Netherlands : PhD Heat transfer to micro and nanostructures surfaces

The University of Twente is an entrepreneurial research university. It was founded in 1961 and offers education and research in areas ranging from public policy studies and applied physics to biomedical technology. The University of Twente is the Netherlands' only campus University.

The Faculty of Engineering Technology has about 380 employees and 1700 students and consists of three departments: Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. A large part of the faculty’s research is organized in the University’s interdisciplinary research institute IMPACT.

Within the department of Mechanical Engineering the group of Thermal Engineering focusses on research and education related to industrial applications of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat and mass transport. Using a combined approach of theoretical analysis, numerical calculations and experimental investigations, the department aims to develop new or advanced knowledge for application in industrial design. Priority is given to the efficient use of energy and the minimisation of environmental pollution.

This group currently holds a vacancy for a PhD for a research project called:

Heat transfer to micro- and nanostructures surfaces

Background

The topic of research are new materials with extremely high heat transfer. These materials help to minimize exergy losses in heat exchangers. For instance, in thermo-acoustic and thermo-chemical heat pumps these losses have a large influence on their final application.

High heat transfer is achieved by depositing carbon nano-fibers on the heat exchange surface. This results in a substantial improvement of the exchange of heat between the surface and the surrounding fluid flow. Two types of carrier materials for the carbon nano-fibers wil be used: metal foam for thermo-chemical systems, and gas to liquid heat exchangers for thermo-acoustic systems. It leads to structures with low flow resistance and high heat transfer coefficient. A preliminary study showed that depositing carbon nano-fibers on metal foam can increase the heat transfer to the foam with 40%. Of course this involves a higher flow resistance.

The aim of this project is to study indepth the effects of carbon nano-fibers deposited on a surface for heat transfer to a fluid with and without phase change at the surface. The company ECN will formulate the requirements of the materials for application in heat exchangers in heat pumps. At first materials will be synthesized in a very controlled manner by growing carbon nano-fibers with in situ measurements of the weight increase and the heat of reaction of the synthesis process. Heat transfer to the new materials will be determined experimentally. Models will be developed for the prediction of flow and heat transfer. The thermal conductivity of the developed structures can be determined at ECN with a Hotdisk Thermal Conductivity meter. A production facility for the synthesis of carbon nano-fibers will be designed and built. Finally the performance of the new materials can be determined at ECN in test rigs of a thermo-acoustic and a thermo-chemical heat pump. The study will have to give answers to the following questions: What are the optimal properties of the carbon nano-fibers? What should be the topology of the layer of carbon-nano fibers on the surface? How to produce the optimal fibers?

Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic and fluently English speaking researcher with an MSc degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent, with adequate experimental and theoretical skills and affinity with thermal engineering . We prefer candidates with good team spirit, who like to work in an internationally oriented environment.

Offer

We offer a scientific education on a multidisciplinary subject. The assignment is for 4 years, with a go/no-go assessment at the end of the first year. The candidates are expected to finish the project with a PhD thesis and disseminate the results through patents (if applicable), publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences. Your starting salary will be € 2042, - in the first year and up to € 2612, - gross per month in the last year.

Information and application

For more information, please contact:

Prof. dr.ir. T.H. van der Meer (telephone number *31 53 489 2561 e- mail: t.h.vandermeer@utwente.nl To apply, please send your application letter plus CV to: personeelszaken@ctw.utwente.nl. Mention vacancy number 10/053.

Further Information

Application Deadline : 15 May 2010

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Posted on 2010-05-02 09:01:34

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