Résumé
Desalination based on solar-driven interfacial steam generation has emerged as an efficient and cost-effective solution to the freshwater crisis. However, an alternative approach needs to adopt to alleviate the freshwater crisis and environmental pollution simultaneously. The widespread use of surgical face mask during the COVID-19 pandemic introduces a new environmental concern related to face mask disposal. Herein, a solar evaporator is fabricated by coating novel TiTe2 quantum dots (QDs) decorated reduced graphene oxide (rGO) on a hydrophilic substrate derived from waste face mask to desalinate seawater with an evaporation rate and efficiency of 2.09 kg m−2 h−1 and 87.79% respectively. The presence of rGO contributes to absorb a wide range of the solar spectrum, while the quantum confinement effect of QDs confines heat at the nanoscale. The use of heat sink and extended polyurethane foam (EPE) improve heat localization by minimizing heat loss. The freshwater generated by solar evaporation satisfies the WHO drinking water standard. As a result, the proposed design may reduce environmental pollutants by recycling the waste facemask while producing freshwater using only incident solar irradiation, establishing a waste-water nexus with large-scale deployment potential.
Résumé
A novel rectangular patch antenna based on multiwall carbon nanotubes has been designed and developed for assisting the initial detection of COVID-19-affected lungs. Due to their highly conductive nature, each nanotube echoes electromagnetic waves in a unique manner, influencing the increase in bandwidth. The proposed antenna operates at 6.63, 7.291, 7.29, and 7.22 GHz with a higher bandwidth classified as an ultrawide band and can be used on a human body phantom model because of its flexibility and decreased radiation qualities. Flame retardant 4 is chosen as a substrate with a uniform thickness of 1.62 mm due to its inexpensive cost and excellent electrical properties. The maximum specific absorption rate of the proposed antenna is obtained as 1.77 W/kg for 10 g of tissues. For testing purposes, a model including all the known features of COVID-19-affected lungs is developed. The designed antenna exhibits excellent performance in free space, normal lungs, and affected lung environments. It might be utilized as a first screening device for COVID-19 patients, especially in resource-constrained areas where traditional medical equipment such as X-ray and computerized tomography scans are scarce.