Small Grant for Exploratory Research: Heat Transport in Nanometer - Scale Solid Structures

这个项目的主要目标是发展纳米级固体结构中热传导的一般和基本理论。现有的块状固体的导热理论不适用于纳米结构的导热。随着目前制造纳米级器件的趋势的发展，迫切需要开发一种在这些尺度上进行热传输的理论。这将通过将电子和声子的热传导与光子或电磁波的辐射传输进行类比来实现。最终目标是统一固体中的热传导和辐射理论。该项目的结果可能会对纳米技术中的热传递作用产生强烈的影响。这里描述的主题和方法是新的，就像在任何新的研究项目中一样，初始阶段将是探索性的，涉及风险。因此，SGER赠款适用于支持这一项目。

The primary goal of this project is to develop a general and fundamental theory of heat conduction in nanometer-scale solid structures. Existing theories for heat conduction in bulk solids are inadequate for that in nanostructures. With current trends towards manufacturing nanometer-scale devices, there is a compelling need for developing a theory for heat transport at these scales. This will be achieved by using analogies between heat conduction by electrons and phonons and radiative transfer by photons or electromagnetic waves. The final goal is to unify the theories of heat conduction and radiation in solids. The results of this project could have a strong impact on the role of heat transfer in nanotechnology. The topic and the approach described here are new and, as in any new research venture, the initial stages will be exploratory and involve risks. Therefore an SGER grant is appropriate to support this project.