Research Projects

Nanofluids to Enhance Heat Transfer

Faculty Mentors: Prof. R. Kumar

Research Description

Nanofluids are a new class of heat transfer fluids that are engineered by suspending nanometer-sized particles in conventional heat transfer fluids. Studies (16) show that in pool boiling situation, the critical heat flux at which a metallic wire breaks can be increased by more than 100% in a nanofluid compared to a pure fluid. Since the boiling characteristics in pool boiling are similar to flow boiling, nanofluids have opened up exciting possibilities of raising chip power in electronic components or simplifying cooling requirements for space applications. (17) In an extension of the current NSF projects EEC 0139614 and CTS 0404174 , we will focus on understanding the source of the greater than expected thermal properties of nanosuspensions. In this module, we a build a simple boiling experiment in water and develop a range of nanofluids (e.g., 15-50 nm silica and 3-20 nm ceria particles in water). Furthermore, we will visualize the bubble behavior using a high-speed camera and data acquisition system. Compare the boiling curve of the nanofluid with pure fluid and the surface coating behavior using a SEM and evaluate the thermal conductivity and surface tension of the nanofluid and their influence on the heat transfer. Fig shows a SEM and TEM image of a wire exposed to boiling in presence of particles - showing scale formation. Nanofluids may reduce such degradation and preserve the material.

The undergraduates will be involved in:

• Understanding boiling behavior of nanofluids and its applications.
• Hands-on experience with various digital imaging techniques.
• Evaluation of an accurate way to measure and correlate resistance with wire temperature.
• Explain the difference between SEM and TEM.