Nanoscale Thermal-Electrical Transport

The interplay between thermal and electrical energy at small scales can strongly influence the functional behavior of many types of devices such as direct energy conversion elements, heat sinks, and field-effect transistors. Research at the Nanoscale Thermo-Fluids Lab seeks to address these issues by studying novel nanomaterials, particularly carbon nanotubes, both from the perspective of material synthesis and characterization and from the perspective of functional engineering performance. The laboratory’s activities include detailed experimental and computational studies synthesis by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition with applications to single-wall carbon nanotubes transistors, and multi-wall carbon nanotubes arrays used to enhance thermal/electrical interface conductance, boiling heat transfer, and biosensor performance. Further, the lab has developed unique capabilities to measure and model thermal-electrical energy transport and conversion from nanoscale electron emitters. Researchers in the laboratory routinely collaborate with electrical engineers, material scientists, physicists, chemists, and biologists, and the work is supported by NSF, NASA, the Air Force Research Laboratory, the Semiconductor Research Corporation, and a variety of industrial interests.