Continuous Airflow Research Articles

An Air-liquid Interface Bronchial Epithelial Model for Realistic, Repeated Inhalation Exposure to Airborne Particles for Toxicity Testing.

For toxicity testing of airborne particles, air-liquid interface (ALI) exposure systems have been developed for in vitro tests in order to mimic realistic exposure conditions. This puts specific demands on the cell culture models. Many cell types are negatively affected by exposure to air (e.g., drying out) and only remain viable for a few days. This limits the exposure conditions that can be used in these models: usually relatively high concentrations are applied as a cloud (i.e., droplets containing particles, which settle down rapidly) within a short period of time. Such experimental conditions do not reflect realistic long-term exposure to low concentrations of particles. To overcome these limitations the use of a human bronchial epithelial cell line, Calu-3 was investigated. These cells can be cultured at ALI conditions for several weeks while retaining a healthy morphology and a stable monolayer with tight junctions. In addition, this bronchial model is suitable for testing the effects of repeated exposures to low, realistic concentrations of airborne particles using an ALI exposure system. This system uses a continuous airflow in contrast to other ALI exposure systems that use a single nebulization producing a cloud. Therefore, the continuous flow system is suitable for repeated and prolonged exposure to airborne particles while continuously monitoring the particle characteristics, exposure concentration, and delivered dose. Taken together, this bronchial model, in combination with the continuous flow exposure system, is able to mimic realistic, repeated inhalation exposure conditions that can be used for toxicity testing.

A pneumatic piezoelectric vibration energy harvester based on the compressed air-transducer-structure interaction

Harvesting energy from the ambient vibration to replace the conventional electrochemical batteries has gained considerable interest. Different from the most existing flow-induced vibration energy harvesters based on the continuous airflow, by using the pressure energy of the air rather than the kinetic energy, a novel pneumatic piezoelectric vibration energy harvester (PVEH) based on compressed air-transducer-structure interaction is presented and fabricated in this paper. To verify the feasibility of the proposed principle and design, the experiments of frequency responses were performed to evaluate the energy harvesting performance in terms of vibrational displacement and open-circuit voltage. It was found that the power generation characteristics of the pneumatic PVEH was almost totally independent of the vibration properties because of the mutual interaction between the compressed air, piezoelectric transducer and damping orifice. Experimental results demonstrated there was an optimal proof mass of 12.5 kg to maximize the open-circuit voltage for this prototype PVEH. The optimal excitation frequency of the voltage-frequency response decreased linearly with the rising air pressure. With the enhancement of the initial air pressure from 0.1 MPa to 0.95 MPa, the optimal frequency was dropped from 55 Hz to 31 Hz. The open-circuit voltage could be improved through reducing the size of damping orifice, where the output voltage reached the maximum value of 51.6 V at the air pressure of 0.5 MPa with the valve opening of 1/6. Besides, more than one peak voltage would occur with the increase of the air pressure or the size of the damping orifice. It is expected that this study can provide a guideline for the design and application of the PVEH using the compressed air.

Determination of Air Filter Anti-Viral Efficiency against an Airborne Infectious Virus

Recently, various studies have reported the prevention and treatment of respiratory infection outbreaks caused by lethal viruses. Consequently, a variety of air filters coated with antimicrobial agents have been developed to capture and inactivate virus particles in continuous airflow conditions. However, since aerosolized infectious viral-testing is inadvisable due to safety concerns, their anti-viral capability has only been tested by inserting the filters into liquid media, where infectious virus particles disperse. In this study a novel method of determining anti-viral performance of an air filter against airborne infectious viruses is presented. Initially, anti-viral air filter tests were conducted. Firstly, by an air-media test, in which the air filter was placed against an aerosolized non-infectious virus. Secondly, by a liquid-media test, in which the filter was inserted into a liquid medium containing a non-infectious virus. Subsequently, a correlation was established by comparing the susceptibility constants obtained between the two medium tests and an association was found for the air medium test with infectious virus. After ensuring the relationship did not depend on the virus species, the correlation was used to derive the results of the air-medium test from the results of the liquid-medium test.

Effect of Diquafosol Ophthalmic Solution on Airflow-Induced Ocular Surface Disorder in Diabetic Rats.

PurposeTo examine the effect of 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution (DQS) on ocular surface disorders in diabetic model rats maintained in a continuous airflow condition.MethodsGoto–Kakizaki (GK) rats, a spontaneous model of type 2 diabetes, were exposed to constant airflow for 8 weeks. After the establishment of the animal model in this environment, DQS or saline was instilled six times a day into GK rat eyes for 6 weeks. Schirmer’s test was performed before and after 6-week instillations. Corneal fluorescein staining was scored at 2-, 4-, and 6-week instillations. Touch thresholds for the cornea were also determined using a Cochet–Bonnet esthesiometer before and after 6-week instillations.ResultsThe mean Schirmer’s test score after instillation of DQS was twice higher than that recorded for saline alone. DQS significantly decreased corneal staining scores at 4- and 6-week instillations. No changes in touch thresholds were observed before and after 6-week instillations.ConclusionThese results suggest that DQS improves corneal epithelial damage by stimulating tear secretion without influencing corneal sensation in diabetic keratopathy. Thus, DQS may have potential for treatment of diabetic patients with dry eye.

Pinned Droplet Size on a Superhydrophobic Surface in Shear Flow

The recent development of a superhydrophobic surface enhances the droplet shedding under a shear flow. The present study gives insights into the effects of shear flow on a pinned droplet over a superhydrophobic surface. To experimentally simulate the change in the size of a sessile droplet on an aerodynamic surface, the volume of the pinned droplet is expanded by water supplied through a pore. Under a continuous airflow that provides a shear flow over the superhydrophobic surface, the size of a pinned water droplet shed from the surface is experimentally characterized. The air velocity ranges from 8 to 61 m/s, and the size of pinned droplets shed at a given air velocity is measured using an instantaneous snapshot captured with a high-speed camera. It is found that the size of the shedding pinned droplet decreases as air velocity increases. At higher air velocities, shedding pinned droplets are fully immersed in the boundary layer. The present findings give a correlation between critical air velocity and the size of pinned droplets shed from the pore over the superhydrophobic surface.

A Research Study on the Radiological State of Building Material and the Risk Assessment

The objective of the present study is focused an the assessment of the radiological risk from building materials used in Attica region, Greece. Bricks and concrete com- monly used in Attica region have been studied for both natural radionuclide content and radon exhalation. The high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy technique, as well as radon exhalation measurements, have been employed. The technique used for the measurements of the radon exhalation is called "continuous accumulation- counting" method and has been described in detail by the authors in earlier pub- lications. This measurement technique is based on the continuous air flow through a sealed chamber containing the sample and through a scintillation counter (Lucas cell). The counting is continuous as well.

Numerical Analysis and Parametric Optimisation of Heat Release from a Packed Bed (MgSO4) Thermochemical Reactor

Thermochemical energy storage is one of the process which is capable of both short term and long term energy storage. Incorporating this storage method with solar energy is important when we considering seasonal or long term thermal energy storage. Thermochemical energy storage uses chemical reactions to store and release the energy. The charging or storage temperature of the thermochemical material (TCM), porosity of the reactor bed, concentration of reactants etc. are some of the important factors which affects the storage and release of the energy of a TCM. In this work we investigate the energy release from MgSO4 by modelling the hydration reaction of MgSO4 in a packed bed reactor with continuous flow of moist air through the bed. It is observed that the parameters such as porosity of the reactor bed, mass flow rate of moist air, particle diameter, concentration of water vapour etc. play an important role on the energy release from the TCM. Thaguchi method is used to optimize these parameters. The porosity of the reactor bed and the particle size of the TCM are found to be crucial in energy release.

Efecto de la relación carbono/Nitrógeno en la producción de carotenoids en microalgas

El presente trabajo de investigación tiene como objetivo determiner el efecto de la relación Carbono/Nitrógeno en la producción de biomasa y carotenoides totales en una cepa de Scenedesmus sp. Inicialmente, se evaluaron tres fuentes de carbono diferentes (carbonato de sodio, bicarbonato de sodio y acetato de sodio) bajo diferentes concentraciones de una fuente de nitrógeno (nitrato de sodio) en reactores tubulares de 250 ml. Los reactores fueron operados a 25°C durante 40 días en un ciclo de luz:oscuridad de 12:12 horas y un flujo continuo de aire. De acuerdo con los resultados se encontró que mediante el ajuste de la concentración de la fuente de carbono y nitrógeno, es posible aumentar la concentración de biomasa hasta 0.8 g/L. Por otra parte, mediante la regulación de la concentración de carbonato de sodio y nitrato de sodio, el contenido final carotenoides totales se incrementó dos veces (de 0.3 a 0.66% p/p). Los resultados de este estudio muestran que, al ajustar las concentraciones de la fuente de carbono y de nitrógeno es posible obtener un aumento interesante en la biomasa final y la concentración de carotenoides totales. Finalmente, es importante resaltar que se debe estudiar el efecto de otras estrategias como la luz, la salinidad y el pH, junto con la relación C/N para obtener un método adecuado que lleve a las celulas hacia un estress metabolico y mejore así la síntesis de carotenoides en Scencedesmus sp.

Cenosphere Separation from Fly Ash Using Modified Gravity Separator: Feed Ratio Assessment and Stream Velocity Optimization

The increase of the population causing increased energy needs, one of which is electricity. Coal constitutes one of the largest carbon sources to generate electricity where the combustion leaves a by-product in the form of fly ash. Inside the fly ash, there are round- shaped hollow particles whose its density is lower than water of about 0.9 g/cm3. These particles called cenosphere containing alumino-silicate. Due to its lighter and tougher nature, it makes the cenosphere appealing to use as a lightweight and robust material. Cenosphere can be separated using both dry separation and wet separation. Separation using the wet process produces another impact on the side of the liquid media processing that is used because it potentially carries toxic compounds inside the fly ash. While the separation using the dry separation method still has problems regarding its efficiency. Modified Gravity Separator is a new design for cenosphere separation using air as a fluid medium. This research was conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed geometry by looking at the effect of the feed velocity to the geometry expansion space using a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamic) computing software. The feed particles are assumed to be spherical shape and are observed with the Euler-Lagrange equation where the particles interact with continuous airflow. The simulations were carried out at speeds of 0.1 m/s, 0.25 m/s, 0.5 m/s, and 1 m/s. This simulation successfully illustrates the flow pattern and predicts the recovery rate of each collector so that it can be evaluated and optimized for future investigation.

Intraglottal Aerodynamics at Vocal Fold Vibration Onset

The most frequently observed type of voice onset in spontaneous speech in normal subjects is the soft onset, and it may be considered as the "physiological" onset. It starts from an immobile narrow glottal slit crossed by a continuous airflow, and then a few oscillations (even a single one in some cases) precede the first glottal closure. It is a transient event, during which the acting forces, lung pressure, intraglottal pressure, myoelastic tension of the vocal fold (VF) oscillator and inertance of the supraglottal vocal tract, interact to progressively reach the steady state of a sustained oscillation. Combined measurements of flow, area, and pressure provide a detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of the intraglottal mechanical events at the precise moment of starting oscillation in a physiological (soft or soft/breathy) onset. Our in vivo measurements of airflow and glottal area show that the very first oscillation occurs exactly at the time when turbulence appears at the level of the glottal narrowing, ie, when the Reynolds number reaches its critical value. The turbulence may be assumed to trigger an oscillator consisting in the ensemble of the VFs and the air of the vocal tract, which is known to be weakly damped. Turbulence can act here as an aspecific flick, triggering the oscillator, the frequency of oscillation being determined by its mechanical properties. Furthermore, the first noticeable glottal oscillations are sinusoidal: the VFs are neither steeply sucked together by a negative Bernoulli pressure, nor burst apart by the lung pressure. Our measurements show that, at the critical time, the rising positive lung pressure is balanced by the rising negative Bernoulli pressure generated by the transglottal flow.

Vinasse as a Sustainable Medium for the Production of Chlorella vulgaris UTEX 1803

This study investigates distillery wastewater, commonly known as vinasse, as a potential culture medium for the production of Chlorella vulgaris and its most relevant metabolites. The effect of vinasse concentration on the composition of the biomass (proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids) was evaluated in treatments performed in 6-L tubular air-lift reactors. The reactors were operated at 25 °C for 18 days, in total darkness, under a continuous flow of air. Results showed a rapid growth of microalgae in the first ten days, when an average production of 0.87 g/L was reached. Then, the daily biomass productivity began to decrease, up to an average value of 11.8 g/L at the 16th day. For all treatments, there was a significant reduction in the concentration of most metabolites in the first eight days. This was likely due to the adaptation of the biomass to the new conditions, with a transition from autotrophic to heterotrophic metabolism. From the 10th day, the concentration of metabolites in the biomass began to increase, reaching a nearly constant value at the 16th day. The observed maximum concentrations (%w/w) were: 48.95% proteins, 2.88% xylose, 7.82% glucose, 4.54% arabinose, 8.28% fructose, and 4.82% lipids. These values were only marginally affected by the type of treatment. Overall, the results obtained suggest that vinasse is a promising and sustainable medium for the growth of C. vulgaris and the production of valuable metabolites.

CRSIDLab: A Toolbox for Multivariate Autonomic Nervous System Analysis Using Cardiorespiratory Identification.

This paper presents the Cardiorespiratory System Identification Lab (CRSIDLab), a MATLAB-based software tool for multivariate autonomic nervous system (ANS) evaluation through heart rate variability (HRV) analysis and cardiorespiratory system identification. Based on a graphical user interface, CRSIDLab provides a complete set of tools including pre-processing cardiorespiratory data (electrocardiogram, continuous blood pressure, airflow, and instantaneous lung volume), power spectral density estimation, and multivariable cardiorespiratory system model identification. Parametrized multivariate models can assess both HRV and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) by considering the causal relationship from respiration to heart rate (or its reciprocal, R-to-R interval - RRI) and from systolic blood pressure to RRI, for instance. The impulse response, estimated from the model, is used as a mathematical tool to effectively open the inherently closed-loop nature of the cardiorespiratory system, allowing the investigation of the dynamic response between pairs of cardiorespiratory variables. This system modeling approach provides information on gain and temporal behavior regarding dynamics, such as the baroreflex, complementing traditional HRV, and BRS indices. The toolbox is presented and used to investigate autonomic function in sleep apnea. The results show that, while traditional HRV indices were unable to differentiate between apneic and non-apneic subjects, the autonomic descriptors obtained from the multivariate system identification techniques were able to show vagal impairment in apneic compared to non-apneic subjects. Thus, CRSIDLab can help promote the use of cardiorespiratory system identification as a potentially more sensitive measure of ANS activity than classical HRV analysis.

Chemosensory Event-Related Potentials in Response to Nasal Propylene Glycol Stimulation.

Propylene glycol, also denoted as 1.2 propanediol (C3H8O2), often serves as a solvent for dilution of olfactory stimuli. It is supposed to serve as a neutral substance and has been used in many behavioral and electrophysiological studies to dilute pure olfactory stimuli. However, the effect of propylene glycol on perception and on neuronal responses has hitherto never been studied. In this study we tested by means of a threshold test, whether a nasal propylene glycol stimulation is recognizable by humans. Participants were able to recognize propylene glycol at a threshold of 42% concentration and reported a slight cooling effect. In addition to the threshold test, we recorded electroencephalography (EEG) during nasal propylene glycol stimulation to study the neuronal processing of the stimulus. We used a flow olfactometer and stimulated 15 volunteers with three different concentrations of propylene glycol (40 trials each) and water as a control condition (40 trials). To evaluate the neuronal response, we analyzed the event-related potentials (ERPs) and power modulations. The task of the volunteers was to identify a change (olfactory, thermal, or tactile) in the continuous air flow generated by the flow olfactometer. The analysis of the ERPs showed that propylene glycol generates a clear P2 component, which was also visible in the frequency domain as an evoked power response in the theta-band. The source analysis of the P2 revealed a widespread involvement of brain regions, including the postcentral gyrus, the insula and adjacent operculum, the thalamus, and the cerebellum. Thus, it is possible that trigeminal stimulation can at least partly account for sensations and brain responses elicited by propylene glycol. Based on these results, we conclude that the use of high propylene glycol concentrations to dilute fragrances complicates the interpretation of presumed purely olfactory effects.

A Bi/BiOI/(BiO)2CO3 heterostructure for enhanced photocatalytic NO removal under visible light

Narrow-band BiOI photocatalysts usually suffer from low photocatalysis efficiency under visible light exposure because of rapid charge recombination. In this work, to overcome this deficiency of photosensitive BiOI, oxygen vacancies, Bi particles, and Bi2O2CO3 were co-induced in BiOI via a facile in situ assembly method at room temperature using NaBH4 as the reducing agent. In the synthesized ternary Bi/BiOI/(BiO)2CO3, the oxygen vacancies, dual heterojunctions (i.e., Bi/BiOI and BiOI/(BiO)2CO3), and surface plasmon resonance effect of the Bi particles contributed to efficient electron-hole separation and an increase in charge carrier concentration, thus boosting the overall visible light photocatalysis efficiency. The as-prepared catalysts were applied for the removal of NO in concentrations of parts per billion from air in continuous air flow under visible light illumination. Bi/BiOI/(BiO)2CO3 exhibited a highly enhanced NO removal ratio of 50.7%, much higher than that of the pristine BiOI (1.2%). Density functional theory calculations and experimental results revealed that the Bi/BiOI/(BiO)2CO3 composites promoted the production of reactive oxygen species for photocatalytic NO oxidation. Thus, this work provides a new strategy to modify narrow-band semiconductors and explore other bismuth-containing heterostructured visible-light-driven photocatalysts.

Uniform generation of water slugs in air flowing through superhydrophobic microchannels with T-junction

This article describes an approach to render all walls of a rectangular microchannel superhydrophobic by coating them with hydrophobically modified silica nanoparticles. Differences between the coated nanoparticles in terms of feature size and structure resulted in different contact angle hysteresis (CAH) on the channel walls. The generation of water slugs in a continuous air flow was experimentally studied in the superhydrophobic microchannels with T-junction. The breakup mechanism of water slugs was proved to accord with the squeezing regime by analyzing the data collected from pressure sensor and high-speed camera at the T-junction. A home-made optical measurement system was employed to investigate the uniformity of the water slugs, which was characterized by the standard deviation and coefficient of variation of slug length. The results showed that superhydrophobic microchannels with CAH lower than 15° could produce uniform water slugs in a slug flow pattern, whereas those with CAH of nearly 30° led to unstable flow. Lower CAH and higher gas flow rate were preferred to reduce slug length and improve slug uniformity. An empirical scaling law was established to predict the slug length and was based on the finding that the total length and number of water slugs in the microchannel were controlled by the volumetric flow ratio of water to air and water flow rate, respectively. This work provides a novel microfluidic platform to generate uniform liquid-in-gas slugs under moderate ranges of air flow rate from 5 mL min−1 to 30 mL min−1 (6 < ReG < 40) and volumetric flow ratio of water to air from 1/300 to 1/2, and this performance benefits from superhydrophobic coatings with low CAH.

Reconfigurable plug-and-play assembly for the continuous production of composite anodes for modulating lithium storage

In this study, modulating lithium storage is achieved as a result of the built-to-order assembly of composite anodes by the serial connection of reconfigurable plug-and-play devices in an ambient atmosphere. In this assembly, spark ablation, mechanical spraying, and ultraviolet exposure devices are connected in series, as well as the turning of devices, under a continuous air flow, affording composite anodes in less than 15 s. Specifically, SnO2 nanoparticles prepared from spark ablation are carried by air flow, and the flow is injected into a mechanical spray system to generate carbon nanotube–graphene nanosheet/polyaniline slurry droplets, where SnO2 nanoparticles are inserted into the droplets via gas pressurization at the spray nozzle. Subsequently, the droplets are passed through a 254-nm ultraviolet lamp and a silica–gel–installed hollow tube for dynamic stiffening and drying to form SnO2-carbon nanotube–graphene nanosheet/polyaniline composites in a single-pass air flow. In addition, different composites such as SnO2-carbon nanotube (or graphene nanosheet)/polyaniline, SnO2CuO-carbon nanotube–graphene nanosheet/polyaniline, and SnO2Co3O4-carbon nanotube–graphene nanosheet/polyaniline are conveniently assembled by the reconfiguration of metal oxide nanoparticles or carbon/polymer slurries in the plug-and-play operation. These composites are suitable as anodes for lithium storage and enabled the modulation of specific capacities, rate capabilities, and cyclabilities by employing different architectures.

Reason analysis of ineffective triggering caused by a continuous nebulization airflow in mechanical ventilation

To analyze the ineffective triggering caused by nebulization in the way of respiratory mechanics. A test-lung and an oxygen-driven jet nebulizer were connected to the circuit in a PB840 ventilator. The test-lung was pulled outwards in manual way till an inspiration was effectively triggered separately in different flow-trigger modes [flow-trigger sensitivity (VTrig) 3 L/min and 5 L/min] and pressure-trigger modes [pressure-trigger sensitivity (PTrig) 2 cmH2O and 4 cmH2O, 1 cmH2O = 0.098 kPa] with the nebulizer being closed and opened in turn. The corresponding relationship and characteristics between the flow and pressure in the circuit under different triggering conditions were observed by adjusting the curve amplitude in the screen. The minimum alveolar pressure (Pa) which could cause an effective triggering and the variation span of Pa during the triggering period were analyzed in respiratory mechanics. (1) In flow-trigger mode: Pa was pulled down from positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) or intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEPi) to "PEEP-VTrigR" (R meant airway resistance) without nebulization, and the span of Pa was "VTrigR" or "PEEPi-PEEP+VTrigR". Pa was pulled down from PEEP or PEEPi to "PEEP-(VTrig+N)R" (N meant nebulization airflow) with nebulization, and the span of Pa was "(VTrig+N)R" or "PEEPi-PEEP+(VTrig+N)R". (2) In pressure-trigger mode: Pa was pulled down from PEEP or PEEPi to "PEEP-PTrig-1R" without nebulization, and the span of Pa was "PTrig+1R" or "PEEPi-PEEP+PTrig+1R". Pa was pulled down from PEEP or PEEPi to "PEEP-PTrig-(N+1)R" with nebulization, and the span of Pa was "PTrig+(N+1)R" or "PEEPi-PEEP+PTrig+(N+1)R". Nebulization airflow increases the difficulty of inspiratory triggering in mechanical ventilation. PEEPi makes it more difficult.

Automatic Processing of Nasal Pressure Recordings to Derive Continuous Side-Selective Nasal Airflow and Conductance.

Monitoring of nasal airflow and conductance provides crucial insights into the variable nature of the nasal resistance, nasal cycle, and ventilation. We have previously shown that tracking of pressure swings at the entrance of each nasal passage by a dedicated catheter system allows bilateral monitoring of nasal airflow over several hours but requires complex linearization and calibration procedures. Side-selective nasal conductance is derived from linearized and calibrated bilateral nasal pressure swings and corresponding driving pressure, i.e., the transnasal pressure difference derived from an epipharyngeal catheter. Manual analysis of such recordings and computation of instantaneous conductance as the ratio of flow to driving pressure over several hours is extremely tedious, time consuming, and therefore not suitable for routine practice. To address this point, we developed and validated a software for automatic processing of nasal and epipharyngeal pressure recordings as a convenient tool for studying the nasal ventilation. The software applies an eight-parameter logistic model to transform nasal pressure swings into side-selective estimates of airflow that are calibrated and further processed along with epipharyngeal pressure to compute bilateral nasal conductance over consecutive, user-selectable time-segments. Essential processing steps include (1) offset correction, (2) low-pass filtering, (3) cross-correlation, (4) cutting of signals into individual breaths, (5) normalization, (6) ensemble averaging to obtain a mean pressure signal for each nasal side, (7) derivation of airflow, conductance, and further variables. Among four evaluated algorithms for calculation of nasal conductance, the derivative of the airflow-pressure curve according to the mean value theorem agreed closest with the gold standard, i.e., the conductance derived from airflow measured by a pneumotachograph attached to an oral-nasal mask and transnasal pressure. In combination with the nasal catheter system, our novel software represents a valuable tool for use in clinical practice and research to conveniently investigate nasal ventilation and its changes occurring spontaneously or in response to various exposures and therapeutic interventions.

Development of HVAC Diffuser Unit for Task and Ambient Air Conditioning Allowing User to Control Built-in Fan — Evaluation of Air Supply Mode by Subjective Experiment and Field Measurement in Office

HVAC diffusers have been developed that have dual functions for task and ambient air conditioning. In this study, we evaluated comfort according to air supply mode, strong or fluctuation mode, through a subjective experiment. We found that the fluctuation mode maintained greater comfort for longer compared with the strong mode under continuous airflow exposure. Therefore, the fluctuation mode is considered suitable for long-duration use. Moreover, field measurements in an actual office showed that the fluctuation mode was superior in terms of both comfort and energy saving compared with conventional air conditioning.

A novel 3DOM Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 for photocatalytic removal of NO

A novel three dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 with an ordered distribution of macropores in the diameter of 270 nm is synthesized by a facile colloidal polystyrene template sol-gel and ice-water quenching method. The performance of photocatalytic removal of NO from continuous air flow with visible light irradiation show 3DOM Ti3+ self-doped TiO2 has enhanced efficiency under visible light irradiation. The improved photocatalytic efficiency could contribute to the presence of Ti3+ doping induced by ice-water quenching and the 3DOM structure with a large specific surface area.