Data-driven mapping of acoustic field evolution in viscous oils via SOM and numerical modeling

Preparation of graphite powder/PDMS synergistically modified melamine sponge and its application for photothermal crude oil removal.

Spreading dynamics of drops on a solid surface submerged in different outer fluids.

ABSTRACT The gradual accumulation and deposition of oil on membrane surfaces during the oil‐water separation process causes the inevitable decline of membrane separation performance, highlighting the urgent demand for developing efficient and cost‐saving membrane fouling mitigation strategies. In this study, manganese dioxide (MnO 2 ) nanowires were blended with microfibril cellulose (MFC) to fabricate the MnO 2 /MFC (MM) membrane, and sodium alginate/polyvinyl alcohol (Alg/PVA) hydrogel layer was deposited onto the MM membrane surface by freezing and salting‐out strategy to prepare the Alg/PVA/MnO 2 /MFC (APMM) membrane. The hydrogel‐derived hydration layer endows APMM membrane with low underwater crude oil adhesion (0.73 µN) and high oil‐water selectivity (emulsion separation efficiency >99.23%). Based on the MnO 2 ‐catalyzed decomposition of H 2 O 2 solution, the in situ constructed microbubbles by the APMM membrane exhibit active oil‐repellent behavior, with a high permeance recovery of 91.6%. Importantly, the interfacial interaction between APMM membrane and foulants, and the microscopic process of oil droplet detachment from membrane pores are systematically clarified. By integrating hydrogel passive antifouling and bubble‐mediated active antifouling, the dual‐mode antifouling system demonstrates significant advantages in mitigating membrane fouling, offering a promising strategy for constructing novel antifouling membranes for efficient and energy‐saving oily wastewater treatment.

The rapid expansion of the cannabidiol (CBD) market has created a need for efficient analytical methods to assess product quality and authenticity. Traditional chromatographic techniques, while accurate, require extensive sample preparation and are unsuitable for high-throughput screening. This study presents a heat-assisted dielectric barrier discharge ionization mass spectrometry (HA-DBDI-MS) approach combined with correlation-based fingerprinting for the rapid grouping of commercial CBD oils. The integrated heating element facilitates thermal desorption of semi-volatile organic compounds from viscous oil matrices, addressing a limitation in plasma-based ambient ionization. A systematic data processing workflow was implemented to mitigate inherent signal variability through spectral averaging and total ion current normalization. The methodology was evaluated using cannabinoid reference standards and commercial CBD oil samples with varying concentrations, spectrum types, and formulations. Pearson correlation analysis of the normalized spectral fingerprints revealed quantitative relationships consistent with product characteristics, including CBD concentration and spectrum designation. Samples with identical formulation parameters exhibited high correlation (r = 0.98), while products with distinct compositions showed lower similarity values. The results demonstrate that this approach provides rapid preliminary grouping based on overall phytochemical composition, offering a complementary screening tool to conventional quantitative methods for quality control applications in cannabis-derived products.

Developing durable coatings that sustain long-term antifouling activity is critical for the reliable operation of ocean monitoring systems in biologically complex marine environments. Here, we report a heterogeneous-network slippery liquid-infused porous surface (SLIPS) coating engineered through a molecular design strategy. This design integrates a low-surface-energy rigid framework with a dynamic, self-healing soft network. The rigid framework is formed by a cross-linked network of thiol-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS-(SH)8) and fluorinated liquid nitrile rubber (F13-LNBR). The soft network is based on a three-arm cross-linked structure constructed from hexamethylene-diisocyanate isocyanurate trimer (THDI) and 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy) units. Infused with silicone oil, the coating exhibits robust mechanical strength, demonstrated by an erosion rate of 74.37nm/s, and autonomous self-healing capability enabled by multiple hydrogen bonds in both aerial and underwater conditions. Remarkably, the release rate of the silicone oil and the uniformity of surface hydrophobicity are precisely regulated by incorporating UPy units with tailored molecular structures and perfluoroacrylate monomers with varying hydrophobic chain lengths. Owing to these rational design elements, the coating repels a broad spectrum of fouling agents, including bacteria, algae, and highly viscous crude oil, while maintaining excellent flexibility and wear resistance. During a 90-day field test in real seawater, the coating's transmittance decreased by only 5.8%. This synergistic design addresses key limitations in current SLIPS technologies, offering a viable pathway toward long-term antifouling performance in challenging marine environments.

Superhydrophobic photothermal sponge based on tannic acid-Fe3 + coordination complex for high-efficiency viscous oil absorption.

In-situ fabrication of absorbents with multiscale capillary channels and enhanced thermal conductivity for rapid viscous oil decontamination

Atmospheric fog harvesting is a sustainable freshwater solution, but efficiently collecting from low-wind, small-droplet fogs is challenging due to the low inertia of micron-sized droplets. Here, we demonstrate the microdroplet intaking spinning turbine (MIST), a bioinspired active fog collector that actively draws in fog-laden air using rotating samara-like blades. The rotating blades create a stable low-pressure zone that actively draws in fog, increasing incident fog flux by 5.8-fold, and direct droplets into the device's blade contours. An array of biomimetic cactus spines on the blades enhances inertial capture of these microdroplets. Biomimetic drip-tip structures along the blade edges, combined with centrifugal force, enable rapid drainage of collected water, significantly reducing fluid retention. MIST demonstrates collection efficiency one to two orders of magnitude greater than that of existing surfaces, achieving up to 13.8L m-2h-1 in field tests and 96.8L m-2h-1 in controlled wind-tunnel tests. MIST device achieved a specific energy efficiency of 86 L kWh-1 of water, surpassing conventional dehumidification systems under the targeted fog conditions. By actively manipulating airflow, this bioinspired architecture maintains high efficiency across diverse mists under low-wind conditions, demonstrating broad applicability for defogging, outdoor fog harvesting, and viscous oil fume collection.

The relevance of this study is determined by the need for new technological solutions to enhance the productivity of wells producing heavy and highly viscous crude oil. The work investigates multicomponent Al–Ga–In–Sn alloys as reactive systems capable of generating heat and hydrogen upon contact with water. The focus is placed on optimizing melting parameters and assessing how alloy composition and structural features affect reactivity. Phase composition was analyzed by X-ray diffraction, microstructure by SEM-EDX, and elemental composition by XRF. The results show that the hydrogen generation rate and heat release depend on melting temperature, holding time, and ratios of activating metals, as well as the physicochemical properties of the formation water, particularly salinity and pH. Reaction enthalpy and conversion efficiency were quantified. The highest hydrogen output and thermal effect were observed for the following compositions—90 wt.% Al, 5 wt.% Ga, 2.5 wt.% In, 2.5 wt.% Sn; and 85 wt.% Al, 5 wt.% Ga, 5 wt.% In, 5 wt.% Sn (825 °C, 30 min). Rapid heat and gas release is attributed to the eutectic structure and micro-galvanic interaction, which eliminate the induction period. These findings demonstrate the potential of such alloys for in situ heating, enhanced oil recovery, and autonomous hydrogen-energy applications.

ABSTRACT As a manipulation platform exhibiting distinct advantages at micro/nanoscales, microrobots demonstrate significant application potentials across biological, medical, and chemical engineering domains. However, current research for microrobot design and actuation predominantly focuses on aqueous and physiological fluid environments, and thus effective ways for driving microrobots to operate in viscous oil‐based media remains are still limited. To address this issue, we develop an acoustic magnetic hybrid microrobot leveraging bubble and fin structures for acoustic propulsion as well as magnetic coating layer for controlled navigation. With acoustic stimuli, the microrobot can achieve 2–6 mm/s motion speed propelled by the oscillating bubble. With magnetic steering, the microrobot can be controlled to move along arbitrary paths. Experimental results demonstrate that the microrobot can rapidly and accurately navigate to target locations in oil environments. Secondary acoustic radiation forces can capture target particles with different sizes, then transport them to target location and release. The proposed acoustic‐magnetic hybrid manipulation strategy enables microrobots to operate in viscous oil environments, offering a new paradigm to unlock the environment adaptability for complex application scenarios.

Conventional dehydration of heavy oil to meet pipeline specifications (<1% water) relies on complex, energy-intensive industrial processes. In contrast, this work demonstrates that a single sulfated cotton rope can achieve efficient, passive dehydration of heavy oil through tailored capillary action. Sulfation endowed the ropes with superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity, enabling selective water extraction while repelling the viscous oil. The dehydration efficiency was governed by the sulfation degree of the rope and the initial water content of the emulsion. Quantitative analysis revealed that ropes with a higher degree of substitution (DS) achieved significantly faster dehydration; for instance, a 10% water emulsion was completely dehydrated within 1 h using a high-DS rope, while a 30% emulsion needs 4 h. The process, characterized by distinct kinetic stages, is attributed to the synergistic effects of promoted droplet coalescence by the sulfated groups and rapid capillary transport. Furthermore, the ropes demonstrated excellent reusability after simple solvent cleaning, maintaining high performance over multiple cycles. This approach provides a sustainable and efficient pathway for heavy oil dehydration with near-zero external energy input.

The nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) T₂ distributions of free fluid are widely used to characterize the bulk relaxation properties of fluids. However, in the heavy crude oil of reservoirs in the western South China Sea, solid-phase impurities such as waxes, asphaltenes, and colloids result in multi-peak, broad-spectrum T₂ distributions. This complexity hinders accurate peak identification and fluid property analysis. To address this, typical crude oils from the study area were selected, and their free-fluid T₂ distributions were measured under reservoir-temperature conditions. The observed multi-peak patterns were analyzed to determine their physical and chemical origins. Based on the Gaussian distribution function, a fast Gaussian picking method is proposed to search for representative distribution peaks in crude oil in conjunction with extreme points. The non-negative least squares (NNLS) method is utilized to fit the data, and the complex T₂ distribution was decomposed into components representing different phases and viscosities. After mathematical-physical tests and demonstrations, the rapid classification of the T2 distribution of the free-fluid state of impurity-containing viscous crude oil is realized. Applied to downhole NMR data, the method accurately captured the T₂ characteristics of such crude oils, offering a fast and reliable tool for analyzing complex bulk relaxation behaviors and fluid identification. Finally, the method’s performance, influencing factors, and applicability were discussed.

This study investigates Venturi-based injected bubble fragmentation in well-characterized viscous silicone oils at controlled working temperatures and flow rates, established in a novel benchtop facility. Flow visualization based data analysis indicates that mean fragmented bubble size decreases with both increasing flow rate and operating temperature. Dimensionless analysis with Reynolds and Capillary numbers highlights the competing roles of inertia, fluid shear, and interfacial tension influencing bubble fragmentation. Comparison of the current viscous studies with inviscid data from the prior work shows that there is a Capillary number regime where the fractionated bubble size reaches a minimum.

Reduction of Optical Density in Highly Viscous Oils through Ultrasonic Treatment within The Infrared Wavelength Range

Thermal gas-chemical treatment (TGCT), based on the interaction of multicomponent aluminum alloys with formation water, generates heat directly in the bottomhole zone of oil wells. The effectiveness of this treatment is primarily determined by the amount of thermal energy released and the resulting temperature increase in the near-wellbore zone. Engineering design and operational planning require a physically based analytical methodology for quantifying these parameters using fundamental principles of heat transfer. This study presents an engineering calculation approach for estimating the temperature increase and heating radius during TGCT of formations producing high-viscosity oil. The methodology is based on the law of energy conservation and the equation for transient heat conduction in porous media. The proposed approach establishes direct analytical relationships between the mass of the reactive alloy, the absorbed thermal energy, the temperature increase, and the heating radius. All conclusions are based on clearly defined engineering assumptions. The developed methodology represents a consistent and transparent tool for the preliminary assessment of thermal parameters during thermal gas-chemical treatment of the wellbore zone in highly viscous oil reservoirs.

Designing millirobots capable of navigating high-friction environments remains a significant challenge due to limitations in force output and the absence of efficient transmission mechanisms at small scales. In this study, we introduce a magnetically inner actuated millirobot capable of generating a thrust force exceeding 15 N with a body weight of 5.82 g for moving across diverse frictional terrains. The inner-actuated millirobot features a dual-coil array positioned at each end of a plastic skeleton and a permanent magnet accommodated in the center channel of the body. When powered by a 0.5 A current, the internal magnetic interaction propels the magnet to a velocity of 2.10 m/s within 17 ms, striking the end wall to produce a powerful instantaneous thrust that overcomes friction forces. Experimental results demonstrate the millirobot’s ability to operate in viscous oil, traverse sand and granular media, and transport cargo exceeding 300 times its body weight. Furthermore, the magnetically inner actuated millirobot shows promising potential for accessing confined tubular environments. This magnetically inner-actuated design, leveraging momentum conservation for propulsion, enables millirobots with high force capacity for high-friction and confined-space applications.

In northern regions with complex geocryological conditions, non-isothermal pumping of hydrocarbon environment predominates. Pipelines, directly contacting frozen soil, contribute to its thawing and the spread of thawing halos, and therefore, to a change in the thermal conductivity of the soil, which, in turn, affects the temperature regime of hydrocarbon pumping. As a result, the actual operating parameters of oil pipelines differ from the parameters specified in the project, which affects the efficiency of the oil pipeline, since the actual properties of the man-made soil differ significantly from the properties determined during the design of the pipeline.Determining the thermophysical properties of frozen man-made soils is very difficult. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the head losses to overcome the ultimate shear stress when calculating, since highly viscous oil, which is classified as a viscous-plastic liquid, is often pumped. Therefore, at present, it is relevant to create this calculation method, which allows for the correction of pumping modes taking into account the changing properties of man-made soils and the rheological properties of the pumped environment.The article presents the problems of oil pipeline operation associated with changes in the actual properties of man-made soils and pumped environment. Based on the analysis of mathematical models, formulas are proposed for determining the calculated average integral value of the thermal conductivity coefficient of soil in the thermal influence zone, taking into account the thermal conductivity coefficients of frozen and thawed soils, as well as for determining the thermal conductivity coefficient of soil during drying with an increase in the oil pumping temperature. In addition, a formula is proposed for determining head losses to overcome the ultimate shear stress when pumping viscous-plastic oil with low-intensity heat exchange.These proposed formulas are recommended for use in designing oil pipelines and in calculating operational non-stationary modes to reduce the negative impact of heat exchange processes on man-made soil, oil pipelines and pumping and power equipment.

An in-situ low-carbon enhanced oil recovery approach applied in high viscous oil reservoir

ABSTRACT A systematic series of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives bearing linear, achiral branched and Guerbet-type branched hydrocarbons at the lower rim were synthesised via Williamson etherification. Sodium hydride yielded tetra-substituted products, while potassium carbonate produced 1,3-di-substituted derivatives. All compounds were characterised by NMR, FTIR, and mass spectrometry.. Single crystals were obtained from tetra-O-alkylated derivatives with n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl and 2-ethylbutyl hydrocarbon chains; Guerbet-type derivatives remained viscous oils, reflecting the inability of racemic β-branched architectures to crystallise. X-ray diffraction revealed invariant calix[4]arene core geometries but distinct supramolecular packing: linear chains form head-to-head bilayers through interdigitation, while 2-ethylbutyl disrupts bilayer packing, adopting staggered arrangements stabilised by C–H···π contacts. The 2-ethylbutyl derivative represents the first crystallographic characterisation of any branched-alkyl calix[4]arene, demonstrating that substituent topology fundamentally alters supramolecular organisation.