Super-soft symmetry energy encountering non-Newtonian gravity in neutron stars

Considering the non-Newtonian gravity proposed in the grand unification theories, we show that the stability and observed global properties of neutron stars can not rule out the super-soft nuclear symmetry energies at supra-saturation densities. The degree of possible violation of the Inverse-Square-Law of gravity in neutron stars is estimated using an Equation of State (EOS) of neutron-rich nuclear matter consistent with the available terrestrial laboratory data.Comment: Version accepted by Physical Review Letter

Effect of Al₂O₃ nanoparticle dispersion on the specific heat capacity of a eutectic binary nitrate salt for solar power applications

Molten salts can be used as heat transfer fluids or thermal storage materials in a concentrated solar power plant. Improving the thermal properties can influence the utilization efficiency of solar energy. In this study, the effect of doping eutectic binary salt solvent with Al₂O₃ nanoparticles on its specific heat capacity (cp) was investigated. The effects of the mass fraction of nanoparticles on the cp of the composite nanofluid were analyzed, using both differential scanning calorimetry measurements and molecular dynamics simulations. The specific heat capacity of the nanocomposites was enhanced by increasing the nanoparticle concentration. The maximum enhancement was found to be 8.3%, at a nanoparticle concentration of 2.0%. A scanning electron microscope was used to analyze the material morphology. It was observed that special nanostructures were formed and the specific heat capacity of the nanocomposites was enhanced by increasing the quantity of nanostructures. Simulation results of cp agreed well with the experimental data, and the potential energy and interaction energy in the system were analyzed. The change in Coulombic energy contributed to most of the large change in cp, which explains the discrepancy in values between conventional nanofluids and molten salt-based nanofluids