Nanofluids", a colloidal mixture consisting of nano-sized particles dispersed in a fluid medium with amended thermo-physical properties play a critical role in the heat transfer performance of a thermal system. Surface tension is the surface energy per unit area or the force per unit length dominates the transportation of the liquid and shows a significant role in heat transfer. However, a few numbers of studies demonstrated about the effect of surface tension of nanofluids. Thus, the present experimental study investigates the effect of nanoparticles concentration as well as the influence of variation of nanoparticles along with their sizes. The nanofluids are prepared by dispersing Al 2 O 3 (13nm and 50 nm),TiO 2 (21nm) and SiO 2 (5~15nm and 10~20nm) nanoparticles in Distilled Water (DW).The traditional Du-Noüy ring method was used to measure the value of the surface tension of nanofluids by an automatic surface tensiometer (DCAT 11EC). The results show that the surface tension of the nanofluids increases with increase in concentration and nanoparticle sizes. Besides,TiO 2 -DW nanofluids exhibit higher surface tension than Al 2 O 3 -DW and SiO 2 -DW nanofluids respectively. All in all, the results indicate surface tension of the nanofluids enhances from 2.62 % to 4.82% in comparison with the base fluids for concentration variation of 0.05 Vol % to 0.25 Vol % at 25 °C.

To meet the challenges of ubiquitous computing, ambient technologies and an increasingly older population, researchers have been trying to break away from traditional modes of interaction. A history of studies over the past 30 years reported in this paper suggests that Gesture Controlled User Interfaces (GCUI) now provide realistic and affordable opportunities, which may be appropriate for older and disabled people. We have developed a GCUI prototype application, called Open Gesture, to help users carry out everyday activities such as making phone calls, controlling their television and performing mathematical calculations. Open Gesture uses simple hand gestures to perform a diverse range of tasks via a television interface. This paper describes Open Gesture and reports its usability evaluation. We conclude that this inclusive technology offers some potential to improve the independence and quality of life of older and disabled users along with general users, although there remain significant challenges to be overcome

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In carbon storage activities, and in shale oil and gas extraction (SOGE) with carbon dioxide (CO2) as stimulation fluid, CO2 comes into contact with shale rock and its pore fluid. As a reactive fluid, the injected CO2 displays a large potential to modify the shale’s chemical, physical, and mechanical properties, which need to be well studied and documented. The state of the art on shale–CO2 interactions published in several review articles does not exhaust all aspects of these interactions, such as changes in the mechanical, petrophysical, or petrochemical properties of shales. This review paper presents a characterization of shale rocks and reviews their possible interaction mechanisms with different phases of CO2. The effects of these interactions on petrophysical, chemical and mechanical properties are highlighted. In addition, a novel experimental approach is presented, developed and used by our team to investigate mechanical properties by exposing shale to different saturation fluids under controlled temperatures and pressures, without modifying the test exposure conditions prior to mechanical and acoustic measurements. This paper also underlines the major knowledge gaps that need to be filled in order to improve the safety and efficiency of SOGE and CO2 storage.

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A glasshouse–pot trial using four levels of soil moisture (>100%, 90%, 75%, and 60% field capacity) and three levels of salinity (1.0 dSm–1, 3.5 dSm–1, and 6.0 dSm–1) was done to evaluate Na+, K+, and Cl− accumulation capacity and the physiological responses (net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, quantum efficiency of PSII, and non‐photochemical quenching) in Melilotus siculus, Tecticornia pergranulata, Cynodon dactylon , and Thinopyrum ponticum. Results reveal that the combined effects of soil water and salinity had a significant effect on Na+ and Cl− accumulation and not on that of K+. Concentrations of Na+ and Cl− and non‐photochemical quenching increased significantly whereas, the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (gs), and intercellular CO2 concentration decreased significantly in the tested plants, because of salinity. Salinity had no significant effect on the maximum quantum yield and relative water contents in shoots. Soil moisture had a significant effect on Na+, K+, and Cl− accumulation and the physiological responses in tested plants. T. pregranulata accumulated the highest concentrations of Na+ and Cl− and had the lowest Pn. C. dactylon accumulated the lowest concentrations of Na+ and Cl−, whereas Pn was the highest. No strong positive correlation between Pn and gs was evident in tested plants. We indicate that the reduced physiological performance was because of non‐stomatal activities. Na+ and Cl− accumulation capacity in the tested plants was in the following order: T. pergranulata>M. siculus>T. ponticum>C. dactylon. C. dactylon, a C4 plant, accumulated lower salt ions than the other three C3 plants. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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