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.

A new method has been proposed to estimate top heat losses of vertical flat plate liquid/air collectors with double glazing. Empirical relations have been developed for the temperatures of glass covers, thus facilitating the calculation of individual heat transfer coefficients. The values of individual heat transfer coefficients therefore obtained can be used in the proposed analytical equation for the estimation of the top heat loss coefficient of the vertical collector with double glazing. The analytical equation has been developed for collector tilt angle of 60 to 90 degrees, plate temperature of 323 K to 423 K, absorber coating emittance of 0.1 to 0.95, air gap spacing of 20 mm to 50mm between the plate and inner glass cover, air gap spacing of 20 mm to 50mm between glass covers, wind heat transfer coefficient of 5 W/m2K to 30 W/m2K, and ambient temperature of 263K to 313K. The accuracy of the analytical equation has been validated for the said range of variables in comparison to numerical solutions, and the values of the top heat loss coefficient are found to be within 2.5 percent compared to numerical solutions.

Work is reported on thermal-induced redshifts of quantum particle plasmon. The redshifts are predicted to be caused indirectly by the quantum size effects. The particles are enlarged when temperature increases, and consequently, quantum size effects modify the plasmon but not the band structure. It has been modeled for metallic quantum particles. The results are also instructive to other quantum systems, such as complex molecules. Every electron inside the quantum particle is taken into account. Tiny quantum size effects are harvested, and the redshift becomes significant. Experimental evidence is also given for the spectral redshift. Faujasite zeolites were synthesized. Optical spectroscopy has been carried out, and the resulting spectra showed a significant redshift with the increase in temperature.

Transportation projects are crucial for the overall success of major urban, metropolitan, regional, and national development according to their capacity by bringing significant changes in socio-economic and territorial aspects. In this context, sustaining and developing economic and social activities depend on having sufficient Water Resources Management. This research helps to manage transport project planning and construction phases to analyze the surface water flow, high-level streams, and wetland sites for the development of transportation infrastructure planning, implementation, maintenance, monitoring, and long-term evaluations to better face the challenges and solutions associated with effective management and enhancement to deal with Low, Medium, High levels of impact. A case study was carried out using the Arc Hydro extension within ArcGIS for processing and presenting the spatially referenced Stream Model. Geographical information systems have the potential to improve water resource planning and management. The study framework would be useful for solving water resource problems by enabling decision makers to collect qualitative data more effectively and gather it into the water management process through a systematic framework.

This article analyses the case of Dubai’s smart city from a public policy perspective and demonstrates how critical it is to rely on the use of the public-private partnership (PPP) model. Effective use of this model can guarantee the building of a smart city that could potentially fulfill the vision of the political leadership in Dubai and serve as a catalyst and blueprint for other Gulf states that wish to follow Dubai’s example. This article argues that Dubai’s smart city project enjoys significant political support and has ambitious plans for sustainable growth, and that the government has invested heavily in developing the necessary institutional, legal/regulatory, and supervisory frameworks that are essential foundations for the success of any PPP project. The article also points to some important insights that the Dubai government can learn from the international experience with the delivery of smart cities through PPPs.