Nanofluids: Research Opportunities and Applications in Thermal Management Systems
Dr. Lin-wen Hu
MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory
Nanofluids are colloidal dispersions of nanoparticles in base fluids. Materials used for nanoparticles include chemically stable metals, metal oxides, and carbon in various forms. Base fluids commonly used for nanofluids include water, ethanol, ethylene glycol, lubricants, refrigerants etc. With proper pH control or addition of surfactants, nanofluids can remain stable over long periods of time. Nanofluid is an emerging research area for its enhanced heat transfer properties. Our group has been actively engaged in a wide range of experimental study including the basic thermal physical properties and single-phase and two-phase heat transfer phenomena of nanofluids, as well as potential applications of nanofluids as engineered coolant or treatment fluids for surface modifications in thermal management systems. In this talk, the current status of nanofluid program and the research opportunities in this field will be discussed.