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Cornell University

Energy Research Lab

Multiscale Transport

Understanding transport across multiple length scales 

We are developing new theories and modeling tools to describe mass, momentum, and energy transport across multiple length scales, from atomic level to system level. With a parallel treatment, we aim to establish a convergent understanding of various transport phenomena in solid-state materials, liquid-vapor phase change, electrochemical gas evolution, and water sorption.

 

Heat at the atomic scale

We perform atomic simulations to understand thermal transport across van der Waals interfaces in 2D materials and explore innovative approaches to manipulate heat at extreme length scales.

Related Publications

  1. L. Zhang, Y. Zhong, X. Li, J.-H. Park, Q. Song, L. Li, L. Guo, J. Kong, and G. Chen, Effect of Twist Angle on Interfacial Thermal Transport in Two-Dimensional Bilayers, Nano Letters, 23, 17, 7790–7796 (2023)

  2. L. Zhang, Y. Zhong, X. Qian, Q. Song, J. Zhou, L. Li, L. Guo, G. Chen, and E.N. Wang, Toward Optimal Heat Transfer of 2D–3D Heterostructures via van der Waals Binding Effects, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 13, 38, 46055-46064 (2022)

 

Transport across liquid-gas interfaces

We investigate heat and mass transfer across liquid-gas interfaces, creating effective strategies to manipulate droplets and bubbles to push the performance limits of liquid-vapor phase change heat transfer and electrochemical gas evolution reactions.

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. Z. Xu, L. Zhang, K.L. Wilke, E.N. Wang, Multiscale Dynamic Growth and Energy Transport of Droplets during Condensation, Langmuir, 34, 30, 9085-9095 (2018)

  3. J. Li, S. Gong, L. Zhang, P. Cheng, X. Ma, and F. Hong, Wetting states and departure diameters of bubbles on micro-/nanostructured surfaces, Langmuir, 38, 10, 3180-3188 (2022)

 

High-fidelity simulations for full-scale analysis

We develop high-fidelity simulation tools to unlock the unique capability of modeling multi-physics interaction (thermal, mass, electrical, and chemical processes) in a multi-phase system (gas, liquid, and solid) across multiple length scales (from sub-nanometer to above centimeter). With unprecedented computational accuracy and efficiency, we aim to provide a fully quantitative understanding and practical design guidelines for efficient liquid-vapor phase change heat transfer and electrochemical gas evolution reactions.

 

Related Publications

  1. S. Gong, L. Zhang, P. Cheng, and E.N. Wang, Understanding triggering mechanisms for critical heat flux in pool boiling based on direct numerical simulations, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 163, 120546 (2020)

  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)