System and method for enhanced heat transfer using nanoporous textured surfaces

Abstract

A system and method for performing heat dissipation is disclosed that includes contacting a heat transfer liquid with a heat exchange surface having raised hydrophilic nanoporous nanostructures disposed adjacent a central core upon a substrate. The heat transfer liquid forms a preselected contact angle when placed on the heat exchange surface. The raised nanoporous nanostructures define channels, interconnected pathways, and voids within the nanoporous nanostructures. The nanoporous nanostructures have additional surface irregularities upon the nanostructures themselves. The nanostructures are preferably formed by depositing metal oxides or other materials upon a substrate using a Microreactor Assisted Nanomaterial Deposition (MAND) process.

1 . A system for heat transfer, comprising:
 a heat transfer liquid; and   a heat exchange surface having raised hydrophilic nanoporous nanostructures disposed adjacent a central core upon a substrate whereby said heat transfer liquid forms a preselected contact angle when placed on said heat exchange surface.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said raised nanoporous nanostructures define channels or interconnected pathways within said nanoporous nanostructures. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said nanoporous nanostructures comprise a metal oxide. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein said metal oxide material is ZnO. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein said substrate comprises Cu. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said raised nanoporous nanostructures comprise vanes centrally arranged around said central core. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said raised nanoporous nanostructures extend at least 10 nm above said substrate. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said heat exchange surface yields a critical heat flux value of at least about 63 W/cm 2 . 
     
     
         9 . A method for heat transfer, characterized by the step of:
 contacting a transfer liquid with a dissipative surface having raised hydrophilic nanoporous nanostructures disposed proximate a central core upon a substrate;   whereby said transfer liquid forms a preselected contact angle with said dissipative surface.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said nanoporous nanostructures include a member selected from the group consisting of: Cu, Ni, Au, Ag, Pt, Sn, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said substrate contains a material selected from the group consisting of: Cu, Ni, Si, Ti, Al, AlN, stainless steel, inconel alloys, carbon-copper composites, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said nanoporous nanostructures define channels or interconnected pathways within said nanoporous nanostructures. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said nanoporous nanostructures comprise a metal oxide. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said nanoporous nanostructures comprise ZnO. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said nanoporous nanostructures comprise NiO. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said substrate contains a material selected from the group consisting essentially of Cu and Al. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said raised nanoporous nanostructures are flower-like structures having vanes that are centrally arranged around said central core. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said nanoporous nanostructures extend at least 10 nm above said substrate. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein water forms a contact angle of between 15° and 25° when placed on said surface that maximizes critical heat flux thereon. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein said critical heat flux is at least about 63 W/cm 2 .