Investigation of interfacial thermo-fluid processes

流固界面的热传递速率对于许多工程应用是至关重要的。工程中正在出现几个新的领域，在这些领域中，更好的传热率对它们的实际/商业实施至关重要。然而，由于缺乏对基本热流体过程的了解，特别是在界面区域，提高其热性能的努力受到阻碍。 该研究计划的目标是研究界面/近界面区域内的热流体过程，并识别和理解影响热传递过程的物理机制。 在拟议的研究方案中，下一个赠款期间的具体重点将放在以下三个相互关联的关键领域上， 1.低雷诺数下的近界面热流体过程 2.纳米流体中的传热过程 3.相变材料固-液相变过程中的传热过程 从能源效率和可持续性的角度来看，上述三个项目的成果具有重大的长期影响。这项研究计划的结果将导致(I)提高传统热能系统的效率，从而降低燃料消耗，以及(Ii)改进太阳能和热能储存系统的设计，使太阳能成为化石燃料热能系统的可靠和清洁的替代品。

The rate at which heat transfers across fluid-solid interfaces is critically important to many engineering applications. Several new areas in engineering are emerging where better heat transfer rate is of utmost importance and crucial for their practical/commercial implementation. However, the efforts to advance their thermal performance are hampered by the lack of understanding of the fundamental thermofluid processes particularly in the interfacial regions. The objectives of the proposed research program are to investigate thermofluid processes in the interfacial/near-interfacial region and identify and understand the physical mechanisms that influence the heat transport process. In the proposed research program, the specific focus during the next grant period will be on the following three broadly interconnected key areas, 1. Near-interfacial thermofluid processes at low Reynolds numbers 2. Heat transfer process in nanofluids 3. Heat transfer processes in phase-change materials during solid-liquid phase transition The outcomes of the above three projects have significant long-term impact from energy efficiency and sustainability perspectives. The results from this research program will lead to (i) the improved efficiency of conventional thermal energy systems resulting in lower fuel consumption, and (ii) improved design of solar thermal and thermal energy storage systems to make solar thermal a reliable and clean alternative to a fossil fuel-based thermal energy systems.