Advances in Microfluidic Technologies for Energy and Environmental Applications

Microfluidics have aroused a new surge of interest in recent years in environmental and energy areas, and inspired novel applications to tackle the worldwide challenges for sustainable development. This book aims to present readers with a valuable compendium of significant advances in applying the multidisciplinary microfluidic technologies to address energy and environmental problems in a plethora of areas such as environmental monitoring and detection, new nanofluid application in traditional mechanical manufacturing processes, development of novel biosensors, and thermal management. This book will provide a new perspective to the understanding of the ever-growing importance of microfluidics

Advances in Microfluidic Technologies for Energy and Environmental Applications

Microfluidics have aroused a new surge of interest in recent years in environmental and energy areas, and inspired novel applications to tackle the worldwide challenges for sustainable development. This book aims to present readers with a valuable compendium of significant advances in applying the multidisciplinary microfluidic technologies to address energy and environmental problems in a plethora of areas such as environmental monitoring and detection, new nanofluid application in traditional mechanical manufacturing processes, development of novel biosensors, and thermal management. This book will provide a new perspective to the understanding of the ever-growing importance of microfluidics

Heat Transfer of Ferrofluids

Magnetic field‐responsive materials are an important group of smart materials. They can adaptively change their physical properties due to external magnetic field. Magnetic liquids or ferrofluids are colloidal systems of ferro or ferrimagnetic single domain nanoparticles that are dispersed either in aqueous or in organic liquids. Currently, the research field is undergoing a transition taking into account the bulk forces in fluids, which are magnetically nonuniform. These researches enable scientists to develop promising new designs. Today, because of the advancement in technology and limited energy sources, engineering innovations are focused on development of alternative resources instead of current systems. In this chapter, it is aimed to give a brief review of the heat transfer of magnetic fluids based on different types of magnetic nanoparticles as well as some of the research and results of the heat transfer of magnetite‐based ferrofluids. The heat transfer of these materials was investigated under stationary conditions, and the heat transfer coefficient was calculated

Tuning the interaction of droplets with liquid-repellent surfaces: fundamentals and applications

2018 Fall.Includes bibliographical references.Liquid-repellent surfaces can be broadly classified as non-textured surfaces (e.g., smooth slippery surfaces on which droplets can slide easily) and textured surfaces (e.g., super-repellent surfaces on which liquid droplets can bead up and roll off easily). The liquid repellency of smooth slippery surfaces can be adjusted by tuning the surface chemistry. The liquid repellency of super-repellent surfaces can be adjusted by tuning the surface chemistry and surface texture. In this work, by systematically tuning the surface chemistry and surface texture and consequently the surface wettability of solid surfaces, the interaction of droplets of various liquids on liquid-repellent surfaces has been investigated. Based on this understanding, the following phenomena/applications have been investigated/developed: (i New methodology to sort liquid droplets based on their surface tension: By tuning the surface chemistry and surface texture of solid surfaces, we tuned the mobility of liquids with different surface tension on super-repellent surfaces. Utilizing this, we fabricated a simple device with precisely tailored domains of surface chemistry that can sort droplets by surface tension. (ii) New approach to detect the quality of fuel blends: By tuning the surface chemistry of solid surfaces, we investigated the interaction of fuel blends with liquid-repellent surfaces. Based on the understanding gained, we fabricated a simple, field-deployable, low-cost device to rapidly detect the quality of fuel blends by sensing their surface tension with significantly improved resolution. (iii) Novel materials with improved hemocompatibility: By systematically tuning the surface chemistry and surface texture and consequently the surface wettability of solid surfaces, we investigated the interaction of blood with super-repellent surfaces. Based on the understanding gained, we fabricated super-repellent surfaces with enhanced hemocompatibility. (iv) Advanced understanding of droplet splitting upon impacting a macroscopic ridge: By systematically tuning the ridge geometry, we investigated the interaction of impacting water droplets with super-repellent ridges. Based on the understanding gained, we demonstrated the scaling law for predicting the height from which water droplets should fall under gravity onto a super-repellent ridge for them to split into two smaller droplets

New Advances in Oil, Gas and Geothermal Reservoirs

The demand for global fossil energy continues to be strong, meaning that the exploitation of oil and gas resources is still very important. In addition, due to the continuous reduction in conventional oil and gas recoverable resources, the development of unconventional oil and gas resources and geothermal energy has gradually become an important replacement. Therefore, it is urgent to improve the existing mechanism analysis, research methods and engineering technology to improve the production and development efficiency of oil, gas, and geothermal resources. This reprint presents 11 recent works on the application of new theories and technologies in oil, gas, and geothermal reservoirs. The content covers well-drilling, cementing, hydraulic fracturing, improved oil recovery, conformance control, and geothermal energy development. The new progress presented in this reprint will help scientists and researchers to better understand and master the latest theories and techniques for oil, gas, and geothermal reservoirs, which has important practical significance for the economical and effective development of oil, gas, and geothermal resources