Microstructure Enhances the Local Electric Field and Promotes Water Freezing

Abstract

Ice-energy storage technology (IEST) can effectively improve the energy utilization rate and thus reduce carbon emissions, which is valuable and significant for achieving peak carbon dioxide emission and carbon neutrality. However, how to produce a large amount of ice with high efficiency and low energy consumption is the main bottleneck restricting the promotion of IEST. In this paper, poly­(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) substrates with different microstructures were prepared to investigate water freezing in an electrostatic field. The results show that the nucleation temperature of water is raised with the EF. Furthermore, at an EF of 10 kV/cm, a micro-triangular-prism substrate has the best effect on promoting nucleation. Moreover, the energy consumption during the freezing process is effectively reduced by a combination of applying EF and substrate modification. This work sheds new light on the design of IEST and has potential utilization in food cryopreservation.

Virtual Special Issue on Chemical Engineering under Extreme Conditions

“…To accompany our latest additions, we have curated a list of past publications within the scope of chemical engineering under extreme conditions. These manuscripts address topics such as how to conduct thermogravimetric measurements at temperatures found close to the surface of the sun, synthesizing tetramine at extreme temperatures and pressures, extreme thermophilic fermentation, dissolution of calcite at 1450 bar, kinetic analysis of disinfectants in supercritical water, antiwear films for steel coatings under extreme temperatures and pressures, plasma treatment of cotton nonwovens, extreme shearing for cheese production, extreme liquid natural gas pool fires, freeze-resistant smart windows, storage stability of emulsion under extreme conditions, oil spill remediation under extreme aquatic conditions (pH and salinity), fermentation of microalgae under extreme alkaline conditions, metal–organic framework (MOF) clothing for chemical warfare protection, microstructures to enhance freezing under electric fields, thermally stable electrolytes, and electromagnetic shielding materials under harsh weathering conditions …”