Nanofluids exhibit significant enhancement in thermal conductivity, but the inability to mass-produce them and their low long-term stability might preclude practical application.
A researcher at the University of Maryland has shown that the thermal conductivity of FC-72 is found to be increased by up to 52% for a modified nano fluid having a radius 9.8nm. Such nano fluids can be mass-produced and possess long-term stability. The development of nanoemulsion fluids open up a new direction for studies in engineered heat transfer fluids.
Tetradecafluoro-n-hexane, FC-72 is thermally and chemically stable, compatible with sensitive materials, nonflammable, practically nontoxic and leaves essentially no residue upon evaporation. FC-72 has zero ozone depletion potential. The material is exempt from the U.S. Environmental Protection Act and most State definitions of a volatile organic compound (VOC), and does not contribute to ground-level smog formation. This unique combination of properties makes FC-72 ideal for many electronic applications.
The techniques are not limited to FC-72.
For more information please contact Jim Poulos at 301 403 2711 ext 20 or by e-mail at jpoulos@umd.edu.
