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Viscosity, or the thickness, of aerosols plays a key role in atmospheric processes like ice formation, water absorption, and heterogeneous kinetics. However, the viscosity of sea spray aerosols (SSA) has not been widely studied. This research explored the relationship between particle size and viscosity of authentic SSA particles through particle bounce, atomic force microscopy analysis, and predictive viscosity modeling from molecular composition. The study found that 40 nm SSA particles had estimated viscosities around 104 Pa·s and bounce fractions three times higher than 100 and 200 nm particles with less than 102 Pa·s at a relative humidity (RH) of 60%. Additional studies revealed the Kelvin effect and particle density, influenced by particle size, have a greater impact on size-dependent bounce fractions than changes in RH across impactor stages. While changes in the level of surfactants can impact particle bounce, the increased viscosity in smaller SSA is attributed to the formation of gel-like phase states caused by cation-organic cross-links between divalent calcium ions and organic anions enriched in the smaller particles. This work shows the smallest gel-like SSA particles observed in the field are highly viscous, which has implications for cloud formation, secondary aerosol growth, and pollutant transport in coastal environments.

In order to study the oxidation characteristics of anthracite at ambient temperature. Anthracite coal samples of three particle sizes were chosen for oxidation in a closed space at 25°C, thus the characteristics of O2 consumption and CO production during ambient temperature oxidation of anthracite were obtained for different particle sizes. The results showed that the O2 consumption rate and CO production rate of anthracite during the ambient temperature oxidation process were large at the beginning and then gradually decrease and finally reach equilibrium. The O2 consumption rate increases with increasing particle size in the range of 0.05–1.00 mm. In contrast, the rate of CO production exhibited a nonlinear pattern, which was highest for the medium-sized coal samples and lower for the largest and smallest samples. The ambient temperature oxidation experiment was repeated on the oxidized coal samples after rinsing with fresh air, during which CO can still be produced and the time needed for the reaction to reach equilibrium was shortened. In addition, the consumption of O2 and the production of CO were much lower than those of the first oxidation, and the influence of particle size on both the rates of oxygen consumption and CO production exhibited a nonlinear correlation. Comparing the results of the two experiments, the oxidation rate was fastest for coal samples with a particle size of 0.10–0.50 mm, while the oxidation rate of coal decreased when the particle size of coal samples was less than 0.10 mm. The research has some reference significance for fire prevention in anthracite coal mines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, fluoride ceramics have gained much interest because of their low permittivities and high Q×f values at microwave frequencies, coupled with relatively low sintering temperatures. In this paper, we have explored the effects of the particle-size and O contamination of LiF raw material, sintering/annealing atmosphere on the mechanosynthesis, structural stability, and microwave dielectric properties of BaLiF 3 ceramic. Using a fine LiF raw material would facilitate the mechanical synthesis of BaLiF 3 , being densified at lower temperatures than the coarse one. A high concentration of oxygen contamination in LiF raw material and partial pressure of O 2 in the sintering atmosphere would lead to the formation of BaF 2 due to the instability of the fluoride perovskite with an increase in the concentration of F-vacancies caused by the partial oxidization during the sintering at high temperature (850 °C/2h). The oxidization of fluoride perovskite preferably occurs at the surface and grain boundaries via O diffusion, which reduces the Q×f value from 83175 to 70228 GHz with little change in ε r (∼11) and τ f values (∼-71 ppm/°C). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the mechanism of inhibition of spontaneous combustion of reactive FeS by gas-phase passivation, this paper used liquid-phase synthesis to prepare reactive FeS which were divided into five particle size ranges by crushing and grinding and then passivated those by low-oxygen gas. This paper analyzed the effect of gas-phase passivation on the characteristic parameters of the characteristic stages of crushed FeS from the perspective of thermodynamics, and used the KAS and FWO methods to calculate the apparent activation energy of the different characteristic stages of the FeS oxidation heating process. Inhibition mechanism of FeS spontaneous combustion reaction kinetics during particle size fragmentation by gas-phase passivation was revealed. The results indicate that in the spontaneous combustion stage at room temperature (RT), the exothermic heat of passivated FeS was significantly reduced to below 5 J/g, and the apparent activation energy rose up to 116 kJ/mol, which was significantly increased by about 50% compared to the activated FeS. The essence of gas-phase passivation is that the low oxygen concentration gas reacts with FeS to produce a passivation protective film, blocking the reaction and pushing the oxidation process backwards as a whole. In the weight gain stage of oxygen absorption, the weight gain of passivation FeS is reduced to less than 2.2%, and the heat release is reduced to 2.8J/g. The particle size of the passivated FeS decreased, and the apparent activation energy increased by 20 kJ/mol in the decomposition and combustion stage. With the decrease of FeS particle size, the gas-phase passivation is more effective and the inhibition effect of spontaneous combustion of FeS is more obvious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administered nanomedicine has been widely applied in the clinical treatment of intra-abdominal diseases and preclinical pharmacological investigations. However, current understandings about the in vivo fate of i.p.-administered drug remains controversial owing to lack of reliable investigation tools. This work presents a nanoparticle-labeling strategy based on aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) probes in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window, which can eliminate the interference of unbound probes and allow for non-invasive tracking of nanoparticles in deep tissues. Our results strongly evidence a size-dependent absorption and biodistribution of the i.p.-administered polymeric nanocarriers (PNs) with particle sizes ranging from 30 to 1000 nm both in vivo and ex vivo , and moreover provide a clear visualization of lymphatic transportation and lymph node retention of integral PNs. Importantly, our findings suggest that small particles (≤30 nm) are favorable in systemic therapies due to their rapid absorption and high concentration (>19 %ID mL−1) in circulation, while large particles (over 1000 nm) are meant for localized treatment of abdominal diseases. Besides, the high retention of 200 nm nanoparticles within lymph nodes indicates their promising role in cancer vaccines and lymphatic diseases including lymph node metastasis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basalt is a major component of the lunar soil and crust. The frictional properties, and thus the potential for seismicity and associated hazards on basaltic faults are significantly influenced by particle size distribution and normal stress conditions. We conducted velocity-stepping and slide-hold-slide shear experiments on simulated basalt gouges at gouge particle sizes of 50–250 μm, and normal stresses of 5–30 MPa under wet/dry conditions with different gouge structures to investigate the frictional stability and healing of basaltic faults. We observe a transition from velocity-strengthening (a – b = 0.52) to velocity-weakening behavior (a – b = -0.0005) and an enhanced healing rate (from 0.0075 to 0.0044), as particle size decreases. Elevated normal stress is typically associated with reduced grain size, resulting in unstable slip behavior (a – b = -0.0006), though accompanied by a diminished healing rate (from 0.0062 to 0.0050). The presence of fluid contributes to stable slip behaviors and fault compaction. These observations contribute to a better understanding of the potential and nucleation mechanism of lunar seismicity within basaltic faults. Highlights Small grain size gouges facilitate fault instability and strength recovery in basaltic faults. High normal stress on basalt gouges assists grain crushing and weakens frictional strength recovery. Fluid enhances fault stability and fault compaction of basaltic faults at room temperature. Deeper crust with higher confining stress and smaller grains suggests higher seismic potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flotation tailings produced at three concentrator plants operated by KGHM Polska Miedz SA (SW Poland) are all continuously deposited in the Zelazny Most Tailings Storage Facility. The aim of this study was to analyze the possibility of recovering copper from the stream of final tailings continually produced by the largest of the three KGHM concentrator plants. The tailings sample contained 0.25% of Cu and was characterized by a relatively fine grain size. The tests were performed for three narrow-range size fractions of the tailings sample: −0.040, 0.040–0.160 and +0.160 mm. The findings demonstrate that the coarse and fine fractions are the main carriers of copper-bearing minerals which can be recovered with satisfactory results, if the fractions are processed separately. The coarse grain fraction was milled and then floated in the presence of standard flotation reagents with satisfactory results. The fine fraction was floated in the presence of NaHS with a relatively good efficiency which requires further research. The presented results prove that copper losses in this material can be partially reduced already at the stage of the upgrading processes performed in the concentrator plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The incorporation of functional food ingredients in chocolate that seek to eliminate, if not completely, most of the added sugar content, as well as the use of alternative chocolate production techniques, have gained popularity in recent years. This study aimed to incorporate red beetroot powder into dark chocolate and investigate the effect of red beetroot powder concentration and processing time in a melanger on the physicochemical properties, sensory profile and consumer acceptability of beetroot dark chocolate. RESULTS: The addition of red beetroot powder increased the moisture content, particle size distribution and hardness of the chocolates, while the opposite was true for processing time with no effect on the colour. Except for taste, which had an average score of 3.2 ± 1.8 on the 7‐point hedonic scale, consumers scored all the other sensory attributes of the chocolates above 4.0. Among the chocolates with red beetroot powder, samples with a 15% red beetroot powder addition had a high average overall acceptability score of >5, while the 30% sample scored <4. CONCLUSION: Red beetroot powder can be used to replace sugar in dark chocolate without affecting its physicochemical properties, sensory profile or consumer acceptability. However, the target market should be considered when determining the level of red beetroot powder incorporation in terms of chocolate taste. This research has the potential to improve the overall health‐promoting properties of dark chocolate by eliminating added sugar (partially or completely). It would also help to diversify beetroot utilization, allow small‐scale processors to venture into chocolate production and expand the small‐scale chocolate value chain. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PcBN) composites were prepared through high-temperature and high-pressure (HTHP) sintering process. Cubic boron nitride (cBN) powders with particle sizes of 0.2, 1, 3, and 8 μm were selected as raw materials, and Al-Co-TiN was employed as a binder. The effect of particle size of initial cBN powders on the microstructure, relative density, flexural strength, microhardness, fracture toughness and abrasive ratio of sintered PcBN composite were systematically studied. The results showed that synthesized products were mostly made of cBN, TiN, AlN, TiB2 and CoN phases. The mechanical properties of sintered PcBN composites first increased and then decreased with a reduction in the particle size of cBN powders. When the particle size of initial cBN powder was 1 µm, the binder was observed to be evenly distributed around the cBN grains in the sintered product. Moreover, there was a close bonding between cBN grains and the binder in the sintered product when the particle size of initial cBN powders was 1 µm, consequently, the optimal mechanical properties were achieved. The maximum values for relative density, flexural strength, microhardness, fracture toughness and abrasive ratio were 99.1%, 607 MPa, 47.06 GPa, 6.52 MPa·M1/2 and 7125, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the Matusita–Sakka equation and the exothermic peaks in the differential thermal analysis (DTA) curves, in silicate glasses with complex crystallization processes containing the precipitation of two or more crystal phases, the effects of particle sizes on the calculations of crystal growth dimensionality and activation energy of crystal growth have been studied in depth. In crystallization processes with two or more crystal phases but one exothermic peak, 0.3 mm is considered as the boundary between the fine and the coarse particles in this type of glass. For glass samples with a particle size less than 0.3 mm, the crystal growth dimensionality is a three‐dimensional mechanism, and EG increases slightly with decreasing particle size. For glass samples with a particle size greater than 0.3 mm, the crystal growth dimensionality is a two‐dimensional mechanism, and EG increases with decreasing particle size. The EG for the fine‐particle starting material is much lower than that of the coarse‐particle starting material. In crystallization processes with two or more crystal phases and two exothermic peaks, 0.104 mm is considered as the boundary between the fine and the coarse particles in this type of glass raw material. For the first peak, in glass samples with a particle size less than 0.104 mm, the crystal growth mechanism is mainly one‐dimensional growth, and EG increases slightly with decreasing particle size. And for glass samples with particle size greater than 0.104 mm, the crystal growth mechanism is mainly two‐dimensional growth, and EG decreases with decreasing particle size. For the second peak, the crystal growth mechanism is mainly a three‐dimensional growth, and EG increases with decreasing particle size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brine shrimp Artemia is able to filter particulate substances non-selectively and continuously, and its filtration capacity is related to various environmental parameters as well as Artemia growth stage. In this study, the filter-feeding rate (FFR) of Artemia franciscana at different temperatures (20°C /25°C /30°C) and stocking densities (200/400/750/1000 ind./L at two earlier growth stages with the body length of 0.91 ± 0.05 mm and 1.53 ± 0.22 mm, respectively; 50/100/200 ind./L at two later growth stages with the body length of 4.72 ± 0.51 mm and 10.26 ± 0.46 mm, respectively) on three unicellular algae (Chlorella vulgaris, Porphyridium purpureum, Phaeodactylum tricornutum) and two sizes of polyethylene beads (30 μm and 50 μm) was determined at Artemia four growth stages. In total 144 combinations were tested. The results showed that the FFR was positively correlated with the ambient temperature and Artemia body length, while it was negatively correlated with the Artemia density and particle size. One way ANOVA analysis showed that ambient temperature, Artemia stocking density and particle size mostly had significant effects on FFR (P < 0.05). And the favorable filtration particle size of Artemia increased with its body length. The equation of FFR in function of temperature (T), Artemia body length (BL) and stocking density (SD), and particle size (PS) was obtained using multiple linear regression analysis: FFR = 0.487* BL + 0.067* T-0.01* SD-0.064* PS-1.508 (R2 = 0.513). Of these four variables, body length had the greatest effect on FFR, followed by ambient temperature, particle size and Artemia density. There were interactions among three factors (T, SD and PS) and the interactive degree varied with Artemia growth. The results of this study provide a valuable guidance for proper feeding in controlled Artemia production and standardization of feeding protocol for ecotoxicity and fundamental Artemia research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, commercial carbon black (CB) grades are characterized in detail to determine the link between their physicochemical properties and solar steam generation performance. The CB nanoparticles used here have surface mean primary particle diameters of 11–406 nm resulting in specific surface areas of 8–300 m2/g. Thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, Raman spectroscopy, and x‐ray diffraction reveal that fine CB nanoparticles form large agglomerates, have a more disordered nanostructure and larger organic carbon content than coarse CB grades. Most importantly, UV–vis spectroscopy and Mie theory show that increasing the particle size from 14 to 406 nm reduces the light absorption of CB dispersed in water up to 86%. So, the water evaporation flux of suspensions containing 11–14 nm CB nanoparticles is up to 25% larger than that obtained for suspensions of 406 nm particles. Thus, good control of particle size is essential to optimize the solar steam generation enabled by CB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collembolan ecomorphological groups (i.e., epiedaphic, hemiedaphic and euedaphic) have been proposed as bioindicators of soil health with potential to be applied in agricultural systems. While some studies have investigated disturbance gradients, there is a lack of monitoring studies showing trends over time evaluating changes in management posited to improve soil health. We investigated the status of a soil in an arable rotation following conversion to no‐till. The response in abundance of Collembola ecomorphological groups, along with soil physicochemical properties, was monitored over 2 years, in two field experiments established on different soil types within the same field. The treatments were standard practice and green manure (GM) in both Experiments 1 and 2, and farmyard manure (FYM) in Experiment‐1 only. Significant responses to treatments were mostly observed with euedaphic Collembola during the first year, but treatment effects were no longer evident in the second year. A decline in epiedaphic abundance was recorded in Year‐2 in the GM treatment. A negative association was observed with total soil nitrogen and pH, while a positive association was observed between gravimetric water content and euedaphic Collembola abundance. This study demonstrated that euedaphic Collembola quickly responded to changes in management practice, but the impact of treatments was transient. The abundance of Collembola ecomorphological groups discriminated between short‐term impacts but were an ineffective bioindicator of treatment effects over a two‐year period suggesting that they may be best applied for monitoring short‐term effects in response to intermittent inputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The working conditions during the preparation and extraction of solvents from various plant parts significantly improved plant-based coagulants used in water treatment. The study reviews the performance of plant-based coagulants in reducing turbidity, total hardness, heavy metals, and microorganisms, emphasizing dosage variations across different plant types. Utilizing specific keywords for searching plant-based coagulants status and organizing data into descriptive analysis were applied. The preparation process results of plant-based coagulants involved particle size, mixing speeds, drying temperature and time were presented. Again, performance results of the plant-based coagulants indicated the average turbidity removal performance ranged between 78 and 87.3%, heavy metal removal ranged from 59 to 98%, hardness reduction ranged from 15.45 to 43.3%, and microbial elimination ranged from 91 to 92% using solid dosage levels ranged from 0.5 to 10.3 g/L and liquid dosage level ranged from 2 to 54 mL/L, respectively. The actionable suggestions for implementing plant-based coagulants for up scaled in water treatment systems were presented. Therefore, the findings would support the optimization of dosage level from various plants for commercialization in water treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonium perchlorate (AP) is a widely used solid oxidizer in solid propellant formulations, with its particle size and crystal habit significantly affecting performance. Since controlling these properties remains challenging, this study employs an intensified crystallization strategy, specifically a cooling sonocrystallization process, to recrystallize AP to control and modify its particle size and crystal habit. The effects of solution concentration, sonication intensity, sonication pulse on/off recipe, and cooling rate on the recrystallization of AP are first investigated using a Taguchi L9 orthogonal array design. By understanding the main effect of these operating parameters, further sonocrystallization experiments are designed for process improvement. Compared with the unprocessed AP, the crystal habit and mean particle size of AP are considerably modified after cooling sonocrystallization, achieving a mean size of approximately 50 µm with a regular habit. Consistency in crystal structure and spectrometric properties between sonocrystallized and unprocessed AP was confirmed. Furthermore, the thermal properties and decomposition behavior of the sonocrystallized AP are analyzed, revealing improved exothermic characteristics. These results prove that cooling sonocrystallization is an efficient tool for producing AP particles and also holds the potential for preparing fine particles of other energetic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the effects of SrCO 3 and Fe 2 O 3 particle size on the reaction process, morphology and magnetic properties of M-type strontium hexaferrites (SrM) have been further studied. Pure strontium hexaferrite magnetic sample based on SrCO 3 and Fe 2 O 3 molar ratio of 1:6 has been successfully prepared at 1150 °C. The results indicated that Fe 2 O 3 particle size was the main factor of affecting the formation of SrM, a pure SrM phase magnetic sample was able to obtain at lower calcination temperatures by using fine Fe 2 O 3 powder as raw material, and at the same calcination temperature, a sample using fine Fe 2 O 3 powder as raw material was able to obtain pure SrM phase magnetic sample with shorter holding time. When the mean particle size of Fe 2 O 3 was below 60 nm, a pure SrM phase magnetic sample was able to form at 1150 °C at a molar ratio of 1:6 of SrCO 3 and Fe 2 O 3. In this case, the magnetic parameters of the sample with the optimum magnetic parameters were saturation magnetization M S = 77.8 emu/g and coercive force H C = 4122 Oe. And the solid-state reaction process of the corresponding samples was slightly faster when the mean particle size ratio of Fe 2 O 3 and SrCO 3 was between 0.35 and 0.36. Assuming that a SrCO 3 particle is surrounded by Fe 2 O 3 particles, it can be inferred that the corresponding molar ratio of Fe and Sr of the nearest raw material particles is between 3.6 and 3.8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental platform for fine water mist inhibition of polyurethane fire was set up to study the inhibition of polyurethane fire by a new type of spray nozzle fine water mist containing additives. The combustible material chosen for the experiment was polyurethane insulation foam board, a cold storage insulation material. Firstly, a venturi was installed in front of the nozzle, secondly, a surface tension meter was used to test the surface tension of the additives, and the pyrolysis products of the composite additives were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis, and finally, the pressure was adjusted and a fine water mist with a concentration of 1% of the composite additives, and NaCl, CHSO4Na, KHCO3, and CO(NH2)2 were used to extinguish the polyurethane fire. The effectiveness of the fine water mist system in extinguishing fires at low concentrations of a single NaCl and green additive was investigated. The homemade additive package and the sodium chloride salt fine water mist system were compared. The experimental results showed that the synergistic effect of the physical and chemical additives significantly increased the suppression of polyurethane fires by fine water mist by about 16.7% relative to a single sodium chloride additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Curcumin is utilized extensively as Chinese medicine in Asia due to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and inflammatory activities. However, its use has the challenges of low oral bioavailability and high heat sensitivity. The aim of this research was to produce flexible nano-liposomes containing curcumin using an innovative approach of ethanol injection and Tween 80 to enhance the stability and preservation of curcumin. The mean particle size, encapsulation efficiency, thermal degradation, storage stability, and curcumin release in flexible nano-liposomes were also investigated. We found that the mean particle size of curcumin-loaded flexible nano-liposome decreased from 278 nm to 27.6 nm. At the same time, the Tween 80 concentration increased from 0 to 0.15 wt%, which corresponded with the results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) morphology analyses, and particle size decreased with an enhancement in Tween 80 concentration. Further, pure curcumin was quickly released within one hour at 37 °C, and first-order kinetics matched with its release curve. However, curcumin encapsulated in flexible nano-liposomes showed a slow release of 71.24% within 12 h, and a slower release pattern matched with the Higuchi model over 24 h, ultimately reaching 84.63% release. Hence, flexible nano-liposomes of curcumin made by a combination of ethanol injection and Tween 80 addition prevented the thermal degradation of curcumin, and enhanced its storage stability and preservation for future drug delivery applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last few decades, a large number of natural additives have been analysed in connection with the improvement of the properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) bioplastic materials. This article comprehensively analyses the applicability of a highly stable and progressive multifunctional additive produced from renewable resources—biochar. The effect of biochar on the structural development and various thermo-mechanical properties was evaluated as a function of the biochar size and volume, addition of an impact modifier and in-mould annealing during injection moulding. In addition, the effect of accelerated ageing on the change in properties was also analysed. The evaluated results showed a significant influence of the particle size and biochar content on the properties of PLA biocomposites. However, the crucial aspect was the production process with a higher mould temperature and longer production time. Consequently, the effect of additives with adjusted processing worked synergistically on the performance of the resulting biocomposites. The accelerated ageing process did not induce any significant changes in the mechanical, impact and heat resistance behaviour of neat PLA. On the other hand, significant effects on the behaviour of the modified PLA biocomposites were observed. Impact-modified PLA achieved a toughness of 28 kJ/m2, an increase of 61% compared to neat PLA. Similar observations were made when submicron biochar was incorporated into the PLA matrix (a 22% increase with PLA/5B1). These increases were even more pronounced when injected into a 100 °C mould. Due to the synergistic effect, excellent impact toughness results of 95 kJ/m2 (a 428% increase) were achieved with PLA/IM/5B1. Moreover, these results persisted even after accelerated ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of the fly ash (FA) particle size and chemical activators on the hydration reactions of high-volume fly ash (HVFA) cement pastes and the mechanical properties of HVFA mortars, with five types of FA with varying proportions of particles smaller than 10 μm prepared to assess the influence of particle size. In addition, the effect of chemical admixtures on the early-age hydration of the HVFA cement paste was evaluated. Quartz powder with the same fineness as that of normal FA was prepared to specifically examine the pozzolanic reaction of FA. The hydration reactions of the HVFA cement pastes were analyzed using isothermal calorimetry to measure the heat of hydration for 72 h. The results showed that an increase in the contents of FA particles with a diameter lower than 10 μm increases specific heat flow. Chemical activators, including Na2SO4, triethanolamine (TEA), and triisopropanolamine (TIPA), promote early-age hydration of HVFA cement pastes. The mechanical properties of the HVFA mortar were evaluated by measuring its compressive strength at 3 d, 7 d, and 28 d, with the findings revealing that the compressive strength of HVFA mortar improved with an increased proportion of FA particles smaller than 10 μm. Na2SO4, TEA, and TIPA consistently increased the compressive strength of the HVFA mortars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel‐rich cobalt‐free LiNi0.9Mn0.05Al0.05O2 (NMA955) is considered a promising cathode material to address the scarcity and soaring cost of cobalt. Particle size and elemental composition significantly impact the electrochemical performance of NMA955 cathodes. However, differences in precipitation rates among metal ions coveys a challenge in obtaining cathode materials with the desired particle size and composition via hydroxide co‐precipitation synthesis. Utilizing complexing agents like ammonia offers an effective strategy to tackle these issues. Here, we investigate the optimal ammonia concentration to achieve moderate particle size and precise material composition. Although ammonia only forms complex coordination with transition metals, its concentration also affects the final product's precipitation and composition, including aluminum. This study shows that ammonia serves a dual function in NMA synthesis via hydroxide co‐precipitation, i. e., regulating particle size and adjusting elemental composition. It was found that an ammonia concentration of 1.2 M achieved optimal particle size and composition, resulting in superior electrochemical performance. NMA955 synthesized in 1.2 M ammonia demonstrated a high specific capacity of 188.12 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C, retained 71.16 % of its capacity after 200 cycles at 0.2 C, and delivered 110.30 mAh g−1 at 5 C. These results suggest that tuning ammonia concentration is crucial for producing high‐performance cathode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid-state electrolytes (SSE) are one of the fundamental components of the upcoming generation of batteries since they increase the operational safety and efficiency. In this work, composite solid electrolytes (CSE) based on Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 (PO 4) 3 and a (PEO 2 -LiTFSI) polymer matrix are obtained via the pioneering Cold Sintering Process (CSP), with a drastic reduction of the conventional sintering temperature. The CSP is performed at only 150 °C and 700 MPa, for 90 min of sintering time, by using a 3 m acetic acid solution as the transient liquid phase (TLP). Here, the effect of the LATP particle size (d 50) is studied to tailor the final microstructure, which enables the fine-tuning of the ultimate electrical properties of the electrolyte. An optimum d 50 of 0.415 μm produces CSEs with 91 % of relative density, an ionic conductivity of 0.169 mS/cm, activation energy of 0.293 eV and electrical stability under 0.1 mA/cm2, thus leading to competitive properties. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Understanding the effects of particle size is necessary for quantifying minerals in mixtures using Raman spectroscopy. Raman signal intensity is evaluated using six common silicate minerals (two olivines, two pyroxenes, and two feldspars) at 10 particle size ranges. For olivines and feldspars, the highest peak intensities are observed in samples with 38–63 and 63–106 μm particle sizes. There is no such consistent trend for the pyroxene samples, although the overall low signal strength complicates those measurements. Raman spectra of samples with varying particle sizes appear to be influenced by two competing effects: scattering from particle boundaries and effective sampling volume. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic digestion's contribution to sustainable development is well established. It is a sustainable production process that enables energy to be saved and produced and efficient pollution control processes to be implemented, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of our societies. Optimizing biogas yields from the anaerobic digestion of municipal organic waste is crucial for maximum energy recovery and has become an important topic of interest. Substrate particle size is a key process parameter in biogas production and precedes other pretreatment methods for most organic materials. This study aims to evaluate the impact of particle size and incubation period on biomethane production from municipal solid waste. Sampling of municipal solid waste was carried out in waste pre-collection in the city of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Waste characterization showed lignocellulolytic green waste (grass, dead leaves), waste composed of fruit and leafy vegetables and leftover food waste. TableCurve 3D v4.0 software was used to develop an optimal mathematical model to correlate particle size and biomethane productivity to describe optimal production parameters. Particle sizes ranging from 2000 to 63 µm high biogas production values, specifically 385.33 and 201.25 L·kg−1 of MSV. PCA analysis clearly showed a high correlation between particle size and biogas production, with optimum production recorded for size 250 µm with a biomethane production value of 187.53 L·kg−1 of MSV. The average relative errors and RMSE for CH4 content were improved by 24.31% and 44.97%, respectively. The data calculated with the developed mathematical model and the existing experimental data were compared and permutated to validate the model. This work enabled the identification of a mathematical model that describes the correlations between the input parameters of an experiment and the monitored parameters, as well as the definition of the particle size that allows for the optimal production of biomethane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphate has been proven to be effective in remediating soils contaminated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs); however, the potential release of phosphorus (P) through runoff and the impact on PTEs' transport in this process have never been assessed. A rainfall simulation study was conducted to investigate P runoff loss and its impact on the stability of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) after applying potassium dihydrogen phosphate (PDP), superphosphate (SSP), and ground phosphate rock (GPR) in soil trays packed with As–Cd-contaminated soil. The phosphorus loss through runoff and sedimentary phases followed the order of SSP > PDP > GPR > control. Phosphate fertilizers' application reduced the mobility of As and Cd. In the first rainfall, the enrichment ratios (ERs) of As and Cd in the sedimentary phase after PDP, SSP, and GPR treatment were 0.12, 0.04, and 0.08 and 0.24, 0.16, and 0.07 units lower than the control, respectively. The <53 μm fraction in the sedimentary phase accounted for 53.06–75.95%, and phosphate fertilizers significantly enhanced the As and Cd stability in this fraction. The XPS analysis showed that the conversion of As(III) to As(V) and the generation of Cd–phosphate compounds were important reasons for enhancing As and Cd stability. This study demonstrated that PDP might be capable of the remediation of As–Cd contamination with the least release of P to watersheds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In landslide studies, particle size is a key quantitative indicator, reflecting the formation and development of the sliding zone. It plays a crucial role in understanding the mechanisms and evolutionary processes that lead to landslide occurrences. Precise measurement of particle size is crucial. This study centered on soil samples from the Lanniqing landslide in Southwest China. To begin, seven distinct methods were used to preprocess the soil samples. Next, the particle size frequency distribution was measured using the Mastersizer 2000 laser particle size analyzer. Key parameters, including median particle size, mean particle size, sorting coefficient, skewness, and kurtosis, were then compared and analyzed to determine the most appropriate preprocessing method for evaluating the characteristics of the soil samples. The mechanism of landslide occurrence was subsequently analyzed by examining the particle size characteristics, mechanical properties, and mineral composition of the soil samples. The results suggested that method C provides the most reliable analysis of particle size characteristics in soil samples. The observed coarsening of coarse particles, along with a significant increase in clay content within the sliding zone, indicates that the sliding surface has undergone multiple shear and compression events. The interplay of the upper traffic load and slope cutting at the front edge set the stage for the Lanniqing landslide, prompting the initial development of potential sliding surfaces. Rainfall acts as a catalyst for slope instability. The high clay content, combined with the formation of a low-permeability layer rich in clay minerals on the sliding surface, leads to excessive pore water pressure and mineral lubrication. These factors inherently trigger and accelerate the occurrence of the landslide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracting lithium resources from seawater and brine can promote the development of the new energy materials industry. The electrochemical method is green and efficient. Iron phosphate (FePO4) crystal, with its 1D ion channel, holds significant potential as a primary lithium extraction electrode material. Li+ encounters a substantial concentration disadvantage in brines, and the co‐intercalation of Na+ diminishes Li+ selectivity. To address this issue, this work enhances the energy barrier for Na+ insertion through prelithiation strategies applied to the 1D channels of FePO4 crystal, thereby improving Li+ selectivity, and further investigating the prelithiation effect with particle size and morphology control. The results indicate that the Li(4C‐40%)FePO4// Activated carbon(AC) system enhances selectivity of lithium. The Li(4C‐40%)FePO4 with size diameter of 2500 nm demonstrates an energy consumption of 0.79 Wh mol−1 and a purity of 97.94% for lithium extraction at a unit lithium extraction of 5.93 mmol g−1 in simulated brine. Li(4C‐40%)FePO4‐nanoplates demonstrate the most optimal lithium extraction performance among the three morphologies due to their lamellar structure's short ion diffusion path in the [010] channel, favoring Li+ diffusion. The diffusion energy barriers of Li+ and Na+ are calculated using Density Functional Theory (DFT) before and after prelithiation, showing good agreement with experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of different particle sizes of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg (TDG) powders on physical properties, dissolution, in vitro antioxidant activity, and in vivo hepatoprotective properties. Methods: The particle size of TDG coarse powders (TDG-CP), TDG fine powders (TDG-FP), and TDG micro powders (TDG-MP) were measured by a laser particle size analyzer. The physical properties were measured according to the latest version of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Committee Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020). The content of the total flavonoids, total polysaccharides, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, and rutin of TDG powders were determined using the NaNO2-Al (NO3)3 colorimetric method, the sulphate-phenol colorimetric method, and HPLC, respectively. In vitro dissolution and antioxidant activity were determined by the paddle method in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) and the DPPH radical scavenging method, respectively. In addition, the liver tissue pathology was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E), and the AST and ALT activities were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) activities were measured by using commercial analysis kits. Results: As the particle size decreases, the fluidity of TDG powders decreased and the porosity increased. In addition, there were no significant differences in physical properties between low temperature pulverized powders and room temperature pulverized powders. The final dissolution rates of the four bioactive ingredients in TDG-MP were found to be 85.06%, 85.61%, 83.88%, and 83.26%, respectively, whereas in TDG-CP, the dissolution rates were significantly lower at 18.79%, 17.96%, 22.46%, and 24.35%. The EC50 values of TDG-CP, TDG-FP, and TDG-MP on DPPH scavenging activity were 0.82, 0.31, and 0.10 mg/mL, respectively. The AST and ALT activities of the TDG-FP group and the TDG-MP group were significantly decreased and the SOD, CAT, and GSH activities were significantly increased when compared with that of the model group. The inflammatory cell infiltration and vacuolar degeneration of liver cells in the TDG-FP group and the TDG-MP group were significantly improved. Conclusions: The particle size of TDG powders had a significant effect on the physical properties and in vivo bioactivity. TDG pulverized to a fine particle size or smaller is a promising approach for clinical applications with improved physicochemical and biological properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In present study, the effects of orange peel essential oil and ultrasonic treatment on properties of corn starch based edible coating and films including their effects on the shelf life of citrus (Kinnow) fruits are investigated. The ultrasonic approach and essential oil significantly improves the quality characteristics of edible coating formulations, stability, and rheological behaviour of coating materials by reducing the particle size, including antimicrobial activity. The particle size of the coating materials reduces from 2495 nm (control) to 298.8 nm by ultrasonication treatment with improved stability (−39.251 mV) as well as antimicrobial activity. The tensile strength (720 N) and solubility (32.40%) of the CSEOU edible film are also improved as compared to CSEO and CS edible films. The coating formulation enriched with essential oil and ultrasonic treatment (CSEOU) improves the shelf‐life of Kinnow by retarding weight loss (PLW) and microbial load, as well as maintaining higher acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), and higher antioxidant activity. CSEOU treated samples indicate lowest weight loss (24.57%), pH (3.89) with higher TA (3.999%), firmness (494.229 N), phenolic (26.17 mg 100 g−1), flavonoid (34.11 mg 100 g−1), antioxidant (49.04%), and antimicrobial activity against A. niger, E. coli and S. aureus as compared to other samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives were to determine the interactive effect of particle size of soyabean meal (SBM) and whole wheat, barley and wheat bran (CER) on growth performance of weanling pigs after an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli F4 challenge (Experiment 1) and on gastrointestinal (GIT) development immediately after weaning (Experiment 2). Experiment 1 consisted of 192 pigs (24 ± 3 days of age; 7.4 ± 1.1 kg weaning bodyweight [BW]) selected for Escherichia coli (E. coli) F4 susceptibility. Pigs were given an oral E. coli inoculum at postweaning day 7, to induce an enteric health challenge. Experiment 2 consisted of 40 pigs (24 ± 3 days of age; 7.2 ± 1.0 kg weaning BW) that were killed on postweaning day 8 or 9, to determine the effects of particle size on GIT development and functionality. Four experimental diets were used in a 2 × 2 factorial design: (1) coarse CER and coarse SBM, (2) coarse CER and fine SBM (CERcSBMf), (3) fine CER and coarse SBM, or (4) fine CER and fine SBM (CERfSBMf). Results showed no interaction between SBM and CER coarseness on growth performance, GIT development and functionality. Diarrhoea incidence was higher (p < 0.05) for CERfSBMf during the 2 weeks following the E. coli challenge compared to the other diets. Daily gain and feed intake during this period were higher (p < 0.05) for pigs fed CERc compared to CERf. Empty stomach weight tended to be greater by 8% (p = 0.09) for CERc compared to CERf. Gastric protein (p = 0.05) and starch (p = 0.04) disappearances were greater for SBMf compared to SBMc. Thus, CERcSBMf resulted in the best growth performance and lowest diarrhoea incidence during the 2 weeks following the E. coli challenge, which may be explained by changes in stomach functionality but not by changes in other parts of the GIT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Follicular delivery is one of the targeted drug delivery methods aiming to target the hair follicles. The accumulation and retention time of targeted drugs is enhanced when nanoparticles are used as drug carriers. Particle size is one of the important factors affecting the penetration and accumulation of particles in the hair follicles, and there is a controversy in different studies for the best particle size for follicular delivery. Mouse models are mostly used in clinical trials for dermal, transdermal, and follicular delivery studies. Also, it is essential to investigate the reliability of the results between human studies and mouse models. Methods: Curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), as a fluorescent agent, with three different particle size ranges were prepared using the hot homogenization method and applied topically on the mouse and human study groups. Biopsies were taken from applied areas on different days after using the formulation. The histopathology studies were done on the skin biopsies of both groups using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). We compared the confocal laser scanning microscope pictures of different groups, in terms of penetration and retention time of nanoparticles in human and mouse hair follicles. Results: The best particle size in both models was the 400 nm group but the penetration and accumulation of particles in human and mouse hair follicles were totally different even for the 400 nm group. In human studies, 400 nm particles showed good accumulation after seven days; this result can help to increase the formulation using intervals. Conclusion: The best particle size for human and mouse follicular drug delivery is around 400 nm and although mouse models are not completely suitable for follicular delivery studies, they can be used in some conditions as experimental models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano-emulsions stabilized by nonionic surfactants have the characteristics of ultra-low interfacial tension (IFT) and altered wettability in ultra-low permeability reservoirs. Thus, in this work, a new nanoemulsion is proposed to enhance spontaneous imbibition recovery in ultra-low permeability reservoirs. The nanoemulsion is prepared using n-dodecane, Tween-20, and coconut oil acid diethanolamine n-amyl alcohol. The effects of temperature and salinity on particle size, IFT, and wettability alteration performance of the nanoemulsions were systematically studied. Experimental results show that the particle size of nanoemulsions increases with salinity, and the highest level is up to 100 nm, while an increase in temperature is beneficial to the formation of smaller nanoemulsions. The IFT of the nanoemulsion system can be reduced to an ultra-low level (10–3 mN/m) when the salinity is lower than 50,000 mg/L. As for the wettability alteration property of a nanoemulsion system, an increase in temperature can improve its performance, but variations in salinity seldom have any effects. At 56 °C and 30,000 mg/L salinity, the spontaneous imbibition recovery of 1.00 wt% nanoemulsion can reach 53.8% under the synergistic effect of three mechanisms: extremely small droplet size, excellent wettability alteration performance, and ultra-low IFT. These three mechanisms work together to significantly improve the displacement efficiency of ultra-low-permeability reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The population surge has led to a corresponding increase in the demand for high-rise buildings, bridges, and other heavy structures. In addition to gravity loads, these structures must withstand lateral loads from earthquakes, wind, ships, vehicles, etc. A piled raft foundation (PRF) has emerged as the most favored system for high-rise buildings due to its ability to resist lateral loads. An experimental study was conducted on three different piled raft model configurations with three different relative densities (Dr) to determine the effect of Dr on the lateral response of a PRF. A model raft was constructed using a 25 mm thick aluminum plate with dimensions of 304.8 mm × 304.8 mm, and galvanized iron (GI) pipes, each 457.2 mm in length, were used to represent the piles. The lateral and vertical load cells were connected to measure the applied loads. It was found that an increase in Dr increased the soil stiffness and led to a decrease in the lateral displacement for all three PRF models. Additionally, the contribution of the piles in resisting the lateral load decreased, whereas the contribution of the raft portion in resisting the lateral load increased. With an increase in Dr from 30% to 90%, the percentage contribution of the raft increased from 42% to 66% for 2PRF, 38% to 61% for 4PRF, and 46% to 70% for 6PRF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excellent coating adhesion is a crucial requirement for monolithic catalysts. Within this investigation, a Design of Experiments (DOEs) Taguchi approach was leveraged to construct a 9-factor-3-level matrix encompassing 27 parallel experiments. This framework was employed to scrutinize the pivotal elements influencing the adhesion of FeCrAl metal-based integral coatings, which were prepared using the slurry method. Moreover, an unprecedented endeavor was made to scrutinize the mechanism of coating delamination from the vantage points of macroscopic slurry, microscopic coatings, and nanoscale interfaces. The findings reveal the following: (1) The inclusion of a high-acidity additive (>5%) emerges as one of the pivotal factors in achieving superior adhesion, particularly when the boehmite content exceeds 1%. (2) The existence of binder-filled interstices within the coating, smaller by 1–2 orders of magnitude than the carrier particles, significantly contributes to heightened adhesion. (3) A bonding region of approximately 5 nm is present at the interfaces between carrier particles, resulting in augmented adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Using surfactants to improve the particle size of Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides, and the optimal process conditions were obtained by single factor and response surface method. The structure of Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides before and after improvement was characterized by UV, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), particle size, and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that the optimal process conditions for improving the particle size of Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides were as follows: The surfactant was Tween-80, the concentration was 0.5%, the vortex time was 16 s, and the pH was 5.67, under these conditions, the particle size of Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides was 6.19±0.14 nm. FT-IR analysis showed that the modification with surfactants did not change the structure of Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides. The UV spectrum showed a slight fluctuation at 280 nm, which might be attributed to the UV absorption of surfactants in this wave band. The particle size analysis showed that the grain size of improved Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides decreased significantly compared with unimprovement. The scanning electron microscopy results showed that the improved Arctium lappa L. polysaccharides exhibited a more ordered spherical structure and more uniform sizes. This study can provide a theoretical basis for the preparation of a polysaccharide system with controlled particle size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the functional effects of superfine grinding treatment on Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua powder, in this study, the sample was ground and sieved by pharmacopoeia test sieves (50, 100, 200 and 325 mesh) to prepare P. cyrtonema Hua powder with different particle sizes. Its physical properties were studied using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, while the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion process was simulated. The results showed that the particle size of P. cyrtonema Hua powder exhibited a significant difference (P<0.05) following grinding and sieving treatment. The grinding process only destroyed the surface structure of the powder, but did not destroy the molecular structure of the powder. The angle of repose and solubility of P. cyrtonema Hua powder exhibited a continuous increase with decreasing particle size, while bulk density, wettability and water holding capacity showed a decreasing trend. Additionally, the polysaccharide content of the sample with 200 mesh (15.37%) was significantly higher than that of other samples (P<0.05). Moreover, the polysaccharide release content of the powder with 200 mesh (75 μm, ultrafine powder I) during in vitro gastrointestinal digestion was higher than that of other powders. Ultrafine powderI also had a certain antioxidant ability. In summary, when the powder of P. cyrtonema Hua is sieved by 200 mesh sieve, the content of polysaccharide released is the highest. This experiment provides a theoretical basis for the practical application of P. cyrtonema Hua powders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the distribution of Cd in soil water-stable aggregate particles of varying sizes, revealing that smaller particles have higher total Cd content as well as different forms of Cd content, with the clay particle showing a greater tendency to accumulate Cd. However, the proportion of high activity Cd is lower in clay particles, posing a lower environmental risk of Cd transformation compared to silt particles. Adsorption experiments indicated that the clay particle exhibits the strongest adsorption capacity and highest adsorption rate. Additionally, correlation and principal component analyses identified Fe-Mn oxides and organic matter as the primary influencing factors on Cd distribution characteristics, with pH playing a secondary role. These findings provide valuable insights for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a pressing need for high efficiency, low power consumption, and miniaturization of electronics, soft magnetic composites (SMCs) show great potential, especially for applications in key electronic component. However, core loss is still the focused issue for SMCs that hinders their sustainable development and widespread applications. In the present study, high-performance SMCs were fabricated by novel Fe74B7C7P7Si3Mo1Cr1 powders with spherical shape and a fully glassy structure, which were successfully prepared by a gas atomization method. The microstructure and high-frequency magnetic properties of these SMCs were studied in detail. To enhance the soft ferromagnetism, the effects of annealing temperature (Ta) and powder size on their performance were clarified. Increasing Ta up to 703 K not only helps to effectively release internal stress in the powders, but also improves the integrity of the insulation layer structure, which is conducive to decreasing the core loss. In addition, reducing the powder size contributes to the overall performance enhancement. Prepared from the powders with the smallest mean particle size and annealed at 703 K, the SMC exhibits optimum property combination of a stable effective permeability of 26.2 up to 1 MHz, a total core loss of 883 kW m−3 (100 kHz, 100 mT), and a DC-Bias performance of 79.3% under 100 Oe field, which is even comparable to those of the most prominent SMCs reported so far. These results are meaningful for potentially stimulating the development and application of new low-loss SMCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tigecycline is widely used to treat infections in intensive care units. Drugs often need to be delivered to critically ill patients feeding by parenteral nutrition (PN). Before two preparations are administered in the same infusion line, the safety of this combination should be established. The objective of this study was to determine the compatibility of tigecycline with selected multichamber bag PN (MCB‐PN). Methods: Tigecycline was diluted in 0.9% sodium chloride solution and 5% glucose solution to obtain two 0.5 mg/ml solutions. Then the solutions were combined with selected MCB‐PN in appropriate proportions. The samples were visually assessed, and pH, osmolality, turbidity, particle size, and zeta potential were measured. These measurements were made immediately after combining the solutions and after 4 h of storage at 23°C ± 1°C. Results: It was determined that the pH values of the mixtures after combining with tigecycline changed by ≤0.1 unit. An increase in zeta potential was recorded, excluding one combination of tigecycline with the mixture. For all samples tested, the particle size distribution was within the acceptable range immediately after combination and after 4 h of storage. The difference in osmolality did not exceed ±3%, whereas the zeta potential decreased for only one combination. The turbidity of none of the samples exceeded a critical value. Conclusion: The physical compatibility of the tigecycline with five MCB‐PN was proved. They can therefore be administered to patients in one infusion line using the Y‐site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a validated comprehensive model, the effect of coal particle size on two-phase flow inside a tangentially fired, Mitsubishi Heavy Industry entrained-flow coal gasifier is investigated. It is observed that the length of the central recirculation zone (CRZ) formed in the gasifier flow increases with an increase in the mean size of the injected coal particles. The CRZ lengths are 5.6, 4.5 & 2.1 m, respectively, for the cases with particle size distributions (PSDs) having mass mean diameters of 80, 40 & 20 µm. The generic swirl number, $$S{N_g}$$ S N g , captures this impact of particle size on the CRZ length, whereas the conventional swirl number, $$S{N_c}$$ S N c , is unable to do so. The value of $$S{N_g}$$ S N g does not vary significantly over most of the gasifier's constant diameter zone in each case simulated in the present work, thereby underlining the utility of this swirl number to characterize similarity in swirl dynamics. Further, the analysis of the impact of coal particle size on char conversion yields that the PSD with finer particles leads to higher conversion due to the better combustibility of finer particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of air inlet temperature at 155, 165 and 175 °C and whey protein isolate (WPI) of 15, 25 and 35% concentration on numerous parameters of ginger oleoresin powder produced by spray drying was examined in this research. Powder recovery increased dramatically from 23.35 to 68.43% and 53.66 to 64.27%, respectively, as WPI concentration increased from 15 to 35% and inlet temperature decreased from 155 to 175 °C. Increases in WPI concentration and inlet temperature enhanced dissolving time from 22.36 to 32.17 s and 19.54 to 24.24 s respectively. Water activity, encapsulation efficiency of ginger oleoresin microcapsules increased from 0.16 to 0.22, 75.28 to 82.43% respectively, while total phenolic content decreased from 27.13 to 19.04 (mg GAE/g) when WPI concentration increased. Lower encapsulation efficiency (78.66%) and higher total phenol content (23.57 mg GAE/g) were reported at higher inlet temperatures (175 °C). The encapsulated oleoresin samples also exhibited smaller-sized particles which were tightly packed at higher inlet temperatures. Micrographs of the powdered sample revealed smooth morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined effects of particle concentration (0–20 vol%) and particle size on the hydrodynamics of a slurry bubble column were studied by computational fluid dynamics coupled with population balance model (CFD‐PBM) in a wide range of superficial gas velocity (0.02–0.20 m/s). This CFD‐PBM coupled model included multiple effects of particles, namely increased slurry viscosity, reduced drag force, promoted bubble coalescence, and attenuated liquid turbulence, among which turbulence attenuation was crucial. To quantify liquid turbulence attenuation, a mechanistic model was established by equating the energy dissipated by particle motion to the attenuated liquid turbulence energy calculated from turbulent energy spectrum. The turbulent energy dissipation rate was reduced by over 60% at a solid concentration of 20%. Using this model, the effects of particle concentration and particle size on overall gas holdup were well predicted. This model advanced our understanding of how particles affect the gas holdup in a slurry bubble column. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferrotitanium slag can be used to replace bauxite to fabricate refractories owing to its high refractoriness (>1790 °C) and Al 2 O 3 content (≥70 wt%). However, impurities in the ferrotitanium slag is harmful to the materials. In this paper, the mechanical properties and molten slag resistance of Al 2 O 3 –SiC–C castables were improved by replacing part of bauxite with large size ferrotitanium slag (8-5 mm). The large size ferrotitanium slag contained a small amount of impurities, which reacted with SiO 2 at high temperature to form CaO–Al 2 O 3 –SiO 2 –TiO 2 liquid layer on the surface of particles. Under the action of the liquid phase, the ferrotitanium slag particles and the matrix were combined more closely. With the decrease of the particle size of ferrotitanium slag, the slag resistance of the castables began to decrease. This was because the specific surface area of the particles with smaller particle size was relatively larger, large contact area with molten slag resulted in worse slag resistance. Meanwhile, decreasing ferrotitanium slag particle size brought the increase of apparent porosity of Al 2 O 3 –SiC–C castables, resulting in weak mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to develop and evaluate budesonide inhalation micro‐suspension to target inflammation in the lower trachea and bronchi. Initially, the slurry phase is prepared by dispersing the drug (0.25 and 0.5 mg ml−1) in the Water for Injection with polysorbate 80. The slurry is mixed with the aqueous phase comprising other excipients. The mixture is further subjected to the treatment with homogenizer. The prepared formulations are subjected to various physio‐chemical analysis like description, density, pH, osmolality, viscosity, shelf life, impurities, assay, particle size, etc. Andersen cascade impactor is used to estimate the aerodynamic performance. In vivo analysis is initiated with the induction of Asthma in Sprague Dawley rats by ovalbumin challenge intranasally and the treatment is given with the aid of a nebulizer. Lastly, the biochemical estimations are carried out in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). The lungs are also subjected to morphological and histological evaluations. The physio‐chemical and analytical examination indicated a stable formulation that is compliant with the standard guidelines. The D90 value of the test formulation is ≤4.5 µm. Cascade impactor evaluation estimated almost, 2–10% higher amount of budesonide reaching the target region as compared to the marketed product. Test formulation attenuated the manifestation of ovalbumin‐induced asthma through suppression of inflammatory cell count in blood and BALF, and modulation of Lactate dehydrogenase and Alkaline Phosphatase levels which is further confirmed by histopathological analysis. The formulated budesonide micro‐suspension demonstrated stability, safety, and efficient delivery to the target site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to mitigate anthropogenic climate impacts the U.S. has established ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% before 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Enhanced rock weathering (ERW)—the artificial enhancement of chemical weathering of rocks to accelerate atmospheric CO2 capture—is now widely seen as a potentially promising carbon dioxide removal (CDR) strategy that could help to achieve U.S. climate goals. Grinding rocks to smaller particle size, which can help to facilitate more rapid and efficient CO2 removal, is the most energy-demanding and cost-intensive step in the ERW life cycle. As a result, accurate life cycle analysis of ERW requires regional constraints on the factors influencing the energetic and economic demands of feedstock grinding for ERW. Here, we perform a state-level geospatial analysis to quantify how carbon footprints, costs, and energy demands vary among regions of the coterminous U.S. in relation to particle size and regional electricity mix. We find that CO2 emissions from the grinding process are regionally variable but relatively small compared to the CDR potential of ERW, with national averages ranging between ~5–35 kgCO2 trock−1 for modal particle sizes between ~10–100  μm. The energy cost for feedstock grinding also varies regionally but is relatively small, with national average costs for grinding of roughly 0.95–5.81 $ trock−1 using grid mix power and 1.35–8.26 $ trock−1 (levelized) for solar PV for the same particle size range. Overall energy requirements for grinding are also modest, with the demand for grinding 1 Gt of feedstock representing less than 2% of annual national electricity supply. In addition, both cost and overall energy demand are projected to decline over time. These results suggest that incorporating feedstock grinding into ERW deployment at scale in the coterminous U.S. should generally have only modest impacts on lifecycle emissions, cost-effectiveness, and energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]