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The emergence of two-dimensional (2D) materials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) offers the possibility of exploring new regimes of capillarity and wetting that remained inaccessible with traditional microfluidic and nanofluidic substrates. Here, we bring out the non-intuitive capillary filling regimes in closed-end CNTs using molecular-level investigations. Contrary to the existing understanding of the advancing liquid meniscus getting retarded by the viscous resistance offered by an entrapped vapor phase in a three-dimensional capillary, here the liquid meniscus is shown to accelerate toward the later stages of the dynamic wetting, which is attributed to the modified surface friction due to a 2D interface. This apparently counterintuitive observation is qualitatively linked to the local pressure fluctuations across the meniscus caused by the spontaneous bombardment of the entrapped vapor molecules, which may ramify into hitherto unexplored phenomena of a shape-reversed meniscus advancing in the 2-D pore. We further develop a simple analytical model to represent the essential physics of the resulting capillary filling dynamics, featuring significant deviations from the classical Lucas–Washburn paradigm. These results may turn out to be imperative in realizing new regimes of capillarity in 2D materials in multifarious applications, ranging from energy storage and water filtration to thin film flows in integrated electronics and photonic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coarsening of precipitates in coherent systems is influenced by the elastic fields of the precipitates and the interfacial curvature. It is also known that if precipitates are connected by dislocations, coarsening is affected by the elastic fields of the dislocations and the pipe diffusivity. Although there is experimental evidence of accelerated coarsening in the presence of dislocations, these studies do not capture the effect of the elastic fields. There exist generic theoretical models that can predict the average sizes and size distributions of coarsening precipitates considering the coherency-related elastic stress fields. In this paper, we use a phase field model to study the coarsening of precipitates connected by dislocations, incorporating its elastic fields and pipe diffusivity. Specifically, we study the effects of misfit strain, elastic moduli mismatch, faster pipe mobility and the elastic fields of the dislocation on the morphology and kinetics of the coarsening precipitates. The dilatational component, associated with the edge character of the dislocations interacts with the precipitates in an elastically homogeneous system. In an elastically inhomogeneous system, the deviatoric elastic fields also interact with the precipitates influencing the morphology and kinetics of coarsening precipitates. The kinetics of coarsening is different as well, with hard precipitates coarsening faster as compared to soft precipitates, when connected by dislocations. Further, we note that the modified Gibbs–Thomson equation, which was originally derived for an isolated precipitate in an infinite matrix, is also applicable for coarsening precipitates at close proximity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the help of the Annalen der Physik, we can trace the young Einstein's footsteps in Italy in various ways: the interest in the topic of his first article on capillarity probably dates back to an earlier meeting with Carlo Marangoni in Casteggio; Einstein's reading of articles by Paul Drude and Wilhelm Wien allow us to identify the library of the Lombard Institute, Milan's Academy of Sciences and Letters, where the young man is working on his bibliography; this bibliography provides elements for a better understanding of the turnaround of his thesis, in mid‐April 1901, on molecular forces in gases; and finally we see Einstein use his papers in the Annalen in his search for university posts, in connection with Giuseppe Jung, Michele Besso's uncle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineering materials such as geosynthetics clay liners (GCL) and gravel layers are effective to cut off the in-soil water migration and have been widely employed to stabilize the moisture content of subgrades. However, the moisture stabilizing performance of GCL or gravel layer is usually compromised due to the complexity of service condition. This paper introduces an engineering material named restraining moisture geotextiles (RMG), which is expected to show low permeability as GCL. With characterization of basic properties of RMG, moisture migration column test of silty soil and test cases with employments of RMG, GCL, and gravel layer are performed, respectively. The temperature and moisture fields of soil columns subjected to a freezing-thawing process are measured, and the capillarity and in-soil water migrating behavior are analyzed. Carbon footprints of GCL and RMG are compared and discussed. Test results show that RMG, GCL and gravel layer are effective to cut off the capillarity, but the gravel layer can result in higher moisture content in silty soil due to the vapor migration and capillary isolation. In conclusion, RMG can be an alternative method with low permeability on reducing the in-soil water migration, and is much lighter and more engery-efficient than GCL. • Restraining moisture geotextile saves more energy than geosynthetics clay liner. • Restraining moisture geotextile can stabilize moisture field in soil effectively. • Gravel layer results high moisture in silt with limited control of vapor migration. • Absorbency of restraining moisture geotextile is sensitive to loading pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainably enhancing condensation heat transfer performance is a major challenge in thermal management and energy systems, since typical condensation enhancement methods (i.e. , dropwise condensation with low surface energy coatings) have limited lifetime/durability, restricted compatibility with working fluids, and sustainability concerns due to the coating composition (e.g. , fluorinated compounds). The robust and scalable capillary-enhanced filmwise condensation mode presented in this work demonstrates high heat transfer coefficients for water and low surface tension liquids condensing in a porous wick. Thin porous wicks offer the highest enhancements in heat transfer, however such thin porous wicks have thickness-dependent permeability, and the effective liquid thickness of the wick depends on the shape of the liquid-vapor interface. In this study, we leverage a spatially-discretized porous media model to characterize the effect of the wick thickness on condensation heat transfer performance. The model uses a spatially-varying permeability that depends on the local liquid-vapor interface shape/curvature and the resulting effective wick thickness. We apply this model to investigate the correlation between the heat transfer enhancement and various geometric factors, which enables the design of optimal porous structures for relevant phase-change application. We also predict favorable enhancement in condensation performance with a few common hydrocarbon and fluorocarbon fluid refrigerants. This study provides fundamental insight into the effects of the shape of the liquid-vapor interface on the phase-change performance in the capillary-enhanced filmwise condensation mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite surging interests on liquid-state coacervates and condensates, confinement within solid-state pores for selective permeation remains an unexplored area. Drawing inspiration from nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), we design and construct coacervate-pore complexes (CPCs) with regulatable permeability. We demonstrate universal CPC formation across 19 coacervate systems and 5 pore types, where capillarity drives the spontaneous imbibition of coacervate droplets into dispersed or interconnected pores. CPCs regulate through-pore transport by forming a fluidic network that modulates guest molecule permeability based on guest-coacervate affinity, mimicking NPC selectivity. While solid constructs of NPC mimicries are limited by spatial fixation of polymer chains, CPCs of a liquid nature feature dynamic healing and rapid phase transitioning for permeability recovery and regulation, respectively. Looking forward, we expect the current work to establish a basis for developing liquid-based NPC analogs using a large pool of synthetic coacervates and biomolecular condensates. Liquid state coacervates are an area of interest, but many applications remain to be explored. Here, the authors report the development of coacervate-pore complexes for the control of through-pore transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rebound of liquid droplets on solid surfaces exhibits behavior reminiscent of elastic spheres, albeit with distinct contact dynamics. While the rapid detachment of droplets from surfaces holds significant relevance for various applications, previous endeavors relying on engineered surfaces can only reduce the contact time to several milliseconds, primarily due to capillary effects dominating droplet bounce. Here, we present ultrafast rebound by designing heterogeneous core-shell droplets encapsulating a particle (DEP), which achieves an unprecedentedly short contact time of 0.3 ms and 0.05 ms with polydimethylsiloxane and glass particles, respectively. This remarkable contact-time reduction is universally applicable to diverse systems, including both water and oil droplets, elastic and rigid particles, super-repellent and superlyophilic surfaces, and is effective across a wide range of impact velocities. Beyond exhibiting liquid-like dynamics, DEP manifests solid-like behavior owing to asynchronized motions between the particle and the droplet, which effectively breaks down the dominance of capillarity. With systematic experimental and analytical studies, we delineate contact times in three bouncing regimes and identify critical conditions governing regime transitions. DEP amalgamates the bouncing dynamics of both solids and liquids, offering a robust and versatile strategy for tailoring contact time to suit diverse applications involving solid-liquid composite systems. It is essential to have a short contact time for self-cleaning, anti-icing, anti-fog, heat transfer, droplet manipulation, and energy harvesting. In this study, the authors discuss the extremely quick bounce seen when droplets containing a particle impact a surface, achieving a contact time of only 0.3 milliseconds with an elastic particle and 0.05 milliseconds with a rigid particle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Aging is influenced by genetic determinants and comorbidities, among which diabetes increases the risk for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. There is no therapy to prevent heart dysfunction in aging and diabetic individuals. In previous studies, a single administration of the longevity-associated variant (LAV) of the human BPIFB4 gene halted heart decline in older and type 2 diabetic mice. Here, we asked whether orally administered LAV-BPIFB4 protein replicates these benefits. Materials and Methods: In two controlled, randomized studies, 18-month-old male C57BL/6 J mice and 9-week-old C57BLKS/J-Leprdb/Leprdb/Dock7 + [db/db] mice of both sexes underwent baseline echocardiography. They then received a recombinant purified LAV-BPIFB4 protein (3 µg/animal, every three days) or vehicle by gavage. After 30 days, the animals underwent echocardiography, and the hearts were collected post-termination for histology. Results: All the animals completed the study except one female diabetic mouse, which was culled prematurely because tooth malocclusion caused eating problems. There was no effect of the LAV-BPIFB4 protein on body weight in the two studies or glycosuria in the diabetic study. In aging mice, LAV-BPIFB4 increased myocardial Bpifb4 expression, improving heart contractility and capillarity while reducing perivascular fibrosis and senesce. In male diabetic mice, LAV-BPIFB4 therapy improved systolic function, microvascular density, and senescence, whereas the benefit was limited to systolic function in females. Conclusions: This study shows the feasibility and efficacy of a variant protein associated with human longevity in contrasting pivotal risk factors for heart failure in animal models. The diabetic study revealed that sex influences the treatment efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Negative compressibility (NC) refers to the counterintuitive behaviour where a material expands when subjected to compressive stress. In rock mechanics, NC can be linked to failure. During the onset of failure, a slight increase in amplitude of mean compressive stress from axial loading, with constant radial stresses, can lead to dilation due to microcrack growth and grain sliding. Post-peak softening then results in reduced deviator stress as axial compressive strain amplitude increases. This study unveils a novel form of NC in poroelastic materials containing microcracks with liquid bridges, a phenomenon distinct from known failure mechanisms. This new manifestation of NC is associated with changes in the capillary force of the liquid bridge, leading to the NC of a microfracture without failure occurring. To validate the new concept of NC in rocks during elastic deformation, we formulated a theoretical model and conducted laboratory experiments on partially saturated Mancos shale. The experiments involved the simultaneous increase in amplitude of confining (axial and radial) stresses and pore pressure in the gas phase by equal magnitudes. We observed extensional volumetric strains during compression at constant net stress, indicating negative shale stiffness. Using a micromechanical model, we simulated liquid bridge hysteresis in microfractures by coupling the wettability, interfacial tension, and elastic properties of the rock, liquid, and gas phases. Theoretical modelling reveals that capillary forces may dominate over elastic forces under specific conditions defined by two dimensionless parameters. This study enhances our understanding of the static and dynamic response of the overburden at partial saturation with free gas that may contribute to carbon storage and monitoring efforts. Moreover, the concept of negative compressibility and liquid bridge phenomena has potential applications in underground hydrogen and ammonia storage. Understanding microfracture behaviour under varying pressures is crucial for developing safe and efficient storage solutions for these emerging energy carriers. Highlights: Novel finding: Porous materials with microcracks and liquid bridges can exhibit negative compressibility due to capillary force changes. Two dimensionless parameters define conditions when capillary forces dominate over elastic forces, producing negative compressibility. Experiments on partially saturated Mancos shale show negative compressibility during elastic deformation, not linked to failure mechanisms. Significance: Insights gained have implications for carbon storage, subsurface hydrogen and ammonia storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorption and capillarity, in the order of high free energy to low, are the two soil–water interaction mechanisms controlling the hydro-mechanical behaviour of soils. Yet most of the poroelasticity theories of soil are based on capillarity only, leading to misrepresentations of hydro-mechanical behaviour in the low free energy regime beyond vaporisation. This inability is reasoned to be caused by two major limitations in the existing theories: missing interparticle attraction energy and incomplete definition of adsorption-induced pore-water pressure. A poroelasticity theory is formulated to incorporate the two soil–water interaction mechanisms, and the transition between them – that is, condensation/vaporisation, by expanding the classical three-phase mixture system to a four-phase mixture system with adsorptive water as an additional phase. An interparticle attractive stress is identified as one of the key sources for deformation and strength of soils induced by adsorption and is implemented in the poroelasticity theory. A recent breakthrough concept of soil sorptive potential is utilised to establish the physical link between adsorption-induced pore-water pressure and matric suction. The proposed poroelasticity theory can be reduced to several previous theories when interparticle attractive stress is ignored. The new theory is used to derive the effective stress equation for variably saturated soil by identifying energy-conjugated pairs. The derived effective stress equation leads to Zhang and Lu's unified effective stress equation, and can be reduced to Bishop's effective stress equation when only the capillary mechanism is considered and to Terzaghi's effective stress equation when a saturated condition is imposed. The derived effective stress equation is experimentally validated for a variety of soil in the full matric suction range, substantiating the validity and accuracy of the poroelasticity theory for soil under variably saturated conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar‐driven interfacial water evaporation is attracting increasing attention as a promising environmentally‐friendly solution to freshwater scarcity. It has been proven that a thin water layer on photothermal materials can prevent solar energy from invalidly heating the excess water to enhance the evaporation rate. However, the current water layers are usually formed on inelastic materials via confined capillarity, which are static and uncontrollable. Herein, we propose a flexible hydrogel‐based photothermal conversion material with thermal responsiveness by facile frontal polymerization, which can generate a unique dynamic water microskin (DWMS) during the solar evaporation process. The copolymerized hydrogel, introduced by the second polymeric poly(vinyl alcohol) network and thermally responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), exhibits reinforced mechanical strength and photothermally triggers reversible shrinking/swelling cycles that enable a thin water layer (≈32 µm) to balance the feedwater supply and photothermic energy input dynamically. As a result, a stable superior vaporization rate of 8.7 kg m−2 h−1 is achieved based on a cylindrical hydrogel with 6 cm height under 1 sun. Moreover, the simultaneous responsive bending allows efficient omnidirectional solar evaporation by light‐tracking to ensure maximum perpendicular solar absorption, which provides an alternative strategy for durable high‐efficiency solar evaporators for effective thermal management and solar utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capillary rise, where liquid climbs narrow spaces against gravity, plays an important role in both natural and technological processes. This study investigates capillary wetting in rounded polygon corners, a less-studied area in microfluid mechanics with significant implications for industries such as nanotextured surface cleaning, micro-soldering, food technology, and water harvesting. Through experimental analysis, we examine the relationship between capillary rise height and the geometric parameters of curvature radius and angle in rounded polygonal pillar and array structures. Our findings reveal a direct correlation where the capillary rise height increases as the radius of the corner increases, emphasizing the critical role of corner geometry in enhancing capillary action. This research not only deepens understanding of capillary behavior in complex geometries but also provides valuable insights for optimizing capillary-based applications across. By considering the influence of geometric complexity on capillarity, our study paves the way for innovative approaches in the design and development of efficient systems for fluid manipulation and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the impact of elevated temperatures on the adsorptive and capillarity water retention mechanisms of unsaturated soils under constrained (constant volume) conditions. This topic is critical for simulating the thermo-hydraulic behavior of soils in hydrogeological or geotechnical applications, including climate change effects on near surface soils, energy piles or soil borehole thermal energy storage systems in unsaturated soil layers, and buffers for geological nuclear waste repositories. A nonisothermal soil water retention curve (SWRC) that separately considers the temperature-dependency of the key parameters governing adsorptive and capillarity water retention mechanisms and soil physical parameters (e.g., surface tension, contact angle, adsorption capacity, cation exchange capacity, mean cavitation suction, air entry value and equilibrium film thickness) was developed to provide insights into the impact of temperature on water retention over the full suction range. The nonisothermal SWRC was validated using experimental data on high plasticity clays, with a good prediction of temperature effects on adsorption and capillarity water retention mechanisms in constrained unsaturated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Usually, the term 'rising damp' refers to capillary water rising from the ground which may damage architectural heritage. In this work, the essence of rising damp in extremely arid regions and its driving force are revealed based on experiments monitoring the relative humidity (RH) and atmospheric pressure (AP) in the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes. The air in the vadose zone, the unsaturated region between ground level and the top of the water table, is here referred to as 'earth-air'. When the AP rises, the earth-air is compressed, and atmospheric air enters into the soil. Then, when the AP drops, moist earth-air expands and rises into the structure. The RH in the soil is thus negatively correlated with the AP, yielding a correlation coefficient of up to –0.94. Under the action of this long-term dry–wet alternation, the salt present in the building near ground undergoes repeated cycles of crystallization and dissolution, resulting in efflorescence and a deterioration zone. Therefore, the deterioration due to rising damp in extremely arid regions is caused by the rising of moist earth-air rather than capillarity. The height to which it rises is directly proportional to the amplitude of the daily AP fluctuation and thickness of the vadose zone, exhibiting a bimodal fluctuation pattern on a daily scale. The discovery of this mechanism of rising damp provides a scientific basis for preventive conservation interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to eliminate the effect of coalescing filter blocking due to on–off operation by changing the wetting properties of the non-woven fiberglass filter media through their chemical modification with the use of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) solution in hexane and a few commercial products that give the surface oleophobic properties. The best results—high separation efficiency, no redispersion of droplets at the outlet, and low flow resistance—were obtained for materials coated by immersion in a 0.2% PDMS solution, for which a reduction in oleophilicity was found, but the material was not oleophobic and still moderately wetted with the test liquid. The corresponding static contact angle with the VG-46 rotary compressor oil measured on the flat borosilicate glass wafer made of the same material as the fiberglass media was equal to 54° for the PDMS dip-coated surface. Moreover, the good stability of the applied polymer on the material surface was confirmed by the SEM imaging, the FTIR analysis, and maintaining a high performance in multiple tests run for a single coalescing element. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The swift progression and expansion of machine learning (ML) have not gone unnoticed within the realm of statistical mechanics. In particular, ML techniques have attracted attention by the classical density-functional theory (DFT) community, as they enable automatic discovery of free-energy functionals to determine the equilibrium-density profile of a many-particle system. Within classical DFT, the external potential accounts for the interaction of the many-particle system with an external field, thus, affecting the density distribution. In this context, we introduce a statistical-learning framework to infer the external potential exerted on a classical many-particle system. We combine a Bayesian inference approach with the classical DFT apparatus to reconstruct the external potential, yielding a probabilistic description of the external-potential functional form with inherent uncertainty quantification. Our framework is exemplified with a grand-canonical one-dimensional classical particle ensemble with excluded volume interactions in a confined geometry. The required training dataset is generated using a Monte Carlo (MC) simulation where the external potential is applied to the grand-canonical ensemble. The resulting particle coordinates from the MC simulation are fed into the learning framework to uncover the external potential. This eventually allows us to characterize the equilibrium density profile of the system by using the tools of DFT. Our approach benchmarks the inferred density against the exact one calculated through the DFT formulation with the true external potential. The proposed Bayesian procedure accurately infers the external potential and the density profile. We also highlight the external-potential uncertainty quantification conditioned on the amount of available simulated data. The seemingly simple case study introduced in this work might serve as a prototype for studying a wide variety of applications, including adsorption, wetting, and capillarity, to name a few. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HypothesisThe dip coating of suspensions made of monodisperse non-Brownian spherical particles dispersed in a Newtonian fluid leads to different coating regimes depending on the ratio of the particle diameter to the thickness of the film entrained on the substrate. In particular, dilute particles dispersed in the liquid are entrained only above a threshold value of film thickness. In the case of anisotropic particles, in particular fibers, the smallest characteristic dimension will control the entrainment of the particle. Furthermore, it is possible to control the orientation of the anisotropic particles depending on the substrate geometry. In the thick film regime, the Landau-Levich-Derjaguin model remains valid if one account for the change in viscosity.ExperimentTo test the hypotheses, we performed dip-coating experiments with dilute suspensions of non-Brownian fibers with different length-to-diameter aspect ratios. We characterize the number of fibers entrained on the surface of the substrate as a function of the withdrawal velocity, allowing us to estimate a threshold capillary number below which all the particles remain in the liquid bath. Besides, we measure the angular distribution of the entrained fibers for two different substrate geometries: flat plates and cylindrical rods. We then measure the film thickness for more concentrated fiber suspensions.FindingsThe entrainment of the fibers on a flat plate and a cylindrical rod is primarily controlled by the smaller characteristic length of the fibers: their diameter. At first order, the entrainment threshold scales similarly to that of spherical particles. The length of the fibers only appears to have a minor influence on the entrainment threshold. No preferential alignment is observed for non-Brownian fibers on a flat plate, except for very thin films, whereas the fibers tend to align themselves along the axis of a cylindrical rod for a large enough ratio of the fiber length to the radius of the cylindrical rod. The Landau-Levich-Derjaguin law is recovered for more concentrated suspension by introducing an effective capillary number accounting for the change in viscosity.

A benchmark problem is formulated which is well suited for the validation of mesoscopic phase-field models for grain-boundary migration in polycrystals. First, an analytical steady-state solution of the sharp moving boundary problem is derived for a symmetric lamellar structure, which is valid for arbitrary bulk driving forces and triple junction angles. Characteristic quantities are identified to reduce the parameter space which in turn allows a systematic comparison of simulations and analytical results. Various multiphase-field (MPF) formulations are compared which approximate the sharp interface problem in terms of a diffuse regularization. An interfacial thickness convergence study reveals that the model error is largely dependent on the ratio of bulk to interfacial stabilizing force as well as the underlying model formulation. An additional grid convergence study highlights the efficiency of a more advanced discretization scheme. The results can be used to guide the selection of appropriate models and to estimate the interface thickness and spatial resolution required to achieve a given accuracy target. The post-processing framework consists of a fully automated determination of well-defined metrics from the phase field simulation data, eliminating human bias and facilitating reproducibility. The corresponding code is made openly available to assist the materials science and engineering community in validating MPF, multi-order parameter and similar model developments. We believe that this work provides a reliable benchmark procedure to better understand the potentials and limitations of current MPF models as well as alternative approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the limitation that the existing theoretical methods cannot reflect the influence of fiber wettability on permeability, the analytical expression of capillary pressure and the calculation formula of lateral dynamic permeability of fiber tow impregnation process were derived. The numerical simulation of the process of resin impregnated fiber tows was carried out by using a phase field method. The simulation results indicated that the numerical solution of the capillary pressure obtained by the phase field method was consistent with the analytical solution obtained from this paper. This proved the reliability of the developed method. The effects of fiber volume fraction and contact angle on the dynamic permeability were studied. The results indicated that this method could better characterize the effect of fiber wettability on the permeability and realize the dynamic prediction of the permeability at different impregnation radii. Compared to the existing permeability calculation methods, the developed method is more applicable and the calculation results are more accurate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capillarity-driven transport in nanoporous solids is widespread in nature and crucial for modern liquid-infused engineering materials. During imbibition, curved menisci driven by high negative Laplace pressures exert an enormous contractile load on the porous matrix. Due to the challenge of simultaneously monitoring imbibition and deformation with high spatial resolution, the resulting coupling of solid elasticity to liquid capillarity has remained largely unexplored. Here, we study water imbibition in mesoporous silica using optical imaging, gravimetry, and high-resolution dilatometry. In contrast to an expected Laplace pressure-induced contraction, we find a squareroot-of-time expansion and an additional abrupt length increase when the menisci reach the top surface. The final expansion is absent when we stop the imbibition front inside the porous medium in a dynamic imbibition-evaporation equilibrium, as is typical for transpiration-driven hydraulic transport in plants, especially in trees. These peculiar deformation behaviors are validated by single-nanopore molecular dynamics simulations and described by a continuum model that highlights the importance of expansive surface stresses at the pore walls (Bangham effect) and the buildup or release of contractile Laplace pressures as menisci collectively advance, arrest, or disappear. Our model suggests that these observations apply to any imbibition process in nanopores, regardless of the liquid/solid combination, and that the Laplace contribution upon imbibition is precisely half that of vapor sorption, due to the linear pressure drop associated with viscous flow. Thus, simple deformation measurements can be used to quantify surface stresses and Laplace pressures or transport in a wide variety of natural and artificial porous media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We formulate a Neumann variational problem, which characterizes the capillary phenomena, and disLaplacian‐like operator defined bycuss the existence of nontrivial weak solutions. We get the results using sufficient hypotheses on the reaction term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative description of the water retention curve (WRC) of soils remains one of the most pressing problems in hydrophysics due to its importance for computer modeling of the transport of soil water and dissolved substances, as well as for the development of the thermodynamic concept of soil physical properties. A new WRC model is presented as a functional dependence of the thermodynamic potential (pressure) of water and its content in the soil over the entire possible range from conditionally zero water content to the maximum water holding capacity. Unlike well-known empirical analogues, the model is based on fundamental physical mechanisms of water retention, combining the capillary effect and disjoining water pressure (according to Derjaguin). Limitations by porosity (maximum water holding capacity), the height of the limiting capillary rise, and the standard thermodynamic potential of conditionally zero water content at a temperature of 105°C are used to justify the domain of determination of the WRC, its inflection point, and scaling. The analytical expression of the new model as a combination of exponential and hyperbolic functions with the argument of soil water content is easily differentiated and allows to calculate, using the WRC, the differential water capacity, variable phase interface, and pore size distribution with a maximum value of field capacity, and to estimate the specific surface area of the solid phase. Validation of the model using mean statistical WRCs of the main genetic types and textural classes of some soils in Eurasia confirms its good agreement with experimental data with a more adequate description of WRC in the vicinity of conditionally zero soil water content compared to the standard empirical van Genuchten's model with the same number of parameters. The fundamental nature of the new model and its good approximation ability for the entire range of WRC create the prospect of its diverse use for assessing the physical quality of soils and process modeling of water transfer, especially in finely dispersed and highly drying arid soils, where the approximating capabilities of the model exceed the known empirical analogues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute shortage of water resources and high unproductive water losses are the key problems of irrigated agriculture in arid regions. One of the possible solutions is to optimize soil water retention using natural and synthetic polymer water absorbers. Our approach uses the HYDRUS-1D design to optimize the placement of organic water absorbents such as peat and composite hydrogels in the soil profile in the form of water-storing capillary barriers. Field testing of the approach used a water balance greenhouse experiment with the cultivation of butternut squash (butternut squash (Cucurbita moschata (Duchesne, 1786)) under sprinkler irrigation with measurement of the soil moisture profile and unproductive water losses in the form of lysimetric water outflow. In addition, the biodegradation rate of organic water absorbents was studied at the soil surface and at a depth of 20 cm. Organic capillary barriers reduced unproductive water losses by 40–70%, retaining water in the topsoil and increasing evapotranspiration by 70–130% with a corresponding increase in plant biomass and fruit yield. The deepening of organic soil modifiers to the calculated depth not only allowed capillary barriers to form, but also prevented their biodegradation. The best results in soil water retention, plant growth and yield according to the "dose-effect" criterion were obtained for a composite superabsorbent with peat filling of an acrylic polymer matrix. The study showed good compliance between the HYDRUS design and the actual efficiency of capillary barriers as an innovative technology for irrigated agriculture using natural and synthetic water absorbents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research delves into a comprehensive investigation of a class of ℑ -Hilfer generalized fractional nonlinear equation originated from a capillarity phenomenon involving a logarithmic nonlinearity and Dirichlet boundary conditions. The nonlinearity of the problem, in general, do not satisfies the Ambrosetti-Rabinowitz type condition. Using critical point theorem with variational approach and the (S +) property of the operator, we establish the existence of positive solutions of our problem with respect to every positive parameter ξ in appropriate ℑ -fractional spaces. Our main results is novel and its investigation will enhance the scope of the literature on differential equation of ℑ -Hilfer fractional generalized capillary phenomenon with logarithmic nonlinearity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shear strength equation is a basic theory for solving many geotechnical engineering problems. Although the shear strength equation has received widespread attention, shear strength of clay under wide suction range and different initial void ratio e$e$ conditions cannot be well predicted. This study aims to establish a new strength equation applicable to soils within a wide suction range. Considering the capillary and adsorptive parts of soil–water interactions, a cohesion expression related to the degree of adsorbed water saturation Sra and the effective stress related to the degree of capillary water saturation Src are proposed. After that, based on the Mohr–Coulomb theory, a shear strength equation of unsaturated soils in a wide range of suction under various e$e$ is proposed. Five parameters are included in the equation. It is easy to calibrate them through shear tests on saturated and the fully dried soils. It is verified that not only the sandy clay till and clayed silt but also the expansive soil's shear strength in wide ranges of suction under various e$e$ can be well predicted. Core Ideas: Capillarity and adsorption affect skeleton stress and cohesion, respectively, which in turn affect the shear strength.A strength equation of soils considering capillarity and adsorption at various initial void ratios is proposed.Shear strength of expansive soil with various initial void ratios in a wide suction range can be well predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar‐driven interfacial evaporation is one of the most promising technologies to address global freshwater shortages. Compared with the integrated structure, monolithic system with asymmetric wettability can be used alone to reduce the structural complexity without sacrificing the localized management of heat. Herein, a monolithic structure of Janus Fe3O4@IF evaporator with asymmetric wettability has been fabricated via a simple in situ hydrothermal method. The low‐cost Janus Fe3O4@IF evaporator can be self‐floating with a sizable surface area, high porosity, and low density, which presents excellent light absorption features of 98.1% within a broadband wavelength range of 200–2500 nm. Due to the strong capillarity action and Janus wettability, the evaporation is efficient (1.64 kg m−2 h−1) and stable even treating with highly concentrated brine of 20 wt%. This work demonstrates an effective strategy for achieving high‐performance solar‐driven interfacial evaporation and superior salt rejection capability, which can be potentially utilized in seawater desalination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study addresses the technical, institutional and spatial changes that permeated the privatization process of the Telebrás System (STB), which began in the second half of the 1990s, and its impacts on the capillarity of telecommunications networks and services in the states of Goiás and Tocantins, to the present day. The methodological procedures were based on the review of the regulatory frameworks that supported the sector's transformations and on the survey of secondary data made available in publications from official bodies, such as the IBGE statistical yearbooks and the open database present on the websites of the National Agency of Telecommunications (Anatel). The results reveal that the territorial meaning of modern telecommunications networks in Goiás and Tocantins obey a spatial selectivity based on market density and the imperative to meet, even if in a limited way, the universalization goals proposed by the regulatory agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Permeation grouting – injections at low-pressure values of either microfine cements or chemical products – is frequently adopted to increase the mechanical/hydraulic properties of soils, and standard design approaches are currently either empirical or based on simplified analytical solutions. In this paper, some fundamental hypotheses of these analytical solutions are discussed by carrying out a campaign of finite-element numerical analyses, in which the injection phase in a water-saturated soil is analysed, a Newtonian rheology for the grout is implemented and the hypothesis of immiscibility for the two liquids is assumed. The effect of injection source geometry is discussed, as well as the role of gravity and capillarity. The authors analyse the conditions, in terms of injection flow rate, grout viscosity, soil intrinsic permeability and retention curve, under which the analytical solutions provide reliable results. The numerical results have been compared with the simplified analytical solution herein derived for a one-dimensional spherical geometry, in terms of the 'characteristic curves' for the system: the relationship between injection pressure/grout front advancement and injection time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study a nonlinear partial differential equation describing the evolution of a foam drainage in one dimensional case which was proposed by Goldfarb et al. [Izv. Akad. Nauk SSSR Mekh. Ghidk. Gaza 2, 103–108 (1988)] in order to investigate the flow of liquid through channels (Plateau borders) and nodes (intersections of four channels) between the bubbles, driven by gravity and capillarity. Its mathematical studies so far are mainly restricted within numerical and particular solutions; as for mathematical analysis of it there are only a few. We prove that the free boundary problem for the foam drainage equation in the region from the top to the interface in a foam column admits a unique global-in-time classical solution by the standard classical mathematical method, the maximum principle and the comparison theorem. Moreover, the existence of its steady solution and its stability are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study a nonlinear partial differential equation describing the evolution of a foam drainage in one dimensional case which was proposed by Goldfarb et al. in 1988 in order to investigate the flow of liquid through channels (Plateau borders) and nodes (intersections of four channels) between the bubbles, driven by gravity and capillarity. Its mathematical studies so far are mainly restricted within numerical and particular solutions; as for mathematical analysis of it there are only a few. We prove that the free boundary problem for the foam drainage equation in the region below an interface to the bottom in a foam column admits a unique global-in-time classical solution by the standard classical mathematical method, the maximum principle. Moreover, the existence of its steady solution and its stability are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we study the regularity properties of \Lambda-minimizers of the capillarity energy in a half space with the wet part constrained to be confined inside a given planar region. Applications to a model for nanowire growth are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proves the existence of R$$ \mathcal{R} $$‐bounded solution operator families of the resolvent problem of Navier–Stokes–Korteweg model in half‐space (R+N)$$ \left({\mathbf{R}}_{+}^N\right) $$ with slip boundary condition. Especially we investigate the model for arbitrary constant viscosity and capillarity. We employ the R$$ \mathcal{R} $$‐bounded solution operators of the model obtained from the whole space cases and partial Fourier transform techniques to analyze the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Redesigning anode structures in Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) has been a focus of research aimed at surpassing the energy density of conventional LIBs. Although anode‐free LIBs present a promising architecture, their low Coulombic efficiency is a major drawback. This paper introduces a novel hybrid anode that integrates the current collector (CC) and active materials into a single, cohesive porous structure, which supports both de/intercalation and de/plating reactions. The hybrid anode consists of a porous Cu matrix with embedded ZrO2 powders and graphite; the quantity of graphite is only a third of that present in a traditional graphite anode. The porous structure and additives enhance the electrochemical performance of the hybrid anode by minimizing the Li–electrolyte interactions, forming a stable solid–electrolyte interface and Li4Zr3O8 passivation layer, and reducing the nucleation overpotential. Especially, the unique surface morphology, characterized by a negative curvature between sintered Cu particles, lowers the diffusion potential, which further reduces the nucleation overpotential. Additionally, the periodic mesh‐imprinted top surface, created via screen printing, promotes uniform Li plating. The results demonstrate that the cycling performance and energy density offered by the fabricated hybrid anode are superior to those of conventional graphite anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pressure-assisted sintering models involve numerous closely correlated parameters that depend on temperatures, porosity, and microstructure development. Consequently, the identification of the model parameters is relatively lengthy and requires experiments to extract the underlying creep behavior (pressure/temperature dependent), shear, bulk sintering moduli that are porosity-dependent, and grain growth. Knowing that certain sintering mechanisms are grain-size dependent, it is very difficult to assess the densification behavior for the case of ceramics. We have already developed a sinter-forging method to assess independently all parameters for ceramics. However, this method implies numerous interruption tests to measure the specimen diameter evolution, and the capillarity forces were neglected. In this study, an instrumented microwave sinter-forging prototype avoiding highly repetitive interruption tests has been developed to record the specimen diameter evolution of submicronic alumina powder samples. The new method includes the effect of the capillarity forces on the identification equations, making the model more realistic for submicronic ceramics. The resulting model was tested on a finite element code for validation and to explore its stability for complex shapes. [Display omitted] • Pressure assisted sintering model assessment. • Identification including the capillarity forces. • Instrumented porous stage method insensitive to grain growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under nonequilibrium conditions, inorganic systems can produce a wealth of life-like shapes and patterns which, compared to well-formed crystalline materials, remain widely unexplored. A seemingly simple example is the formation of salt deposits during the evaporation of sessile droplets. These evaporites show great variations in their specific patterns including single rings, creep, small crystals, fractals, and featureless disks. We have explored the patterns of 42 different salts at otherwise constant conditions. Based on 7,500 images, we show that distinct pattern families can be identified and that some salts (e.g., Na2SO4 and NH4NO3) are bifurcated creating two distinct motifs. Family affiliations cannot be predicted a priori from composition alone but rather emerge from the complex interplay of evaporation, crystallization, thermodynamics, capillarity, and fluid flow. Nonetheless, chemical composition can be predicted from the deposit pattern with surprisingly high accuracy even if the set of reference images is small. These findings suggest possible applications including smartphone-based analyses and lightweight tools for space missions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanics of capillary force in biological systems have critical roles in the formation of the intra- and inter-cellular structures, which may mediate the organization, morphogenesis, and homeostasis of biomolecular condensates. Current techniques may not allow direct and precise measurements of the capillary forces at the intra- and inter-cellular scales. By preserving liquid droplets at the liquid-liquid interface, we have discovered and studied ideal models, i.e., interfacial liquids and marbles, for understanding general capillary mechanics that existed in liquid-in-liquid systems, e.g., biomolecular condensates. The unexpectedly long coalescence time of the interfacial liquids revealed that the Stokes equation does not hold as the radius of the liquid bridge approaches zero, evidencing the existence of a third inertially limited viscous regime. Moreover, liquid transport from a liquid droplet to a liquid reservoir can be prohibited by coating the droplet surface with hydrophobic or amphiphilic particles, forming interfacial liquid marbles. Unique characteristics, including high stability, transparency, gas permeability, and self-assembly, are observed for the interfacial liquid marbles. Phase transition and separation induced by the formation of nanostructured materials can be directly observed within the interfacial liquid marbles without the need for surfactants and agitation, making them useful tools to research the interfacial mechanics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling two‐phase flow in unsaturated porous media is not only important to vadose zone hydrology but also of great value in diverse disciplines. Common approaches use a simplified relationship between fluid pressure difference and saturation, neglecting the influence of saturation change rates. However, many studies have suggested that the applicability of this approach is limited to situations where the rate of change in saturation is insignificant. Despite several studies highlighting the importance of non‐equilibrium capillarity effects in unsaturated flow modeling, its significance in the mechanical response of the porous medium remains unclear. This study thus aims to address this gap by comparing the simulation results of the traditional static approach and an advanced approach that incorporates dynamic capillarity effects. The comparison is conducted under various flow boundary conditions to assess the magnitude of the differences between the two approaches. The results indicate that as the hydraulic boundary conditions' absolute values increase, the contrast between the mechanical response of the two simulation scenarios (dynamic and static) becomes more significant. For instance, the dynamic model can predict shear strengths up to 50% higher than the static model. This highlights the importance of considering non‐equilibrium effects while modeling the mechanical behavior of an unsaturated porous medium. Finally, the parametric study of the effect of dynamic coefficient, air entry value, and saturated conductivity reveals the more pronounced effect of the dynamic coefficient on the mechanical response. Core Ideas: Hydro‐mechanical responses with and without considering dynamic capillarity are compared.Results are indicative of the significance of the effects of dynamic capillarity on hydro‐mechanical behavior.Results are more sensitive to dynamic capillarity coefficient than saturated conductivity and air entry value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, there has been growing interest in incorporating dietary fiber into yogurt products, driven by its potential to improve the texture, rheology, and stability of yogurt, as well as the associated health benefits. This study specifically focused on the utilization of enzymatically hydrolyzed cantaloupe rind powder, which was the product of the enzymatic hydrolysis of the raw cantaloupe rind powder using cellulase and xylanase enzymes to increase its soluble dietary fiber content. The resulting hydrolyzed cantaloupe rind powder (referred to as HCRP) was added to a probiotic yogurt recipe at varying ratios of 0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5% (w/w). Physicochemical, textural, and rheological properties, and syneresis of the control yogurt (without HCRP addition) and the HCRP-fortified yogurts at different addition ratios, were evaluated during a 15-day storage period at 4℃. Additionally, the color, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant property of the yogurts were assessed at the end of the storage period. The results demonstrated that the addition of HCRP increased the hardness, viscosity, elasticity, and stability of the yogurt compared to the control yogurt. Specifically, the addition of 1.5% HCRP to yogurt resulted in a 1.6, 6.0, 1.9, 1.7, and 1.5 times increase in hardness, adhesiveness, apparent viscosity, storage modulus, and loss modulus compared to the control yogurt on day 15 of the storage period, respectively. Meanwhile, the syneresis was reduced by approximately 3 times in the 1.5% HCRP-added yogurt (5.60%) compared to the control yogurt (17.41%). The TPC of the yogurt also increased with higher levels of HCRP addition, reaching approximately 1.5 times that of the control yogurt at a 1.5% addition level. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity, as determined by the DPPH assay, was not detected in the control yogurt but exhibited a significant increase with higher concentrations of HCRP. This study highlights the potential of enzymatically hydrolyzed cantaloupe rind powder as a functional ingredient to enhance the quality attributes of yogurt, including its textural, rheological properties, stability, phenolic content, and antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, photothermal interface water evaporation technology has shown great application prospects due to its advantages of sustainability and high efficiency. With the rapid development of this frontier field, a variety of photothermal materials have been developed and widely explored. Among them, polyphenol-based photothermal materials are drawing great attention in the development of high-performance interface evaporators with their advantages of being green, economical, versatile, and scalable, leading the next hotspot and frontier. Therefore there is an urgent need to update the wider scientific community on recent advances in this field. In this review, three distinct functions of polyphenols including adhesion, secondary reactivity and photothermal properties are first discussed, since these functions are vital for designing photothermal interface evaporation systems (PIES). Furthermore, structure–activity relationships and the unique advantages of polyphenols in constructing PIES are emphasized in this part. Subsequently, according to the main functions of polyphenols in PIES, the roles of polyphenols are introduced and categorized into four application forms: (a) as intermediate layers to introduce photothermal materials; (b) realizing hydrophilic modification in PIES; (c) as photothermal materials without substrates in PIES; (d) as photothermal coatings. Then some representative applications of polyphenols such as achieving confinement capillarity, designing complex 3D evaporators, and constructing multifunctional PIES are highlighted, which can further exhibit the distinct advantages of green polyphenol-based photothermal materials in improving the water evaporation performance. Finally, the challenges and opportunities for the future development of polyphenol-based interfacial water treatment for freshwater production are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protecting stone on facades or exterior art works from deterioration is primarily about protecting them from rainwater. Hydrophobic coatings are widely used for this purpose. Here, two factors affecting the long-term efficiency of some coatings applied on stones were investigated: the number of coating layers and the curing time after their application. Tests of water absorption by capillarity, absorption at total immersion in water, and a visual check of the penetration depth have been carried out. The coating's efficiency coefficient Cef was defined as the ratio of the maximum water absorption of a treated sample to an untreated one. Two commercial silicon-based coatings were applied on the highly porous Hořice sandstone alternatively. Curing times of 2 days vs. 2 weeks, and 2 coating layers vs. 3 layers were compared. The experiments showed that the coating's efficiency is affected more by the curing time than by the number of applied coating layers. The curing time of 2 days after coating's application is too short, but 2 weeks proved to be sufficient for both tested coatings. There was no big difference regarding the number of coating layers; two layers seem to be sufficient if a long rain-free curing time can be guaranteed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the Navier–Stokes–Korteweg equations governed by the evolution of compressible fluids with capillarity effects. We first investigate the global well-posedness of solution in the critical Besov space for large initial data. Contrary to pure parabolic methods in Charve et al. (Indiana Univ Math J 70:1903–1944, 2021), we also take the strong dispersion due to large capillarity coefficient κ into considerations. By establishing a dissipative–dispersive estimate, we are able to obtain uniform estimates and incompressible limits in terms of κ simultaneously. Secondly, we establish the large time behaviors of the solution. We would make full use of both parabolic mechanics and dispersive structure which implicates our decay results without limitations for upper bound of derivatives while requiring no smallness for initial assumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with a class of p(x)-Kirchhoff type problems involving the p(x)-Laplacian-like operators, arising from the capillarity phenomena, depending on two real parameters with Dirichlet boundary conditions. Using a topological degree for a class of demicontinuous operators of generalized (S+), we prove the existence of weak solutions of this problem. Our results extend and generalize several corresponding results from the existing literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By means of variational methods, we study the existence and multiplicity of nontrivial weak solutions for a nonlocal τ(m)-Laplacian-like problem, arising from a capillarity phenomenon, with logarithmic nonlinearity and without the Ambrosetti-Rabinwitz condition, in the setting of variable exponents of Sobolev spaces in compact Riemannian manifolds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of the MAX phase is most often conducted at high temperatures, and the synthesized mixture contains many contaminant phases that require removal. The discovery of efficient low-temperature methods for the synthesis of MAX phases and MXenes is the key to their mass application. This work reports a method for obtaining pure MAX-phase with composition of Cr 2 GaC using a microwave reactor without additional heating. Synthesis was performed under 2 torr vacuum in hydrogen and methane flows of 80 and 20 sccm, respectively. The power of the microwave generator was 500 W at a frequency of 4.5 GHz. The synthesis process consists of creating conditions for capillary interaction (contact angle much lower than 90°, tends to zero), dissolution of chromium substrate in liquid gallium and dissolution of carbon directly from the gas phase (H 2 –CH 4 plasma). The synthesized MAX phase does not contain any phase contaminations and has a thickness of several atomic layers and submicron lateral dimensions. Characterization of the phases was carried out using the transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic-force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy methods. Diffraction methods show high purity of Cr 2 GaC phase synthesized by this method, which can be a good precursor for MXenes production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel microfluidic mixer designed, fabricated, and characterized using additive manufacturing technology—stereolithography (SLA)—and harnessing capillarity principles achieved through microstructure patterning. Micromixers are integral components in optimizing mixing and reaction processes within microfluidic systems. The proposed microdevice employs a tank mixing method capable of blending two fluids. With a channel length of up to 6 mm, the process time is remarkably swift at 3 s, and the compact device measures 35 × 40 × 5 mm. The capillarity-driven working flow rates range from 1 μL/s to 37 μL/s, facilitated by channel dimensions varying between 400 μm and 850 μm. The total liquid volume within the device channels is 1652 mL (6176 μL including the supply tanks). The mix index, representing the homogeneity of the two fluids, is approximately 0.55 along the main channel. The manufacturing process, encompassing printing, isopropyl cleaning, and UV (ultraviolet) curing, is completed within 90 min. This microfluidic mixer showcases efficient mixing capabilities, rapid processing, and a compact design, marking it as a promising advancement in microfluidic technology. The new microfluidic mixer is a major step forward in microfluidic technology, providing a cost-effective and flexible solution for various uses. Its compatibility with SLA additive manufacturing allows for quick prototyping and design improvements, making it valuable for research and practical applications in chemistry, biology, and diagnostics. This study highlights the importance of combining advanced manufacturing techniques with basic fluid dynamics to create effective and easy-to-use microfluidic solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to transfer microdroplets between fluid phases offers numerous advantages in various fields. This study focuses on the stability and morphology of a sessile oil microdropletduring the transfer from underwater to air. A distinct transition in microdroplet dynamics is observed, characterized by a shift from a scenario dominated by Marangoni forces to one dominated by capillary forces. In the former regime, the oil microdroplets spread in response to the contact between the water‐air interface and the water‐oil interface. The spreading distance follows a power law relationship of t3/4, reflecting the balance between Marangoni forces and viscous forces. On the other hand, in the capillarity‐dominated regime, the oil microdroplets remain stable at the contact line and after being transferred into the air. The crossover between these two regimes is identified in the parameter space defined by three factors: the approaching velocity of the solid‐water‐air contact line (vcl), the radius of the oil microdroplet (ro), and the radius of the water drop (rw). Furthermore, how to use the four‐phase contact line for shaping oil microdroplets is demonstrated using a full liquid process by the contact line lithography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The possible beneficial effects of physical activity during doxorubicin treatment of breast cancer need further investigation as many of the existing studies have been done on non-tumor-bearing models. Therefore, in this study, we aim to assess whether short-term voluntary wheel-running exercise during doxorubicin treatment of breast cancer-bearing mice could induce beneficial cardiac effects and enhance chemotherapy efficacy. Methods: Murine breast cancer I3TC cells were inoculated subcutaneously to the flank of female FVB mice (n = 16) that were divided into exercised and nonexercised groups. Two weeks later, doxorubicin treatment was started via intraperitoneal administration (5 mg/kg weekly for 3 weeks). Organs were harvested a day after the last dose. Results: The tumor volume over time was significantly different between the groups, with the exercising group having lower tumor volumes. The exercised group had increased body weight gain, tumor apoptosis, capillaries per cardiomyocytes, and cardiac lactate dehydrogenase activity compared to the unexercised group, but tumor blood vessel density and maturation and tumor and cardiac HIF1-a and VEGF-A levels did not differ from those of the nonexercised group. Discussion: We conclude that even short-term light exercise such as voluntary wheel running exercise can decrease the subcutaneous mammary tumor growth, possibly via increased tumor apoptosis. The increase in cardiac capillaries per cardiomyocytes may also have positive effects on cancer treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase of water content in tailings is the key cause of various diseases. In order to study the microscopical mechanism of tailings capillary water transport, an online monitoring capillary water rise test system was developed by itself, which mainly includes distortionless high definition digital microscope, 3-D mobile microscopic observation frame, CAMERA/VIEW PLAY CAP wireless acquisition system and computer. The system is used to carry out the dynamic real-time observation experiment of the capillary water rising process of tailings, analyze the movement trajectory and migration characteristics of the capillary water, and clarify the evolution law of the unsaturated tailings micro-structure under the hydraulic path. The results show that: There is a power exponential relationship between the rising height of capillary water and time, and the rising process can be divided into pure inertia stage, viscosity-inertia stage and pure viscosity stage. Capillary absorption is a process of non-uniform water absorption, the water content of the capillary zone decreases with the increase of the height, and its relationship curve shows an inverse “S” shape, the water content varies from 4.15% to 21.3%. Capillary water migration is a dynamic process in both vertical and lateral directions and the most obvious change in the microscopic structure of tailings is the occurrence of water in pores, with the change of the saturation from low to high, the occurrence shows the shape of pendulum, ring cord, capillary and serous liquid bridge. The capillarity of tailings follows the order of macropores, mesopores and micropores to absorb water, most of which occurs in mesopores, the mechanism of ‘in the macropores and mesopores, capillary water increased preferentially’ in tailings granular materials is proposed. The research results revealed the internal correlation mechanism of macro and micro capillary mechanics of tailings, clarified the evolution model of the micro-structure of tailings during the rise of capillary water, and further clarified the reasons for the macroscopic damage phenomenon of granular materials caused by the development process of tailings particle drying to humidification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consider a system of two parallel solid cylinders of equal radius made of a homogeneous material. We study the stability of a liquid bridge of circular cylinder shape between both solid cylinders. It is proved that if the circular cylinder liquid is concave, then it is stable. If the circular cylinder liquid is convex, we establish conditions on the radius of the cylinder liquid and the contact angle that ensure that long convex circular cylinders are not stable. Estimates for the length of these convex cylinders are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]