8251 research outputs found
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Integration of direct air capture with Allam cycle: innovative pathway in negative emission technologies
No full textThis is an author's accepted manuscript of an article published by Elsevier on 22/03/2025, available online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2025.119746
The accepted manuscript may differ from the final published version.The advancement of negative emission technologies (NETs) is crucial for addressing climate change by reducing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. This study presents a comprehensive evaluation of a High Temperature Direct Air Capture (HT-DAC) system integrated with a supercritical CO₂ (S-CO₂) cycle, representing a significant advancement in carbon capture, energy optimization, and NET systems. Given to significant energy demands of HT-DAC, the primary objective of this research is to address the process's energy intensity by focusing on the development of a more efficient power island. Specifically, this study investigates the energy demands of the Air Separation Unit (ASU) to minimize energy consumption and improve the overall efficiency of the Allam cycle when coupled with the ASU. Additionally, the study examines the thermal integration of the system using pinch analysis to assess the impact of this innovative power island on energy efficiency. Key results indicate that the proposed system is capable of capturing 0.99 million tons of CO₂ per year directly from the air, achieving a capture efficiency of 75 %. The specific energy requirement for the process is initially 3.19 kWh per kg of captured CO₂, which is reduced to 2.21 kWh/kgCO₂ following process optimization and heat integration. Through this optimization, hot and cold utility demands are reduced by 69.7 % and 36.9 %, respectively, while 110.1 MW of heat is recovered through the design of heat exchangers network, resulting in an 9.66 % reduction in overall energy demand compared to the base case. Furthermore, the integration of captured and regenerated CO₂ (135.1 tons per hour with a purity of 98.1 mol%) offers substantial potential for synthetic fuel production and underground storage.Published versio
Information adequacy, preparedness and stress in extreme climate event: Before and after a cyclone
Full text link© 2026 The Authors. Published by World Research Association. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence.
The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.25303/194da010019Disaster preparedness is the most crucial element of minimizing loss and ensuring post-disaster recovery. This study investigates how the extent of information availability shapes risk perception and public response to extreme climate event such as cyclone, examining its influence on preparedness, stress and panic buying, moderated by demographic factors. A mixed-method survey collected data in a cyclone-affected region. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected at two points: a large-scale pre-event sample (N=571) two days prior to landfall and a post-event follow-up (N=62).
Findings suggest that people with very less or complete information, have rational responses to preparedness. However, the preparedness, stress, concern and panic buying are not completely rational under partial information availability. Secondly, these measures increase as the event approaches closure, indicating temporal shift. Qualitative data analysis suggests a temporal shift: focus moves from short-term survival pre-event to long-term resilience post-event. Therefore, the information reach and extent should be improved in an extreme climate event. This study makes a novel methodological contribution through its real-time, longitudinal assessment of a disaster. Its central theoretical argument identifies partial information, rather than mere scarcity, as a primary catalyst for public irrationality, providing critical insights for emergency management and crisis communication
Geometry driven fluid dynamics and cytocompatibility of 3D printed TPMS bone scaffolds
No full text© 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence.
The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.medntd.2026.100436Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) can mimic the complex architecture of trabecular bone while facilitating controlled fluid transport and cellular colonisation. This study integrates computational fluid dynamics (CFD), laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF), and in vitro cell assays to evaluate the structure-function relationship of four Ti6Al4V TPMS scaffolds informed by Schwartz Primitive (SSC), Lidinoid (LSC), Gyroid (GSC), and Diamond (DSC) featuring 60% porosity. CFD simulations at inlet velocities ranging from 0.001 to 0.01 m/s revealed architecture-specific permeability ranging from 1.89 × 10−9 m2 (DSC) to 4.29 × 10−9 m2 (SSC) at low flow rates, with a consistent inverse relationship between flow velocity and permeability (R2 > 0.99). Mid-plane velocity fields highlighted scaffold-specific vortex formations and nutrient mixing dynamics, with SSC exhibiting pronounced swirling zones, promoting fluid homogenisation. In vitro cytocompatibility assessed via MTT assay on U-2OS osteosarcoma cells showed >85% viability across all geometries after 24 h and >88% after 7 days, with the LSC scaffold exhibiting the most consistent viability (101.8 ± 7.7%) and SSC showing significant improvement over time (87.2 ± 3.3% to 121.4 ± 6.2%, p < 0.015). Immunofluorescence imaging confirmed cell attachment across all architectures, with GSC and DSC supporting uniform cytoskeletal spreading and enhanced cell-pore integration. Degradation studies in PBS at 37 °C showed that DSC scaffolds underwent the highest mass loss (4.42% at day 7), correlating with their larger surface area, while pH monitoring suggested early ion release followed by buffering over time. These results demonstrate that scaffold topology significantly impacts permeability, degradation, and biological performance with SSC and GSC emerging as promising 3D printed microenvironments.Published versio
A qualitative exploration of UK students’ awareness and perceptions of cyber dating abuse
No full textThis is an author's accepted manuscript of an article published by Springer Publishing Company on [date TBC], available online: [link TBC].
The accepted manuscript may differ from the final published version.Cyber dating abuse is a form of intimate partner violence involving the use of digital technologies to monitor, harass, or control a romantic partner. Although awareness of cyber dating abuse has increased, less is known about how young adults in the United Kingdom (UK) perceive and make sense of these behaviours within romantic relationships. The present study explored UK university students’ perceptions and understandings of cyber dating abuse. Semi structured interviews were conducted with eight students aged 18 to 25, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Five superordinate themes were identified: awareness of cyber dating abuse, the facilitating role of technology and the online world, perceived risk factors for victimisation and perpetration, the perceived impact of cyber dating abuse, and increasing awareness, prevention, and support. Participants described behaviours such as monitoring, coercion, and online humiliation but often struggled to define cyber dating abuse explicitly, frequently comparing it to offline forms of abuse. Technology was perceived as both enabling connection and intensifying harm, particularly due to its accessibility and availability. Participants also identified relational insecurity and individual differences as factors which they believed contributed to abusive dynamics and highlighted the emotional and psychological impact of cyber dating abuse on victims. These findings provide preliminary qualitative insight into how cyber dating abuse is understood by young adults within a specific student context in the UK. The study highlights ambiguity in recognition and the central role of digital environments in shaping perceptions of abuse, highlighting the need for further research examining cyber dating abuse within broader social, relational, and cultural frameworks
Should we use fat-free mass or body mass and percentage body fat as separate predictors to predict maximum oxygen uptake?
Full text link© 2026 The Authors. Published by BMJ Publishing Group. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence.
The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjsem-2025-003029Background/objective To assess whether fat-free mass (FFM) or body mass (M) is the more appropriate body size variable to predict maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max, L⋅min−1).
Methods Data (3930 cardiopulmonary exercise tests) were provided from the FRIEND registry. Our prediction equations adopted the well-known allometric/power function model VO2max (L⋅min−1)=a·Xb, using either FFM or M as the predictor variable (X). These models can be linearised with a log-transformation, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) can then be used to estimate the unknown parameters.
Results Initially, when predicting Ln(VO2max) using only Ln(FFM) adjusted for age and sex, the explained variance was R2=0.718 (Akaike information criterion (AIC)=−1882.5), with the FFM exponent b=0.658. However, when predicting Ln(VO2max) using M AND bodyfat% separately, the explained variance increased to R2=0.733 (AIC=−2077.4), with the M exponent b=0.636. The difference in R2 and AICs confirmed the benefit of predicting VO2max using separate M and bodyfat% terms. The analysis identified an enlarged negative bodyfat% term that improved the prediction of VO2max, explained latterly by central adiposity (waist circumference). These final, more inclusive M and FFM exponents were estimated to be b=0.67, suggesting that VO2max should be normalised using VO2max (mL·FFM−2/3·min−1) or preferably VO2max (mL·M−2/3·min−1) rather than VO2max (mL·FFM−1·min−1). We also found that linear prediction models systematically under-estimate the VO2max of overweight and underweight individuals, but over-estimate the VO2max of average-weight individuals.
Conclusion Incorporating FFM into equations to predict VO2max fails to explain the negative effect of central adiposity. However, by incorporating M and percentage body fat (BF%) separately into the allometric models, a greater/enlarged negative BF% term explains this apparent omission/absence.Published versio
Technoeconomic analysis and life cycle assessment of the sorption-enhanced chemical looping gasification of waste bagasse biomass to produce hydrogen and transportation fuels
No full textThis is an author's accepted manuscript of an article published by Elsevier on 05/03/2026, available online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2026.125486
The accepted manuscript may differ from the final published version.Sorption-enhanced chemical looping gasification (SECLG) offers an effective solution for in-situ carbon capture, reduced nitrogen dilution, and low tar concentration in the syngas, thereby significantly reducing economic costs in biomass gasification. In this work, we evaluate the techno-economic performance and life-cycle environmental impacts of SECLG to produce hydrogen and petroleum from waste bagasse biomass. Here, ilmenite-supported nickel oxide and calcium oxide are used to facilitate lattice oxygen transfer and CO2-capture. The results indicate competitive capital investments of US58.3 million for the hydrogen and petroleum plants, respectively. It is worth noting that levelized costs of hydrogen and petroleum, at US0.56/L, were essential in delivering these estimates. According to a sensitivity analysis, the oxygen carrier and sorbent have a less significant impact on overall profitability of the plants. Regarding the LCA, sulfur and CO2, amounting to 0.009 kg and 91 kg, respectively, were identified as major concerns while associated human health outcomes and non-renewable energy consumption impacts per unit of hydrogen and petroleum produced remained low. These findings highlight the tremendous potential of SECLG to offer a robust, low-carbon, and economically viable route for waste bagasse valorization into hydrogen and liquid fuels.The authors would like to acknowledge the funding from the Global Excellence and Stature (GES) 4.0 scholarship of the University of Johannesburg. The corresponding author also wishes to thank the National Research Foundation of South Africa and the University of Wolverhampton for the FSE Visiting Research Scholar Grant (2023–2024) and for supporting this collaboration.Accepted versio
Nature-aligned engineering (NAE) in coastal infrastructure development: A systematic review
No full textThis is an accepted manuscript of an article due to be published by Muncipal Engineers of the City of New York in Municipal Engineers Journal on [dd/mm/yyyy], available online: [link to online copy tbc]
The accepted version of the publication may differ from the final published version.Coastal cities and ports are deeply interconnected with surrounding natural ecosystems, which pose both unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to infrastructure development, such as roads and railways, ports, energy systems, housing, water supply, drainage systems and marine structures. With increasing loss of biodiversity and growing impacts of climate change in coastal regions, the engineering community must adopt a more holistic and nature-aligned (sustainable, adaptive and ecologically conscious) approach when developing coastal infrastructure. This study provides a global systematic review of the current state of knowledge and application of Nature-Aligned Engineering (NAE) methods in coastal infrastructure development. The study aims to advance the understanding of NAE methods and the associated barriers, enablers, and opportunities for integrating NAE methods within coastal infrastructure development frameworks. A systematic review approach was adopted to ensure comprehensive coverage of existing literature. Three databases were selected for the review process: Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The latter was chosen to facilitate access to policy documents and technical reports. The review revealed that integration of NAE methods into coastal infrastructure development hinges on implementation of five strategic actions: skills development and knowledge enhancement, targeted research for data and evidence, policy support, standardization of methodologies for design, implementation and monitoring of NAE based infrastructure, and cross-sector collaboration that encourages coordination between engineers, ecologists, urban planners and community leaders. These actions will ensure that the NAE methods not only achieve technical feasibility but also environmental sustainability, social acceptance and economic viability.This study was funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation (https://www.lrfoundation.org.uk/), project number sg10-100097 under small grants scheme
Behaviour of 3D printed Al7075 square hollow sections in compression
Full text link© 2026 The Authors. Published by SAGE. This is an open access article available under a Creative Commons licence.
The published version can be accessed at the following link on the publisher’s website: https://doi.org/10.1002/cepa.70243High strength Aluminium alloys feature low densities, high strength‐to‐stiffness ratio, large ductility range and high fracture toughness, all attractive features for applications in industries such as automotive, aerospace and construction. To date, little attention has been given to the performance of 3D‐printed high strength Aluminium alloys such as Al7075 due to the inherent challenges in the additive manufacturing process. In this context, the present study reports material (tensile) and stub column (compression) tests on additively manufactured (AM) Al7075 square hollow sections (SHS). Both material and SHS samples were manufactured by Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), a laser powder‐bed fusion (L‐PBF) sub‐technology that uses metal powder as feedstock and a laser to fuse the feedstock layer by layer. Three newly develop set of process parameters that had successfully led to crack free medium sized samples were employed in this study. The effect of post processing treatments on the mechanical properties of printed Al7075 samples is investigated through the application of two heat treatments and a Hot Isostatics Pressing (HIP) treatment. A total of 33 material samples were manufactured and tested in tension, 6 of which in their as built condition and 27 subject to the above post processing treatments. The tensile test results showed that the Al7075 samples manufactured using the new set of parameters used is unable to produce specimens which can then develop their full tensile resistance. Nine square hollow tubes were subsequently manufactured utilising a selected heat treatment and tested in compression. All tubes successfully develop good compression performance and primarily exhibit failure due to local buckling, which led to the formation of a yield‐line‐like pattern of cracks, ultimately resulting in the specimens' failure.This research was funded by the Royal Society Research grants under agreement RSG/R2/222144 awarded to the last author. The first author is grateful to the Ministry of Higher Education of the Libyan Government for their financial contribution.Published versio
A study on the indoor environment quality: its impact on occupants’ productivity of university library (Wolverhampton University libraries as an example)
Full text linkThesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy of the University of Wolverhampton.Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) determines occupant comfort, health, and productivity within built environments. As essential academic spaces, university libraries enhance student learning, research, and overall academic performance. While previous studies have primarily examined the health and comfort aspects of IEQ, there has been limited research on its direct impact on occupant productivity, especially in university libraries. This study examines the relationship between IEQ factors, including air quality, thermal comfort, visual comfort, and acoustics comfort, and productivity in university library settings. A mixed-methods research approach will be employed, combining quantitative assessments through environmental monitoring and occupant surveys with qualitative insights from interviews and focus group discussions. Data will be analysed using statistical tools to identify correlations between IEQ parameters and productivity levels. Additionally, the findings will be compared against international comfort and environmental standards to pinpoint gaps and areas for improvement. This research will provide empirical evidence on how IEQ influences productivity in university libraries, offering valuable insights for facility managers, architects, and higher education policymakers. The outcomes of this study will inform strategies to optimise library environments, enhance academic experiences, and ensure sustainable, high-performance learning spaces.Libyan Embassy Cultural Attaché-Londo
Practices in assessing fatigue and performance over matches in combat sports: a brief review
No full textThis is an author's accepted manuscript of an article published by Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins on [date TBC], available online: [link TBC].
The accepted manuscript may differ from the final published version.Combat sport athletes frequently compete in multiple high-intensity matches within a single day, leading to progressive acute fatigue that compromises neuromuscular and physiological performance. This review aims to describe the methodological approaches used to assess fatigue and performance during simulated and official combat sport competitions. Simulated match protocols, predominantly applied in grappling disciplines, such as judo, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, enable greater experimental control and facilitate comprehensive physiological and performance monitoring, including physiological markers (e.g. heart rate, blood lactate concentration, cortisol, etc.) and strength and power performance. Conversely, assessments conducted during official competitions are limited by logistical constraints and typically rely on non-invasive or rapid measures, such as handgrip strength, jump tests, heart rate, and subjective ratings. The evidence indicates that simulated environments allow for a broader and more complex range of measurements, while official contexts provide higher ecological validity but reduced methodological control. A synthesis of the literature highlights the importance of selecting assessment strategies according to research goals and competitive context. These perspectives contribute to optimizing training monitoring and fatigue management strategies in combat sports, supporting the integration of reliable physiological and subjective indicators into both experimental and applied performance settings