Nanofluids in confined geometries: understanding and controlling the behaviour
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leeds
Department Name: Inst of Particle Science & Engineering
Abstract
This research will further our fundamental understanding of the structural behaviour of nanofluids in confined geometries. A combination of the state-of-the-art devices including a high resolution near field microscope, a total internal reflection microscope (TIRM), an optical reflectometry and an atomic force microscope (AFM) will be used to observe directly nanoparticle structuring in the confined geometries and nanoparticle deposition on the confining walls, and to measure the structural force arising from the confinement-induced nanoparticle structuring. The recently developed Combined Continuous, Discrete and Statistic mechanics (CCDS) method will be employed to model the nanoparticle structuring. The ultimate aim is to establish a relationship between the structural behaviour of the confined nanofluids and the physical and chemical properties of the solution, the suspending nanoparticles, and the confining walls, thus enabling industry to formulate nanofluids based products and to predict how the material properties and solution chemistry impact on the performance of the products.
People |
ORCID iD |
Yulong Ding (Principal Investigator) | |
Simon Biggs (Co-Investigator) |
Publications
He Y
(2011)
Lattice Boltzmann simulation of alumina-water nanofluid in a square cavity.
in Nanoscale research letters
Palabiyik I
(2011)
Dispersion stability and thermal conductivity of propylene glycol-based nanofluids
in Journal of Nanoparticle Research
Parametthanuwat T
(2011)
Application of silver nanofluid containing oleic acid surfactant in a thermosyphon economizer.
in Nanoscale research letters
Okeke G
(2011)
Computational analysis of factors influencing thermal conductivity of nanofluids
in Journal of Nanoparticle Research
Witharana S
(2011)
Stability of nanofluids in quiescent and shear flow fields.
in Nanoscale research letters
Olusanmi D
(2011)
The breakage behaviour of Aspirin under quasi-static indentation and single particle impact loading: effect of crystallographic anisotropy.
in International journal of pharmaceutics
Witharana S
(2012)
Aggregation and settling in aqueous polydisperse alumina nanoparticle suspensions
in Journal of Nanoparticle Research
Witharana S
(2012)
Bubble nucleation on nano- to micro-size cavities and posts: An experimental validation of classical theory
in Journal of Applied Physics
Zhao F
(2012)
Dual steady transports of heat and moisture in a vent enclosure with all round states of ambient air
in International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
Description | We discovered i) nano-fluids containing non-spherical inorganic nano-particles confined in the wedge region between a substrate and a micro-particle adhered on the substrate also produced a structural force vertical to the surface; and ii) the structural force is normally insufficient for removing the particles from the surface, but upon shearing of the fluidthe structural force plays a significant role in removing the surface particle. Based on such discoveries, nano-fluid based surface cleaning agents were formulated and lab scale tests were very successful. However, formulations from large scale manufacture did not perform as expected. This opens two new research questions - (a) Why the scale-up affects the properties and behaviour of the nano-fluids formulation? (b) Can we turn the liquid based nano-fluids formulation into dry particulate form that can re-disperse in liquid at the user end to reduce transportation costs? These questions led to subsequent sustained collaborations with Procter & Gamble until today (2016). |
Exploitation Route | The project has a strategic industrial sponsor, Procter and Gamble (P&G), so a clear route was identified at the beginning of the project that commercialisation of the research findings is taken forward by P&G. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Chemicals Education Energy Environment |
Description | The findings led to a patent 'Cleaning Method' filed (WO/2007/109239; US20090090387). The project has also led to a long-term collaborative relationship with P&G with sustained support in various forms until today (2016). So far six of my PhD students have been supported by them, of which, two are now employed by P&G. Through the relationship, P&G has also offered both research and design projects for our final year MEng students in chemical engineering. Their inputs in the design projects are particularly important due to their significant industrial experience that hard to obtain in the class room. |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Energy,Environment |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Abengoa Solar |
Amount | £200,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Leeds-IPSE483360 |
Organisation | Abengoa |
Department | Abengoa Solar |
Sector | Private |
Country | Spain |
Start | 01/2012 |
End | 12/2014 |
Description | Abengoa Solar NT |
Amount | £22,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Abengoa - TOK - Leeds |
Organisation | Abengoa |
Department | Abengoa Solar |
Sector | Private |
Country | Spain |
Start | 04/2010 |
End | 05/2011 |
Description | EPSRC Programme Grant |
Amount | £4,227,886 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P00945X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2016 |
End | 11/2021 |
Description | Energy Stoage Grand Challenge |
Amount | £924,591 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P003435/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2016 |
End | 09/2019 |
Description | Procter & Gamble |
Amount | £36,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Structured Particles |
Organisation | Procter & Gamble |
Sector | Private |
Country | United States |
Start | 09/2010 |
End | 09/2013 |
Description | Reduce of End Use Energy Demand |
Amount | £1,573,522 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P004709/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2016 |
End | 12/2020 |
Description | Studentship |
Amount | £10,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Crystallisation 2011 |
Organisation | Procter & Gamble |
Sector | Private |
Country | United States |
Start | 07/2011 |
End | 07/2012 |
Description | Studentship |
Amount | £36,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | Structured Particles |
Organisation | Procter & Gamble |
Sector | Private |
Country | United States |
Start | 09/2010 |
End | 09/2013 |
Description | n-COSH |
Amount | £924,591 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/P003435/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2016 |
End | 10/2019 |