Reference Values and Reference Correlations for the Thermal Conductivity and Viscosity of Fluids

Self-Modification of Defective TiO2 under Controlled H2/Ar Gas Environment and Dynamics of Photoinduced Surface Oxygen Vacancies

In recent years, defective TiO2 has caught considerable research attention because of its potential to overcome the limits of low visible light absorption and fast charge recombination present in pristine TiO2 photocatalysts. Among the different synthesis conditions for defective TiO2, ambient pressure hydrogenation with the addition of Ar as inert gas for safety purposes has been established as an easy method to realize the process. Whether the Ar gas might still influence the resulting photocatalytic properties and defective surface layer remains an open question. Here, we reveal that the gas flow ratio between H2 and Ar has a crucial impact on the defective structure as well as the photocatalyic activity of TiO2. In particular, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in combination with electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) revealed a larger width of the defective surface layer when using a H2/Ar (50 %-50 %) gas mixture over pure H2. A possible reason could be the increase in dynamic viscosity of the gas mixture when Ar is added. Additionally, photoinduced enhanced Raman spectroscopy (PIERS) is implemented as a complementary approach to investigate the dynamics of the defective structures under ambient conditions which cannot be effortlessly realized by vacuum techniques like TEM.

Simulation and Data-Driven Modeling of the Transport Properties of the Mie Fluid

This work reports the computation and modeling of the self-diffusivity (D*), shear viscosity (η*), and thermal conductivity (κ*) of the Mie fluid. The transport properties were computed using equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations for the Mie fluid with repulsive exponents (λr) ranging from 7 to 34 and at a fixed attractive exponent (λa) of 6 over the whole fluid density (ρ*) range and over a wide temperature (T*) range. The computed database consists of 17,212, 14,288, and 13,099 data points for self-diffusivity, shear viscosity, and thermal conductivity, respectively. The database is successfully validated against published simulation data. The above-mentioned transport properties are correlated using artificial neural networks (ANNs). Two modeling approaches were tested: a semiempirical formulation based on entropy scaling and an empirical formulation based on density and temperature as input variables. For the former, it was found that a unique formulation based on entropy scaling does not yield satisfactory results over the entire density range due to a divergent and incorrect scaling of the transport properties at low densities. For the latter empirical modeling approach, it was found that regularizing the data, e.g., modeling ρ*D* instead of D*, ln η* instead of η*, and ln κ* instead of κ*, as well as using the inverse of the temperature as an input feature, helps to ease the interpolation efforts of the artificial neural networks. The trained ANNs can model seen and unseen data over a wide range of density and temperature. Ultimately, the ANNs can be used alongside equations of state to regress effective force field parameters from volumetric and transport data.

A Review of the Advances and Challenges in Measuring the Thermal Conductivity of Nanofluids

Fluids containing colloidal suspensions of nanometer-sized particles (nanofluids) have been extensively investigated in recent decades with promising results. Driven by the increase in the thermal conductivity of these new thermofluids, this topic has been growing in order to improve the thermal capacity of a series of applications in the thermal area. However, when it comes to measure nanofluids (NFs) thermal conductivity, experimental results need to be carefully analyzed. Hence, in this review work, the main traditional and new techniques used to measure thermal conductivity of the NFs are presented and analyzed. Moreover, the fundamental parameters that affect the measurements of the NFs’ thermal conductivity, such as, temperature, concentration, preparation of NFs, characteristics and thermophysical properties of nanoparticles, are also discussed. In this review, the experimental methods are compared with the theoretical methods and, also, a comparison between experimental methods are made. Finally, it is expected that this review will provide a guidance to researchers interested in implementing and developing the most appropriate experimental protocol, with the aim of increasing the level of reliability of the equipment used to measure the NFs thermal conductivity.

Energy-Efficient, On-Demand Activation of Biosensor Arrays for Long-Term Continuous Health Monitoring

Wearable biosensors for continuous health monitoring, particularly those used for glucose detection, have a limited operational lifetime due to biodegradation and fouling. As a result, patients must change sensors frequently, increasing cost and patient discomfort. Arrays of multiple sensors, where the individual devices can be activated on demand, increase overall operational longevity, thereby reducing cost and improving patient outcomes. This work demonstrates the feasibility of this approach via decomposition of combustible nitrocellulose membranes that protect the individual sensors from exposure to bioanalytes using a current pulse. Metal contacts, connected by graphene-loaded PEDOT:PSS polymer on the surface of the membrane, deliver the required energy to decompose the membrane. Nitrocellulose membranes with a thickness of less than 1 µm consistently transfer on to polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) wells. An electrical energy as low as 68 mJ has been shown to suffice for membrane decomposition.

Good Reporting Practice for Thermophysical and Thermochemical Property Measurements (IUPAC Technical Report). PURE APPL CHEM 2021;93. [PMID: 34924633 DOI: 10.1515/pac-2020-0403]

Scientific projects frequently involve measurements of thermophysical, thermochemical, and other related properties of chemical compounds and materials. These measured property data have significant potential value for the scientific community, but incomplete and inaccurate reporting often hampers their utilization. The present IUPAC Technical Report summarizes the needs of chemical engineers and researchers as consumers of these data and shows how publishing practices can improve information transfer. In the Report, general principles of Good Reporting Practice are developed together with examples illustrating typical cases of reporting issues. Adoption of these principles will improve the quality, reproducibility, and usefulness of experimental data, bring a better level of consistency to results, and increase the efficiency and impact of research. Closely related to Good Reporting Practice, basic elements of Good Research Practice are also introduced with a goal to reduce the number of ambiguities and unresolved problems within the thermophysical property data domain.

In Situ Investigation of the Motion Behavior of Graphene on Liquid Copper

The in situ investigation of the dynamic growth process and novel assembly phenomena of graphene on liquid copper (Cu) is of great significance to deeply understand the special behavior of graphene and self-assembly mechanism. Here, the direct observation of the graphene growth and motion behavior on liquid Cu via in situ imaging is reported. Evidence of graphene movement on liquid Cu is offered and it is demonstrated that the translation and rotation behaviors of graphene are affected by the surface condition of liquid Cu. The self-assembly process of graphene array is also revealed by capturing the dynamic changes of graphene in real-time. Further analysis highlights the importance of surface energy of liquid Cu and the interaction between graphene building blocks during the self-assembling process. The growth parameters are also investigated to flexibly control the assembly configuration of graphene arrays. This work provides an insight into the mechanism of graphene motion and assembly behavior that can be used to guide the controllable manipulation of 2D materials and on-demand fabrication assembly structures with desired properties.

Reference Correlation for the Viscosity of Ethane-1,2-diol (Ethylene Glycol) from the Triple Point to 465 K and up to 100 MPa

We present a new wide-ranging correlation for the viscosity of ethane-1,2-diol (ethylene glycol) based on critically evaluated experimental data. The correlation is designed to be used with an existing equation of state, and it is valid from the triple point to 465 K, at pressures up to 100 MPa. The estimated uncertainty is 4.9 % (at the 95 % confidence level), except in the dilute-gas region which is estimated to be 15 %, as there are no measurements in this region for comparison. The correlation behaves in a physically reasonable manner when extrapolated to 750 K and 250 MPa, however care should be taken when using the correlations outside of the validated range.

Reference Correlation for the Thermal Conductivity of Ethane-1,2-diol (Ethylene Glycol) from the Triple Point to 475 K and Pressures up to 100 MPa

We present a new wide-ranging correlation for the thermal conductivity of ethane-1,2-diol (ethylene glycol) based on critically evaluated experimental data. The correlation is designed to be used with an existing equation of state, and it is valid from the triple point to 475 K, at pressures up to 100 MPa. The estimated uncertainty is 2.2 % (at the 95 % confidence level), except in the dilute-gas region which is estimated to be 20 %, as there are no measurements in this region for comparison.

Reference Correlation for the Viscosity of Xenon from the Triple Point to 750 K and up to 86 MPa

A new wide-ranging correlation for the viscosity of xenon, based on the most recent theoretical calculations and critically evaluated experimental data, is presented. The correlation is designed to be used with an existing equation of state, and it is valid from the triple point to 750 K, at pressures up to 86 MPa. The estimated expanded uncertainty (at a coverage factor of k = 2) varies depending on the temperature and pressure, from 0.2 % to 3.6 %. A term accounting for the critical enhancement is also included. The correlation behaves in a physically reasonable manner when extrapolated to 200 MPa, however care should be taken when using the correlations outside of the validated range.

A switched vibrating-hot-wire method for measuring the viscosity and thermal conductivity of liquids

A method involving a vibrating hot wire is proposed for measuring the viscosity and thermal conductivity of liquids. A platinum wire is bent into a semicircular shape and immersed in the sample liquid in the presence of a static magnetic field. Alternating current is then applied to the wire, causing it to vibrate and generate heat. At low frequency, the frequency response of the vibration is used to calculate the viscosity. At high frequency, the vibration amplitude of the wire is less than the molecular free path, and the thermal conductivity of the sample is obtained from the temperature dependence of the resistance. The proposed method is validated using water, toluene, anhydrous ethanol, and ethanediol as the test samples. The measurement uncertainty is estimated to be 1.5% (k = 1) for thermal conductivity and 0.7% (k = 2) for viscosity.

Reference Values and Reference Correlations for the Thermal Conductivity and Viscosity of Fluids

In this paper, reference values and reference correlations for the thermal conductivity and viscosity of pure fluids are reviewed. Reference values and correlations for the thermal conductivity and the viscosity of pure fluids provide thoroughly evaluated data or functional forms and serve to help calibrate instruments, validate or extend models, and underpin some commercial transactions or designs, among other purposes. The criteria employed for the selection of thermal conductivity and viscosity reference values are also discussed; such values, which have the lowest uncertainties currently achievable, are typically adopted and promulgated by international bodies. Similar criteria are employed in the selection of reference correlations, which cover a wide range of conditions, and are often characterized by low uncertainties in their ranges of definition.