Energy Exchange Research Articles

Comparison of transformer, LSTM and coupled algorithms for soil moisture prediction in shallow-groundwater-level areas with interpretability analysis

Accurate quantification of soil moisture is essential for understanding water and energy exchanges between the atmosphere and the Earth’s surface, as well as for agricultural applications. Predicting soil moisture content is vital for efficient water management, irrigation scheduling, and drought monitoring. Traditional forecasting methods, such as numerical regression models, often struggle due to various influencing factors and poor observation data quality. In contrast, deep learning algorithms, particularly recurrent and convolutional neural networks, show promise in predicting nonlinear data like soil moisture. This study focuses on shallow groundwater regions, using groundwater levels and meteorological data as features while coupling the Transformer model with other neural network structures. We investigate the potential of attention-based neural networks for soil moisture time series prediction. Our findings demonstrate that the Transformer model achieves an average R2 of 0.523 across different time lags, outperforming the LSTM model with an R2 of 0.485. The introduction of LSTM enhances the Transformer’s stability in handling temporal changes. Additionally, we verified the importance of groundwater for soil moisture prediction. This study introduces new methods for soil moisture prediction and offers new insights and recommendations for the development of artificial intelligence technology for soil moisture prediction.

Turbulent Energy and Carbon Fluxes in an Andean Montane Forest—Energy Balance and Heat Storage

High mountain rainforests are vital in the global energy and carbon cycle. Understanding the exchange of energy and carbon plays an important role in reflecting responses to climate change. In this study, an eddy covariance (EC) measurement system installed in the high Andean Mountains of southern Ecuador was used. As EC measurements are affected by heterogeneous topography and the vegetation height, the main objective was to estimate the effect of the sloped terrain and the forest on the turbulent energy and carbon fluxes considering the energy balance closure (EBC) and the heat storage. The results showed that the performance of the EBC was generally good and estimated it to be 79.5%. This could be improved when the heat storage effect was considered. Based on the variability of the residuals in the diel, modifications in the imbalances were highlighted. Particularly, during daytime, the residuals were largest (56.9 W/m2 on average), with a clear overestimation. At nighttime, mean imbalances were rather weak (6.5 W/m2) and mostly positive while strongest underestimations developed in the transition period to morning hours (down to −100 W/m2). With respect to the Monin–Obukhov stability parameter ((z − d)/L) and the friction velocity (u*), it was revealed that the largest overestimations evolved in weak unstable and very stable conditions associated with large u* values. In contrast, underestimation was related to very unstable conditions. The estimated carbon fluxes were independently modelled with a non-linear regression using a light-response relationship and reached a good performance value (R2 = 0.51). All fluxes were additionally examined in the annual course to estimate whether both the energy and carbon fluxes resembled the microclimatological conditions of the study site. This unique study demonstrated that EC measurements provide valuable insights into land-surface–atmosphere interactions and contribute to our understanding of energy and carbon exchanges. Moreover, the flux data provide an important basis to validate coupled atmosphere ecosystem models.

Modeling and Analysis of Droplet Evaporation at the Interface of a Coupled Free-Flow–Porous Medium System

AbstractEvaporation of droplets formed at the interface of a coupled free-flow–porous medium system enormously affects the exchange of mass, momentum, and energy between the two domains. In this work, we develop a model to describe multiple droplets’ evaporation at the interface, in which new sets of coupling conditions including the evaporating droplets are developed to describe the interactions between the free flow and the porous medium. Employing pore-network modeling to describe the porous medium, we take the exchanges occurring on the droplet–pore and droplet–free-flow interfaces into account. In this model, we describe the droplet evaporation as a diffusion-driven process, where vapor from the droplet surface diffuses into the surrounding free flow due to the concentration gradient. To validate the model, we compare the simulation results for the evaporation of a single droplet in a channel with experimental data, demonstrating that our model accurately describes the evaporation process. Then, we examine the impact of free-flow and porous medium properties on droplet evaporation. The results show that, among other factors, velocity and relative humidity in the free-flow domain, as well as pore temperature in the porous medium, play key roles in the droplet evaporation process.

Center of mass mechanics during locomotion in the arboreal squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) as a function of speed and substrate.

It is thought that the magnitude of center of mass (COM) oscillations can affect stability and locomotor costs in arboreal animals. Previous studies have suggested that minimizing collisional losses and maximizing pendular energy exchange are effective mechanisms to reduce muscular input and energy expenditure during terrestrial locomotion. However, few studies have explored whether these mechanisms are used in an arboreal context, where stability and efficiency often act as tradeoffs. This study explores three-dimensional center of mass mechanics in an arboreal primate-the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)-moving quadrupedally at various speeds on instrumented arboreal and terrestrial supports. Using kinetic data, values of energy recovery, center of mass mechanical work and power, potential and kinetic energy congruity, and collision angle and fraction were calculated for each stride. Saimiri differed from many other mammals by having lower energy recovery. Although few differences were observed in center of mass mechanics between substrates at low or moderate speeds, as speed increased, center of mass work was done at a much greater range of rates on the pole. Collision angles were higher, while collision fractions and energy recovery values were lower on the pole, indicating less moderation of collisional losses during arboreal versus terrestrial locomotion. These data support the idea that the energetic demands of arboreal and terrestrial locomotion differ, suggesting that arboreal primates likely employ different locomotor strategies compared to their terrestrial counterparts-an important factor in the evolution of arboreal locomotion.

Debonding Detection of Thin-Walled Adhesive Structure by Electromagnetic Acoustic Resonance Technology.

The detection of debonding defects in thin-walled adhesive structures, such as clad-iron/rubber layers on the leading edges of helicopter blades, presents significant challenges. This paper proposes the application of electromagnetic acoustic resonance technology (EMAR) to identify these defects in thin-walled adhesive structures. Through theoretical and simulation studies, the frequency spectrum of ultrasonic vibrations in thin-walled adhesive structures with various defects was analyzed. These studies verified the feasibility of applying EMAR to identify debonding defects. The identification of debonding defects was further examined, revealing that cling-type debonding defects could be effectively detected using EMAR by exciting shear waves with the minimum defect diameter at 5 mm. Additionally, the method allows for the quantitative analysis of these defects in the test sample. Due to the limited size of the energy exchange region in the transducer, the quantitative error becomes significant when identifying debonding defects smaller than this region. The EMAR identified debonding defects in clad-iron structures of rotor blades with a maximum error of approximately 15%, confirming its effectiveness for inspecting thin-walled adhesive structures.

Modeling Water Clusters: Spectral Analyses, Gaussian Distribution, and Linear Function during Time

Our experimental and theoretical studies have consistently revealed the presence of water clusters in various environments, particularly under hydrophobic conditions, where slower hydrogen ion interactions prevail. Crucial methods like Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) method have played a pivotal role in our understanding of these clusters, unveiling their potential medical applications. The stability and behavior of these clusters can be influenced by factors such as metal ions’ presence, leading to stable clusters’ formation. This potential for medical applications should inspire hope and further research. Moreover, our research has revealed that water clusters exhibit characteristics of dissipative structures, demonstrating the self-organization under physical, chemical, or thermal changes akin to Rayleigh–Benard convection cells. This dynamic and significant behavior supports the notion that water’s role transcends simple chemistry, potentially influencing biological processes at a fundamental level. The interaction of water clusters with their environment and the ability to maintain non-equilibrium states through the energy exchanges further underscores their complexity and significance in both natural and technological contexts. Water filtration is a process for improving water quality. The effect is re-structuring hydrogen bonds and structuring water clusters, most of which are hexagonal. In our research, we applied filtered water using patented EVOdrop Swiss technology.

The Control Strategies for Charging and Discharging of Electric Vehicles in the Vehicle–Grid Interaction Modes

In response to the challenges posed by large-scale, uncoordinated electric vehicle charging on the power grid, Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology has been developed. This technology seeks to synchronize electric vehicles with the power grid, improving the stability of their connections and fostering positive energy exchanges between them. The key component for implementing V2G technology is the bidirectional AC/DC converter. This study concentrates on the non-isolated bidirectional AC/DC converter, providing a detailed analysis of its two-stage operation and creating a mathematical model. A dual closed-loop control structure for voltage and current is designed based on nonlinear control theory, along with a constant current charge–discharge control strategy. Furthermore, midpoint potential balance is achieved through zero-sequence voltage injection control, and power signals for the switching devices are generated using Space Vector Pulse Width Modulation (SVPWM) technology. A simulation model of the V2G system is then constructed in MATLAB/Simulink for analysis and validation. The findings demonstrate that the control strategy proposed in this paper improves the system’s robustness, dynamic performance, and resistance to interference, thus reducing the effects of large-scale, uncoordinated electric vehicle charging on the power grid.

Voltage-Dependent Anion Channels in Male Reproductive Cells: Players in Healthy Fertility?

Male infertility affects nearly 50% of infertile couples, with various underlying causes, including endocrine disorders, testicular defects, and environmental factors. Spermatozoa rely on mitochondrial oxidative metabolism for motility and fertilization, with mitochondria playing a crucial role in sperm energy production, calcium regulation, and redox balance. Voltage-dependent anion channels (VDACs), located on the outer mitochondrial membrane, regulate energy and metabolite exchange, which are essential for sperm function. This review offers an updated analysis of VDACs in the male reproductive system, summarizing recent advances in understanding their expression patterns, molecular functions, and regulatory mechanisms. Although VDACs have been widely studied in other tissues, their specific roles in male reproductive physiology still remain underexplored. Special attention is given to the involvement of VDAC2/3 isoforms, which may influence mitochondrial function in sperm cells and could be implicated in male fertility disorders. This update provides a comprehensive framework for future research in reproductive biology, underscoring the significance of VDACs as a molecular link between mitochondrial function and male fertility.

Multi-Objetive Dispatching in Multi-Area Power Systems Using the Fuzzy Satisficing Method

The traditional mathematical models for solving the economic dispatch problem at the generation level primarily focus on minimizing overall operational costs while ensuring demand is met across various periods. However, contemporary power systems integrate a diverse mix of generators from both conventional and renewable energy sources, contributing to economically efficient energy production and playing a pivotal role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As the complexity of power systems increases, the scope of economic dispatch must expand to address demand across multiple regions, incorporating a range of objective functions that optimize energy resource utilization, reduce costs, and achieve superior economic and technical outcomes. This paper, therefore, proposes an advanced optimization model designed to determine the hourly power output of various generation units distributed across multiple areas within the power system. The model satisfies the dual objective functions and adheres to stringent technical constraints, effectively framing the problem as a nonlinear programming challenge. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of the resulting and exchanged energy quantities demonstrates that the model guarantees the hourly demand. Significantly, the system’s efficiency can be further enhanced by increasing the capacity of the interconnection links between areas, thereby generating additional savings that can be reinvested into expanding the links’ capacity. Moreover, the multi-objective model excels not only in meeting the proposed objective functions but also in optimizing energy exchange across the system. This optimization is applicable to various types of energy, including thermal and renewable sources, even those characterized by uncertainty in their primary resources. The model’s ability to effectively manage such uncertainties underscores its robustness, instilling confidence in its applicability and reliability across diverse energy scenarios. This adaptability makes the model a significant contribution to the field, offering a sophisticated tool for optimizing multi-area power systems in a way that balances economic, technical, and environmental considerations.

Novel energy exchange behaviors and mechanisms in nonlinear acoustic metamaterials with multiple nonlinear resonators

Wave-wave interactions in a nonlinear metamaterial or structure with two propagating waves can induce energy exchange within the nonlinear systems. The effects of nonlinear resonators on these interactions and energy exchanges in a nonlinear acoustic metamaterial have not been extensively studied in the literature. In this paper, a nonlinear monatomic acoustic metamaterial with multiple nonlinear resonators (NMAM-MNR) is constructed to investigate the new behaviors and mechanisms introduced by these nonlinear resonators. Stability analyses reveal that stability can be tuned by adjusting the number of nonlinear resonators and by selecting different intensities or masses of the resonators and the chain. Additionally, direct numerical simulations are performed to study the novel energy exchange behaviors and mechanisms in NMAM-MNR systems. The results demonstrate that the degree and frequency of energy exchange can be tuned by altering the mass ratios, stiffness ratios, intensities, and natural frequencies of the nonlinear resonators and the chain. The influence of mass and stiffness ratios on the time taken for the B-wave magnitude to first reach its maximum value in NMAM-MNR systems is also studied, showing that the rate of energy exchange induced by wave-wave interactions can be tuned by changing the stiffness and mass ratios of multiple nonlinear resonators. These properties have potential applications in the fields of energy harvesters, waveguides, and resonant energy transfer mechanisms.

Influence of boundary effect on supersonic flows and non-equilibrium condensation in a Laval nozzle for natural gas dehydration

The natural gas extraction process is often accompanied by large amounts of water vapor, so natural gas dehydration is the first step in achieving natural gas utilization. Current work focuses on a clean technology that captures water vapor in natural gas through expansion refrigeration. Using water vapor as a medium, a mathematical model for predicting spontaneous condensation caused by non-equilibrium state is established and validated. The influence of boundary effect including surface roughness and wall temperature on supersonic flows and non-equilibrium condensation are studied. The surface roughness affects the energy and momentum exchange between the fluid in the main stream area and near the wall, and thus affects the Wilson point, boundary layer, and non-equilibrium condensation. When the roughness rises by 0.1 mm, the boundary layer thickness increases by 56.7%, and the radial nucleation range decreases by 11.4% from y=±5.27 mm to y=±4.67 mm. The influence of wall temperature on the central area in the nozzle is not significant, but it affects the presence of liquid phase. The radial scope of liquid-phase drops by 3.58% when the wall temperature increases by 100 K.

Generation and evaluation of energy and water fluxes from the HOLAPS framework: Comparison with satellite-based products during extreme hot weather

Improving our understanding of the energy and water exchanges between the land surface and the lower atmosphere (i.e. land–atmosphere interactions), and how climate change may affect them, is crucial to predict changes in temperature and precipitation extremes. Observations of energy and water fluxes at the land surface are typically retrieved from the eddy covariance method, which presents limitations related to spatial and temporal gaps, and the non-closure of the energy and water balances. Meanwhile, soil moisture (SM) products derived from satellite data have been widely used at regional and global scales, but they are limited to capture only surface soil water content and variations. The combination of remote sensing (RS) data and modelling frameworks is called to be the solution to improve the spatial coverage and vertical resolution of land–atmosphere interactions data, ensuring the energy and water balance closure. Here, we explore the combination of remote sensing and meteorological data with a physical-based modelling framework, the High resOlution Land Atmosphere Parameters from Space (HOLAPS). We used HOLAPS to produce hourly consistent estimates of energy and water fluxes over Europe at 5 km resolution. HOLAPS and other satellite-based evapotranspiration and sensible heat flux products from the literature are evaluated against the water balance method and eddy covariance measurements. HOLAPS SM estimates together with other RS-modelling products are also evaluated against ground-based measurements at the surface and in the root zone. The evaluation of HOLAPS ET estimates show similar performance to the other products with Kling–Gupta efficiency (KGE) ¿ -0.41 in comparison with eddy covariance measurements from FLUXNET in all seasons but in boreal winter. The simulation of H is more uncertain than for ET with KGE values ranging from -2.5 to 0.8 along the products and stations at monthly scales. HOLAPS reaches slightly better results than the rest of ET and H products at daily scales in summer (KGE ¿ 0.3 for ET and KGE ¿ 0.0 for H) and during hot conditions (KGE ¿ 0.2 for ET and KGE ¿-0.2 for H), while the state-of-the-art products show KGE ¿ 0.1 for ET and KGE ¿ -0.41 for H in summer and KGE ¿ -0.1 for ET and KGE ¿ -0.6 for H during hot conditions. All products evaluated here yield a reasonable performance (KGE ¿-0.41 at most sites) in simulating SM at the surface and in the root zone. Our results expose the need for further investigating and improving product performances during extreme conditions. The good performance of HOLAPS together with its inherent advantages (RS data driven, high temporal and spatial resolution, spatial and temporal continuity, soil moisture at different depths and long-term consistent evapotranspiration and sensible heat flux estimates) support its use for agricultural and forest management activities as well as to study land–atmosphere interactions based on Earth Observations.

Soret and dufour impacts on radiative power-law fluid flow via continuously stretchable surface with varying viscosity and thermal conductivity

The intricate dynamics of mixed convective thermic and species transport in a power-law flowing fluid through a continuously stretched surface are investigated. The uniqueness of this study lies in the consideration of fluid variable thermic conductivity and viscosity, which introduces a higher degree of realism into the analysis. The transformation of similarity is used to transform the fundamental governing equations, and after that, the set of equations is processed numerically utilizing a non-similarity local approach. Furthermore, the effects of Soret and Dufour represent the cross-diffusion phenomena, accounting for the energy exchange with the surroundings. These factors collectively influence the stretching surface’s gradient velocity, affecting the thermal and species concentration rates. The findings offer a comprehensive understanding of these complex interactions, paving the way for optimizing thermic and species transport processes in various industrial applications. This study, therefore, holds significant potential for enhancing efficiency and performance in relevant industrial sectors. The main terms are the combinations of Dufour and Soret numbers that significantly impact the flow rate profile and mass transfer field. The coupled study of the nonlinear velocity, energy distribution and chemical mixture variance made the study more impactful in practicality. Skin friction variation shows limited impact with variations in the Soret number. The enhanced thermal gradient results in improved non-similarity parameters, yet it demonstrates a decrease with an increase in variable thermal diffusivity. There is a decrease in the temperature gradient as the buoyancy term reduces, while an increase is observed with changes in the Prandtl number. Similarly, the Nusselt number experiences a comparable impact due to changes in the Soret number.

Experimental encircling of an exceptional point in a two degrees of freedom system: overview and application to noise control

When a resonator is added to an acoustic cavity or a vibrating structure, a new resonance frequency, or pole, is created in the system. When dissipation is present, this may breakdown when some parameters are finely tuned. This phenomenon, typical of non-Hermitian dynamics is called an exceptional point in the parametric space where two (or more) eigenvalues, as well as their associated eigenvectors, coalesce. In the recent years, EPs have gained interest in physics because of the counter-intuitive concepts associated with them. In the fields of acoustics and vibration, understanding EP may lead to a better comprehension of modal energy exchanges and decay. This work aims at exploring the key concepts related to EPs by revisiting the well-known coupled pendulums problem in the presence of damping. First, the free response of the experimental system is investigated after tuning it on an EP. Then an encircling is performed by varying the parameters through time. Our experimental results illustrate in a pedagogical manner nearly-optimal dissipation, energy exchange and chirality effects which have been recently evidenced in physics.

Myosin II tension sensors visualize force generation within the actin cytoskeleton in living cells.

Nonmuscle myosin II generates cytoskeletal forces that drive cell division, embryogenesis, muscle contraction, and many other cellular functions. However, at present there is no method that can directly measure the forces generated by myosins in living cells. Here we describe a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based tension sensor that can detect myosin associated force along the filamentous actin network. Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM)-FRET measurements indicate that the forces generated by NMIIB exhibit significant spatial and temporal heterogeneity as a function of donor lifetime and fluorophore energy exchange. These measurements provide a proxy for inferred forces that vary widely along the actin cytoskeleton. This initial report highlights the potential utility of myosin-based tension sensors in elucidating the roles of cytoskeletal contractility in a wide variety of contexts.

Carbon footprints of incineration, pyrolysis, and gasification for sewage sludge treatment

Thermal technologies have gained increasing attention in sludge management. This study applied life cycle assessment to assess the impacts to climate change of ten technological configurations (TCs) treating sludge with incineration, gasification, and pyrolysis. We used distributions of process parameters for quantifying the associated uncertainties and considered different energy exchanges. In a 55 %-fossil energy system, the TCs with various thermal processes showed impacts to climate change in a wide range of −2000 to 2000 kg CO2 eq/t total solid. A probabilistic comparison indicated that with a 10 %-fossil energy system, TCs with gasification and pyrolysis showed a > 95 % probability of performing better than TCs with incineration. Energy consumption and dewatering parameters contributed significantly to the uncertainty due to their large variation and sensitivity. This study emphasized the potential of optimizing key parameters and provided evidence from a climate change perspective for better technological selection and development in sludge management.

NMR-Based Analysis of Cellular Central Energy Metabolism and Exchange Rates.

Cell cultures are widely used in studies to gain mechanistic insights of metabolic processes. The foundation of these studies lies on the quantification of intracellular and extracellular metabolites, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is one of the key analytical platforms used to this aim. Among the factors influencing the quality of the produced data are the sampling procedures as well as the acquisition and processing of spectroscopic data. Here we provide our workflow for obtaining quantitative metabolic data from adherent mammalian cells using NMR spectroscopy. The described protocol is compatible with other analytical methods like LC- or GC-MS-based lipidomics and untargeted metabolomics from the same sample. We also show how the collected extracellular data can be used to extract exchange flux rates, particularly useful for flux analysis studies and metabolic engineering of human-induced pluripotent stem cells.

Effect of a quantum thermal machine on an entangled atomic system

In this contribution, we examine the effect of a quantum thermal machine on the behavior of two entangled atoms. It is shown that sudden changes (death/rebirth) in entanglement are predicted when increasing either the average rate of interaction coupling or the relative coupling. The maximum bounds of re-birthed entanglement decrease as machine parameters increase. Entanglement survival time can be increased as one reduces the average rate of interaction coupling. Due to the interaction, there will be an exchange of energies from the baths which may be a cool or hot flux. Therefore, the machine parameters can be used as controllers to switch between heating and refrigeration processes.

Assessment of Spatiotemporal Variations in Actual Evapotranspiration using the pySEBAL Model and Remote Sensing Data in Navsari, Gujarat, India

Evapotranspiration (ET), encompassing both transpiration from plants and evaporation from the Earth's surface, is a vital component of the hydrological cycle and influences water and energy exchanges between the surface and the atmosphere. This study investigates the application of the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) to estimate actual evapotranspiration (AET) over a selected region. The study area, located in Navsari district of Gujarat, India, was characterized by varying climates and land cover conditions. Cloud-free LANDSAT 8 satellite images were utilized at a spatial resolution of 30 x 30 meters to execute the SEBAL model within the Python-built GRASSGIS software. The SEBAL algorithm, based on the principles of energy balance, calculates AET by considering net radiation, sensible heat flux, and ground heat flux. The results showed that AET correlated with factors such as vegetation cover, land surface temperature, and net radiation. The AET rates exhibited significant spatial and temporal variations, with the highest rates observed in May and the lowest in months with reduced net radiation. Across the study area, the dominant AET rate ranges from 3 to 6 mm/day during the summer months and from 2 to 3 mm/day during the winter months. This pattern encompasses more than 65% of the total study area. Moreover, the highest AET values derived from the SEBAL model are contrasted with potential ET (PET) estimates obtained through diverse empirical techniques. This analysis demonstrates a robust alignment between SEBAL-based AET and PET calculations. Notably, in the months of April and May, when the peak AET closely corresponds to PET, there is a potential indication of impending water scarcity concerns.

A Wind Tunnel Experiment Study on Splash Functions During Sand Saltation

AbstractSplash functions delineate the intricate interaction between wind‐driven particles and the bed. However, due to limitations in measurement methods, achieving a comprehensive understanding of splash functions remains challenging. In this study, we utilized a high‐speed system and particle trajectory tracking algorithm to reconstruct 857 collision events involving natural sand particles obtained from field samples and artificial glass microspheres interacting with a bed composed of analogous particles in a wind tunnel. During the experiments, the ratio of the wind shear velocity (u*) to the impact threshold (u*ti) consistently ranged between approximately 1.22 and 1.79. Our findings indicate that the impact angle remains independent of both impact velocity and particle size, maintaining an approximate value of 10.5 ± 6.5°. The evaluation of splash functions depends on the criterion used to define ejection, that is, the ratio of the centroid's height of the liftoff particles to their particle size (H/d). Additionally, at the same critical height (H/d = 1.5), our splash functions show differences of varying degrees from previous experiments and theoretical studies performed under no wind conditions. We believe that the main reason for these differences may be that the energy exchange between the bed surface and the airflow increases the looseness of the large‐particle (>0.1 mm) bed surface. These findings hold significant implications for accurately modeling sand‐bed collisions in natural environments.