Novel polymer nanocomposite for electric field-responsive solid-state thermal switch
Project Description
A thermal switch is a functional device that changes its thermal conductance in response to changes in thermal loading, helping maintain a target device or system within desired temperature ranges which are highly useful for thermal management in electronics, vehicles, and buildings. When a target device exceeds a critical temperature, the switch turns on and dissipates heat to a cold surface and vice versa. Electric field responsive polymer composites that exhibit mechanical motion/shape change or solid-state thermal conductivity variation are especially promising for such applications due to the convenience of the electric control as a reversible method for regulating thermal transport, as well as the scalability of such materials for realizing thermal switches. This project aims to develop polymer based composite materials that demonstrate modulable thermal conductivity characteristics under the action of electric fields. With nanoscale engineering of the structure and composition, these materials will be implemented in the design of thermal management devices to obtain reversible high-contrast solid-state with a high stability and rapid response.
Supervisor
ZHENG Qiye
Quota
2
Course type
UROP1000
UROP1100
UROP2100
UROP3100
UROP3200
UROP4100
Applicant's Roles
1. Working with RPG students, the applicant will participate in basic polymer synthesis, composite preparation, and component 3D printing experiments.
2. The applicant will assist in the physical and chemical property testing of polymers across the phase transition through standard experimental approaches.
3. Under the supervision of the RPG student and the advisor, the applicant will participate in finite element-based device design (e.g., COMSOL) and construction of the thermal switches to complete the project.
Applicant's Learning Objectives
1. The applicant will master skills in literature retrieval and reading;
2. The applicant will learn about the basic chemical synthesis, manufacturing, and heat transfer processes;
3. The applicant will improve experimental design abilities and hands-on skills.
2. The applicant will learn about the basic chemical synthesis, manufacturing, and heat transfer processes;
3. The applicant will improve experimental design abilities and hands-on skills.
Complexity of the project
Moderate