Quantum gas-enabled direct mapping of active current density in percolating networks of nanowires

Electrically percolating nanowire networks are amongst the most promising candidates for next-generation transparent electrodes. Scientific interest in these materials stems from their intrinsic current distribution heterogeneity, leading to phenomena like percolating pathway re-routing and localized self-heating, which can cause irreversible damage. Without an experimental technique to resolve the current distribution, and an underpinning nonlinear percolation model, one relies on empirical rules and safety factors to engineer these materials. We introduce Bose-Einstein microscopy to address the long-standing problem of imaging active current flow in 2D materials. We report on improvement of the performance of this technique, whereby observation of dynamic redistribution of current pathways becomes feasible. We show how this, combined with existing thermal imaging methods, eliminates the need for assumptions between electrical and thermal properties. This will enable testing and modelling individual junction behaviour and hotspot formation. Investigating both reversible and irreversible mechanisms will contribute to the advancement of devices with improved performance and reliability

Intensifying Multiphase Reactions and Reactors: Strategies and Examples

Intensification is intrinsic to better chemical and process engineering and has always been used in practice. Multiphase reactions and reactors are ubiquitous in chemical and allied industries and are of great economic and ecological importance. There is a great scope for intensifying multiphase reactions and reactors for realizing productivity enhancements, which are crucial for sustainable manufacturing. These enhancements can be in terms of increased throughput; better yield, conversion, and selectivity; smaller environmental footprint; and intrinsically safer operations. The advances in intensified reactors, especially microreactors and microfluidic devices, have created significant awareness about intensification in recent decades. In this article, we discuss different strategies for intensifying multiphase reactions and reactors based on the published information. A variety of tools and examples are presented to showcase the potential of intensification. We have found the efforts toward intensification of multiphase reactions and reactors very rewarding academically as well as professionally. We hope that this article will further stimulate interest in this area and pave the way toward realizing next generation productivity for chemical and allied industries