Welcome!

In this research group, our focus lies on understanding the interplay of fluid dynamics and heat transfer of droplets and other multi-phase systems. Practical applications of interest are additive manufacturing, phase change heat transfer for thermal management and thermal storage, and droplet interactions with biological systems. To fundamentally study these thermal-fluidic interactions, we combine multiple experimental techniques, such as high-speed optical and infrared (IR) imaging, interferometry, confocal fluorescence microscopy, and conventional heat transfer measurements.

Current projects include the characterization of melt pool dynamics during metallic 3D printing, dropwise condensation heat transfer on lubricant-infused surfaces (LIS), droplet impact and heat transfer dynamics on various engineered surfaces, and the development of a thermal heat switch. For more information on projects, please see here.

Patty receives AFOSR YIP award

Patty receives AFOSR YIP award

Patty received a 3-year AFOSR (Air Force) YIP award on the topic “Laser-based additive manufacturing of compositionally graded polyether ether ketone (PEEK) nano-composites“. For more information, see here (AFOSR) or here (McKelvey).
We welcome six new lab members

We welcome six new lab members

We have six new lab members join this Fall: Minrak (PhD), Ruikang (MS), Alejandro, Lilly, Mark, and Ranch (UGs) – WELCOME!!! Also welcome back to Abenezer and Kiersten!
4 lab members presenting at ASME SHTC

4 lab members presenting at ASME SHTC

Four lab members, including 1st year PhD student Kiersten, recently graduated undergraduate Steve, former PhD student Jianxing, and PI Patty, gave oral presentations at this year’s ASME Summer Heat Transfer Conference, which was held in Washington DC. Congratulations on a successful conference!
Abenezer presents at µFIP 2023

Abenezer presents at µFIP 2023

Abenezer presented his first conference poster at this year’s 3rd micro Flow and Interfacial Phenomena (µFIP) Conference, which was held at Northwestern University. Congratulations!
5 summer students join lab

5 summer students join lab

This summer, 5 undergraduate students are conducting a summer internship in our lab. A big welcome to Andres Grajales, Jaime De Mora, Steve Park, Josh Towns, and Varad Sardeshpande!
Hooding Ceremony

Hooding Ceremony

Jianxing and Junhui came back for their hooding as part of the 2023 Commencement Ceremonies. It was so good to have them back on campus!

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