-Compact solar storage systems depend upon identification of systems which can store energy as chemical potential. Simple, noncorrosive, systems that operate at reasonably low temperatures are rare. The use of the heat of adsorption of moisture on zeolite molecular sieves is discussed here. The advantages of zeolites are high heats of adsorption (as much as 80kJ mol-~), large maximum adsorption...

There is a continual drive to conserve water and improve irrigation efficiency in agriculture, especially in regions where water resources are limited and regulated. Mulching is one cultural practice which can be used to reduce water needs. Using certain agricultural byproducts as mulch is a sustainable practice which can provide other benefits as well such as improving soil. Wheat straw, grass...

The dielectric properties of plastic resins can play a significant role in the signal performance of high speed, high frequency electrical components. Variations within the plastic material can occur as a result of environmental factors to cause changes to their dielectric properties. The dependency of moisture content and temperature on the dielectric constant and loss tangent of a number of p...

The physics of moisture transfer is complex and as a result modelling is normally carried out on a macroscopic basis, with empirical coefficients used to simulate the transport process. These coefficients are not single values but depend on the moisture content of the material. The application of this data within the simulation environment requires the determination of a systematic methodology ...

Perovskite solar cells have shown unprecedent performance increase up to 22% efficiency. However, their photovoltaic performance has shown fast deterioration under light illumination in the presence of humid air even with encapulation. The stability of perovskite materials has been unsolved and its mechanism has been elusive. Here we uncover a mechanism for irreversible degradation of perovskit...

The push for lead-free or RoHS-compliant products is resulting in significant changes in packaging materials. Manufacturers of electronic equipment require materials that consistently withstand peak reflow temperatures of 240°C to 260°C. Reflow soldering at these extreme temperatures, especially after extended moisture exposure, introduces several challenges that must be solved to produce relia...

Monitoring of a passively-aerated plastic-wrapped mortality composting system designed for emergency disposal of diseased swine highlighted the importance of the physical characteristics of materials used to envelop the carcasses. Inadequate moisture was a problem when using envelope materials such as ground cornstalks or straw having low density and high air-filled porosity. High O2 concentrat...

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare, life-threatening, acute multisystem illness usually characterized by sudden onset of high fever, diffuse sunburn-like erythroderma and a variety of other signs and symptoms. It may progress rapidly to hypotension and shock with multiple organ failure. Its exact cause is unknown, but in almost all cases there has been an infection with exotoxin-producing str...

Validated by a large-scale experimental investigation on moisture buffering (MB) effect, a whole building Heat, Air and Moisture (HAM) simulation tool, BSim, is applied to evaluate the impact of a number of parameters on the moisture buffering potential of a full-scale test room finished with hygroscopic materials. The Maximum Accumulated Moisture Buffering Value (MAMBV), developed from the moi...