| The study involves both numerical simulations and laboratory experiment and employs several research methods. Numerical simulation of the governing mathematical models employ algorithms based upon spectral and finite-volume methods. A basic package of numerical algorithms is presently available and operational in first exploratory studies. This basic package is to be developed and extended further in the course of the project. Furthermore, laboratory experiments that enable velocimetry with PIV/PTV and thermometry with LIF are currently being designed and developed. Currently in progress are numerical studies on fundamental connections between flow topology and heat transfer in a simplified flow configuration and numerical/experimental studies on the potential and feasibility of electro-hydrodynamic forcing techniques for setting up the microchannel flow. Complementary to the abovementioned research on micro-cooling is the work on phase-change heat transfer in (ultra-)compact devices (e.g. mini heat exchangers). This work involves thermal phenomena at mesoscopic length scales, where the continuum hypothesis still holds yet flow conditions are essentially laminar, and seeks to bridge the gap between microscopic and macroscopic descriptions of phase-change heat transfer. |
