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Analysis of institutional authors

Hermida-Merino, CAuthor

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October 21, 2025
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Article

Methyl myristate PCM nanoemulsions for low-temperature thermal management in laminar flow

Publicated to: APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING. 280 128493- - 2025-12-01 280(), DOI: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2025.128493

Authors:

Cabaleiro, D; Morimoto, T; Fukuda, Y; Hermida-Merino, C; Kumano, H
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Affiliations

Aoyama Gakuin Univ, Dept Mech Engn, 5-10-1 Fuchinobe,Chuo Ku, Sagamihara 2525258, Japan - Author
Tech Univ Cartagena, Dept Appl Phys & Naval Technol, Campus Muralla Mar, Cartagena 30203, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Dept Ingn Elect Elect Automat & Fis Aplicada, Ronda Valencia 3, Madrid 28012, Spain - Author
Univ Vigo, Dept Fis Aplicada, Campus Lagoas Marcosende, Vigo 36310, Spain - Author
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Abstract

Nanoemulsified phase change materials are emerging as efficient thermal fluids for enhancing energy storage across diverse applications. This study explores the development and performance of nanoemulsions for laminar flow heat transfer. The slurries were based on an ethylene glycol:water solution (25:75 by weight), into which 2-10 wt% of a tailored organic blend (rich in methyl myristate and containing methyl stearate, n-nonadecane, and cetyl alcohol) was dispersed. A dual-surfactant system (sodium dodecyl sulfate and Brij (TM) S2) ensured colloidal stability and nanometric droplets (similar to 140-180 nm). Calorimetric studies revealed transitions starting near 9-10 degrees C (melting) and 8-9 degrees C (crystallization). The 10 wt% dispersion demonstrated up to 25 % greater thermal energy storage than the base fluid over 4-17 degrees C range. Rheological analyses indicated mostly Newtonian behavior, with slight shear-thinning at low temperatures in the most concentrated sample. Viscosity evaluations based on pressure drop analyses supported these findings. Heat transfer tests in a horizontally heated tube showed that, outside the droplets transition, Nusselt numbers closely followed classical laminar flow predictions. However, near the melting point of dispersed phase, a significant enhancement in heat transfer was observed, attributed to latent heat adsorbed by the nanoemulsified mixture. Additionally, the lower section of the pipe exhibited values up to 70 % above to what expected according to classical equations, likely due to buoyancy-induced secondary flows that may enhance mixing and thermal boundary layer disruption. An overall assessment of thermo-fluidic performance reveals that 6 wt% emulsions achieves the most effective compromise between enhanced heat transfer and manageable flow resistance.
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Keywords

Boundary layersCircular tube heat transferCircular tubesDropsEmulsificationEmulsionsEnergy storageEthyleneEthylene glycolFatty-acid methylHeat resistanceHeat storageHeat-transfer characteristicsLaminar flowMethyl myristateNanoemulsionNanoemulsion stabilityParaffinPerformancePhase changePhase change material nanoemulsionPhase change material nanoemulsionsPhase change materialsPhase-change emulsionShear thinningSurfaceThermo-fluidic performanceThermophysical propertiesViscosityWater emulsions

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 9/182, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Engineering, Mechanical.

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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-04:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 2 (PlumX).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
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Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Japan.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Cabaleiro, D) .

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been Cabaleiro, D.

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Project objectives

Los objetivos perseguidos en esta aportación se centran en avanzar en el conocimiento y aplicación de nanoemulsiones de materiales de cambio de fase para la gestión térmica en flujo laminar. Se pretende analizar la estabilidad coloidal y las características de las nanoemulsiones basadas en mezclas orgánicas ricas en metil miristato. Evaluar las propiedades calorimétricas y de almacenamiento energético en un rango de temperaturas bajas (4-17 °C). Determinar el comportamiento reológico y la influencia en la caída de presión en función de la concentración. Caracterizar la transferencia de calor en tubos horizontales, especialmente cerca del punto de fusión, y comprender los mecanismos que potencian el intercambio térmico. Finalmente, identificar la concentración óptima que equilibra la mejora térmica y la resistencia al flujo.
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Most relevant results

Los resultados más relevantes del estudio se centran en el desarrollo y evaluación de nanoemulsiones de materiales de cambio de fase para la gestión térmica en flujo laminar. Se observó que las transiciones calorimétricas comienzan cerca de 9-10 °C (fusión) y 8-9 °C (cristalización). La dispersión al 10 % en peso mostró un almacenamiento de energía térmica hasta un 25 % superior al fluido base en el rango 4-17 °C. El comportamiento reológico fue mayormente newtoniano, con un ligero adelgazamiento por cizallamiento a bajas temperaturas en la muestra más concentrada. En ensayos de transferencia de calor, los números de Nusselt siguieron predicciones clásicas fuera de la transición, mientras que cerca del punto de fusión se observó una mejora significativa, con incrementos de hasta un 70 % en la sección inferior del tubo atribuibles a flujos secundarios inducidos por la flotabilidad.
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Awards linked to the item

Grants PID2020-112846RB-C21 and PID2022-136443OB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by "ERDF A way of making Europe". D. Cabaleiro was a recipient of a "Juan de la Cierva" contract (agreement IJC2020-043779-I) supported by the Spanish "Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion" and the European Union NextGenerationEU/PRTR. D. Cabaleiro also acknowledges the financial support provided under "Jose Castillejo" Program (grant: CAS22/00090) . C. Hermida-Merino acknowledges financial support by Comunidad de Madrid (Spain) through the Multiannual Agreement 2023-2026 with Universidad Politecnica de Madrid in, Line A, Emerging PhD researchers (ref. M230020126A-CNHM) .
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