Abstract
The meniscus region of a thin film is known to have high heat transfer properties due to high evaporation rates and activation of latent heat. The region known as the thin film meniscus (δfilm lt& 2 µm ) can account for more than half of the total heat transfer of a droplet or film. This study focuses on the potential elongation and curvature amplification of the thin film meniscus region by the implementation of a layer of high hydrogen bonding (hydrogel) film on which the liquid meniscus is built. Forced wetting via liquid propagation though this hydrogel layer in the radial direction increases the surface area of the film. By analyzing the mass flux of liquid lost through evaporation and using both spectroscopic and optical methods to obtain the curvature of the film, relationships between hydrogel thickness and the resulting mass flux were made. Isothermal and steady state assumptions were used to relate hydrogel thickness layers to meniscus curvature, evaporative mass flux, and overall heat transfer coefficients. The experimental results demonstrate, that steady state conditions are achievable with small percentage change in film profile over time. These results are promising toward the addition of the hydrogel coatings and further advancements in heat piping and high heat flux cooling systems for micro electronic devices.
Notes
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Graduation Date
2017
Semester
Spring
Advisor
Putnam, Shawn
Degree
Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering (M.S.A.E.)
College
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Degree Program
Aerospace Engineering; Thermofluid Aerodynamic Systems
Format
application/pdf
Identifier
CFE0006634
URL
http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0006634
Language
English
Release Date
May 2018
Length of Campus-only Access
1 year
Access Status
Masters Thesis (Open Access)
STARS Citation
Owens, James, "Characteristics of Hydrogel-Wetted Thin Films" (2017). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 5479.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd/5479