Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology experimentally demonstrated the existence of nanometer-sized liquid clusters in supercritical fluids, overturning the prevailing notion of a single phase. These clusters persisted for up to an hour and have significant implications for industrial processes and natural environments.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is expanding its heat exchanger testing capabilities to include megawatt-scale performance evaluations. This move addresses a significant market gap for high-heat transfer rates involving high-temperature and -flowrate applications in data centers, defense, and other fields.
Tina Rost will use a $800,000 NSF CAREER award to control the disorder in high-entropy ceramics, making them stronger and more heat-resistant. Her team aims to develop new materials with tailored electrical, magnetic, and mechanical properties using machine learning-enhanced analysis.
Researchers have developed a new material, coronene-Br2 NDA cocrystal, which converts solar heat into electricity with an exceptional photothermal conversion efficiency of 67.2% under 808 nm irradiation. The material is integrated into a thermoelectric generator to achieve high-performance solar-thermoelectric energy harvesting.
A new microscopy technique, SIMIP, combines structured illumination with mid-infrared photothermal detection to achieve high-speed chemical imaging with superior resolution. The method outperforms conventional methods in terms of spatial resolution and chemical contrast.
Researchers engineered conjugation of donor and acceptor units in covalent organic frameworks to enhance photocatalytic H2O2 production. USTB-46 achieved a high yield of 8274 mmol g−1 h−1, attributed to optimized light absorption, thermodynamic catalytic activity, and compatible D-A units.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a new dye that strongly absorbs second near-IR radiation, transforming it to heat. This breakthrough enables clearer imaging and better delivery of heat for therapies in deep tissue medicine.
A new microwave-assisted synthesis route has improved the performance of a coordination polymer photocatalyst, achieving a record-breaking value for CO2-to-formate conversion with a nearly ten-fold increase in apparent quantum yield. The improvements are attributed to well-crystallized material and surface area increases.
Washington University researchers have made new measurements of black carbon in pyrocumulonimbus (pyroCb) clouds, which are extremely hot and can linger for months. The study found that these particles absorb visible sunlight two times as much as those from smaller fires and urban sources.
Researchers at Kyoto University have determined the magnitude of spin-orbit interaction in acceptor-bound excitons in a semiconductor. The study revealed two triplets separated by a spin-orbit splitting of 14.3 meV, supporting the hypothesis that two positively charged holes are more strongly bound than an electron-and-hole pair.
A novel bypass configuration eliminates temperature matching constraints, achieving energy flow field synergy and significantly improving efficiency. The system outperforms existing HDTRs, comparable to double-effect absorption refrigerators.
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology have developed organic solar cells with record efficiencies and discovered a link between molecular structure and outdoor stability. The study found that fluorine-bearing functional end groups and long hydrocarbon side-chains enhance outdoor stability, protecting the cells...
Researchers developed a noninvasive technique to visualize and differentiate nerve tissue using multispectral photoacoustic imaging. The study revealed the optimal wavelengths for identifying nerve tissue, which could improve nerve detection and segmentation techniques.
Researchers propose standardized criteria for radiative cooling performance evaluation to improve reliability and comparability. The technology uses the sky as a heat sink to achieve cooling below ambient temperatures.
Scientists create a design that enables simultaneous presentation of photothermal, thermal conductive, and superhydrophobic properties, achieving record-high defrosting efficacy. The innovative assembly enhances de-icing and defrosting efficiency, reducing overall defrosting durations by 2-3 times.
The study provides a condensed overview of recent advances and challenges in atmospheric and pressurized PVSRs, highlighting potential for improving performance through geometrical parameter optimization and spectrally selective absorption. Standardized evaluation methods remain essential to unlock the full potential of PVSRs.
The research uses paraffin wax-filled tubes to absorb impact and heat, protecting nearby battery cells from damage. The design improves the safety and reliability of electric vehicles by minimizing potential damage from crashes or thermal issues.
A research team developed a radiative transfer model for plant leaves in the thermal infrared spectrum and found that as the cuticle layer decreases, leaf reflectance increases with decreasing water content. This study provides essential theoretical foundations for understanding TIR spectral behavior of leaves.
The Tibetan Plateau's land surface darkening due to global warming affects regional and remote climates in Asia. The study predicts a 6.9% loss in glacier volume and increased monsoon precipitation over South Asia by the end of the century.
Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology created a novel method to produce self-folding origami honeycomb structures using paper sheets, which can provide excellent protection against shocks and compression. The developed technique has potential applications in packaging, agriculture, and other fields.
The Southern Ocean dominates ocean heat uptake due to its unique wind-driven circulation. Rising temperatures could lead to devastating impacts on the food web and ice shelves around Antarctica, with urgent calls for reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers examine the relationship between thermal biology and sexual selection, finding that animals often tolerate perilous temperatures during mating to increase reproductive success. The study highlights the importance of considering scale in understanding the impact of global warming on reproductive processes.
Concentrated solar power (CSP) plants use wet cooling methods to dissipate waste heat, but this can lead to significant water loss. A new study developed a radiative cooling system with cold storage that reduces water consumption by up to 85% in hot regions.
Researchers found that Mars' extreme energy budget imbalance can contribute to dust storms. The team analyzed four years of data from NASA missions and found a correlation between the planet's orbits and temperatures, suggesting that the energy excess may be one of the generating mechanisms of Mars' dust storms.
Researchers at MIT and NREL have designed a thermophotovoltaic cell that converts heat to electricity with over 40% efficiency, surpassing traditional steam turbines. The new design could enable a fully decarbonized power grid by storing excess energy from renewable sources.
Researchers propose a novel pathway to realizing hot carrier solar cells, which can exceed the typical efficiency limit on solar cells. The approach involves isolating hot carriers within higher energy valleys in semiconductors, reducing energy loss to heat.
Research reveals that ozone levels in the upper and lower atmosphere are weakening one of Earth's main cooling mechanisms, making it a significant greenhouse gas. The study found that increased ozone in the lower atmosphere caused 60% of the overall ozone-induced warming seen in Southern Ocean waters.
Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg create a new shape-stabilized phase change material that can absorb significantly more heat and is made of harmless substances. The material, which can be used as large panels integrated into walls, can store up to 24 times more heat than conventional concrete or wallboard.
Researchers at MIT and China developed a desalination system that is both more efficient and less expensive than previous methods. The system uses natural convection to draw salt from the water, eliminating the need for wicks or power sources.
Pusan National University researchers demonstrate the effectiveness of integrating a radiative cooler with a multi-junction solar cell, achieving a 6°C temperature drop and a 2% increase in open-circuit voltage. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and eco-friendly solar cells, paving the way for renewable energy sources.
The upper ocean has reached record-breaking temperatures for the sixth consecutive year, with the latest data showing a significant increase in heat content. This warming trend is primarily driven by human-induced climate change, which affects ocean acidification and marine life.
New research introduces adaptable smart window design that can heat or cool a house. The film changes its properties to absorb sunlight in winter and reflect it in summer, reducing energy consumption by 20-34%.
Scientists developed an all-season smart-roof coating that automatically switches between cooling and heating, outperforming commercial cool-roof systems in energy savings. The technology uses vanadium dioxide to regulate its rate of radiative cooling, overcoming the problem of overcooling in winter.
Scientists create a process called 'coherent optical engineering' that can dramatically change the properties of materials without generating heat. The breakthrough uses lasers to alter electron energy levels in a way that is reversible and free from unwanted heating.
Researchers found that migratory bird species tend to be lighter colored than non-migratory species, reducing the risk of overheating during extreme journeys. The study's findings suggest that lighter plumage coloration helps birds absorb less heat and stay cooler in the hot sun.
Scientists from UCLA develop a do-it-yourself radiative cooler using household materials, achieving moderate to large temperature drops. The design's reproducibility and low cost make it an attractive standard for research settings.
Researchers at Duke University developed electrochromic technology that can alternate between harvesting heat from sunlight and allowing an object to cool. The device, which uses a thin layer of graphene and metal nanoparticles, demonstrates a tuning range of thermal radiation never seen before.
Researchers have discovered a way to significantly increase the efficiency of solar cells by harnessing excess energy and storing it before it's lost as heat. This breakthrough could raise the industry standard limit from 30% to over 60%, addressing one of the major challenges in commercial solar cells.
Researchers at RMIT University developed highly versatile, cost-effective 3D printed catalysts that could tackle the challenge of overheating in hypersonic aircraft. The new catalysts show promise for fuelling the future of hypersonic flight by simultaneously cooling the system.
A new membrane distillation process that uses solar heat to produce drinking water from seawater or wastewater has been developed. The technology can double the production of drinking water compared to existing methods, making it a promising solution for isolated areas without access to potable water.
Researchers developed a precision welding technique using laser heating to join thermoplastic resins like PPS, COP, and PET. This method improves the quality of small electronic components, microchannels, and flat panels by avoiding overheating and burning.
A new study by Berkeley Lab researchers found that cool roofs could protect urbanites from heat waves, reducing air temperatures and bringing down heat wave exposures by 35 million each year. The study predicts that heat waves will become two to 10 times more frequent across California's cities by mid-century.
Numerical simulations reveal that thin films with negative thermodiffusion coefficients increase the absorption of vapour, improving heat recycling. The study offers valuable new insights into enhancing the performance of falling film absorbers.
Researchers develop device that uses suspended structure to absorb solar energy, heating water to boiling point and producing superheated steam. The device can be used in remote regions to generate drinking water, sterilize medical equipment, or supply heat for industrial processes.
A new study developed a novel concept that overcomes the critical heat flux limit, allowing for more efficient cooling in extreme conditions. The researchers discovered that coating hot surfaces with nanoscale bimorphs enhances boiling heat transfer, potentially preventing nuclear power plant accidents.
According to an updated analysis from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics/Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2017 was the warmest year on record for the global ocean. The oceans accumulated 1.51 × 10^22 J of heat, surpassing the previous second-warmest year of 2015.
Researchers will drill boreholes to study firn layer's structure and temperature, shedding light on heat absorption and sea level rise implications.
A NASA team has created a smart radiator that folds and unfolds like origami, allowing it to change its shape to shed or conserve heat. The radiator uses temperature-sensitive materials and a vanadium-oxide-based coating to achieve this effect.
A new study published in Scientific Reports found that mineral dust from the Middle East can strengthen the Indian Summer Monsoon by heating the atmosphere. This heat absorption affects monsoon rainfall, with more efficient-absorbing dust linked to increased rainfall.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed hot nanoparticles that can kill tumour tissue with heat by absorbing near-infrared light. The particles are coated with a silicon dioxide layer and aggregate in a way that allows them to absorb light and generate heat.
Researchers, led by Dr. Emily Shuckburgh, apply mathematical ideas from dynamical systems to analyze circulation in the Southern Ocean. Mixing of water with different properties is a key determinant in heat uptake by oceans.
New research from Carnegie Institution scientists found that black carbon aerosols have a greater effect on surface warming when emitted near the land and ocean surface. However, as altitude increases, surface warming decreases, while cooling occurs in the stratosphere.
A new study using a global model confirms that implementing cool roofs and pavements in cities can cancel the heating effect of up to two years of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to taking 300 million cars off the road. This can help delay warming and mitigate global climate change.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have discovered a way to make liquid flow vertically upward along a silicon surface, overcoming gravity's pull. By carving intricate patterns in silicon with high-powered laser bursts, they increase the attraction that water molecules feel toward it, allowing the liquid to rise on its own accord.
A city can mitigate urban heat island by employing shade, smart material choices, and digital simulations. Canopies, lighter colors, and thermal properties are key tools in alleviating the UHI.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have created a solar collector system that can harness heat from asphalt roads and parking lots to generate electricity and hot water. The technology has the potential to reduce urban 'heat island' effects and provide a cost-effective source of renewable energy.
A Purdue research report suggests that ancient lake sediments and computer simulations indicate El Niño might react differently to global warming than current theory claims. The tropical Pacific Ocean maintains its ability to remove heat periodically, even when the climate warms.