Nano-scale heat transfer
ME-469 / 4 credits
Teacher: Tagliabue Giulia
Language: English
Withdrawal: It is not allowed to withdraw from this subject after the registration deadline.
Summary
Micro/nano systems are at the core of numerous established and emerging technologies. This course focuses on the microscopic description of heat transfer and energy conversion. It shows how classical physics laws emerge at larger scales and what unique behaviors are observed at the nanoscale.
Content
Part I: Fundamentals (6 weeks)
In the first part of the course we introduce the theory to understand heat transfer and energy conversion at the nanoscale.
1. Energy states
- From classical to quantum harmonic oscillators: material waves and energy quantization (wave-particle duality)
- Energy states in solids (Band structure of crystals, Phonons, Density of states)
- Fundamentals of statistical thermodynamics
2. Energy Transport
- Energy transfer by waves (reflection/transmission and tunneling, energy and momentum of electromagnetic fields)
- Particle description of transport processes (Fourier's law, Newton's shear stress and Ohm's law)
Part II: Size Effects (3 weeks)
In the second part of the course we study the effect of device miniaturization on heat transfer and energy conversion.
3. Classical Size Effects
- Transport parallel and perpendicular to boundaries
- From diffusive to ballistic transport
4. Energy Conversion:
- Carrier scattering, generation and recombination
- Coupled transport and non-equilibrium processes
Part III: Nanostructures for Energy Conversion Devices (5 weeks)
In the third part of the course, starting from recent literature results, we analyze the functioning of selected state-of-the art systems and emerging concepts for energy conversion devices.
5. Thermoelectric devices & materials
6. Nanophotonic Engineering
- radiative heat transfer
- plasmonic photocatalysis
- thermoplasmonics
7. Liquids and Interfaces
- size effects on phase change
- electrokinetic effects in nanochannels
- hydrovoltaic devices
Keywords
Heat transfer, nanoscale systems, energy conversion
Learning Prerequisites
Important concepts to start the course
Fourier's law, Newton's shear stresses and Ohm's law
Wave equation (will be revised)
Classification of materials
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
- Explain and apply the concepts of heat transfer at the nanoscale (E3)
- Describe and explain the particle VS wave picture of energy transport processes
- Analyze the energy transport regimes of an energy conversion device
- Analyze and characterize a light-energy conversion device
- Assess / Evaluate literature reports of state-of-the-art energy conversion devices
Assessment methods
Theory assessed with mid-term written exam
Group project/presentation including literature review
Resources
Bibliography
Gang Chen; 2005
https://library.epfl.ch/beast?record=ebi01_prod004956565
Ressources en bibliothèque
In the programs
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
- Subject examined: Nano-scale heat transfer
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Project: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
- Subject examined: Nano-scale heat transfer
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Project: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Semester: Spring
- Exam form: During the semester (summer session)
- Subject examined: Nano-scale heat transfer
- Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
- Project: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
Reference week
Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | |
8-9 | |||||
9-10 | |||||
10-11 | |||||
11-12 | |||||
12-13 | |||||
13-14 | |||||
14-15 | |||||
15-16 | |||||
16-17 | |||||
17-18 | |||||
18-19 | |||||
19-20 | |||||
20-21 | |||||
21-22 |
Légendes:
Lecture
Exercise, TP
Project, other