In this study, we have investigated the effect of planar defect on thermal and electron transport as compared to point defect in the rutile TiO 2Àx . Two series of bulk TiO 2Àx (2Àx = 2.000, 1.992, 1.985, 1.972, and 1.934) samples were prepared using different heat-treatment procedures to clearly identify the presence of point and planar defects via powder X-ray diffraction. The charge carrier density and mobility were determined from the Hall effect measurements using the van der Pauw method. The elastic properties of the studied materials such as bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus, compressibility, and Debye temperature were evaluated from the measured sound velocities, while their thermal conductivities were determined from the thermal diffusivities, heat capacities, and densities measured in the temperature range between 300 and 1073 K. The theoretical calculation based on Klemens-Callaway model has been performed to analyze the thermal conductivity. As a result, the effect of planar defects on the carrier mobility was almost equivalent to the effect produced by point defects. On the other hand, the presence of planar defects significantly reduced the thermal conductivity of TiO 2Àx as compared to point defect due to strong phonon scattering induced by planar defects.

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The present paper investigated the effect of ultrasonic vibrations on the melting process of a phase-change material (PCM). Furthermore, the present study considered constant heat flux boundary conditions unlike many of the previous researches adopted constant wall temperature conditions. Therefore, in the present study, modified dimensionless parameters such as Ste" and Ra * were used. Also, general relationships between melting with ultrasonic vibrations and melting without ultrasonic vibrations were established during the melting of PCM. Experimental observations show that the effect of ultrasonic vibrations on heat transfer is very important throughout the melting process. The results of the present study reveal that ultrasonic vibrations accompany the effects like agitation, acoustic streaming, cavitation, and oscillating fluid motion. Such effects are a prime mechanism in the overall melting process when ultrasonic vibrations are applied. They enhance the melting process as much as 2.5 times, compared with the result of natural melting. Also, energy can be saved by applying ultrasonic vibrations to the natural melting. In addition, various time-wise dimensionless numbers provide conclusive evidence of the important role of ultrasonic vibrations on the melting phenomena.

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