In small rocky planets, the interplay between pressure and temperature profiles may cause the iron-rich liquid core to solidify from the outer boundary inward. As pure iron crystals form, they are denser than the surrounding liquid mixture. Consequently, they sink into the core before remelting at greater depth due to the increasing temperature. This process
Aquifer thermal energy storage systems can provide a heat source in the winter by extracting warm water from a subsurface reservoir. The extracted fluid cools as it passes through a heat exchanger and is then injected into a colder aquifer. The cold fluid can provide a source of cooling in the summer, absorbing heat rejected
Chemical gardens are self‑assembled structures of semi‑permeable precipitates. They attract significant interest due to their relevance to sub‑oceanic hydrothermal vents and the origin of life. A group of researchers including PhD student Mingchuan Zheng and professor Alex Routh have run new experiments to investigate the growth behaviour of chemical garden walls in a horizontal Hele‑Shaw
Buildings require ventilation to supply fresh, clean air and so ensure that contaminants and heat do not accumulate. Ventilation strategies such as displacement ventilation may be used in different seasons or climates to minimise the building’s energy requirement. A new paper by Dan Toy and professor Andy Woods explores the effect of a rapid change
Carbon dioxide-induced corrosion of industrial equipment is very common, costly and particularly poses new challenges for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) systems. The role of impurities, such as SOx and NOx, which are also present in the stream, can also be important and has been discussed recently (cf. Corrosion Science, vol. 236, August 2024). A
Carbon storage in deep saline aquifers has become an important part of plans to decarbonise the energy system. Typically, aquifers are composed of a porous, permeable rock containing formation water. As CO2 is injected into an aquifer, some of it migrates towards topographic highs within the aquifer, while some is retained in the pore spaces
Parkinson’s disease is linked to the aggregation of the intrinsically disordered protein α-synuclein (aSyn), but the precise triggers and mechanisms driving this process remain unclear. Local environmental factors, such as ion concentrations, can influence aSyn’s tendency to aggregate. A team of researchers including professor Alex Routh have explored how physiologically relevant ions, mainly Ca2+ and
Microencapsulation is used across multiple industrial sectors to immobilise fragrances, flavours, and bioactive compounds. It offers numerous advantages, including enhanced stability and prolonged shelf life of the product, which is safeguarded from harsh environments, pH fluctuations and ultra-violet (UV) radiation. Synthetic materials like polyurethane, polyurea, and polystyrene have emerged as popular choices for microcapsule shells
The future of floating Antarctic ice shelves is one of the principal uncertainties surrounding projections of future sea level rise. Melting of Antarctic ice shelves is caused by relatively warm and salty Circumpolar Deep Water currents upwelling from the ocean depth. A recent article co-authored by Dr Ali Mashayek classifies near-shelf water masses using an
Professor Andy Woods was recently invited to write a short “Focus on Fluids” article for the Journal of Fluid Mechanics. The article reviews some of the processes leading to dispersion and mixing in porous media, and discusses recent findings and open questions in the field. The paper is now available online here.