Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year. (2017-2018 to 2018-2019)

Nanofluids are suspensions of nano-sized particles, which can change the chemical, physical, and thermalx000D
properties of base fluids significantly. With small concentrations of nanoparticles, nanofluids can have severalx000D
useful applications for drilling fluids and lubricant technologies. The supporting company designs andx000D
manufactures cost-effective and multi-functional nanoparticles, which currently are used for oil and gas drillingx000D
fluids to reduce both drilling mud losses and fluid friction. Recent studies have shown that heat transferx000D
performance of processes involving heating/cooling fluids can be enhanced by using nanofluids instead. Tox000D
increase the functionality of the nanofluids produced, this program addresses the heat transfer problems andx000D
applications of nanofluids. Several parameters such as volume fraction, shape, dimensions, and fluid propertiesx000D
can affect heat transport enhancement. We will thus experimentally measure wetting, rheological, and thermalx000D
properties of the nanofluids to understand the interplay of these parameters. The expected results will lead tox000D
optimal designs of nanofluids with enhanced heat transport properties, which can be beneficial forx000D
high-performance and cost-effective heat exchangers and heating fluids.