Micro- and Nano-scale Measurement Methods for Phase Change Heat Transfer on Planar and Structured Surfaces

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent experimental methods for high-resolution measurement and visualization of phase change heat transfer at micro- and nano-scales, highlighting advances in diagnostic tools and future prospects.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive survey of cutting-edge measurement techniques for phase change heat transfer on planar and structured surfaces, emphasizing recent technological progress.

Findings

Enhanced visualization of bubble dynamics during boiling

High-resolution temperature and heat flux measurements

Probing vapor formation kinetics at molecular layers

Abstract

In this opinion piece, we discuss recent advances in experimental methods for characterizing phase change heat transfer. We begin with a survey of techniques for high-resolution measurements of temperature and heat flux at the solid surface and in the working fluid. Next, we focus on diagnostic tools for boiling heat transfer and describe techniques for visualizing the temperature and velocity fields, as well as measurements at the single bubble level. Finally, we discuss techniques to probe the kinetics of vapor formation within a few molecular layers of the interface. We conclude with our outlook for future progress in experimental methods for phase change heat transfer.