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This paper aims to numerically investigate the impact of gas diffusion layer (GDL) anisotropic transport properties on the overall and local performance of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs).

A three-dimensional numerical model of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell with a single straight channel has been developed to investigate the sensitivity of the fuel cell performance to the GDL anisotropic transport properties – gas permeability, diffusivity, thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity. Realistic experimentally estimated GDL transport properties were incorporated into the developed PEFC model, and a parametric study was performed to show the effect of these properties on fuel cell performance and the distribution of the key variables of current density and oxygen concentration within the cathode GDL.

The results showed that the anisotropy of the GDL must be captured to avoid overestimation/underestimation of the performance of the modelled fuel cell. The results also showed that the fuel cell performance and the distributions of current density and oxygen mass fraction within the cathode GDL are highly sensitive to the through-plane electrical conductivity of the GDL and, to a lesser extent, the through-plane diffusivity, and the thermal conductivity of the GDL. The fuel cell performance is almost insensitive to the gas permeability of the GDL.

This study improves the understanding of the importance of the GDL anisotropy in the modelling of fuel cells and provides useful insights on improving the efficiency of the fuel cells.

Realistic experimentally estimated GDL transport properties have been incorporated into the PEFC model for the first time, allowing for more accurate prediction of the PEFC performance.

Generally, in computational thermofluid dynamics, the thermophysical properties of fluids (e.g. viscosity and thermal conductivity) are considered as constant. However, in many applications, the variability of these properties plays a significant role in modifying transport characteristics while the temperature difference in the boundary layer is notable. These include drag reduction in heavy oil transport systems, petroleum purification and coating manufacturing. The purpose of this study is to develop, a comprehensive mathematical model, motivated by the last of these applications, to explore the impact of variable viscosity and variable thermal conductivity characteristics in magnetohydrodynamic non-Newtonian nanofluid enrobing boundary layer flow over a horizontal circular cylinder in the presence of cross-diffusion (Soret and Dufour effects) and appreciable thermal radiative heat transfer under a static radial magnetic field.

The Williamson pseudoplastic model is deployed for rheology of the nanofluid. Buongiorno’s two-component model is used for nanoscale effects. The dimensionless nonlinear partial differential equations have been solved by using an implicit finite difference Keller box scheme. Extensive validation with earlier studies in the absence of nanoscale and variable property effects is included.

The influence of notable parameters such as Weissenberg number, variable viscosity, variable thermal conductivity, Soret and Dufour numbers on heat, mass and momentum characteristics are scrutinized and visualized via graphs and tables.

Buongiorno (two-phase) nanofluid model is used to express the momentum, energy and concentration equations with the following assumptions. The laminar, steady, incompressible, free convective flow of Williamson nanofluid is considered. The body force is implemented in the momentum equation. The induced magnetic field strength is smaller than the external magnetic field and hence it is neglected. The Soret and Dufour effects are taken into consideration.

The variable viscosity and thermal conductivity are considered to investigate the fluid characteristic of Williamson nanofluid because of viscosity and thermal conductivity have a prime role in many industries such as petroleum refinement, food and beverages, petrochemical, coating manufacturing, power and environment.

This fluid model displays exact rheological characteristics of bio-fluids and industrial fluids, for instance, blood, polymer melts/solutions, nail polish, paint, ketchup and whipped cream.

The outcomes disclose that the Williamson nanofluid velocity declines by enhancing the Lorentz hydromagnetic force in the radial direction. Thermal and nanoparticle concentration boundary layer thickness is enhanced with greater streamwise coordinate values. An increase in Dufour number or a decrease in Soret number slightly enhances the nanofluid temperature and thickens the thermal boundary layer. Flow deceleration is induced with greater viscosity parameter. Nanofluid temperature is elevated with greater Weissenberg number and thermophoresis nanoscale parameter.

The purpose of the current flow configurations is to bring to attention the thermophysical aspects of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) Williamson nanofluid flow under the effects of Joule heating, nonlinear thermal radiation, variable thermal coefficient and activation energy past a rotating stretchable surface.

A mathematical model is examined to study the heat and mass transport analysis of steady MHD Williamson fluid flow past a rotating stretchable surface. Impact of activation energy with newly introduced variable diffusion coefficient at the mass equation is considered. The transport phenomenon is modeled by using highly nonlinear PDEs which are then reduced into dimensionless form by using similarity transformation. The resulting equations are then solved with the aid of fifth-order Fehlberg method.

The rotating fluid, heat and mass transport effects are analyzed for different values of parameters on velocity, energy and diffusion distributions. Parameters like the rotation parameter, Hartmann number and Weissenberg number control the flow field. In addition, the solar radiation, Joule heating, Prandtl number, thermal conductivity, concentration diffusion coefficient and activation energy control the temperature and concentration profiles inside the stretching surface. It can be analyzed that for higher values of thermal conductivity, Eckret number and solar radiation parameter the temperature profile increases, whereas opposite behavior is noticed for Prandtl number. Moreover, for increasing values of temperature difference parameter and thermal diffusion coefficient, the concentration profile shows reducing behavior.

This paper is useful for researchers working in mathematical and theoretical physics. Moreover, numerical results are very useful in industry and daily-use processes.

This paper aims to examine the unsteady stagnation-point flow, heat and mass transfer of upper-convected Oldroyd-B nanofluid along a stretching sheet. The thermal conductivity is taken in a temperature-dependent fashion. With the aid of Cattaneo–Christov double-diffusion theory, relaxation-retardation double-diffusion model is advanced, which considers not only the effect of relaxation time but also the influence of retardation time. Convective heat transfer is not ignored. Additionally, experiments verify that with sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) solutions as base fluid, not only the flow curve conforms to Oldroyd-B model but also thermal conductivity decreases linearly with the increase of temperature.

The suitable pseudo similarity transformations are adopted to address partial differential equations to ordinary differential equations, which are computed analytically through homotopy analysis method (HAM).

It is worth noting that the increase of stagnation-point parameter diminishes momentum loss, so that the velocity enlarges, which makes boundary layer thickness thinner. With the increase of thermal retardation time parameter, the nanofluid temperature rises that implies heat penetration depth boosts up and the additional time required for nanofluid to heat transfer to surrounding nanoparticles is less, which is similar to the effects of concentration retardation time parameter on concentration field.

This paper aims to explore the unsteady stagnation-point flow, heat and mass transfer of upper-convected Oldroyd-B nanofluid with variable thermal conductivity and relaxation-retardation double-diffusion model.

The main purpose of this study is to present a non-similar analysis of two-dimensional boundary layer flow of non-Newtonian nanofluid over a vertical stretching sheet with variable thermal conductivity. The Sisko fluid model is used for non-Newtonian fluid with an exponent (n* > 1), that is, shear thickening fluid. Buongiorno model for nanofluid accounting Brownian diffusion and thermophoresis effects is used to model the governing differential equations.

The governing boundary layer equations are converted into nondimensional coupled nonlinear partial differential equations using appropriate transformations. The resultant differential equations are solved numerically using implicit finite difference scheme in association with the quasilinearization technique.

This analysis shows that the temperature raises for thermal conductivity parameter and velocity ratio parameter while decreases for the thermal buoyancy parameter. The thermophoresis and Brownian diffusion parameter that characterizes the nanofluid flow enhances the temperature and reduces the heat transfer rate. Skin friction drag can be effectively reduced by proper control of the values of thermal buoyancy and velocity ratio parameter.

The wall heating and cooling investigation result in the analysis of the control parameters that are related to the designing and manufacturing of thermal systems for cooling applications and energy harvesting. These control parameters have practical significance in the designing of heat exchangers and solar thermal collectors, in glass and polymer industries, in the extrusion of plastic sheets, the process of cooling of the metallic plate, etc.

To the best of authors’ knowledge, it is found from the literature survey that no similar work has been published which investigates the non-similar solution of Sisko nanofluid with variable thermal conductivity using finite difference method and quasilinearization technique.

This study aims to analyze the Prandtl fluid flow in the presence of better mass diffusion and heat conduction models. By taking into account a linearly bidirectional stretchable sheet, flow is produced. Heat generation effect, thermal radiation, variable thermal conductivity, variable diffusion coefficient and Cattaneo–Christov double diffusion models are used to evaluate thermal and concentration diffusions.

The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) have been made simpler using a boundary layer method. Strong nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) relate to appropriate non-dimensional similarity variables. The optimal homotopy analysis technique is used to develop solution.

Graphs analyze the impact of many relevant factors on temperature and concentration. The physical parameters, such as mass and heat transfer rates at the wall and surface drag coefficients, are also displayed and explained.

The reported work discusses the contribution of generalized flux models to note their impact on heat and mass transport.

This study aims to numerically analyse the impact of an inclined magnetic field and Joule heating on the conjugate heat transfer because of the mixed convection of an Al₂O₃–water nanofluid in a thick wall enclosure.

A horizontal temperature gradient together with the shear-driven Flow creates the mixed convection inside the enclosure. The nonhomogeneous model, in which the nanoparticles have a slip velocity because of thermophoresis and Brownian diffusion, is adopted in the present study. The thermal performance is evaluated by determining the entropy generation, which includes the contribution because of magnetic field. A control volume method over a staggered grid arrangement is adopted to compute the governing equations.

The Lorentz force created by the applied magnetic field has an adverse effect on the flow and thermal field, and consequently, the heat transfer and entropy generation attenuate because of the presence of magnetic force. The Joule heating enhances the fluid temperature but attenuates the heat transfer. The impact of the magnetic field diminishes as the angle of inclination of the magnetic field is increased, and it manifests as the volume fraction of nanoparticles is increased. Addition of nanoparticles enhances both the heat transfer and entropy generation compared to the clear fluid with enhancement in entropy generation higher than the rate by which the heat transfer augments. The average Bejan number and mixing-cup temperature are evaluated to analyse the thermodynamic characteristics of the nanofluid.

This literature survey suggests that the impact of an inclined magnetic field and Joule heating on conjugate heat transfer based on a two-phase model has not been addressed before. The impact of the relative slip velocity of nanoparticles diminishes as the magnetic field becomes stronger.

The purpose of this study is to apply Buongiorno’s two phase model to analyse double diffusion natural convection in a square enclosure filled with nanofluids.

A computational code based on the SIMPLE algorithm and finite volume method is used to solve the non-dimensional governing equations.

The nanoparticle plays a crucial role when thermal and solutal buoyancy forces are equal and opposing.

This is the first paper to apply Buongiorno’s two phase model for double diffusion natural convection in enclosures filled with nanofluids.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the thermo‐physiological comfort of a knitted polyester (PES) fabric which contains activated carbon particles in the back‐side.

According to the manufacturer's intention, the activated carbon particles, added in the PES extrusion process, give permanent attributes to the garment, such as odour resistance, UV protection and evaporative cooling. These features should make the modified PES ideal for sportswear. Standard fabric characteristics (morphology, mass per unit area, thickness) have been evaluated for two similar fabrics, the one containing the modified PES yarn and the other one made of conventional PES yarn. The investigated thermo‐physiological properties were air permeability (AP), water vapour resistance (R_et ), thermal resistance (R_ct ), thermal conductivity and diffusion, drying rate, vertical wicking, horizontal liquid diffusion area and buffering capacity. They have been measured in controlled thermal and humidity conditions in a climatic chamber.

The modified fabric is more hydrophilic than the conventional one, thanks to the carbon particles sorption ability. Thus, the liquid management of the modified PES fabric was found to be better. On the other hand, liquid desorption was slow and the drying time was longer. Moreover, the dry heat and the vapour transfer were found slightly worse for the modified PES, probably due to the lower AP.

The paper shows a comprehensive fabric characterization of a functionalized fabric, highlighting the positive and negative effects of activated carbon particles on the liquid, vapour and heat management.

The purpose of this paper is to study the propagation of Rayleigh waves in thermoelastic medium with mass diffusion.

The field equations for the linear theory of homogeneous isotropic thermoelastic diffusion medium are taken into consideration by using dual-phase-lag heat transfer (DPLT) and dual-phase-lag diffusion (DPLD) models. Using the potential functions and harmonic wave solution, three coupled dilatational waves and a shear wave is obtained. After developing mathematical formulation, the dispersion equation is obtained, which results to be complex and irrational. This equation is converted into a polynomial form of higher degree.

From the polynomial equation, Rayleigh wave root is found. The secular equation is resolved into a polynomial form to find the roots and therefore to find the existence and propagation of Rayleigh wave. The existence of Rayleigh wave in the assumed model depends on the values of various parameters involved in the secular equation. These roots are resolved for phase velocity and attenuation of the inhomogeneous propagation of Rayleigh wave. Behavior of particle motion of these waves inside and at the surface of the thermoelastic medium with mass diffusion is studied. Particular cases of the interest are also deduced from the present investigation.

Governing equations corresponding to DPLT and DPLD models of thermoelastic diffusion are formulated to study the wave propagation and their dependence on various material parameters. In this paper effects of thermal and diffusion phase lags on the phase velocity, attenuation and on particle paths are observed and depicted graphically.