09-10-2010, 04:51 PM
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NANOFLUID TECHNOLOGY: CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE RESEARCH
Stephen U.-S. Choi
Energy Technology Division
Argonne National LaboratoV
Argonne, IL 60439
ABSTRACT
Downscaling or miniaturization has been a recent major trend in modern science and
technology. Engineers now fabricate microscale devices such as microchannel heat exchangers,
and micropumps that are the size of dust specks. Further major advances would be obtained if
the coolant flowing in the microchannels were to contain nanoscale particles to enhance heat
transfer. Nanofh.dd technology will thus be an emerging and exciting technology of the 21st
century.
This paper gives a brief history of the Advanced Fluids Program at Argonne National
Laboratory (ANL), discusses the concept of nanofluids, and provides an overview of the R&D
program at ANL on the production, property characterizatio~ and peflormance of nanofluids. It
also describes examples of potential applications and benefits of nanofluids. Finally, future
research on the fimdamentals and applications of nanofluids is addressed.