Welcome to the Nanomaterials Research Laboratory in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Univerisity of Texas at Arlington. This website is designed to introduce the current research project in the Nanomaterials Research Laboratory.
Our research involves
development of novel nanomaterials for enhanced heat transfer fluid (HTF) / thermal energy
storage (TES) in energy
applications at high temperatures. We investigate nano-scale heat
transport and heat storage phenomena with doped nanoparticles in a base
material. Using dispersed inorganic nanoparticles in conventional HTF / TES
materials (e.g., molten salts), effective specific heat capacity and
effective thermal conductivity were enhanced by 20~30 % and 40~50 %,
respectively. This was the first demonstration of specific heat capacity
enhancement in the literature for molten salt nanomaterials. We developed
novel nanomaterial synthesis method and observed, by this method, nanoparticles
or groups of nanoparticles induce special micro-structural changes in HTF / TES
materials, which is expected to enhance thermo-physical properties of the HTF /
TES materials. We also adopt Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation technique to
design experimental studies. We currently investigate the applicability of the
nanomaterials for thermal energy storage in renewable energy systems,
especially concentrated solar power. The enhancement in effective
specific heat capacity of thermal energy storage by 20~30 % is equivalent to
10~15 % reduction in the cost of electricity in concentrated solar power system.1
In addition, we explore nanomaterials as heat transfer fluid for advanced high temperature reactor
(AHTR) application in nuclear power systems.
To prospective students,
We
appreciate your interested in my research and the activities of my
group in the Nanomaterials Research Laboratory. We strongly recommend
you to go through the website to get an idea of the research activities
in the lab. Our aim is to develop novel nanomaterials to be used as
thermal energy storage and heat transfer fluid in various energy
systems.
To potential collaborators/sponsors,
We strongly encourage you to contact us to seek potential research collaboration opportunities.
[1]
D. Malik, 2010, “Evaluation of composite alumina nanoparticle and
nitrate eutectic materials for use in concentrating solar power
plants,” M.S. Thesis, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.