Article
Mechanics
S. M. Kazem Manzoorolajdad, Hossein Hamzehpour, Jalal Sarabadani
Summary: The electrokinetic transport in a neutral system was studied by investigating an aqueous NaCl solution confined in a nanochannel with two similar parallel phosphorene walls. Different black, blue, red, and green phosphorene allotropes were studied under the presence of an external electric field in the x and y directions. The results showed the increase in Stern layer thickness with negative electric surface charge density (ESCD) and roughness ratio, as well as the occurrence of Debye-Huckel regime, intermediate regime, and flow reversal with increasing absolute value of negative ESCD.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kecheng Guan, Yanan Guo, Zhan Li, Yuandong Jia, Qin Shen, Keizo Nakagawa, Tomohisa Yoshioka, Gongping Liu, Wanqin Jin, Hideto Matsuyama
Summary: In this study, a robust interlayer channel is developed to exclude salt solutes by balancing associated chemistry and confinement stability. Divergent deformation behaviors of membrane nanochannels under different conditions are revealed, and the deformation constraint effectively provides rapid deformation recovery and excellent ion exclusion performance under variable pressure conditions.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Mechanics
Runfeng Zhou, Zhiling Qiu, Chengzhen Sun, Bofeng Bai
Summary: This study investigates the entrance loss of capillary flow in narrow slit nanochannels using molecular dynamics simulations. The early stage of capillary flow is determined by entrance loss, with capillary length increasing linearly while the capillary velocity remains constant. The effect of length-dependent friction loss becomes more apparent in subsequent stages, causing deviation in capillary length and decreasing capillary velocity.
Article
Mechanics
Hsin-Yu Chang, Heng-Kwong Tsao, Yu-Jane Sheng
Summary: The wicking dynamics of total wetting liquid in graphene nanocapillaries were explored, and two regimes were identified: inertia-dominated initial spreading and viscous spreading with an exponent greater than Tanner's law. The advancing motions of both the precursor film and main flow were observed, and their lengths were proportional to the square root of time. However, the proportional constant of the precursor film was greater than that of the main flow, and it decreased with increasing channel widths. The thickness of the precursor film and the diameter of curvature of the menisci increased with increasing channel widths, and rapid imbibition behavior was observed in very narrow nanoslits.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Qiang Chen, Majid Sedighi, Andrey P. P. Jivkov
Summary: This paper investigates the thermal diffusion of sodium chloride in charged silica nanochannels using molecular dynamics simulation. The results show that the nanoconfinement and surface charges affect the sign and magnitude of the Soret coefficient, with both factors making the solutions more thermophilic. Additionally, the thermal diffusion in boundary layers is different from that in bulk fluid, contributing to the overall difference in thermal diffusivity. These findings provide a better understanding of thermal diffusion in nano-porous systems and have implications for coupled heat and mass transfer problems in nanoscale spaces.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Bo Hu, Haochen Zhu
Summary: The dielectric behavior of salt aqueous solutions in confined spaces shows anisotropy and a critical concentration, with in-plane components decreasing and out-of-plane components increasing, leading to fluctuation of water molecules' dipolar and dielectric permittivity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wei Qiang Chen, Majid Sedighi, Andrey P. Jivkov
Summary: By utilizing molecular dynamics simulations, this study provides insights into the mechanistic understanding of thermo-osmosis of water in quartz slit nanochannels at the nanoscale. Additionally, it demonstrates that the thermo-osmotic flow is driven by specific liquid structures and driving forces in the boundary layers.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Yingqian Wang, Siyun Zhang, Hewei Yan, Jiaxin Quan, Lei Yang, Xue Chen, Maria Eugenia Toimil-Molares, Christina Trautmann, Haibing Li
Summary: The study developed a chiral nanosensor based on a nanochannel system, allowing for efficient selective recognition of chiral drug enantiomers. By utilizing L-alanine-pillar[5]arenes as selective receptors, the system demonstrated high efficiency in chiral recognition.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Haowei Lu, Yixin Xu, Chuanhua Duan, Peixue Jiang, Ruina Xu
Summary: This study experimentally investigates the capillary imbibition of shale oil in single nanochannels, revealing differences between observed results and theoretical predictions. The researchers propose an interfacial layer model to explain the deviation and provide insights for shale oil exploration and recovery.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ke Zhou, Shuping Jiao, Yan Chen, Huasong Qin, Yilun Liu
Summary: This study is based on atomistic simulations to investigate the factors affecting ionic conductivity in nanochannels, revealing different ionic conductivity properties in the channel interior and near the channel wall, and proposing a new model to describe the ionic dynamics.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Z. Javdani, N. Hassani, F. Faraji, R. Zhou, C. Sun, B. Radha, E. Neyts, F. M. Peeters, M. Neek-Amal
Summary: The recent advances in the fabrication of artificial nanochannels have allowed for new research on the transport, permeance, and selectivity of various gases and molecules. However, the presence of unwanted molecules such as hydrocarbons can contaminate and clog the nanochannels, affecting their functionality.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Seol Baek, Seung-Ryong Kwon, Paul W. Bohn
Summary: Wetting and dewetting transitions are important for controlling the hydrophobicity of biological channel linings. Mimicking the behavior of biological nanochannels, researchers have achieved potential-induced, reversible wettability transitions in synthetic nanochannels. These transitions can be induced by various environmental stimuli, and have been applied in practical applications such as oil-water separation and drug release.
CURRENT OPINION IN ELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Yuki Uematsu
Summary: A general framework is constructed to calculate the nonlinear electrokinetic coefficients of strongly confined electrolytes, and analytic expressions are obtained. The study demonstrates the important role of high hydrodynamic permeability and ion-wall friction in nonlinear electrokinetics.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qi-Lin Zhang, Ya-Xian Wu, Rong-Yao Yang, Jin-Lun Zhang, Rui-Feng Wang
Summary: The transport properties of water molecules through single-walled carbon nanotubes under static electric fields were studied through molecular dynamics simulations. The research found that the net water flux is much larger in the direction opposite to the hydrostatic pressure under certain electric field intensities. This is mainly attributed to the electric field tuning the polarization direction of the water chain in the nanotube, affecting the barrier height for water molecules to pass through. Additionally, water molecule chains moving forward with oxygen atoms can pass through the nanotube faster than those with hydrogen atoms.
CHEMICAL PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shiwen Wu, Zhihao Xu, Ruda Jian, Siyu Tian, Long Zhou, Tengfei Luo, Guoping Xiong
Summary: The flow behavior of oil in nanochannels has been extensively studied for oil transport applications. In this study, non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the Poiseuille flow of oil in graphene nanochannels. Contrary to prior observations of steady flows, it is found that oil molecules with long hydrocarbon chains exhibit notable stick-slip flow behavior. The stick-slip motion is attributed to changes in molecular alignment near the graphene wall, resulting in significant friction force variations and velocity fluctuations.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Zhang Xie, Zheng Li, Jingyuan Li, Jianlong Kou, Jun Yao, Jintu Fan
Summary: By conducting all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, it was discovered that the distribution and behavior of gas molecules in aqueous solutions can be regulated by the direction of external electric fields, which alters hydrogen bonds between water molecules at the solid-water interface. This finding reveals a new mechanism for controlling gas dissolution and accumulation in aqueous solutions, with potential applications in drug synthesis, microfluidic device design, and natural gas extraction.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Yan Cui, Xiaogang Liu, Jintu Fan, Dahua Shou
Summary: Traditional insulation materials have a constant thermal resistance value, while air-driven thermoregulation fabrics (SRF) provide flexible thermal insulation performance by changing thickness, which is significant in energy saving.
TEXTILE RESEARCH JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Lun Lou, Yuen Shing Wu, Yiying Zhou, Jintu Fan
Summary: The heating and cooling efficiencies of a personal air thermoregulatory system are not only determined by energy conversion efficiency and human factors, but also impacted by the interactions between the human body and clothing microenvironment. The study found that sedentary positions and leaning on a chair backrest can enhance the heating and cooling power of a wearable air ventilating system. The locations of air outlets in the system also play a role in affecting the overall performance.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiale Chai, Jintu Fan
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive review of thermal regulating strategies on both the building and human body envelopes. It discusses the associated materials and systems, their working principles, applications, and future prospects. The article aims to fill the existing gap in the literature and provide a comprehensive overview of the topic.
MATERIALS TODAY ENERGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Shahzad Amir, Jintu Fan
Summary: The article introduces a new instrument, the novel sweating simulator (NSS), for evaluating the dynamic liquid moisture management properties of fabrics. By testing different types of fabrics, it concludes that fabric construction and constituent fiber nature are crucial in controlling the fabric's weight and liquid distribution.
TEXTILE RESEARCH JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Lu Wang, Qing Chen, Yijia Zhou, Rong Zheng, Xiaohong Zhou, Jintu Fan
Summary: This paper investigates the electrothermal properties of carbon nanotube film (CNTF) in electrically heated textiles. The study shows that CNTF has a rapid temperature response and its temperature changes significantly when the voltage is turned on and off. Moreover, a model is provided by establishing the relationship between the thermal conductivity of CNTF and its mass and specific heat capacity, which can be helpful in designing future electrical heated textiles.
TEXTILE RESEARCH JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Jiale Chai, Jintu Fan
Summary: This article reviews materials with the function of solar and thermal radiation modulation (STRMMs) in three categories: solar radiation modulation, thermal radiation modulation, and synergetic solar and thermal radiation modulation. It compares and elaborates their working principles, representative examples, potential applications, and future perspectives.
ADVANCED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shoukun Jiang, Zhanxiao Kang, Fu Liu, Jintu Fan
Summary: Electrospinning is widely used in various applications, however, printing pre-designed 2D/3D nanofibrous structures has been challenging due to its jet instability. In this study, a far-field jet writing technique was developed to precisely control the polymer jet using a combination of voltage reduction, electric field adjustment, and passively focusing electrostatic lenses. With optimization of voltages, lens aperture, and lens distance, a precision of approximately 200 μm was achieved, similar to conventional polymer-based 3D printers. This technique enables the printing of 2D/3D nanofibrous structures for enhanced performance in different applications.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lihong Lao, Hedan Bai, Jintu Fan
Summary: Due to fiber swelling, textile fabrics containing hygroscopic fibers tend to decrease pore size under wet or increasing humidity and moisture conditions, the reverse being true. Nevertheless, for personal thermal regulation and comfort, the opposite is desirable, namely, increasing the fabric pore size under increasing humid and sweating conditions for enhanced ventilation and cooling, and a decreased pore size under cold and dry conditions for heat retention. This paper describes a novel approach to create such an unconventional fabric by emulating the structure of the plant leaf stomata by designing a water responsive polymer system in which the fabric pores increase in size when wet and decrease in size when dry. The new fabric increases its moisture permeability over 50% under wet conditions. Such a water responsive fabric can find various applications including smart functional clothing and sportswear.
ADVANCED FIBER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Amir Shahzad, Shoukun Jiang, Zhanxiao Kang, Yang Hong, Jintu Fan
Summary: This article introduces an advanced sweating simulator that can measure multiple fabric moisture management properties simultaneously and in real-time. The accuracy and reproducibility of the simulator were demonstrated through testing eight different types of fabrics. It is believed that this novel sweating simulator will play a crucial role in developing next-generation moisture management fabrics.
TEXTILE RESEARCH JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Lun Lou, Zhanxiao Kang, Hanchao Zhang, Peng Wang, Jintu Fan
Summary: This article reports a new strategy that allows commercially available aluminum heat sinks to improve cooling efficiency through capillary-driven water evaporation. The passive cooling power of the new heat sink was 7.8-8.4 times greater than that of a regular heat sink, reducing costs and saving space.
MATERIALS TODAY PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yikai Jin, Jing Zhao, Jian Wang, Jiayi Mei, Zhengrong Li, Gang Huang, Jiru Jia, Jintu Fan, Yanlin Wei
Summary: Fabrics that can simultaneously manage thermal and moisture are crucial for cold weather. This study successfully fabricated a fabric with such capabilities by coating a hydrophobic paste with graphene oxide nanoparticles onto a polyester fabric. The fabric exhibited effective warming without perspiration and efficient sweat transportation and heat loss reduction with perspiration, maintaining adequate body temperature.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Can Wang, Hanchao Zhang, Zhanxiao Kang, Jintu Fan
Summary: The artificially designed tree solar crystallizer shows promising performance in treating high-salinity brine, maintaining a high and stable evaporation rate for zero liquid discharge brine treatment.
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Lu Wang, Qing Chen, Yijia Zhou, Rong Zheng, Xiaohong Zhou, Jintu Fan
Summary: This study reports on the development and evaluation of electric heating gloves based on carbon nanotube film and metal fiber. Compared to conventional electric heating gloves, these gloves demonstrate faster heating speed, better warmth retention, and enhanced finger agility.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL TEXTILES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jiale Chai, Zhanxiao Kang, Yishu Yan, Lun Lou, Yiying Zhou, Jintu Fan
Summary: The study introduces a thermoregulatory clothing with temperature-adaptive multimodal body-heat regulation, incorporating metalized polyethylene actuators and mechanically and infrared optically tailored techniques. It demonstrates the ability to automatically adapt to temperature changes and expand the comfort zone, leading to significant building energy savings and improved comfort and performance of wearers in extreme environmental conditions.
CELL REPORTS PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(2022)