Research

Main topics

• Energy efficiency in building heating and cooling
• Heat exchangers, energy recovery
• Microfluidics
• Acoustic streaming

Micro- to mini-fluidics

Here we use active or passive process intensification techniques to enhance heat and mass transfer. For active techniques, we associate vibration (mechanical, acoustic or ultrasonic) sources to special flow channels (with sharp edges, bubbles…) to generate strong streaming flow. For passive process intensification, we have developped a patented flexible heat exchanger made of polymer.

When two close drops on a plate are under vibration, they could merge if the frequency is well adjusted. This also depends on the wetting properties, as well as the sizes of the two drops.

Below is a video showing how we enhance drop merging by mechanical vibration:

At acoustic frequencies, about several kHz, we can generate strong acoustic streaming around a sharp edge:

And this can strongly enhance mass transfer such as in mixing application (sound driven micromixer):

Energy system modeling and optimization

to come…

Soft heat exchangers

to come…