memory Polyurethane Nanocomposites Inspired by Natural Fibers”,Grant No.51673162)Startup Grant of CityU(“Laboratory of Wearable Materials for Healthcare”,Grant No.9380116).
文摘Radiative cooling systems(RCSs)possess the distinctive capability to dissipate heat energy via solar and thermal radiation,making them suitable for thermal regulation and energy conservation applications,essential for mitigating the energy crisis.A comprehensive review connecting the advancements in engineered radiative cooling systems(ERCSs),encompassing material and structural design as well as thermal and energy-related applications,is currently absent.Herein,this review begins with a concise summary of the essential concepts of ERCSs,followed by an introduction to engineered materials and structures,containing nature-inspired designs,chromatic materials,meta-structural configurations,and multilayered constructions.It subsequently encapsulates the primary applications,including thermal-regulating textiles and energy-saving devices.Next,it highlights the challenges of ERCSs,including maximized thermoregulatory effects,environmental adaptability,scalability and sustainability,and interdisciplinary integration.It seeks to offer direction for forthcoming fundamental research and industrial advancement of radiative cooling systems in real-world applications.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2024YFC3714200)Guangxi Key Research and Development Program,China(No.Guike AB24010074)+2 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22276099,U24A20515 and 22361162668)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.BK20240036)the Postgraduate Research&Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province(No.KYCX24_1529).
文摘Temperature has a substantial impact on the emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds(BVOCs).Moder-ate warm temperatures,e.g.,30–40°C,could boost plant metabolism,increasing BVOC emissions.Against the backdrop of global warming,plants emit more BVOCs to cope with thermal stress,leading to elevated concen-trations of tropospheric ozone(O_(3))and secondary organic aerosols(SOA).In recent years,a considerable body of research has explored the interaction between tree species and BVOCs under the influence of various environ-mental factors.Although many studies have examined explored the temperature dependence of BVOC emissions in the past,few studies have conducted a comprehensive and in-depth investigation into the impacts of tempera-ture.This review summarizes the relevant studies on BVOCs in the past decade,including the main biosynthetic pathways,emission observation techniques and emission inventories,as well as how temperature affects isoprene and monoterpene emission rates and the formation of O_(3) and SOA.Our work offers a theoretical foundation and guidance for future efforts to advance the comprehension of BVOC emission characteristics and develop strategies to mitigate secondary pollution.
基金Shanxi Province Graduate Research Practice Innovation Project,No.2023KY465Project on the Reform of Graduate Education and Teaching in Shanxi Province,No.2021YJJG146+1 种基金Research Project of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau,No.22-8-14-1400-119National Key R&D Program of China,No.2021YFB3901300。
文摘Human activities have significantly impacted the land surface temperature(LST),endangering human health;however,the relationship between these two factors has not been adequately quantified.This study comprehensively constructs a Human Activity Intensity(HAI)index and employs the Maximal Information Coefficient,four-quadrant model,and XGBoostSHAP model to investigate the spatiotemporal relationship and influencing factors of HAI-LST in the Yellow River Basin(YRB)from 2000 to 2020.The results indicated that from 2000 to 2020,as HAI and LST increased,the static HAI-LST relationship in the YRB showed a positive correlation that continued to strengthen.This dynamic relationship exhibited conflicting development,with the proportion of coordinated to conflicting regions shifting from 1:4 to 1:2,indicating a reduction in conflict intensity.Notably,only the degree of conflict in the source area decreased significantly,whereas it intensified in the upper and lower reaches.The key factors influencing the HAI-LST relationship include fractional vegetation cover,slope,precipitation,and evapotranspiration,along with region-specific factors such as PM_(2.5),biodiversity,and elevation.Based on these findings,region-specific ecological management strategies have been proposed to mitigate conflict-prone areas and alleviate thermal stress,thereby providing important guidance for promoting harmonious development between humans and nature.
基金supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning(KETEP)the Ministry of Trade,Industry&Energy(MOTIE)of the Republic of Korea Program(No.RS-2025-02603127,Innovation Research Center for Zero-carbon Fuel Gas Turbine Design,Manufacture,and Safety)。
文摘Understanding the temperature dependent deformation behavior of Mg alloys is crucial for their expanding use in the aerospace sector.This study investigates the deformation mechanisms of hot-rolled AZ61 Mg alloy under uniaxial tension along rolling direction(RD)and transverse direction(TD)at-50,25,50,and 150℃.Results reveal a transition from high strength with limited elongation at-50℃ to significant softening and maximum ductility at 150℃.TD samples consistently showed 2%-6%higher strength than RD;however,this yield anisotropy diminished at 150℃ due to the shift from twinning to thermally activated slip and recovery.Fractography indicated a change from semi-brittle to fully ductile fracture with increasing temperature.Electron backscattered diffraction(EBSD)analysis confirmed twinning-driven grain refinement at low temperatures,while deformation at high temperatures involved grain elongation along shear zones,enabling greater strain accommodation before material failure.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.51975138the High-Tech Ship Scientific Research Project from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology under Grant No.CJ05N20the National Defense Basic Research Project under Grant No.JCKY2023604C006.
文摘Marine thin plates are susceptible to welding deformation owing to their low structural stiffness.Therefore,the efficient and accurate prediction of welding deformation is essential for improving welding quality.The traditional thermal elastic-plastic finite element method(TEP-FEM)can accurately predict welding deformation.However,its efficiency is low because of the complex nonlinear transient computation,making it difficult to meet the needs of rapid engineering evaluation.To address this challenge,this study proposes an efficient prediction method for welding deformation in marine thin plate butt welds.This method is based on the coupled temperature gradient-thermal strain method(TG-TSM)that integrates inherent strain theory with a shell element finite element model.The proposed method first extracts the distribution pattern and characteristic value of welding-induced inherent strain through TEP-FEM analysis.This strain is then converted into the equivalent thermal load applied to the shell element model for rapid computation.The proposed method-particularly,the gradual temperature gradient-thermal strain method(GTG-TSM)-achieved improved computational efficiency and consistent precision.Furthermore,the proposed method required much less computation time than the traditional TEP-FEM.Thus,this study lays the foundation for future prediction of welding deformation in more complex marine thin plates.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.62464010)Spring City Plan-Special Program for Young Talents(K202005007)+2 种基金Yunnan Talents Support Plan for Young Talents(XDYC-QNRC-2022-0482)Yunnan Local Colleges Applied Basic Research Projects(202101BA070001-138)Frontier Research Team of Kunming University 2023.
文摘Rechargeable Zn/Sn-air batteries have received considerable attention as promising energy storage devices.However,the electrochemical performance of these batteries is significantly constrained by the sluggish electrocatalytic reaction kinetics at the cathode.The integration of light energy into Zn/Sn-air batteries is a promising strategy for enhancing their performance.However,the photothermal and photoelectric effects generate heat in the battery under prolonged solar irradiation,leading to air cathode instability.This paper presents the first design and synthesis of Ni_(2)-1,5-diamino-4,8-dihydroxyanthraquinone(Ni_(2)DDA),an electronically conductiveπ-d conjugated metal-organic framework(MOF).Ni_(2)DDA exhibits both photoelectric and photothermal effects,with an optical band gap of~1.14 eV.Under illumination,Ni_(2)DDA achieves excellent oxygen evolution reaction performance(with an overpotential of 245 mV vs.reversible hydrogen electrode at 10 mA cm^(−2))and photothermal stability.These properties result from the synergy between the photoelectric and photothermal effects of Ni_(2)DDA.Upon integration into Zn/Sn-air batteries,Ni_(2)DDA ensures excellent cycling stability under light and exhibits remarkable performance in high-temperature environments up to 80℃.This study experimentally confirms the stable operation of photo-assisted Zn/Sn-air batteries under high-temperature conditions for the first time and provides novel insights into the application of electronically conductive MOFs in photoelectrocatalysis and photothermal catalysis.
基金financially supported by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No. 20110491492)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province (No.20114BAB216017)Science Foundation of the Educational Department of Jiangxi Province (No. GJJ12035)
文摘This paper investigated the influences of pouring temperature and cooling rate on the microstructure development and mechanical properties for casting A1-Si-Cu aluminum alloy. The microstructure of the as-cast samples was characterized by an optical microscope. The results showed that the dendrite arm spacing (DAS,),) is well refined by pouring at a higher temperature. The A decreases with increasing pouring temperature due to the multiplication of the nucleation sites in the superheating liquid melt, and the mechanical properties, such as microhardness and ultimate tensile strength increase correspondingly, while the elongation decreases. The relationships between microhardness and 3, for the samples cooled in metal mould and sand mould, are given as HV:l18.9 - 1.246A and HV=l15.2- 1.029A, respectively. The effects of the cooling rate controlled by using permanent mould casting and sand mould casing processes (the cooling medium is air and sand, respectively) on the dendrite arm spacing and mechanical properties are similar to the effect of the pouring temperature.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51109071)
文摘Pipe cooling is an effective method of mass concrete temperature control, but its accurate and convenient numerical simulation is still a cumbersome problem. An improved embedded model, considering the water temperature variation along the pipe, was proposed for simulating the temperature field of early-age concrete structures containing cooling pipes. The improved model was verified with an engineering example. Then, the p-version self-adaption algorithm for the improved embedded model was deduced, and the initial values and boundary conditions were examined. Comparison of some numerical samples shows that the proposed model can provide satisfying precision and a higher efficiency. The analysis efficiency can be doubled at the same precision, even for a large-scale element. The p-version algorithm can fit grids of different sizes for the temperature field simulation. The convenience of the proposed algorithm lies in the possibility of locating more pipe segments in one element without the need of so regular a shape as in the explicit model.