Inverse Design of Micro Phononic Beams Incorporating Size Effects via Tandem Neural Network.

Phononic crystals of the smaller scale show a promising future in the field of vibration and sound reduction owing to their capability of accurate manipulation of elastic waves arising from size-dependent band gaps. However, manipulating band gaps is still a major challenge for existing design approaches. In order to obtain the microcomposites with desired band gaps, a data drive approach is proposed in this study.

Simulation and Experimental Investigation of the Vacuum-Enhanced Direct Membrane Distillation Driven by a Low-Grade Heat Source.

Vacuum-enhanced direct contact membrane distillation (VEDCMD) has been proven experimentally to improve the permeate flux, compared with direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). However, the theoretical mechanism for its transmembrane transfer process has not been revealed sufficiently. In this paper, with full consideration of the different driving forces of diffusion and Poiseuille flow under the vacuum enhancing condition, a theoretical transmembrane model for mass and heat transfer in VEDCMD is proposed.

A Novel Ocean Thermal Energy Driven System for Sustainable Power and Fresh Water Supply.

The ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) is a potential substitute for traditional power plants in tropical islands and coastal regions. However, the OTEC power generation cycle has low thermal efficiency and the integrated utilization is imperative, in which an OTEC coupled with seawater desalination is the most attractive option. Membrane distillation (MD) has distinct advantages making itself a competitive process for seawater desalination, especially the feature that the drained warm seawater from the OTEC power plant can be recycled, improving the integrated output of the OTEC system.