Special Issues

Microscale Heat and Mass Transfer and Efficient Energy Conversion

Submission Deadline: 30 September 2025 (closed) View: 1930 Submit to Journal

Guest Editors

Dr. Mu Du

Email: dumu@sdu.edu.cn

Affiliation: Institute for Advanced Technology, Shandong University, China

Homepage: 

Research Interests: radiation transfer, renewable energy, micro-nano scale heat transfer, radiative cooling, energy saving, aerogel

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Dr. Xiaoping Yang

Email: yxping@xjtu.edu.cn

Affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, China

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Research Interests: boiling, evaporation and condensation heat transfer enhancement in passive heat transfer devices such as loop heat pipe and vapor chamber, flow boiling in microchannel heat sink

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Dr. Dong Niu

Emailniudong@dlmu.edu.cn 

Affiliation: Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering College, Dalian Maritime University, China

Homepage: 

Research Interests: heat and mass transfer for intelligent responsive hydrogels, condensation heat transfer enhancement, anti-icing and de-icing for marine vessels, molecular dynamics simulations

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Dr. Mingyang Yang

Email: myyang@xauat.edu.cn 

Affiliation: Faculty of Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, China

Homepage: 

Research Interests: nanoporous materials, heat and mass transfer, molecular dynamics simulation, energy safety and storage

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Summary

In the context of global efforts to enhance energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, microscale and nanoscale heat and mass transfer have emerged as pivotal areas of research. The unique characteristics of heat and mass transfer at these small scales open up new possibilities for innovation across various sectors, including energy, environment, and healthcare. By exploring these phenomena at the micro and nano levels, researchers can develop more efficient and effective solutions for energy conversion, thermal management, and advanced material applications.


This Special Issue focuses on the cutting-edge advancements in microscale and nanoscale heat and mass transfer, emphasizing the role of these processes in porous materials, energy storage, energy conversion, renewable energy, and nanostructured systems. The ability to manipulate heat and mass transfer at these scales is critical for optimizing the performance and efficiency of a wide range of technologies.

 

· Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

· Microscale and Nanoscale Heat and Mass Transfer

· Porous Materials

· Energy Storage and Conversion

· Mirco-nanostructures

· Renewable energy Application

 

We invite contributions from theoretical, experimental, and numerical studies that advance the understanding of microscale and nanoscale heat and mass transfer. This Special Issue aims to highlight groundbreaking research that reveals the complexities of heat and mass transfer at small scales and demonstrates how these principles can be harnessed to achieve more energy-efficient, sustainable, and innovative solutions across various industries.


Keywords

Microscale and Nanoscale Heat and Mass Transfer, Porous Materials, Energy Storage and Conversion, Nanostructures, Renewable energy Applications

Published Papers


  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Numerical Analysis of Non-Uniform Pollutant Distribution in an Internal Space of Tank and the Efficacy of an Active Purification Strategy

    Xiaolong Li, Hui Chen, Yingwen Liu, Peng Yang
    Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2025.070537
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Microscale Heat and Mass Transfer and Efficient Energy Conversion)
    Abstract Hazardous gas intrusion in tightly sealed and geometrically complex confined spaces, such as armored tanks, poses a critical threat to occupant health. The intricate internal structure of these systems may lead to non-intuitive pollutant transport pathways. However, the spatial and temporal evolution of these structures, as well as the intrinsic mechanisms of the purification systems, remain poorly elucidated. In this study, a high-fidelity, transient three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to simulate the leakage and dispersion of carbon monoxide (CO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) using the RNG k-ε turbulence model. Scenarios with and without… More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Surface Wettability and Boiling Heat Transfer Enhancement in Microchannels Using Graphene Nanoplatelet and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube Coatings

    Ghinwa Al Mimar, Natrah Kamaruzaman, Kamil Talib Alkhateeb
    Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2025.070118
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Microscale Heat and Mass Transfer and Efficient Energy Conversion)
    Abstract The pivotal role microchannels play in the thermal management of electronic components has, in recent decades, prompted extensive research into methods for enhancing their heat transfer performance. Among these methods, surface wettability modification was found to be highly effective owing to its significant influence on boiling dynamics and heat transfer mechanisms. In this study, we modified surface wettability using a nanocomposite coating composed of graphene nano plate (GNPs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and then examined how the modification affected the transfer of boiling heat in microchannels. The resultant heat transfer coefficients for hydrophilic and… More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    A Simulation Study on Heat Transfer of a Three-Layer Contact Structure under Ultrahigh Heat Flux Considering Thermal Contact Resistance

    Xingjie Ren, Jianrong Zhang, Qingfeng Tang, Heng Zhang, Yaling Zhang
    Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.23, No.3, pp. 881-897, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2025.066302
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Microscale Heat and Mass Transfer and Efficient Energy Conversion)
    Abstract This paper investigates interfacial heat transfer characteristics in a multi-layer structure under ultra-high heat flux conditions, focusing on thermal contact resistance (TCR) between adjacent layers. A three-layer computational model with dual rough interfaces was developed to systematically analyze the synergistic effects of interfacial pressure, surface emissivity, and thermal interface materials (TIMs). Surface reconstruction using experimental measurement data generated two representative roughness models to quantify the impact of surface roughness on heat dissipation. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the absence of TIMs leads to insufficient thermal dissipation capacity under ultra-high heat flux conditions. Compared to TIM application, More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Interaction between R1336mzz(Z) and POE Lubricants

    Haoyuan Jing, Zhongye Wu, Xiaoyang Jiang, Qingfen Ma
    Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.23, No.2, pp. 463-478, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2025.061750
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Microscale Heat and Mass Transfer and Efficient Energy Conversion)
    Abstract In the organic Rankine cycle, the refrigerant inevitably interacts with the lubricating oil. This study investigates the interaction mechanism between the fourth-generation refrigerant R1336mzz(Z) and the polyol ester (POE) which is a representative component of the lubricating oil, using molecular dynamics simulations. The research focuses on pentaerythritol ester (PEC) with medium to long chain lengths, specifically PEC9. Relevant parameters such as solubility parameters, diffusion coefficients, binding energies, and radial distribution functions were calculated to elucidate the interaction dynamics. The variation in solubility parameters suggests that the miscibility of PEC9 and R1336mzz(Z) diminishes as the number More >

    Graphic Abstract

    Molecular Dynamics Simulation of the Interaction between R1336mzz(Z) and POE Lubricants

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Heat Transfer Characterization of TPMS Heat Exchangers Applied to the Aerospace Field

    Nan Li, Miao Wang, Jingwen Zhao, Kechun Sun, Cheng Bi, Mu Du, Ersheng You, Mingyang Yang
    Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.23, No.2, pp. 601-614, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2025.061192
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Microscale Heat and Mass Transfer and Efficient Energy Conversion)
    Abstract In exploring hypersonic propulsion, precooler combined engines require the development of lightweight, efficient, and compact heat exchangers (HX). As additive manufacturing technology continues to progress, triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) structures, characterized by exceptionally high surface area to volume ratios and intricate geometric structures, have demonstrated superior heat transfer performance. This research examines the thermal-hydraulic (TH) behavior of FKS and Diamond as heat transfer structures under different Reynolds numbers through numerical simulations. The Nusselt number for FKS is 13.2%–17.6% higher than Diamond, while the friction factor for FKS is approximately 18.8%–29.3% higher. A detailed analysis More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Modification and Experimental Verification of the Performance Improvement of Domestic Dehumidifiers

    Xin Qi, Xingtao Shi, Yingwen Liu
    Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.22, No.6, pp. 1661-1678, 2024, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2024.058959
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Microscale Heat and Mass Transfer and Efficient Energy Conversion)
    Abstract After optimizing the compressor design, condenser tube diameter, and tube row arrangement, air supply volumetric flow rate, and refrigerant charge of the domestic dehumidifier. The optimized design schemes were obtained from the original combinations by non-dominated sorting, and the optimized design schemes were experimentally verified under three environmental conditions according to the test method of T/CAS 342-2020 to obtain a complete idea of dehumidifier multi-component improvement. The results show that the dehumidifying capacity of Scheme 5 is slightly increased by 2.5% at 27°C/60% RH, and its energy factor is significantly increased by 24.6%. When the… More >

  • Open Access

    ARTICLE

    Molecular Dynamics Study on Hydrothermal Response of PNIPAM: From Single Chain to Cross-Linked Polymer

    Xianzhi Chen, Dong Niu, Hongtao Gao, Mu Du
    Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.22, No.6, pp. 1743-1760, 2024, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2024.058274
    (This article belongs to the Special Issue: Microscale Heat and Mass Transfer and Efficient Energy Conversion)
    Abstract Thermosensitive hydrogel can integrate vapor molecular capture, in-situ liquefaction, and thermal-induced water release for freshwater capture. This study aimed to examine the dynamic behavior of poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) single chain and cross-linking thermosensitive hydrogel through molecular dynamics simulation. Specifically, the impact of lower critical solution temperature (LCST) on the conformation of polymer chain and the interaction between water and polymer chain were also investigated. The polymer chain conformation underwent a transition from coil to globule when the temperature exceeded the LCST, indicating the temperature responsiveness of PNIPAM. Additionally, thermosensitive hydrogel samples with different cross-linking degrees (DOC) More >

    Graphic Abstract

    Molecular Dynamics Study on Hydrothermal Response of PNIPAM: From Single Chain to Cross-Linked Polymer

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