Research

In the Thermal Engineering Group, we are motivated by research problems in the areas of energy and water.  Our research focuses on studying molecular-to-macroscale thermal-fluid transport and interfacial interactions during liquid-vapor phase‑change (condensation, evaporation and boiling), surface chemistry, plasma physics/chemistry and engineering, and high-fidelity diagnostics for phase-change thermal transport characterization.  The goal is to leverage this fundamental and interdisciplinary knowledge to design efficient energy conversion, thermal management, separations and anti-fouling systems/technologies.

Under the umbrella of energy and water research, we have four main research thrust areas: (i) interfacial phenomena, surface chemistry and liquid-solid interactions, (ii) fundamental and multi-scale liquid-vapor phase-change heat transfer on engineered surfaces, (iii) device/system-level thermal management of electrical and electronics system, and (iv) plasma physics/chemistry and engineering.