Traditionally, attic space in buildings is perceived as a source of nuisance where the moisture condensation occurs in winter encourages mildew growth, and heat build up in the attic space in summer increases the cooling load. However, if the attic is integrated in a holistic design and control strategy, it can function as a solar collector, a heat exchanger, and a desiccant!. This research inv...

Background and Objectives: Kefiran (Kef) is a water-soluble polysaccharide that can form transparent film however, it is brittle. Therefore, in order to improve the mechanical properties of kefiran film, a mixture with other polymers can be offered. The expansion of mixed systems can propose kefiran and polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) as a new composite film. Materials and Methods: Solutions of 20 gr...

Cap layers for Cu interconnects in ultra-large-scale integrated devices (ULSIs), with a low dielectric constant (k-value) and strong barrier properties against Cu and moisture diffusion, are required for the future further scaling of ULSIs. There is a trade-off, however, between reducing the k-value and maintaining strong barrier properties. Using quantum mechanical simulations and other theore...

Understanding the mode of transport of water vapor through the film is important for improving the moisture barrier properties of wheat gluten (WG) films. Effective permeability (Peff), solubility (Seff), and diffusion (Deff) coefficients of a hydrophilic cast WG film were determined at 25°C within the relative humidity (RH) range of 0–84% (with a 9–13% RH gradient between upstream and downstre...

This research effort studied two similarly built homes in two different geographic locations in an attempt to demonstrate the affect that climatic conditions have on the selection and installation of appropriate vapor diffusion retarders to control moisture transport in woodframed structures. Much misinformation and suppositions exist regarding which vapor diffusion retarder to use, where to pl...

In the current research, diffusion controlled transdermal matrix patches of Lornoxicam, an anti-inflammatory drug was developed by solvent casting method using hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers in different ratios tween-80 span-80 as permeation enhancers. Formulated were characterized for physicochemical parameters terms moisture loss, content, film thickness strength, uptake loss moisture, ...

The moisture absorption behavior and the influence of moisture on thermal and mechanical properties of glass–fiber/polyetherimide (PEI) laminates have been investigated. The laminates were exposed to hydrothermal aging at two different temperatures and high moisture rates. The properties of as-received and hydrothermally aged samples were compared. The hydrothermally aged laminates contained a ...

When comparing measurements to numerical simulations of moisture transfer through porous materials a rush of the experimental moisture front is commonly observed in several works shown in the literature, with transient models that consider only the diffusion process. Thus, to overcome the discrepancies between the experimental and the numerical models, this paper proposes to include the moistur...

Measurement of water content in expansive soil using a neutron moisture meter is strongly influenced by the moisture reactive property of this type of soil. It is particularly difficult to calibrate a neutron moisture meter when the dry density changes and the soil cracks during drying. This numerical study models the neutron probe measurement of soil moisture, based on a 7-group diffusion theo...

Moisture in building structures influences physical properties of materials and can cause their degradation. Apart from several exceptions, building materials are hardly ever dry. They always contain some moisture occurring in the solid, liquid or gaseous state. Moisture is a very variable quality with different effects on thermal and technical properties [4]. To express an anticipated negative...