Low thermal conductivity is a primary limitation in the development of energy-efficient heat transfer fluids required in many industrial applications. To overcome this limitation, a new class of heat transfer fluids is being developed by suspending nanocry stalline particles in liquids such as water or oil. The resulting “nanofluids” possess extremely high thermal conductivities compared to the liquids without dispersed nanocrystalline particles. For example, 5 volume % of nanocrystalline copper oxide particles suspended in water results in an improvement in thermal conductivity of almost 60% compared to water without nanoparticles. Excellent suspension properties are also observed, with no significant settling of nanocrystalline oxide particles occurring in stationary fluids over time periods longer than several days. Direct evaporation of Cu nano-particles into pump oil results in similar improvements in thermal conductivity compared to oxide-in-water systems, but importantly, requires far smaller concentrations of dispersed nanocrystalline powder.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), an oriental herbal medicine, has been shown to favorably affect choleretic, antirheumatic and diuretin properties. Recent reports have indicated that excessive oxidative stress contributes to the development of atherosclerosis-linked metabolic syndrome. The objective of this current study was to investigate the possible hypolipidemic and antioxidative effects of dandelion root and leaf in rabbits fed with a high-cholesterol diet. A group of twenty eight male rabbits was divided into four subgroups; a normal diet group, a high-cholesterol diet group, a high-cholesterol diet with 1% (w/w) dandelion leaf group, and a high-cholesterol diet with 1% (w/w) dandelion root group. After the treatment period, the plasma antioxidant enzymes and lipid profiles were determined. Our results show that treatment with dandelion root and leaf positively changed plasma antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid profiles in cholesterol-fed rabbits, and thus may have potential hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects. Dandelion root and leaf could protect against oxidative stress linked atherosclerosis and decrease the atherogenic index.

An experimental investigation of a nanofluid oscillating heat pipe (OHP) was conducted to determine the nanofluid effect on the heat transport capability in an OHP. The nanofluid consisted of HPLC grade water and 1.0vol% diamond nanoparticles of 5-50nm. These diamond nanoparticles settle down in the motionless base fluid. However, the oscillating motion of the OHP suspends the diamond nanoparticles in the working fluid. Experimental results show that the heat transport capability of the OHP significantly increased when it was charged with the nanofluid at a filling ratio of 50%. It was found that the heat transport capability of the OHP depends on the operating temperature. The investigated OHP could reach a thermal resistance of 0.03°C∕W at a heat input of 336W. The nanofluid OHP investigated here provides a new approach in designing a highly efficient next generation of heat pipe cooling devices.

by the University of Chmago as Operatoro Argonne National Laboratory ("+lrgonneũ nder Contract No. W-31-109-ENG-38 wit Government' retains for itsel~" and other ! acting on its behalf, a paid-up, no exclusive, irrevocable worldwide duce, prepare derivative works, distribute copie to the public, and perform publicly and display pubhcly, by or on behalf of th Government.

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