Abstract

Integrating Nanoscale Effects into Micro and Macrosystems

Micro and macrosystems, as represented by microchannels and millichannels, have characteristic length scales much longer than those required to observe "size effects" manifested at nanoscale. How can one explore nanoscale effects to benefit micro and macrosystems? This question is of great interest to heat transfer and energy systems, most of which are at macroscale as dictated by their functionalities. In this talk, I will discuss some potential ways to integrate nanoscale effects into micro and macrosystems. Characteristic length scales determining transport properties of gases, liquids, and solids, and at interfaces of these materials will be used as the starting point of the discussion. The presentation will then shift to illustrate how one can explore nanoscale effects in micro and macrosystems.

Brief Bio

Dr. Gang Chen received his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley in 1993. He taught at Duke University (1993-1997), UCLA (1997-2001) and is currently an associated professor at MIT. His research interests are on nanoscale transport phenomena, particularly thermal energy transport, and their applications in energy and information technologies. He is a recipient of the NSF Young Investigator Award and a Guggenheim Fellowship. He is an associate editor of the ASME Journal of Heat Transfer and a co-editor for the Annual Review of Heat Transfer. He has published extensively in the area of micro and nanoscale heat transfer and energy conversion.