Edwin Martin Cardenas Contreras

This study investigates the thermophysical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanofluids dispersed in a water–ethylene glycol (50:50%) mixture. The nanofluids were prepared using a two-step method involving ultrasonication and high-pressure homogenization. The stability of the nanofluids was assessed using UV-Vis spectrophotometry over a period of 30 days. The results indicated a maximum decrease of 10% in the relative concentration, with no visible agglomeration or sedimentation. Thermal conductivity, viscosity, and density were experimentally measured at different temperatures and volumetric concentrations (0.025%, 0.05%, and 0.1%). The thermal conductivity of the nanofluids increased with both concentration and temperature, showing an enhancement of up to 10% at 50 °C for 0.1% vol. MWCNTs. The viscosity measurements revealed a maximum increase of 11% at 80 °C, while the density showed a slight increase with nanoparticle concentration and a decrease with temperature. The models proposed for estimating thermal conductivity (maximum deviation 1.5%) and viscosity (maximum deviation 3%) were found to be suitable, exhibiting good agreement with the experimental results. The results align with previous studies, reinforcing the role of Brownian motion and nanoparticle interactions in heat transfer enhancement. This study provides insights into the stability and thermophysical behavior of MWCNT nanofluids, contributing to their potential applications in thermal management systems.

The miniaturization of liquid chromatography (LC) columns to capillary and nanoscales allows temperature programming to be an effective alternative to solvent gradients for modulating eluotropic strength. This approach simplifies instrument design and operation, as a single pump can suffice to achieve efficient separations. This study presents the development and application of a compact, lab-built high-pressure system for temperature-programmed capillary and nanoLC separations. The instrument includes a high-pressure capillary–nanoflow syringe pump, a time-based nanoliter injection system, a programmable capillary column oven for controlled temperature gradients, and a UV-Vis detection system with a custom nanoliter-scale detection cell. Each system component was designed and built in-house, with rigorous calibration to ensure accuracy and operational reliability. Experimental data confirm the system’s capability to deliver precise, reproducible temperature, and flow rates. Functionality was validated through temperature-programmed separations on packed and open tubular capillary columns. The results demonstrated that the developed instrument offers enhanced separation efficiency and reduced analysis time compared to isothermal methods, underscoring its potential for advanced applications in miniaturized liquid chromatography.

During cold start of internal combustion engines, coolant temperature, and thermal conductivity are key parameters in the heat transfer processes that ultimately affect pollutant emissions and engine performance. Hereupon the use of coolants with suspended nanoparticles, to enhance thermal conductivity, emerged as a promising technology. However, for Newtonian materials, viscosity also increases with nanoparticle concentration. To overcome increased pumping power, the use of non-Newtonian nanofluids makes such application potentially feasible, specifically for shear-thinning materials, in which a higher shear rate leads to reducing shear viscosity due to higher shear stress. Accordingly, a nanofluid, suitable for engine cooling (0.2 wt.% MWCNT-engine coolant/distilled water 30/70 v/v%), was here fabricated and mapped. Shear rate and temperature were varied, with focus on cold start investigation. Shear thinning and shear thickening regions were mapped according to the shear rate levels, for each temperature considered. The nanofluid behaved as shear-thinning material for the entire range of temperatures (−10°C–25°C). Above shear rates of 500 s⁻¹ and flow curves with temperatures below −5°C, a prominent shear thickening behavior was observed. Additionally, the relative apparent viscosity data were compared with four classical models. Regarding the curve fitting parameters of a modified Herschel-Bulkley equation, above 0°C, the apparent yield stress, [ ], was invariant with temperature. Besides, for the temperature range from 0°C to 20°C, the flow index remained approximately constant. For temperatures above −5°C, infinite-shear-rate viscosity and consistency index presented a linear decrease and a third-degree polynomial-like behavior, respectively.