High-accuracy numerical prediction method for radiative heat transfer of reusable methalox rocket exhaust plumes
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Welcome to theTsinghua University Press (TUP) News Page.
Below are the latest research news from TUP.
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 20-Aug-2025 08:09 ET (20-Aug-2025 12:09 GMT/UTC)
Precise prediction of rocket plume radiative heat flux is critical for reusable launch vehicle design. LandSpace researchers have developed a breakthrough computational method integrating the discrete transfer method (DTM) with wide-band k-distribution modeling. Validated against high-resolution benchmarks with ≤6.0% error, this approach achieves engineering-viable efficiency while quantifying base/sidewall radiative heating throughout flight profiles for nine-engine LOX/CH4 rockets – providing key insights for thermal protection system optimization.
From the precise movements of drone wings to the smooth opening of cabin doors, modern aircraft rely heavily on electro-mechanical actuation. But a hidden challenge – disruptive "multi-source disturbances" – can limit their performance, affecting everything from response time to positioning accuracy and efficiency. New research, focusing on a powerful control strategy called Active Disturbance Rejection Control (ADRC), aims to conquer these disturbances, paving the way for significant advancements in aviation safety and capability.
The number of satellites, especially those operating in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO), has been exploding in recent years. Additionally, the burgeoning development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software and hardware has opened up new industrial opportunities in both air and space, with satellite-powered computing emerging as a new computing paradigm: Orbital Edge Computing (OEC). Compared to terrestrial edge computing, the mobility of LEO satellites and their limited communication, computation, and storage resources pose challenges in designing task-specific scheduling algorithms.
The use of hydrocarbon fuels in solid oxide fuel cell is hindered by anode incomplete reforming and carbon deposition. This study employs Ni0.1Fe0.1Ce0.8O2-δ (NFCO) as the anode reforming catalyst for tubular solid oxide fuel cell (T-SOFC) under low-concentration ethanol-CO2 fuel. With the in-situ formed NiFe alloy, the T-SOFC with NFCO achieves peak power densities of 538, 614, and 608 mW·cm-2 at 5 %, 10 %, and 15 % ethanol at 700℃, respectively, higher than the cell without NFCO. More importantly, no significant degradation is observed during long-term operation. DFT calculations confirm NiFe-CeO2 heterostructure enhances H2O adsorption, promotes fuel conversion, improves reforming efficiency and inhibits carbon deposition, aiding high-performance T-SOFC development.
Passive daytime radiative cooling materials are promising for energy-free cooling as global energy consumption rises. SrZrO3 crystals, with their wide band gap and infrared photon lattice vibration absorption, are potential candidates for such applications. Most importantly, Zn doping has been shown to enhance both solar reflectivity and atmospheric window emissivity, which are critical for cooling performance. Despite the recognized potential of SrZrO3-based materials, the systematic understanding of how specific dopants like Zn synergistically modify the spectral radiative characteristics, and ultimately the passive cooling performance through combined effects on electronic structure, grain morphology, and lattice symmetry has yet to be comprehensively established. Filling this research gap is imperative for the rational design of high-performance radiative cooling materials.
The development of efficient electrocatalysts for saline water oxidation (SWO) is imperative for advancing seawater splitting technology to produce green hydrogen. In this work, a NiFe-Co2(OH)3Cl material was developed as pre-electrocatalyst for both active and stable SWO. During catalysis, the hydroxyloride was converted to oxyhydroxide with 35.4% enlarged ECSA, leading to the enhanced intrinsic activity (300 mV@10 mA cm-2, 49.9 mV decade-1). Moreover, the electrolyte Cl- would be incorporated to the catalyst lattice, thus improving the corrosion-resistance of the material, resulting in the high electrocatalytic stability for 100 h.
The utilization of blue lasers to excite phosphor materials holds great potential for the development of high-brightness laser-driven light sources. However, phosphor materials that can simultaneously constrain light spot expansion and enhance maximum luminous flux have been elusive, thereby limiting output luminance. This study presents a significant strategy to address the inherent trade-off between light spot confinement and luminous flux maximization in light sources through the design of core-cladding-like phosphor ceramics (CCPC) wafers. The YAG:Ce@Al2O3 CCPC wafer design effectively confines the light spot to an area as small as 0.53 mm2 while achieving an ultra-high luminance of 3900 lm·mm⁻2. This research presents a pioneering approach to the design of phosphor materials, targeting the realization of light sources with unprecedented luminance for broad frontier applications.
Microwave dielectric ceramics, as core materials for passive electronic components, are widely used in filters, dielectric antennas, and microwave communication systems. In high-frequency applications, ceramics with a low dielectric constant (εr) are preferred for their ability to reduce signal latency and simplify passive device fabrication. Ideal microwave dielectric ceramics should exhibit a near-zero temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) and a high quality factor (Q×f, i.e., low dielectric loss tanδ = 1/Q). However, achieving ultra-low dielectric loss, high Q×f, and near-zero τf simultaneously remains a significant challenge. Olivine-type A2BO4 ceramics, with low εr (<10) and high Q×f (>100,000 GHz), offer exceptional low loss and high efficiency in high-frequency signal transmission, presenting broad prospects for next-generation wireless communications. Nevertheless, achieving a near-zero τf remains a critical challenge in this field.
Scientists have discovered that licorice extract, a common traditional herb, offers powerful protection against Paraclostridium bifermentans spores—a heat-resistant microbe that threatens the safety and shelf life of ready-to-eat (RTE) chicken breast. In laboratory tests, licorice extract concentrations above 12.5 mg/mL significantly suppressed spore growth, while a 50 mg/mL dose nearly doubled product shelf life at 15 and 20 °C. Predictive modeling confirmed the extract’s impact on microbial growth rates and lag phases. Moreover, treated chicken samples showed slower spoilage, with lower acidity and chemical breakdown. The findings open up new possibilities for natural, plant-based preservation strategies in the meat industry.
Egg yolk, long known for its nutritional benefits, may hold the key to a natural treatment for osteoporosis. A groundbreaking study has found that water-soluble egg yolk fractions, particularly the FC1 subfraction (< 3 kDa), significantly inhibit osteoclastogenesis—the process responsible for bone resorption. This discovery, based on in vitro tests with RAW264.7 macrophages, shows that FC1 not only curbs osteoclast formation but also activates apoptosis in mature osteoclasts. With further research, these egg yolk-derived bioactive compounds could pave the way for safer, natural supplements to promote bone health, offering an alternative to traditional treatments with fewer side effects.