Airflow and Heat Transfer
Computer equipment is characterized by multi-scale geometries involving highly
three-dimensional unsteady flows and heat transfer through complex passages.
Continuing technological advances in the manufacture, performance and
reliability of this equipment require an improved understanding and
management of thermofluids phenomena. For example, reduced track widths
and magnetic head air bearing thicknesses have drastically increased the
importance of flow-related phenomena in disk drives.
Research Areas
- Optically-based velocity measurement techniques
- Computational flow and heat transfer
- Development of synergistic (computational/experimental) research
methodologies
- Optimization of therofluids performance in computer equipment
Research Facilities
- Subsonic flow wind tunnel and water flow rig
- Dedicated rotating disks flow apparatus admitting two-way ventilation
and the insertion of obstructions
- Laser-Doppler velocimeter and associated instrumentation
- RS/6000 and DEC Alpha Workstations
Faculty
