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Cornell University

Energy Research Lab

Innovative Device

Developing innovative devices for real-world impact

With mechanistic understanding of energy conversion and transport, we are developing high-performance solar desalination, water harvesting, green hydrogen evolution, and two-phase cooling devices to enable sustainable water and energy applications.

Ultrahigh efficiency solar desalination

We design desalination devices powered by natural sunlight. By recycling solar energy and manipulating thermal-fluid transport, we demonstrate multifold enhancement of clean water production (> 5x) with cost lower than tap water ($0.002 per liter).

Related Publications

  1. J. Gao, L. Zhang, J. You, Z. Ye, Y. Zhong, R. Wang, E.N. Wand, and Z. Xu, Extreme salt-resisting multistage solar distillation with thermohaline convection, Joule, 7, 2274-2290 (2023)

  2. L. Zhang, X. Li, Y. Zhong, A. Leroy, Z. Xu, L. Zhao, and E.N. Wang, Highly efficient and salt rejecting solar evaporation via a wick-free confined water layer, Nature Communications, 13, 1, 849 (2022)

  3. Z. Xu, L. Zhang, L. Zhao, B. Li, B. Bhatia, C. Wang, K.L. Wilke, Y. Song, O. Labban, J.H. Lienhard, R. Wang, and E.N. Wang, Ultrahigh-efficiency desalination via a thermally-localized multistage solar still, Energy & Environmental Science,13, 3, 830-839 (2020)

 

High-efficiency hydrogen evolution

We design gas evolving electrodes and electrolytic cells for green hydrogen. With micro-nanoengineered structures, we improve the energy efficiency of water electrolysis by manipulating bubble dynamics and enhancing mass transfer.

Related Publications

  1. L. Zhang, R. Iwata, Z. Lu, X. Wang, C.D. Díaz-Marín, and Y. Zhong, Bridging Innovations of Phase Change Heat Transfer to Electrochemical Gas Evolution Reactions, Chemical Reviews (2024)

  2. R. Iwata, L. Zhang, K.L. Wilke, S. Gong, M. He, B.M. Gallant, and E.N. Wang, Bubble growth and departure modes on wettable/non-wettable porous foams in alkaline water splitting, Joule, 5, 4, 887-900 (2021)

  3. Z. Lu, L. Zhang, R. Iwata, E.N. Wang, and J.C. Grossman, Transport-based modeling of bubble nucleation on gas evolving electrodes, Langmuir, 36, 49, 15112-15118 (2020)

 

Thermal management of electronics

We design two-phase cooling devices to address thermal management challenges of electronic devices. By introducing micro-nanoengineered surfaces, we enhance liquid-vapor phase change heat transfer performance, thereby realizing efficient dissipation of highly localized heat in miniaturized electronics.

Related Publications

  1. Y. Song, C.D. Díaz‐Marín, L. Zhang, H. Cha, Y. Zhao, and E.N. Wang, Three‐tier hierarchical structures for extreme pool boiling heat transfer performance, Advanced Materials, 34, 32, 2200899 (2022)

  2. L. Zhang, Y. Zhu, Z. Lu, L. Zhao, K.R. Bagnall, S.R. Rao, and E.N. Wang, Characterization of thin film evaporation in micropillar wicks using micro-Raman spectroscopy, Applied Physics Letters, 113, 163701 (2018)