Nanomaterials Resarch Laboratory

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Our research involves development of novel nanomaterials for enhanced heat transfer fluid (HTF) / thermal energy storage (TES) in energy applications at high temperatures. We investigate nano-scale heat transport and heat storage phenomena with doped nanoparticles in a base material. Using dispersed inorganic nanoparticles in conventional HTF / TES materials (e.g., molten salts), effective specific heat capacity and effective thermal conductivity were enhanced by 20~30 % and 40~50 %, respectively. This was the first demonstration of specific heat capacity enhancement in the literature for molten salt nanomaterials. We developed novel nanomaterial synthesis method and observed, by this method, nanoparticles or groups of nanoparticles induce special micro-structural changes in HTF / TES materials, which is expected to enhance thermo-physical properties of the HTF / TES materials. We also adopt Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation technique to design experimental studies. We currently investigate the applicability of the nanomaterials for thermal energy storage in renewable energy systems, especially concentrated solar power. The enhancement in effective specific heat capacity of thermal energy storage by 20~30 % is equivalent to 10~15 % reduction in the cost of electricity in concentrated solar power system. [1] In addition, we explore nanomaterials as heat transfer fluid for advanced high temperature reactor (AHTR) application in nuclear power systems.

 

[1] D. Malik, 2010, “Evaluation of composite alumina nanoparticle and nitrate eutectic materials for use in concentrating solar power plants,” M.S. Thesis, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
 

To prospective students >>

 

We appreciate your interested in my research and the activities of my group in the Nanomaterials Research Laboratory. We strongly recommend you to go through the website to get an idea of the research activities in the lab. Our aim is to develop novel nanomaterials to be used as thermal energy storage and heat transfer fluid in various energy systems.

 

We have one RA position available in FALL 2020...