## 5 Conclusions  
This paper developed a numerical study of the geometric evaluation of empty channels inserted in a porous rectangular plate, mimicking the liquid resin infusion process (LRI), and applying constructal design and exhaustive search (ES) for geometric optimization. The primary purposes here were to analyze the influence of the design of I and T-shaped empty channels on the filling time of resin impregnation in a porous plate, preventing the generation of permanent voids.  
The following important recommendations were made:  
* I-shaped channels with the highest penetration in the \(y\)-direction of the porous domain, as well as the highest magnitude of area fraction (\(\phi\)) had a higher performance in minimization of filling time, as expected.
* For the T-shaped channels, the results demonstrated that the best performance was reached for the highest possible penetration of single and bifurcated channels in the porous plate, with the exception of cases with very thin channels that saw the generation of permanent voids.  
* The results for the T-shaped channels demonstrated that all studied geometric ratios had sensibility over the performance indicator (filling time) and the optimal ratios. For example, the ratio \(H_{0}\)/\(H_{1}\) had a strong influence on the twice-minimized filling time (\(t_{\mathrm{mm}}\)) and the respective optimal ratios, (\(L_{1}\)/\(H_{1}\))\({}_{\infty}\) and (\(L_{0}\)/\(H_{0}\))\({}_{0}\).
* For the same fluid dynamic conditions, the results indicated that the most complex empty T-shaped channel was beneficial in improving resin flow impregnation in the whole domain of the porous plate, as compared to the elementary I-shaped one.
* In general, the results of this study demonstrated the importance of constructal design in the geometric evaluation of the liquid resin infusion process.  
Other geometrical configurations, such as Y-shaped and fishbone empty channels, or geometries being constructed with no pre-defined form are recommended for future studies. Another interesting possibility of study is the insertion of two or more inlet ports investigating the influence of interactions between different channels on their optimal shapes.  
Conceptualization, J.A.S., and E.D.d.S.; methodology, G.M.C.M., L.A.I., and R.d.L.L.; software, G.M.C.M., J.A.S., and E.D.d.S.; validation, L.A.I., C.F., G.M.C.M., and J.A.S.; formal analysis, E.D.d.S., L.A.O.R., J.A.S., and C.F.; investigation, G.M.C.M., E.D.d.S., and J.A.S.; resources, S.C.A., J.A.S., and E.D.d.S.; data curation, E.D.d.S., and J.A.S.; writing--original draft preparation, G.M.C.M., R.d.L.L., and E.D.d.S.; writing--review and editing, E.D.d.S., L.A.I., and C.F.; visualization, J.S. and L.A.O.R.; supervision, G.M.C.M., L.A.O.R., and C.F.; project administration, E.D.d.S. and J.A.S.; funding acquisition, G.M.C.M., J.A.S., and E.D.d.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.  
This research was funded by the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES) (Finance Code 001), the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), as part of the 'Two Seats for a Solar Car' international project.  
The authors thank [PERSON] for supporting this publication.  
The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.