Thermal Resilience Research Articles

Avaliação da resiliência térmica de edificações em sobreaquecimento nos cenários presente e de alterações climáticas

Abstract Thermal resilience refers to a building’s capacity to adapt to extreme thermal variations, maintaining a healthy environment for its occupants. This study aims to assess the thermal resilience of a naturally ventilated low-income residential building in overheating conditions within a region of savannah tropical climate. Various indices, including adaptive thermal comfort, Indoor Overheating Degree (IOD) and Exceedance Hours (HE), Heat Index (HI), and Standard Effective Temperature (SET) were calculated in current and climate change scenarios using two models, a standard building (HISp) and a building that incorporates passive bioclimatic strategies (HISe).It was demonstrated that thermal insulation and low absorption strategies significantly contribute to indoor environmental quality, reducing the risk of overheating exposure in all evaluated scenarios. Despite reducing discomfort hours and critical thermal stress levels, the idealized strategies do not provide adequate habitability conditions for the occupants. Overheating will become even more severe in projected future scenarios. Among the two dwellings, HISe demonstrates a superior potential to mitigate the risk of overheating compared to HISp in all the scenarios evaluated.

Unraveling the impact of tungsten disulfide quantum dots on human serum albumin conformational dynamics and fibrillation pathways: An integrated multi-spectroscopic, biochemical, and molecular docking investigation

Herein, the intricate molecular interplay between human serum albumin (HSA) and tungsten disulfide quantum dots (WS2 QDs) was probed using spectroscopic techniques and sophisticated molecular simulation methods. Fluorescence spectroscopy demonstrated that under physiological conditions, WS2 QDs forge a non-fluorescent ground-state complex with HSA, facilitated by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces, ultimately resulting in the static quenching of the protein's intrinsic fluorescence. Complementary site competition experiments and molecular docking simulations reinforced a precise 1: 1 binding stoichiometry, predominantly targeting HSA's Site I. Three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy revealed that WS2 QDs perturb the HSA polypeptide backbone, subtly modifying the microenvironment surrounding aromatic amino acid residues. This alteration was further corroborated by circular dichroism spectroscopy, marked by a decrease in helical content and a transition towards irregular peptide conformations. Thermal stability assays illuminated the reduced thermal resilience of the HSA − WS2 QD complex. Laser confocal microscopy coupled with thioflavin T staining yielded compelling evidence that WS2 QDs effectively inhibit amyloid fibril formation in both HSA and lysozyme, underscoring their potential as potent anti-amyloidogenic agents. This comprehensive study offers pivotal insights into multifaceted impact of WS2 QDs on protein structure and function, thereby expanding their horizon of potential applications within the burgeoning field of nanomedicine.

Bioprinting a resilient and transparent cornea stroma equivalent: harnessing dual crosslinking strategy with decellularized cornea matrix and silk fibroin hybrid.

Bioprinting a resilient yet optically transparent corneal tissue substitute remains a challenge. In this study we introduce an innovative methodology aimed at bolstering the mechanical and optical attributes of silk fibroin (SF) hydrogels, pivotal for the progression of cornea tissue engineering. We devised a unique eosin Y-based photoinitiator system to instigate di-tyrosine linkages within highly concentrated pristine SF solutions under green light exposure. This pioneering technique resulted in SF hydrogels fortified by dityrosine covalent bonds, preserving exceptional transparency and soft elastomeric qualities devoid of spontaneous transitions to stiff, opaque beta-sheet conformations. Furthermore, we synergistically combined SF with decellularized corneal matrix (DCM) hydrogel, leveraging photo-polymerization under green light followed by thermal gelation to establish resilient and stable gel formation. The ensuing dual crosslinked hybrid hydrogels exhibited superior mechanical and thermal resilience in comparison to dual crosslinked DCM hydrogels. The inclusion of SF in DCM further augmented the hydrogel's elasticity and shear recovery, positioning it as an optimal bioink for cornea bioprinting endeavors. During the extrusion printing process, photocrosslinking of the bioink superficially fortified SF and DCM polymer chains via di-tyrosine linkages, furnishing initial stability and mechanical fortitude. Subsequent post-printing thermal gelation further reinforced collagen chains through self-assembly. Notably, the bioprinted cornea constructs, housing human limbal mesenchymal stem cells (hLMSCs), manifested transparency, structural integrity, and optimal functionality, underscored by the expression of keratocyte proteoglycans. In summation, our engineered 3D constructs exhibit promising potential for in vivo applications in cornea tissue engineering, marking a significant stride forward in the field's advancement.

Research Progress and Applications of Benzocyclobutene‐Based Functional Polymers

AbstractBenzocyclobutene (BCB) stands out as a compound of remarkable structural distinction, featuring a thermodynamically stable benzene ring coupled with a kinetically dynamic four‐membered ring. This unique structure allows for ring‐opening reactions under specific conditions, leading to the formation of crosslinking products. The primary initiation for the ring‐opening of the four‐membered ring in BCB is heat, although mechanical stress and light exposure can also trigger this transformation. This ability has catapulted it to prominence in the field of polymer material development. It has spurred the creation of a vast array of polymers that incorporate BCB groups either in their main chains or side chains, showcasing BCB's extensive applicability as a crosslinking agent. Additionally, BCB‐based polymers (BCB polymer) exhibit a suite of desirable properties, such as exceptional dielectric characteristics, chemical and thermal resilience, minimal thermal expansion, and low moisture uptake. These attributes render them particularly suitable for a range of applications, including electronic packaging, silicon‐based photonic integration, flat panel display technology, biomedical devices, and beyond. This paper delves into the various methods of inducing ring‐opening crosslinking in BCB, summarizes the recent advancements in performance enhancement of BCB polymer materials, and examines their wide applications in different fields.

Capsaicin/silica-infused polygalacturonic acid/polyvinyl alcohol nano-matrix for enhanced wound healing in skin injuries

Wound healing is a complex physiological process, demanding advanced strategies for efficient tissue regeneration. To address this, we developed a novel nanofibrous matrix composed of polygalacturonic acid (PGA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), capsaicin, and zinc-doped mesoporous silica (Zn/MCM-41). This copolymeric matrix offers enhanced mechanical stability, controlled drug release, and improved cellular adhesion and proliferation, leading to effective tissue regeneration. Infusing capsaicin/Zn-MCM-41 confers synergistic advantages, including accelerated wound closure, diminished inflammation, and enhanced tissue regeneration, culminating in superior wound healing outcomes. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization of the nanofiber was conducted, employing techniques such as EDS, EDX, XRD, FESEM, HRTEM, FTIR, BET, TGA, DSC and Zeta potential, confirming the successful synthesis of Zn/MCM-41 at the nanoscale, exhibiting uniform porosity, colloidal stability, and thermal resilience. In vivo quantitative assessment demonstrates a significant acceleration in wound healing facilitated by the composite nanofibers. Furthermore, the incorporation of capsaicin into Zn/MCM-41 augments the wound healing process, as corroborated by histological evaluations. In summary, our investigation introduces an advanced composite nanofiber formulation that promotes accelerated wound healing quantitatively through the synergistic amalgamation of PVA, PGA, capsaicin, and Zn/MCM-41. The demonstrated efficacy of the nanofibers underscores their potential in translational regenerative medicine and wound healing applications.

A framework for assessing the current and future capability of mechanical night ventilation in the context of climate change

Night ventilation is a technique in which the indoor air and the building’s thermal mass is cooled down during nighttime to provide a heat sink available during the next day to help mitigating overheating and reducing the daytime space cooling demand. This paper proposes a framework on evaluating the use of mechanical night ventilation today and in the future. It considers analysis of the ventilative cooling system, including mechanical night ventilation, by means of key performance indicators that involve thermal comfort, energy use and resiliency criteria as suggested by IEA Annex 80. It, additionally, introduces an economic parameter in form of diurnal and nocturnal price ratio of electricity as economic trade-off between nighttime fan- and daytime fan and chiller use in terms of electricity. A historic office building in north-central Sweden is presented as a detailed case as to illustrate the use of the framework. The investigation was done using a validated model of the building in IDA-ICE building simulation program at both current climate and future climate in 2050s. It was revealed that an upgraded ventilative cooling system with three times larger capacity is required to fulfill thermal comfort. Even though mechanical night ventilation could result in the annual cooling source electricity saving intensity up to 0.9 kWh/(m²∙a) at extreme current climate (2018), it could just insignificantly reduce the total electricity use for space cooling (up to 2 %) and only at some night ventilation rates at all mentioned climates. Mechanical night ventilation, however, could be applied in an economically beneficial way if the electricity network has different nocturnal and diurnal electricity prices. A unitless index of maximum nighttime over daytime electricity price ratio was proposed representing the maximum tolerable price for nighttime electricity, given a daytime electricity price, based on night- and daytime ventilation electricity demand. For economically justified application of mechanical night ventilation, lower nighttime over daytime electricity price ratios were required for higher night ventilation rates. For the typical future climate with night ventilation rates larger than 2.6 ACH, it will be necessary to have nighttime prices that are lower than daytime if mechanical night ventilation is to be economical. The approach used in the framework can be applied to future research and practice, regardless of the case-specific parameters such as building type, climate zone, location, etc.

3D Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Molecular Separations.

Membrane separation has become an indispensable separation technology in social production, playing an important role in drug production, mineral exploitation, water purification, etc. The key core of membranes lies in achieving efficient and precise sieving between substances. As a result, a typical trade-off arises: highly permeable membranes usually sacrifice selectivity and vice versa. To address this dilemma, long-term research has focused on comprehensive understanding and modelling of synthetic membranes at various scales. A significant advancement in this arena is the advent of three-dimensional covalent organic framework (3D COF) membranes, a novel category of long-range ordered porous organic polymer materials. Characterized by an abundance of interconnected channels, diverse pore wall properties, tunable structures, and robust thermal and chemical resilience, 3D COF membranes offer a promising approach for efficient substance separation. This review undertakes a meticulous investigation of the synthesis and physicochemical properties of 3D COF membranes, accentuating the underlying design principles, fabrication methods, and application attempts. A comprehensive assessment of their research trajectory and current standing in the field of membrane processes is provided. The review culminates in a forward-looking outlook, summarizing future research directions and highlighting the substantial potential of this innovative work to shape the future of efficient membrane separation processes.

Investigation of Elaeocarpus ganitrus seed (EGs) powder as a sustainable composite biomaterial: Effects of particle size on the mechanical, frictional, and thermal properties for potential biomedical applications

This study explores the potential of Elaeocarpus ganitrus seed (EGs) powder as a sustainable composite biomaterial, focusing on its particle size effects on the mechanical, frictional, and thermal properties of composite materials for potential biomedical applications such as prosthetics and implants. Composite specimens were produced using the compression hot molding method, utilizing EG powder particles of varying sizes (120, 140, and 200-mesh sieving). The influence of EG powder particle size on key properties was systematically investigated. The findings reveal that reducing the particle size of EGs leads to a decrease in density and hardness of the composite, with the largest particle size (BP1) resulting in the highest density and hardness. Friction coefficient measurements indicated suitability for biomedical applications where surface interaction and wear resistance are critical, such as joint prosthetics. Thermal analysis showed that BP1 exhibited superior thermal stability, with a maximum decomposition temperature (Tmax) exceeding 375 °C. Differential scanning calorimetry identified significant differences in glass transition temperature (Tg) and crystallization temperature (Tc) across specimens. The composites demonstrated exceptional thermal performance, surpassing previous benchmarks for biomaterials in high-temperature environments. The mechanical and thermal characteristics of Specimen BP1—2.725 g/cm3 density, 74 Shore D hardness, 0.159 coefficient of friction, 93.3% total residual, 378.14 °C Tmax, 426.25 °C Tc, and 376.87 °C Tg—suggest its potential for biomedical applications requiring durability and thermal resilience, such as in orthopedic devices and tissue engineering scaffolds.

Assessing building thermal resilience in response to heatwaves through integrating a social vulnerability lens

Major cities worldwide are increasingly experiencing intense heatwaves, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. This suggests the urgent need for focused attention and mitigation strategies to protect those most at risk from the impacts of heatwaves. The presence of vulnerable groups in buildings with varying thermal conditions can result in different outcomes during extreme heat events, making it crucial to evaluate the thermal resilience of buildings in conjunction with social vulnerability. This research advances the understanding of thermal vulnerability by integrating building thermal characteristics with social vulnerability. While previous studies have predominantly focused on socio-ethnic and economic dimensions of vulnerability, this study specifically investigates the relationship between social vulnerability and thermal resilience, with a focus on building thermal parameters. Datasets from Zillow and ResStock are used to capture the thermal properties of buildings, while social vulnerability data is obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. A Gaussian Naïve Bayes (GNB) model is applied to enhance building envelope attributes from Zillow, leveraging detailed information from ResStock data. Additionally, a Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test is conducted to analyze diverse thermal attributes, such as age of buildings, room size, number of stories, building area, envelope characteristics, systems, infiltration, across differing levels of social vulnerability (high and low). Specifically, Philadelphia is selected as the analysis focus. The analysis reveals significant associations between thermal resilience and social vulnerability. Groups with higher social vulnerability are more likely to be exposed to elevated levels of thermal vulnerability compared to less vulnerable groups. This highlights the necessity for tailored interventions aimed at promoting the development of more resilient and equitable buildings, capable of reducing the impacts of heatwaves on vulnerable communities.

Enhancing thermo-mechanical and moisture properties of 3D-Printed concrete through recycled ultra-fine waste glass powder

This paper presents a novel approach to enhancing 3D printed concrete (3DPC) by incorporating ultra-fine glass powder (UFGP), focusing on its mechanical properties and high-temperature resistance. Investigation like fresh properties, basic physical properties, residual compressive strength after exposure to 400 °C and 800 °C, hygric properties such as water vapor diffusion resistance, liquid water transport, and moisture buffering capacity were performed the observe the effect of UFGP replacement ratio on 3DPC, which demonstrates significant improvements, highlighting the potential of UFGP to elevate 3DPCs’ performance. Results showed significant improvements, particularly with a 20% UFGP mix, which showed the lowest compressive strength loss (9.0% at 400 °C and 53.7% at 800 °C). Additionally, the water vapor diffusion resistance factor for the 20% UFGP mix was measured at 65.03. These results suggest that incorporating UFGP in 3DPC enhances thermal resilience and mechanical properties, offering a solution for high-temperature construction. This study contributes to sustainable construction by emphasizing the importance of mechanical resilience for structural integrity under extreme temperatures.

Impact of future climate scenarios on thermal performance and resilience of building façades: Canadian climate case study

Buildings in urban areas are responsible for a significant share of GHG emissions that directly contribute to climate change. Nevertheless, the built environment is vulnerable to the changing climate. Particularly, the unpredictable weather threatens the performance of building components, durability of building materials, and indoor environmental comfort. In this study, the impact of future climate on thermal performance of building façades in the Canadian climate is investigated using simulation analysis. To account for different climate conditions, three future weather scenarios pertaining to global temperature rise of 0.5 °C, 1.5 °C, and 2.5 °C were compared with historical weather data. Both hourly and Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) weather data were studied. The results, including thermal transmittance, heat flux, moisture content, and façade temperature were compared. This comparison could show the applicability of using averaged TMY data compared to the large hourly dataset. The results show a pattern of change in the façade's thermal and hygrothermal performance as temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation norms change in both seasons. The comparison between the TMY and the Yearly data showed an underestimation of heat transfer within the façade when the TMY data is used. The historical TMY data results showed the inadequacy of this weather file for climate impact assessments of facades in both summer and winter. The approach used in this study can be repeated for different climate conditions, acting as a tool to design façades and predict their performance in face of a changing climate.

Differential responses in recovery, growth and survival between intertidal and subtidal corals after acute thermal stress

Sea temperature increases may compromise ecological restoration as a tool for recovering degraded coral reefs. A potential solution may lay within using corals with naturally higher thermal resilience, such as intertidal corals. This study aimed at comparing thermal resilience, growth and survival between intertidal and subtidal corals in a reciprocal transplant experiment. Sixty coral nurseries were installed in a shallow coral reef area in Kenya: half were placed in the intertidal zone and half in the subtidal zone. At both zones, intertidal and subtidal Pocillopora cf. damicornis coral fragments were cultured in equal proportions, resulting in 15 replicate nurseries for four treatments. After an initial culture phase of 1 month in situ, six nurseries per treatment were thermally stressed ex situ by exposing corals for 5 days to a temperature of 32 °C (3 °C above summer maximum), after which they were returned in situ to recover. Fragment brightness was measured as the response variable to thermal stress. Intertidal and subtidal corals increased brightness (i.e., bleached) at a similar rate, but during recovery intertidal corals returned quicker to their original brightness in both culture environments. Coral growth was highest for intertidal corals in the intertidal zone during cooler months and was highest for subtidal corals in the subtidal zone during peak temperatures. Intertidal corals transplanted to the subtidal zone registered the lowest survival. Thus, intertidal corals display higher thermal resilience through quicker recovery, but potential trade-offs require further investigation before these corals can be used as a climate-proof broodstock for reef restoration.

Enhancement of luminescence and thermal stability in Eu3+-doped K3Y(BO2)6 with Li+ and Na+ co-doping

Eu3+-doped and Li+/Na+ co-doped K3Y(BO2)6 (KYBO) phosphors were synthesized through a microwave-assisted sol–gel method, and their structural and photoluminescent (PL) characteristics were examined. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Rietveld refinement confirm effective dopant incorporation and preservation of the crystalline structure. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicates the maintenance of the borate structure, confirming the structural integrity of the phosphors upon doping. The addition of Li+ and Na+ co-dopants notably enhances luminescent efficiency and thermal stability, making these phosphors promising candidates for solid-state lighting (SSL) applications. PL analysis reveals strong red emission peaks at 612 nm, attributed to the 5Do → 7F2 transition of Eu3+ ions. The study indicates that electric dipole-quadrupole interactions are the primary mechanism for energy migration, with a critical distance of approximately 22.68 Å. This mechanism contributes to concentration quenching at higher doping levels. High temperature PL measurements indicated an activation energy of 0.1389 eV for thermal quenching in the Li+ co-doped sample. Additionally, the Na+ co-doped sample exhibited an abnormal thermal stability behavior, with an even higher activation energy of 0.2536 eV. This suggests that Na+ co-doping significantly enhances the thermal resilience of the phosphor, making it more suitable for high-power light-emitting applications that operate under extreme conditions. CIE chromaticity diagrams highlight the potential for optimizing Eu3+ doping levels, combined with Li+ and Na+ co-doping, to improve luminescent performance and thermal stability for advanced SSL applications.

Dynamic thermal shock resilience of functionally graded materials: An adaptive phase-field approach

This work presents a phase field model for dynamic fracture under thermo-mechanical loads to analyze functionally graded material (FGM). Coupled governing equations are derived by minimizing the total energy consisting of kinetic energy and elastic strain energy, along with the energy due to the external heat source. To overcome the computational expense associated with the standard finite element analysis for implementing the phase field model, an adaptive approach based on the quadtree algorithm is employed that enhances computational efficiency while preserving accuracy. The hanging nodes within the element are treated as polygonal elements. The governing equations are solved using a staggered solution algorithm, following a hybrid phase field implementation strategy. The notch location, temperature variation, and gradation profile of FGM are carefully examined and investigated using numerous examples. It is observed that these parameters significantly influence the behavior of FGM. The results align well with the existing literature, validating our methodology within the examples explored. Additionally, the computational efficiency of adaptive meshing techniques is assessed, demonstrating the significant reductions in computational overhead while preserving accuracy and versatility in handling multi-physics fracture scenarios.

Magical role of iron nanoparticles for enhancement of thermal efficiency and gene regulation of fish in response to multiple stresses

The present study addresses the challenges of uncontrolled temperature and pollution in aquatic environments, with a focus on fish ability to tolerate high temperature. The investigation aimed to determine the role of iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) in enhancing the thermal tolerance of Pangasianodon hypophthalmus exposed to high-temperature stress, arsenic (As), and ammonia (NH3) toxicity. Fe-NPs were synthesized using green approaches, specifically from fish gill. The dietary Fe-NPs were formulated and supplemented at 10, 15, and 20 mg kg⁻1 of feed. Notably, Fe-NPs at 15 mg kg⁻1 diet significantly reduced the critical thermal minimum (CTmin) (14.44 ± 0.21 °C) and the lethal thermal minimum (LTmin) (13.46 ± 0.15 °C), compared to the control and other treatment groups. Conversely, when Fe-NPs at 15 mg kg⁻1 were supplemented with or without exposure to stressors (As + NH3+T), the critical thermal maximum (CTmax) increased to 47.59 ± 0.16 °C, and the lethal thermal maximum (LTmax) increased to 48.60 ± 0.37 °C, both significantly higher than the control and other groups. A strong correlation was observed between LTmin and CTmin (R2 = 0.90) and between CTmax and LTmax (R2 = 0.98). Furthermore, dietary Fe-NPs at 15 mg kg⁻1 significantly upregulated the expression of stress-related genes, including HSP70, iNOS, Caspase-3a, CYP450, MT, cat, sod, gpx, TNFα, IL, TLR, and Ig. The enhanced thermal tolerance (LTmin and LTmax) can be attributed to these gene regulations, suggesting the mechanistic involvement of Fe-NPs in improving thermal resilience. Overall, the findings demonstrate that dietary supplementation with Fe-NPs, particularly at 15 mg kg⁻1, improves thermal tolerance and stress response in P. hypophthalmus by enhancing gene expression and overall thermal efficiency under stressor conditions.

Preventing Bleaching in Tropical Corals by Using Thermally Resilient Symbiont Zooxanthellae: All Hands‐On Deck!

ABSTRACTThe current rapid climate warming is expected to cause an ocean temperature increase of 3°C–5°C by 2100, leading to deoxygenated and acidified tropical seas. Without mitigation measures, the total loss of tropical corals is inevitable. Already, one‐third of tropical reefs are considered permanently lost. Coral bleaching initiated by the loss of symbionts, the photosynthetic zooxanthellae, is the main process whereby corals respond to thermal stress, followed by recovery. However, increased thermal stress and frequency of bleaching have caused widespread coral recovery failure. Zooxantheallae of the genus Symbiodinium are considered the thermally vulnerable part of the coral symbiosis. In recent decades, warming has displaced genotypes of lower thermal resilience to subtropical latitudes; few genotypes of higher temperature tolerance remain abundant in tropical seas, but these will not withstand warming predictions either. Interestingly, high temperatures in the Red Sea have selected for exceptionally heat‐resistant coral genotypes and for the highest known thermal resilience in endemic zooxanthellae at the same time. Actions to overcome the coral bleaching crisis have been proposed by combining coral ecophysiology and mass culturing of thermally resilient Red Sea symbionts for naturalisation to the global tropical ocean, including restoration of collapsed reefs using corals with thermally resilient symbiont genotypes.

A multi-criteria decision support framework for designing seismic and thermal resilient facades

Facades play a pivotal role in the performance of a building, serving various environmental, structural and operational functions. As climate-induced extreme events become more frequent, developing resilient facades is becoming crucial. Although facades can contribute significantly to the total post-disruption losses, their resilience is not sufficiently addressed in current design approaches. In response to this research gap, this study proposes a multi-criteria decision-making methodology to select optimal facade designs using resilience criteria: resilience loss and economic loss. The framework addresses the complexity of facade design, considering multiple hazards such as earthquakes and heatwaves. For seismic hazard, the facade’s resilience is defined as its ability to mitigate damage. In the case of heat hazard, resilience is assessed based on the ability to keep indoor conditions within a comfortable thermal range. To demonstrate the applicability of the proposed methodology, a case study of an 18-story office building in Izmir (Turkey) is used to compare alternative facade packages. These packages identify the facade design cases, each coupled with a dataset of seismic and thermal fragility curves. Numerical simulations are conducted to derive seismic and thermal resilience curves for each facade package, along with resilience criteria. These criteria are embedded into a practical decision-making process to enable the selection of the optimal design case based on project specifications.

High-temperature resistant SnSe/MSN film for thermal runaway prevention in lithium-ion batteries

Recent years have witnessed an accelerated development of electric vehicles (EVs) driven by the pressing need to curb carbon emissions. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) stand out as preferred energy storage solutions owing to their high energy density and extended cycle life. Nonetheless, the persistent threat of thermal runaway (TR) remains a critical safety concern. This study endeavors to tackle this issue by introducing a novel composite insulating film tailored to function as a thermal barrier within LIBs. Comprising exfoliated SnSe (tin selenide) and mesoporous silica bonded via Zn ion gelation, the composite showcases a low thermal conductivity of 0.131 W/mK alongside a robust tensile strength of 52.7 MPa. These attributes stem from the distinctive amalgamation of materials and the robust interfacial interactions facilitated by Zn ion gelation, thus enhancing thermal stability and mechanical resilience. The devised DGEBA/SnSe-MSN composite exhibits notable flame retardant properties and superior thermal management capabilities, positioning it as a promising candidate to bolster the safety and dependability of LIBs. This research introduces a promising approach for crafting high-performance insulating films applicable across diverse industries, particularly in the realm of lithium-ion battery technology, leveraging SnSe as an insulating material—a departure from its prior application as a thermoelectric material.

Comparative investigation of structural, morphological and temperature-dependent photoluminescence characteristics of trivalent rare-earth-activated NaCaPO4 phosphors for solid-state lighting applications

This study explores the synthesis, structure, morphology, and photoluminescence features of trivalent RE3+-activated NaCaPO4 phosphors, aiming to develop phosphor materials for white-light-emitting diode (WLED) applications. Single-phase polycrystalline NaCa(1-x) REx3+ PO4 (REx3+ = Sm, Eu, Dy, and Tb) phosphor materials with various REx3+-doping percentiles were produced by a solid-state reaction process, which were analyzed using various characterization techniques. The FullProf Suite software program was used for phase evidence and crystalline structure analysis, confirming the composition of orthorhombic materials as a single phase. FE-SEM micrographs revealed asymmetrically stacked morphologies across all the compositions. This study reveals that trivalent RE3+-activated phosphors produced exceptional PL outcomes. Dexter's and Blasse's approaches were used to establish the interaction mechanisms and critical energy transfer ranges as dipole-dipole. Lifetime decay patterns were used to fit a bi-exponential function and the resulting values were approximated in milliseconds. This study reveals that trivalent RE3+-activated NaCaPO4 phosphors, with their thermal resilience and color integrity, have potential applications in solid-state lighting (SSL) technology.

Thermal resiliency of single-family housing stock under extreme hot and cold conditions

The building sector has gained attention due to its vulnerability to hazards such as heat waves in summer and power outages in winter, which have led to significant human health issues, including deaths. Thermal resiliency, which refers to a building’s capacity to cope and recover from weather-related events affecting indoor thermal conditions, lacks a systematic assessment approach considering future climate changes. This paper presents a framework for thermal resiliency assessment of buildings under future climatic conditions. The framework evaluates passive survivability under both hot and cold extreme events during a power outage or an HVAC system failure. A case study was conducted by considering code-compliant residential buildings located in different climatic regions. The study indicates that code-compliant buildings may overheat during hot extreme events without air conditioning in the future climate; however, severe indoor conditions can be avoided with passive measures like natural ventilation. The thermal resiliency of buildings under extreme conditions in cold regions is not adequate, as the buildings can reach severe indoor conditions within a four-day power outage, even with passive measures such as movable insulations. The proposed framework and study’s findings can serve as a valuable resource for policy-makers and researchers in developing climate adaptation measures.