On the mechanism of boiling instability in microchannels. This project will enable designers to create highly efficient miniaturised devices based on the boiling of fluids such as water or organics. These devices include micro-power generation systems, coolers for computer chips and solar collectors, and micro-chemical process systems. Such devices provide environmental, safety and economic benefits.
Heat Transfer Characteristics of Biological Tissues with Nanoparticles. Heat transfer of laser-irradiated nanoparticles in biological tissues requires a basic knowledge of the unique strong resonance absorption properties and a fundamental understanding of the thermal and chemical conversions as a consequence of these heated nanoparticles. This project aims to investigate the extent of the non-equilibrium heating effects of heated nanoparticles on the destruction of biological tissues. Comprehen ....Heat Transfer Characteristics of Biological Tissues with Nanoparticles. Heat transfer of laser-irradiated nanoparticles in biological tissues requires a basic knowledge of the unique strong resonance absorption properties and a fundamental understanding of the thermal and chemical conversions as a consequence of these heated nanoparticles. This project aims to investigate the extent of the non-equilibrium heating effects of heated nanoparticles on the destruction of biological tissues. Comprehensive experimental studies and computational modelling to be performed are expected to significantly enhance the understanding of laser-induced heating phenomena of embedded nanoparticles in biological tissues and the prediction of the level of destruction that can be experienced by these heated nanoparticles.Read moreRead less
Purging and destratifying of thermal and saline pools in Australia's inland rivers. The health of inland Australian rivers is significantly affected by saline intrusions into deep river pools. This study will provide tools which can be immediately used to predict required flow releases and understand river response to natural or managed flow release. This will improve the efficiency with which water resources can be used.
Derivation and calculation of onsager transport coefficients in mass transport and thermotransport. The transport of matter and heat within solids has a profound effect on the functional properties of engineering components. The current description of mass and heat transport has major failings which then lead to major failings for property predictions. This project will establish a new mathematical framework that will redress the problems.
Heat transfer processes in evacuated tubular solar absorbers. The aim of this project is to improve the understanding of the complex heat transfer processes in evacuated tubular solar water heaters. This project will develop thermal and hydrodynamic models for advanced solar water heaters incorporating evacuated tubular absorbers and will assess the accuracy of the models through a series of outdoor experiments on prototype evacuated tubular solar water heaters. The outcomes will lead to the d ....Heat transfer processes in evacuated tubular solar absorbers. The aim of this project is to improve the understanding of the complex heat transfer processes in evacuated tubular solar water heaters. This project will develop thermal and hydrodynamic models for advanced solar water heaters incorporating evacuated tubular absorbers and will assess the accuracy of the models through a series of outdoor experiments on prototype evacuated tubular solar water heaters. The outcomes will lead to the design and manufacturing of more efficient solar collectors, which can greatly benefit both Australian domestic and export markets.Read moreRead less
Enhancing natural convection heat transfer using a single horizontal non-metallic fin. This project will develop the basis for a simple design to improve the energy efficiency of natural convection heat exchangers. Heat exchangers are widely adopted in many electronic devices and industrial processes as they require no external power input, additional space, and are quiet, reliable and economical. The research will exploit the interaction between two flows to trigger turbulence, and will result ....Enhancing natural convection heat transfer using a single horizontal non-metallic fin. This project will develop the basis for a simple design to improve the energy efficiency of natural convection heat exchangers. Heat exchangers are widely adopted in many electronic devices and industrial processes as they require no external power input, additional space, and are quiet, reliable and economical. The research will exploit the interaction between two flows to trigger turbulence, and will result in an increase of the overall capacity and performance of engineering systems. This will contribute significantly to reductions in power consumption and improvements in productivity and work environment, leading ultimately to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and to economic benefits.Read moreRead less
Research into techniques for enhancing the heat transfer performance of finned-tube heat exchangers. This project explores several methods for enhancing the heat transfer performance of mechanically bonded finned tube heat exchangers. The methods would be analysed experimentally, and using finite elements, numerically. Any increase in heat transfer efficiency would contribute to the conservation of energy, and therefore, of natural resources. An improved design of heat exchangers would give a de ....Research into techniques for enhancing the heat transfer performance of finned-tube heat exchangers. This project explores several methods for enhancing the heat transfer performance of mechanically bonded finned tube heat exchangers. The methods would be analysed experimentally, and using finite elements, numerically. Any increase in heat transfer efficiency would contribute to the conservation of energy, and therefore, of natural resources. An improved design of heat exchangers would give a definite competitive edge to the Australian manufacturer. An equally significant outcome would be the training of a research person in industry-related research and skilled both in experimental and numerical procedures.Read moreRead less
Investigation of a Novel Fan. Fans are very widely used for cooling and heating, thrust and mass transport and are one of the most common fluid mechanical devices. An optimal fan design will maximise flow velocity and pressure rise for minimum energy requirements and noise production. De Rolfe has recently developed a new fan that shows considerable promise in comparison to conventional designs on single point tests.
In this project experimental and computional fluid dynamics investigations o ....Investigation of a Novel Fan. Fans are very widely used for cooling and heating, thrust and mass transport and are one of the most common fluid mechanical devices. An optimal fan design will maximise flow velocity and pressure rise for minimum energy requirements and noise production. De Rolfe has recently developed a new fan that shows considerable promise in comparison to conventional designs on single point tests.
In this project experimental and computional fluid dynamics investigations of the new fan will be carried out to determine the basic fluid mechanics and to obtain performance curves. Scaling laws will be obtained and, if possible, the fan will be further optimised.Read moreRead less
Development of Solid-state cooling chips. The performance of modern electronic, microelectronic, optoelectronic and photonic devices improves as they are cooled. We aim to develop semiconductor cooling elements that can be directly integrated into existing circuits and devices. The new solid-state cooling elements will be reliable, robust, scalable and operate in any orientation. The proposed international collaboration combines the expertise of the Chinese Academy of Science in device fabricat ....Development of Solid-state cooling chips. The performance of modern electronic, microelectronic, optoelectronic and photonic devices improves as they are cooled. We aim to develop semiconductor cooling elements that can be directly integrated into existing circuits and devices. The new solid-state cooling elements will be reliable, robust, scalable and operate in any orientation. The proposed international collaboration combines the expertise of the Chinese Academy of Science in device fabrication with the expertise of the University of Wollongong in device characterisation and modelling. The outcome of this research has the potential to revolutionize cooling of diverse electronic systems, from computer motherboards to mobile phones.Read moreRead less
Engineered interlayers of bio-retardant and nano-reinforcement on polymers. This project will address the important need for a highly effective lightweight coating. Different interlayers of bio-retardants derive from organic compounds and two-dimensional sheet-like nanomaterials are fabricated to enhance the charring, thermal barrier and flammability resistance. Molecular dynamics are adopted to deliver more targeted fabrication to achieve increased efficacy of the engineered interlayers and pro ....Engineered interlayers of bio-retardant and nano-reinforcement on polymers. This project will address the important need for a highly effective lightweight coating. Different interlayers of bio-retardants derive from organic compounds and two-dimensional sheet-like nanomaterials are fabricated to enhance the charring, thermal barrier and flammability resistance. Molecular dynamics are adopted to deliver more targeted fabrication to achieve increased efficacy of the engineered interlayers and provide important insights on the combustibility of polymers undergoing mass diffusivity, thermal diffusion and oxidation process at high temperatures. Expected outcomes of the project are lightweight coated polymers possessing elevated resistance to fire with a significant reduction of toxic gas emissions and smoke releases. Read moreRead less