NanoTherm Research Group

Heat transfer studies the physical processes occurring in temperature-driven transport of energy or entropy in a system, or between the system and the environment. In this course, students study advanced fundamental aspects of conduction, convection, and radiation.

The first part of the course covers solutions of the heat equation in one- and multi-dimensional geometries exposed to a range of boundary conditions. We analyze exact and approximate solutions of the heat equation. The second part discusses convective modes of heat transfer and approaches for determining heat transfer in different types of flows and geometries. We also discuss heat transfer calculations for heat exchangers. The last part of the course covers fundamentals of radiative heat transfer among surfaces and in enclosures, including radiative properties of surfaces.

Thermo-fluid systems are among the most complicated systems engineers encounter in practice, in large part because of the coupling between the thermal and mechanical aspects of system behavior. Analysis of these systems requires knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.

Thermodynamics studies the laws that govern energy and entropy transfer and the ways these transports manifest themselves in system behavior. Fluid mechanics studies the static and dynamic behavior of the working fluid used as a medium to transport energy and entropy from one part of the system to another. Heat transfer studies the physical processes occurring in temperature-driven transport of energy or entropy in the system or between the system and the environment.

The objectives of MECE 4343 are:

1. To analyze and design thermo-fluid systems through application of these principles.
2. To understand chemical reactions and the physics of combustion processes.
3. To develop problem-solving skills essential to good engineering practice in the thermo-fluid systems field.

Thermodynamics studies the laws that govern energy and entropy transfer and the ways these transports manifest themselves in system behavior. The course develops the fundamental principles and laws of thermodynamics and applies them to the analysis and design of thermo-fluid systems.

1. To develop the fundamental principles and laws of thermodynamics and explore these principles in system behavior.
2. To formulate models necessary to study, analyze, and design thermo-fluid systems.
3. To develop problem-solving skills essential to engineering practice in thermo-fluid systems.
4. To develop an understanding of sound engineering design of thermo-fluid systems.

As instruments and structures shift toward micro- and nano-scales, the role of interfaces becomes central. Physical principles governing the operation of these systems must include the role of interfaces. In this course, we develop a theoretical framework to study the characteristics of interfaces and their contribution to small-scale systems. The theory is accompanied by classroom demonstrations.

This course studies advanced fundamental aspects of conduction and radiation. The first part covers solutions of the heat equation in one- and multi-dimensional geometries exposed to a range of boundary conditions, including exact and approximate solutions. The second part covers fundamentals of radiative heat transfer among surfaces and in enclosures, including radiative properties of surfaces and multi-mode heat transfer.