KEYWORD |
Atomistic modelling biomimetic nanostructured interfaces for improved thermal dissipation
Thesis in external company
Thesis abroad
keywords FRICTION, HEAT TRANSFER, MOLECULAR DYNAMICS, NANOTECHNOLOGY, WATER
Reference persons MATTEO FASANO
External reference persons Prof. Samy Merabia (Univ. Lyon 1)
Research Groups Multi-Scale Modeling Laboratory – SMaLL (www.polito.it/small)
Thesis type MODELING AND SIMULATION, RESEARCH, INNOVATIVE
Description Managing heat dissipation at nano-scales is critical to prevent computers and smartphones from overheating. Within these devices, the heat is evacuated from the circuits to a refrigerant liquid. To delay the boiling crisis that leads to catastrophic heating, it is necessary to maximize the thermal resistance at solid/liquid interfaces. Recently, based on atomistic simulations, we propose an innovative solution to increase this resistance: insert graphene sheets between a metallic nanostructure and water. Graphene makes it possible to achieve a robust suspended state (known as Fakir state), which, by minimizing the thermal contact between the nanostructure and the water, dramatically increases the thermal resistance. In the frame of this internship, we intend to reach even improved thermal dissipation by finding inspiration in nature.
The student will investigate the thermal transport properties of graphene coated nanostructures between gold and water inspired by biomimetic superhydrophobic and superhydrophilic interfaces as well. Molecular dynamics (MD) and ab-initio DFT calculations will be employed to build machine-learning potentials to model the interfaces, and compute local heat flux and thermal resistance.
See also internship_offer_biomimetism_ilm.pdf
Required skills Thermodynamics, modelling, coding
Notes Internship available with thesis at the Lyon University 1.
Deadline 14/12/2025
PROPONI LA TUA CANDIDATURA