The aging of asphalt pavements leads to less flexible asphalt mixtures that are prone to cracking and spalling. In this study, the relationship between lab and field aging was evaluated based on both theoretical asphalt aging models and practical asphalt and asphalt mixture performance tests. The results show that the corresponding field aging duration calculated using the mixture testing, especially the cracking test, is more conservative than the traditional aging models or binder rheological measurements. 5 and 12 days appear to simulate 16 and 38 years of field aging (in New Hampshire) for the top 12.5 mm pavement, respectively, based on the asphalt binder test results. In contrast, the theoretical aging model considers climatic conditions and suggests that 5 and 12 days simulate in-field aging of 6.2 and 15.0 years, respectively. The asphalt mixture test results indicate that the laboratory aging conditions simulate minimal field aging durations. This is because the damage to the asphalt pavement structure caused by climatic conditions and traffic loads is fully considered. This could be very useful for designing a more reliable and durable pavement incorporating intricate field conditions.

Solar energy has received considerable attention over the past few decades, due to its importance as a green and renewable energy. Low-cost solar-grade silicon production is critical for the widespread use of solar cells. Conventional routes (e.g., modified Siemens process: chlorosilane and hot filament) have still dominated the production of solar-grade silicon. The metallurgical route offers benefits in the productivity and cost, but efficient removal of boron is one of the most daunting challenges in front of us. This paper reviews thermodynamic and kinetic properties (solubility, diffusivity, diffusion coefficients, mass transfer rate, and activity coefficient) of boron and recent research topics (slag treatment, solvent refining, gas injection, plasma treatment, and acid leaching) for boron removal.

To improve the boron-removal efficiency of metallurgical-grade silicon by increasing the reaction rate, a combined method with the 30 mol pct CaO-23.3 mol pct SiO₂-46.7 mol pct CaCl₂ slag treatment and ammonia injection at 1723 K to 1823 K was proposed. For 1 hour and at 1823 K, the maximum removal efficiency of boron was 98 pct, and the final boron concentration in silicon decreased to 1.5 ppmw by the present method without the introduction of the iron catalyst. A kinetic model was also established to clarify the reaction mechanism and rate-limiting steps of this complicated boron-removal process. In this model, the rate-limiting step is the mass transfer of boron oxide at the interface between the slag and silicon phase.

Coastal vegetation is efficient in damping incident waves even in storm events, thus providing valuable protections to coastal communities. However, large uncertainties lie in determining vegetation drag coefficients (C_D), which are directly related to the wave damping capacity of a certain vegetated area. One major uncertainty is related to the different methods used in deriving C_D. Currently, two methods are available, i.e. the conventional calibration approach and the new direct measurement approach. Comparative studies of these two methods are lacking to reveal their respective strengths and reduce the uncertainty. Additional uncertainty stems from the dependence of C_D on flow conditions (i.e. wave-only or wave-current) and indicative parameters, i.e. Reynolds number (Re) and Keulegan-Carpenter number (KC). Recent studies have obtained C_D-Re relations for combined wave-current flows, whereas C_D-KC relations in such flow condition remain unexplored. Thus, this study conducts a thorough comparison between two existing methods and explores the C_D-KC relations in combined wave-current flows. By a unique revisiting procedure, we show that C_D derived by the direct measurement approach have a better overall performance in reproducing both acting force and the resulting wave dissipation. Therefore, a generic C_D-KC relation for both wave-only and wave-current flows is proposed using direct measurement approach. Finally, a detailed comparison of these two approaches are given. The comprehensive method comparison and the obtained new C_D-KC relation may lead to improved understanding and modelling of wave-vegetation interaction.