EAGER: Constructal Theory for Evolutionary Design of Twisted Paths in Heat Transfer Network

本项目的目标是推导出具有扭曲路径的传热系统设计的新理论，该理论能够分析和预测传热系统的结构，减少热阻，减少泵送能量需求，降低导电材料消耗，从而降低成本。设计方法考虑了两个几何自由度：(1)组件的层次结构，即少大多小；(2)主要能量路径的几何扭曲。这些旨在减少能量流动的全球热阻。如果成功，该项目可以通过降低热阻、泵送能源需求和导电材料消耗来影响许多能源系统的成本。本项目提出的设计方法有可能加速从航空航天到生物医学系统的传热技术的发展。该项目涉及一名博士后学者和一名本科生，将通过本科生研究经验（REU）补充计划获得支持。该项目通过创造性地将理论和数值方法与建筑法的严格设计原则相结合，为热管理系统的设计做出了贡献。所考虑的设计系统是细长的传热部件（翅片，通道等）及其独特的扭曲形状几何形式。本项目通过引入扭曲几何作为一种新的结构设计自由度，推动了当前热设计结构理论的发展。这种新的变革性考虑可以使设计更容易地变形和进化，如果成功，就会产生高风险/高回报的条件。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The goal of the present project is to derive a new theory for the design of heat transfer systems with twisted paths, a theory capable to analyze and predict the architecture of the heat transfer system with reduced thermal resistance, reduced pumping energy requirements, lower conductive material consumption, and consequently lower cost. The design methodology considers two geometric degrees of freedom: (1) hierarchy of components, that is, few large & many small, and (2) geometrical twist of the main energy paths. These aim to reduce the global thermal resistance to energy flow. If successful, the project can impact the cost of many energy systems by reducing their thermal resistance, pumping energy requirements, and conductive material consumption. The design methodology presented in this project has the potential to accelerate heat transfer technology evolution ranging from aerospace to biomedical systems. This project involves a postdoctoral scholar and one undergraduate student is to be supported through the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) supplement program. This project contributes to the design of thermal management systems by creatively integrating theoretical and numerical approaches with the rigorous design principle of Constructal Law. The considered design system is a slender heat transfer component (fin, channel, etc.) and its unique geometrical form of twisted shape. This project advances the state-of-the-art of current constructal theories in thermal design by introducing the twisted geometry as a new degree of freedom in constructal design. This new transformative consideration can allow the design to morph and evolve more easily, yielding a high-risk/high-payoff condition if successful.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.