Topic Review
Biofuel Vehicles
Biofuels and bioenergy are produced by processing biomass, or organic matter, from plants, crops, and their waste products. Biofuel can displace fuels made from petroleum because it comes from renewable sources. The only alternative energy source that can provide liquid fuels to take the place of fossil fuels is bioenergy. Biofuels are a viable alternative to meet future demand while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental effects.
  • 394
  • 18 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Integration of Nanomaterials in Thermal Energy Storage Systems
The solar collector is one of the most cost-effective pieces of equipment used to harvest solar thermal energy. Two main types can be identified: (1) water-based solar collectors (WSCs), an already popular solution for preparing domestic hot water and heating, and (2) air solar collectors (ASCs), used to preheat fresh air and to dry or heat the air inside a room. Thermal energy storage applied to thermal energy storage (TSC) is studied in terms of design criteria, materials technologies, and  thermal conductivity. The potential of nanomaterial technology integration in phase change materials (PCMs) in terms of thermal performance improvements is higligted. The integration of diverse materials such as graphene, graphite, metal oxides, and carbon nanoparticles holds the potential to significantly enhance the thermal conductivity and latent heat value. However, some important aspects need to be further investigated as the highest possible percentage of nanomaterial in the mixture in order to avoid agglomeration.
  • 50
  • 14 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Structural Supercapacitors
Structural supercapacitors (SSCs) are multifunctional energy storage composites (MESCs) that combine the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced polymers and the electrochemical performance of supercapacitors to reduce the overall mass in lightweight applications with electrical energy consumption. These novel MESCs have huge potentials, and their properties have improved dramatically since their introduction in the early 2000’s. However, the current properties of SSCs are not sufficient for complete energy supply of electrically driven devices. 
  • 94
  • 12 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Dexterity of Anthropomorphic Soft Hand
Humans possess dexterous hands that surpass those of other animals, enabling them to perform intricate, complex movements. Soft hands, known for their inherent flexibility, aim to replicate the functionality of human hands. By mimicking the shape, structure, and functionality of human hands, soft hands can partially replicate human-like movements, offering adaptability and operability during grasping tasks. 
  • 56
  • 06 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Acoustic Emissions in Crack Detection
Acoustic emissions (AE) are becoming an important tool for hydraulic turbine failure detection and troubleshooting. In particular, artificial intelligence is a promising signal analysis research hotspot, and it has a great potential in the condition monitoring of hydraulic turbines using acoustic emissions as a key factor in the digitalisation process. 
  • 76
  • 01 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Pool Boiling Enhancement Techniques
Several enhancement approaches relating to the underlying fluid route and the capability to eliminate incipient boiling hysteresis, augment the nucleate boiling heat transfer coefficient, and improve the critical heat flux are assessed.
  • 70
  • 29 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Surface-Modification Routes for Pool Boiling Enhancement
Surface coatings provide an efficient solution to modify boiling surfaces according to the demands of nucleate pool boiling heat transfer amelioration. The surface modification at macro-, micro-, and nanoscales is assessed concerning the underlying fluid routing and capability to eliminate the incipient boiling hysteresis and ameliorate the pool boiling heat-transfer ability, particularly when employed together with self-rewetting fluids and nanofluids with enriched thermophysical properties. Considering the nanofluids, it is viable to take the profit of their high thermal conductivity and their specific heat simultaneously and to produce a film of deposited nanoparticles onto the heating surface, which possesses enhanced surface roughness and an increased density of nucleation sites.
  • 58
  • 27 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Applications of Artificial Neural Networks to Renewable Energies
Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have become key methods for achieving global climate goals. The applications of ANNs to renewable energies such as solar, wind, and tidal energy were studied. 
  • 58
  • 27 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Laminar Jamming and Their Applications in Robotics
Robots with variable stiffness links are an emerging paradigm in robotics and have captured the interest of the scientific community in fields such as soft robotics and medical devices. Laminar jamming (LJ) is a promising technology for facilitating variable stiffness in robotics.
  • 92
  • 21 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Handbike for Daily Use, Sport, and Rehabilitation Purposes
With respect to alternative devices like traditional wheelchairs, handbikes can offer advantages from biomechanical and physiological perspectives, to several kinds of users. Assuring high mechanical efficiency and homogeneous force distributions along cycles, and being suitable for indoor and outdoor activities, these systems are used for rehabilitation, sports, and daily applications. From a technical perspective, their main characteristics can vary with the device final purpose and operational context.
  • 68
  • 18 Feb 2024
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