Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2025
13:27
Exploring the Effects of Atmospheric Forcings on Evaporation: Experimental Integration of the Atmospheric Boundary Layer and Shallow Subsurface
Published on: June 8, 2015
8.8K
Engineering High-Tortuosity 3D Gradient Structure and CFD-Assisted Multifield Analysis for Solar Interfacial
Guanru Zhao1,2,3, Xing Sun4, Gangwen Fu1
1Frontiers Science Center for Flexible Electronics, Institute of Flexible Electronics, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, 710072, P. R. China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|September 28, 2023
Summary
This study introduces a novel 3D solar evaporator with gradient porosity. This design significantly enhances water evaporation efficiency for desalination by optimizing heat and mass transfer.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Solar interfacial evaporation offers a sustainable solution for global freshwater scarcity.
- While 2D evaporators localize heat, 3D evaporators enhance energy reuse and mass transport.
- The impact of gradient porosity on 3D solar evaporator performance remains underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of gradient porosity in 3D solar evaporators on evaporation performance.
- To propose a multifield assisted strategy for efficient solar evaporation using a gradient 3D structure.
- To optimize internal pressure fields and thermal management for enhanced water transport and evaporation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a hierarchically nanostructured solar absorber with gradient porosity and high tortuosity.
- Utilizing a multifield assisted strategy to create optimal thermal and pressure fields.
- Employing simulation parameters to optimize structural dimensions for enhanced evaporation.
Main Results:
- The proposed gradient 3D structure achieved high sunlight absorption and efficient photothermal conversion.
- The porosity inhomogeneity induced a pressure gradient, enhancing water evaporation and transport.
- Achieved a record evaporation efficiency of 165.7%, surpassing existing evaporators.
Conclusions:
- The gradient 3D structure with optimized temperature management and pressure gradients is a valuable design for efficient 3D solar evaporators.
- This approach offers a promising strategy for seawater desalination.
- Provides new insights for mass transfer and thermal management in solar evaporation systems.
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