Experimental study on energy dissipation of electrolytes in nanopores.

When a nonwetting fluid is forced to infiltrate a hydrophobic nanoporous solid, the external mechanical work is partially dissipated into thermal energy and partially converted to the liquid-solid interface energy to increase its enthalpy, resulting in a system with a superior energy absorption performance. To clarify the energy dissipation and conversion mechanisms, experimental infiltration and defiltration tests of liquid/ion solutions into nanopores of a hydrophobic ZSM-5 zeolite were conducted. The characteristics of energy dissipation were quantified by measuring the temperature variation of the immersed liquid environment and compared against that estimated from pressure-infiltration volume isotherms during infiltration and defiltration stages of the test.

Spinning Drop Tensiometry Using a Square Section Sample Tube.

When measuring interfacial tensions, conventional spinning drop tensiometry requires knowledge of the index of refraction of the denser, outer fluid phase, in order to correct for the magnification of the inner, spinning drop. We have modified a spinning drop tensiometer to accommodate a square section sample tube, which does not require this correction. Tests performed using calibration rods are used to demonstrate this fact.