Over the past few years, the combination of solar power with refrigeration technology has matured, providing a promising solution for sustainable cooling. However, a key challenge remains, namely the inherent intermittency of solar energy. Due to its uneven temporal distribution, it is difficult to ensure continuous 24 h operation when relying solely on solar energy. To address this issue, thermal energy storage technology has emerged as a viable solution. This paper presents a comprehensive systematic review of phase-change material (PCM) applications in solar refrigeration systems. It systematically categorizes solar energy conversion methodologies and refrigeration system configurations while elucidating the fundamental operational principles of each solar refrigeration system. A detailed examination of system components is provided, encompassing photovoltaic panels, condensers, evaporators, solar collectors, absorbers, and generators. The analysis further investigates PCM integration strategies with these components, evaluating integration effectiveness and criteria for PCM selection. The critical physical parameters of PCMs are comparatively analyzed, including phase transition temperature, latent heat capacity, specific heat, density, and thermal conductivity. Through conducting a critical analysis of existing studies, this review comprehensively evaluates current research progress within PCM integration techniques, methodological classification frameworks, performance enhancement approaches, and system-level implementation within solar refrigeration systems. The investigation concludes by presenting strategic recommendations for future research priorities based on a comprehensive systematic evaluation of technological challenges and knowledge gaps within the domain.

The dynamic characteristics of dual droplet successive oblique impact on a thin liquid film are numerically studied by using the coupled level set and volume-of-fluid model. This three-dimensional model effectively predicts the evolution of crown and crater, which is validated qualitatively and quantitatively by comparing with experimental observations. Some interesting interface features during the collision and coalescence of crowns are revealed in the present simulations, such as the gas cavity, liquid crest, and air gap. In addition, the crater contour takes on different phases with time in the case of dual droplets impact. The evolution characteristics of crater contours in front view and side view have been summarized within a certain time period. Furthermore, the variations of the maximum crater radius in upstream, downstream, and lateral directions as time are quantitatively analyzed. It is found that in the circumferential direction of the crater, the radial kinetic energy of the liquid decreases gradually from the upstream to the downstream direction. This research establishes a foundation for industrial and agricultural applications involving droplet impact.

During solar cell operation, most light energy converts to heat, raising the battery temperature and reducing photoelectric conversion efficiency. Thus, lowering the temperature of solar cells is essential. Nanofluids, with their superior heat transfer capabilities, present a potential solution to this issue. This study investigates the mechanism of enhanced heat transfer by nanofluids in two-dimensional rectangular microchannels using the two-phase lattice Boltzmann method. The results indicate a 3.53% to 22.40% increase in nanofluid heat transfer, with 0.67% to 6.24% attributed to nanoparticle–fluid interactions. As volume fraction (φ) increases and particle radius (R) decreases, the heat transfer capability of the nanofluid improves, while the frictional resistance is almost unaffected. Therefore, the performance evaluation criterion (PEC) of the nanofluid increases, reaching a maximum value of 1.225 at φ = 3% and R = 10 nm. This paper quantitatively analyzes the interaction forces and thermal physical parameters of nanofluids, providing insights into their heat transfer mechanisms. Additionally, the economic feasibility of nanofluids is examined, facilitating their practical application, particularly in solar cell cooling.

Serial wedge pattern has garnered significant interest for its potential applications in rapid and long-distance liquid transport. However, the occurrence of droplets being blocked at junctions of the serial wedge pattern poses a critical challenge to droplet transport. In this paper, the blocking of droplets is introduced in detail, and the condition of the blocking is systematically investigated. The threshold of blocking is quantitatively represented by the width difference between the wide and narrow ends of wedge (ld). Pinning resistance encountered by droplets when detaching from junctions is a primary cause of blocking. The pinning resistance leads to the droplet tails being torn off. It has been observed that ld plays a crucial role in ensuring smooth droplet transport on the serial wedge pattern and preventing blocking. Larger volume of droplets negatively influences passage by reducing the transport velocity. Conversely, increasing the volume of droplets helps restrain the torn-off tail. Optimizing the curvature at junctions mitigates blocking by not only increasing transport velocity but also decreasing the volume of the torn-off tail. A systematic understanding of the mechanism of blocking can significantly advance the practicality of pumpless droplet transport on the serial wedge pattern.