Proposed herein is an environment-friendly method to realize oil/water separation. Nylon mesh is exposed to atmospheric pressure plasma for surface modification, by which micro/nano structures and oxygen-containing groups are created on nylon fibers. Consequently, the functionalized mesh possesses superhydrophilicity in air and thus superoleophobicity underwater. The water pre-wetted mesh is then used to separate oil/water mixtures with the separation efficiency above 97.5% for various oil/water mixtures. Results also demonstrate that the functionalized nylon mesh has excellent recyclability and durability in terms of oil/water separation. Additionally, polyurethane sponge slice and polyester fabric are also functionalized and employed to separate oil/water mixtures efficiently, demonstrating the wide suitability of this method. This simple, green and highly efficient method overcomes a nontrivial hurdle for environmentally-safe separation of oil/water mixtures, and offers insights into the design of advanced materials for practical oil/water separation.

This research introduces a novel framework integrating stochastic finite element analysis (FEA) with advanced circular statistical methods to optimize heat pump efficiency under material uncertainties. By modeling directional variability in thermal conductivity using both uniform and Von Mises distributions, the study highlights the superiority of the Von Mises distribution in providing consistent and efficient thermal performance. The Von Mises distribution, known for its concentration around a mean direction, demonstrates a significant advantage over the uniform distribution, resulting in higher mean efficiency and lower variability. The findings underscore the importance of considering both stochastic effects and directional consistency in thermal systems, paving the way for more robust and reliable design strategies.