Oriented synergistic assembly of one-dimensional Te nanowires/SWCNTs for high-performance thermoelectric aerogels.

Optimizing radiant floor heating control with night setbacks using model-free reinforcement learning and transfer learning

This work provides a novel approach for preparing eco-friendly powder coatings with high thermal conductivity, anti-corrosive properties, and high infrared emissivity using micro-3D expanded graphite.

In tropical countries like Indonesia, architectural design faces the pressing challenge of mitigating excessive heat, humidity, and solar exposure, yet many buildings continue to adopt imported, non-contextual design models. This study explores the implementation and transitional trajectory of a novel microalgae-based photobioreactor (PBR) window façade—an innovation that integrates biological systems into building envelopes for thermal shading, light modulation, and ecological performance. Using the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) framework, this research examines the interplay between niche experimentation, regime-level constraints, and landscape drivers shaping the adoption of green building technologies in Indonesia. The PBR façade, developed through a university–industry collaboration and installed in Semarang, demonstrates how architectural innovation can evolve through iterative learning, cross-sector collaboration, and real-environment testing. However, its broader uptake is constrained by entrenched design norms, lack of regulatory standards, and limited institutional mechanisms for certification. Landscape pressures such as ESG imperatives and climate adaptation goals offer promising opportunities, but systemic change requires alignment across policy, professional practice, and cultural narratives. The study contributes a process-oriented roadmap for embedding biologically integrated façades into the sustainability transition of tropical urban architecture.

The three key design criteria for nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEBs) and climate-neutral buildings are minimizing energy use, ensuring high occupant comfort, and reducing environmental impact. Thermal comfort is one of the main components of indoor environmental quality (IEQ), strongly affecting occupants’ health, well-being, and productivity. As energy-efficiency requirements become more demanding, the appropriate selection of heating systems, their automated control, and the management of solar heat gains are becoming increasingly important. This study investigates the influence of two low-temperature radiant heating systems—underfloor and wall-mounted—and the use of Venetian blinds on perceived thermal comfort in a highly glazed public nZEB building located in a densely built urban area within a temperate climate zone. The assessment was based on the PMV (Predicted Mean Vote) index, commonly used in IEQ research. The results show that both heating systems maintained indoor conditions corresponding to comfort or slight thermal stress under steady state operation. However, during periods of strong solar exposure in the room without blinds, PMV values exceeded 2.0, indicating substantial heat stress. In contrast, external Venetian blinds significantly stabilized the indoor microclimate—reducing PMV peaks by an average of 50.2% and lowering the number of discomfort hours by 94.9%—demonstrating the crucial role of solar protection in highly glazed spaces. No significant whole-body PMV differences were found between underfloor and wall heating. Overall, the findings provide practical insights into the control of thermal conditions in radiant-heated spaces and highlight the importance of solar shading in mitigating heat stress. These results may support the optimization of HVAC design, control, and operation in both residential and non-residential nZEB buildings, contributing to improved occupant comfort and enhanced energy efficiency.

This study provides valuable insights into the complex interaction between magnetic fields, thermal radiation, and nanoparticle flow over stretching surfaces – an area highly relevant to advanced cooling technologies and material processing. The current analysis, the Koo-Kleinstreuer -Li (KKL) model is employed to investigate the time-dependent flow behaviour of two nanoparticles namely, copper oxide ( CuO ) and aluminium oxide ( A l 2 O 3 ) in the presence of an aligned magnetic field over a linearly stretching sheet. The analysis emphasises the effects of quadratic convection and thermal radiation on the flow and heat transfer characteristics. The governing nonlinear equations for momentum and thermal fields are solved using the perturbation method, and the impact of various flow-controlling parameter is explored through detailed graphical interpretations. Surface plots highlight the role of critical physical quantities on flow and heat transfer characteristics. To further interpret model behaviour, regression analyses are performed to identify and quantify the influence of individual parameters on system performance.

Traditional Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) systems rely on a modulated light source to encode information in the probe signal to measure distances. Alternatively, thermal LIDAR uses non-modulated thermal sources of bunched light. In this work, we demonstrate a bunched photon source at telecom wavelength, incorporated in a photon-counting LIDAR system, which determines distances by measuring the second-order correlation. The source is a sub-threshold laser spectrally filtered to extend coherence time, producing an oscillating g(2) curve with an enhanced bunching peak. Utilizing this oscillating bunching increases the signal-to-noise ratio and decreases the number of correlation events required to perform a measurement. This system achieves 2 ps resolution in both fiber-based and free-space measurements with up to 65 dB attenuation and ranges up to 87 km in optical fibers. Our approach demonstrates the possibility of increasing the bunching of classical light sources and improving their usability for LIDAR.

This study investigates the fire behaviour of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles (ICEVs) in confined environments such as underground parking facilities and tunnels. Using the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), several scenarios were modelled to analyse the effects of ventilation and automatic suppression systems on fire growth, heat release, and smoke propagation. Three ventilation configurations—reduced, standard, and increased airflow—were evaluated to determine their influence on combustion dynamics and thermal development. Results show that BEV fires produce higher peak Heat Release Rates (up to 7 MW) and longer combustion durations than ICEVs, mainly due to self-sustained battery reactions. Increased ventilation enhances smoke removal but intensifies flames and radiant heat transfer, while limited airflow restricts combustion yet leads to hazardous smoke accumulation. The inclusion of a sprinkler system effectively reduced temperatures by over 60% within 100 s of activation, though residual heat in BEVs poses a risk of re-ignition. This underlines the need for tailored ventilation and suppression strategies in modern underground facilities to ensure safety in the transition toward electric mobility.

Achieving good daylighting while maintaining thermal comfort and reducing perimeter energy use is a key challenge in low-energy office buildings. This study developed a thermally activated light shelf (TALS) system that integrates multiple functions into a conventional light shelf. The top surface blocks excessive perimeter light and reflects daylight deeper into the room, while the bottom surface operates as a radiant heating and cooling panel using circulating warm or cool water. To evaluate the system, full-scale empirical experiments were conducted in a mock-up test bed with two identical office-like cells under the same boundary conditions; one cell was equipped with TALS and the other served as a reference. Indoor thermal environment indices and heating and cooling energy use were monitored during winter and summer. The TALS room achieved ISO 7730 Category A comfort more frequently, with Category A cumulative duration approximately 3.4 times longer in winter and 7.8 times longer in summer compared with the non-TALS room. In addition, heating and cooling energy were reduced by about 39.2% and 7.7%, respectively. These promising results are based on a single prototype and climate, and further studies are needed to optimize TALS capacity and window-related heat loss.

Flexible, multifunctional large-area liquid metal (LM)-based electronic skins hold great promise, yet they often require low-efficiency manual activation to achieve conductivity. A room-temperature self-sintering strategy using biomass nanofibers, such as cellulose nanofibers, offers unique advantages for the scalable fabrication of conductive LM-based films. Herein, we present a uniform, large-scale, asymmetric conductive LM film that integrates multifaceted radiative thermal management, impressive electromagnetic protection, and excellent infrared camouflage. The customized hydrogen bond acceptor, poly(vinyl alcohol), is introduced to reconfigure intermolecular hydrogen bonds, enabling the formation of flat and crack-free conductive films on arbitrarily large substrates without curling or shrinkage. Under localized capillary force, the gravity-settled LM particles are sintered into an integrated conductive area at the bottom of films, which is responsible for their exceptional metallic conductivity of 5.2 × 105 S m-1, higher than most LM films prepared by traditional sintering methods. As a proof of concept, by laminating a low-thermal-conductivity polymer side onto skin, we demonstrate the excellent radiant heat retention and low-voltage (≤0.4 V for human body temperature, lower than most reported and commercial Joule heaters), biocompatible Joule heating performance for superior human thermal management in cold environments. Additionally, the highly conductive LM layer provides dynamically stable, efficient electromagnetic interference shielding (>100 dB) and infrared stealth capabilities. Particularly, the proposed hydrogen bond acceptor is versatile and compatible with various polymers (e.g., sodium alginate and poly(acrylic acid) ). This work lays a promising foundation for scalable manufacturing of high-performance, all-in-one electronic skins.

This work examines the transient flow and heat transfer characteristics of a Carreau ternary hybrid nanofluid (hbox {TiO}_2 + Cu + hbox {Al}_2hbox {O}_3/CMC–hbox {H}_2O) across a stretched sheet subjected to combined electromagnetic and thermal influences. The model integrates suction/injection, heat radiation, Ohmic dissipation, and concentration fluctuations, emphasising entropy generation. The governing nonlinear equations are converted using similarity variables and solved numerically using the BVP5c technique. Multiple linear regression is used to forecast skin friction, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number. Results indicate that magnetic and electric field intensities, Weissenberg number, and thermal radiation substantially affect velocity, temperature, and concentration distributions, but entropy production underscores irreversibility processes. The ternary hybrid nanofluid has enhanced thermal performance relative to mono and binary nanofluids, presenting potential advantages for cooling, extrusion, and coating applications.

Experimental Investigation on Thermal Performance of <scp>3D</scp> Printed Concrete Elements Subjected to Radiant Heating

The intensification of urban heat islands in high-density coastal slope areas poses significant challenges to sustainable development. From the perspective of sustainable urban design, this study investigates adaptive greening strategies to mitigate thermal stress, aiming to elucidate the key microclimate mechanisms under the combined influence of sea breezes and complex terrain to develop sustainable solutions that synergistically improve the thermal environment and energy efficiency. Combining field measurements with ENVI-met numerical simulations, this research systematically evaluates the thermal impacts of various greening strategies, including current conditions, lawns, shrubs, and tree configurations with different canopy coverages and leaf area indexes. During summer afternoon heat episodes, the highest temperatures within the building-dense sites were recorded in unshaded open areas, reaching 31.6 °C with a UTCI of 43.95 °C. While green shading provided some cooling, the contribution of natural ventilation was more significant (shrubs and lawns reduced temperatures by 0.23 °C and 0.15 °C on average, respectively, whereas various tree planting schemes yielded minimal reductions of only 0.012–0.015 °C). Consequently, this study proposes a climate-adaptive sustainable design paradigm: in areas aligned with the prevailing sea breeze, lower tree coverage should be maintained to create ventilation corridors that maximize passive cooling through natural wind resources; conversely, in densely built areas with continuous urban interfaces, higher tree coverage is essential to enhance shading and reduce solar radiant heat loads.

The radiant heating and cooling (RHC) system is one of the important air-conditioning methods that simultaneously achieves indoor thermal comfort and building energy efficiency. It is characterized by utilizing low-grade energy sources to provide low-temperature heating and high-temperature cooling, playing a significant role in promoting the development of green and low-carbon buildings. This study firstly introduces the typical heat transfer calculation methods of the RHC system and analyzes the surface heat transfer coefficients of radiant heating and cooling. Subsequently, the factors affecting the thermal performance of the RHC system are discussed from two aspects: relevant physical property parameters and flow channel structures. Finally, the control strategies of RHC systems are summarized to address issues such as condensation, overheating, and long response times. And several conclusive findings are presented that are worthy of further investigation in the future.

Continuous advancements in application technology aimed at higher efficiency and power density place ever-increasing demands on mechanical components and construction elements—and, consequently, on the lubricating greases employed. This is particularly true for rolling bearings, where greases are exposed to high mechanical loads and wide temperature ranges. A current example can be found in the bearings of hybrid vehicle powertrains, which are subjected to extreme thermal and mechanical stress due to engine downsizing, high rotational speeds, and radiant heat from the combustion engine. A collaborative project between the Competence Center for Tribology (KTM) at Mannheim University of Applied Sciences and the OWI Science for Fuels gGmbH (OWI), affiliated with RWTH Aachen University, demonstrated that the loss of lubricating performance—which ultimately leads to bearing failure—is directly linked to changes in the thickener structure. Various degradation processes reduce yield stress and viscosity, thereby eliminating the typical grease characteristics. Mechanical, thermal, oxidative, and catalytic processes all play decisive roles. This paper presents analytical methods that enable these individual influencing factors to be investigated and evaluated independently. These approaches can significantly reduce the need for time-consuming and costly laboratory tests in grease development and qualification.

Abstract. The Sahel region is characterized by its semi-arid climate and open-canopy agroforestry systems, which play an important role in global carbon dynamics. Parkland agroforestry has the potential to sequester carbon at an average rate of 0.4 tC ha−1 yr−1, which, if expanded to its maximum potential extent, would correspond to an additional carbon stock of approximately 558 TgC compared to treeless croplands. However, land surface models (LSM) used in global climate modeling struggle to represent carbon dynamics in these ecosystems due to the inadequate representation of deep-roots tapping groundwater during dry periods, key environmental control for many agroforestry systems such as the widespread parklands based on the phreatophytic species Faidherbia albida. This study explores the sensitivity of Faidherbia albida parklands to tree density and water availability (rainfall and soil water content in the capillary fringe of the groundwater table) using a new configuration of the ORCHIDEE LSM. To this aim, the ORCHIDEE LSM was modified to simulate the growth of Faidherbia albida by simulating its inverted phenology based on forced temporal series of soil water content of soil layers between 4 and 5 m and water saturation below 5 m and by adjusting the photosynthesis and carbon allocation parameters for Faidherbia albida and associated crops. The model was evaluated against independent eddy covariance and meteorological data from the Niakhar agroforestry site in Senegal. Simulation outputs were analyzed in terms of leaf area index (LAI), gross primary productivity (GPP), latent heat (LE), sensible heat (H) and net radiation (Rn). The model simulated tree GPP of 4.08 ± 0.21 tC ha−1 yr−1 compared to observed GPP of 5.06 ± 0.49 tC ha−1 yr−1. For croplands, the model produced GPP of 7.97 ± 0.89 tC ha−1 yr−1 compared to observed values of 7.78 ± 1.75 tC ha−1 yr−1. Simulations revealed that tree density positively influenced annual carbon uptake but reduced crop harvest at highest tree densities, indicating a trade-off between carbon sequestration and crop yield. Sensitivity analyses showed that interannual variability in soil water content in the capillary fringe of the groundwater table and rainfall influenced differently crop, tree and ecosystem carbon and energy fluxes. Despite its strengths, the model exhibited limited responsiveness of tree productivity to soil water content variability in the capillary fringe of the groundwater table, highlighting the need for enhanced representation of water uptake by tree roots in the model. These findings emphasize the importance of accurately modeling both surface soil water and groundwater dynamics and phenology to predict the responses of semi-arid agroforestry systems to climate variability. This study enhances our understanding of carbon and energy flux partitioning in complex, water-stressed and groundwater dependent agroforestry systems.

IntroductionLocoregional anesthesia using local anesthetics has been proposed as a highly selective method for perioperative acute pain management because it helps prevent the onset of noxious stimuli. However, a limitation of this technique is the possibility of nerve block failure. Infrared thermography (IRT) has been suggested as a non-invasive tool to assess the success of peripheral nerve blocks by detecting temperature changes related to vasodilation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of peripheral nerve blocks on the superficial thermal response of limbs in dogs undergoing trauma or orthopedic surgery.MethodsA total of 26 dogs of various breeds, classified as ASA 1 or 2 and undergoing thoracic or pelvic limb, or abdominal surgery, were divided into two groups based on the analgesic technique used. In the experimental group [peripheral nerve block (PNB) n = 20], composed of animals undergoing trauma or orthopedic surgery, bupivacaine was infiltrated into the brachial plexus or the saphenous and sciatic nerves. The control group (n = 6) underwent general anesthesia and surgery, and they received conventional injectable analgesia. The variables assessed included maximum (Tmax), mean (Tmean), and minimum (Tmin.) temperatures of the axillary region, groin, and lateral femoral area, as well as rectal temperature (T°C). Measurements were taken at baseline (TBasal), and 5 (T5min.), 10 (T10min.), and 15 min (T15min.) after treatment.ResultsTmax, Tmean, and Tmin were significantly higher in the PNB group (by 2–3 °C) compared to the control group (p = 0.01). In the PNB group, superficial temperatures decreased by approximately 1 °C from baseline (p = 0.001), whereas the control group exhibited a greater decrease of approximately 3 °C at the same time points (p = 0.001). Rectal temperature was 2 °C higher in the PNB group compared to the control group (p = 0.01), although only the control group showed a progressive decrease over time (p = 0.05). No significant correlation was found between surface and rectal temperatures.DiscussionPeripheral nerve blocks with bupivacaine induced localized vasodilation, resulting in increased superficial heat radiation. This thermal response may serve as an indirect indicator complementary of nerve block effectiveness, supporting the use of IRT as a clinical tool to evaluate peripheral nerve block success in dogs. Further studies are recommended to confirm and validate its clinical application.

Abstract The use of Heat Impact Collision Particle (HIC) technology in the innovative design of mineral processing equipment has great potential to improve material homogeneity and fragmentation. In this process, two heat transfer methods are used: radiation from the coil to the hopper with a coil temperature of 300°C and convection from the hopper to the material which reaches a temperature of 640°C. Firstly, heat radiation from the coil to the hopper helps in heating the material evenly, preparing it for the next process. The high temperature of the coil can accelerate the material heating process, allowing for more efficient fragmentation. Furthermore, convection of heat from the hopper to the material helps achieve the optimum temperature for the particle homogenization process. At 640°C, a sintered condition is reached, which allows bonding between particles. Simulations show that under these conditions, the distance between particles decreases, thus increasing the homogeneity of the material. The fragmentation process also occurs effectively after the homogenization process. The fragmentation results go to the raw material container according to the conveyor thread, which allows for efficient material collection. With the combination of an efficient heat transfer method and optimal homogenization and fragmentation processes, Heat Impact Collision Particle (HIC) technology can improve the quality and efficiency of mineral processing.

Continuous or intermittent heating?: Uncovering practical heating control strategies amid common misconceptions about radiant floor heating

Thermal analysis of water- ethylene glycol based chemically reactive ternary nanofluid flow with heat source and radiation