About Us
Our lab, Modeling of Complex Thermal Systems, models systems in which heat transfer plays an important role. The goal is to understand and predict system behavior, and often to optimize performance. Usually, the thermal aspects of these systems are coupled with other physical phenomena, such as mechanical or electrical behavior. Our modeling tools range from analytical solutions, to custom-built programs, to commercial software; we use whatever is best suited to the nature and complexity of the problem. While our focus is primarily on modeling, we conduct simple experiments or collaborate with experimentalists to ensure the validity of our models.
Current research on such topics as solar thermal energy storage, thermal modeling of plasmonic nanolithography, and thermal energy harvesting is detailed under Research. Past research in the lab has addressed such topics as shape memory alloys, thermal aspects of grinding and cutting, superconducting devices, and hyperbolic heat conduction.