Thermofluids and Energy Lab

Welcome

Dr. Xili Duan is leading a research team on Interfacial Thermal Fluids and Energy in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Memorial University. We conduct fundamental research in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer, with applications in energy systems. We have particular interests in phase change heat transfer (such as boiling, freezing and melting), multiphase flow (including nanofluids), and thermal hydraulic dynamics at the solid-liquid interface. The applications include thermal (including solar thermal) energy conversion and storage, thermal management, oil-water-gas separation,drag reduction for pipelines and marine vessels, as well as icing protection in harsh environment.

Covid-19 Considerations

To keep safe and healthy, please follow guidlines provided by health officials. Wash your hands, and wear a mask!

Openings

We always look for motivated students with strong background in thermal fluids to join our team. For Master and PhD studies please check the School of Graduate Studies website for admission requirements and application. Normally we only admit candidates who meet the SGS funding requirements (Level A, GPA > 80%). Preference will be given to students with thermal fluid research experience and previous publication records. Our research requires skills in experimentation, analytical or numerical modeling on heat transfer, multiphase flow, and interfacial phenomina. The experimental tools we use include contact angle instrument, rheometer, PIV, LDV, infrared thermometry. The numerical tools include Ansys Fluent and CFX,and Lattice Boltzmann methods. Interested candidates please send CV in PDF format to Dr. Duan. Note that only selected candicates will be contacted for an interview. Please don't send multiple inquiries .

NEW Openings: Several graduate student positions (PhD and MEng) are now open for May or September 2024 start: (1) coupled aero-hydro-dynamics of offshore structures; (2) heat transfer and thermal degradation of insulation materials around a high temperature gas pipe; (3) system integration and energy economics analysis of a wind-powered heat generator; (4) hydrodynamics and accoustics of marine vessel propellers with advanced coating.

News

The 2024 CSME International Congress will be held along with the CFD 2024 Conference at the University of Toronto, May 26-29, 2024. As a part of the conference, the Symposium on Advanced Energy Systems provides a unique platform to share knowledge advancements, cutting-edge research and innovative industrial applications among researchers and industry experts. Researchers in the field of energy systems (conventional and renewable) are invited to submit an abstract or full-length paper of their work for presentation at the conference. The deadline for submission is January 9, 2024. More details are provided in the attached call for papers.

January 2024. Congratulations to Navid for finishing his MEng program and starting a professional job in Toronto!

December 2023. Congratulations to Dr. Duan for receiving Faculty of Engineering Research Excellence Award!

November 2023. Ahmed published his research of "wettability effects of curved superhydrophobic surfaces on drag reduction in Taylor-Couette flows of water and oil" on the Journal of Fluids Engineering.

October 2023. Congratulations to Rida for finishing his PhD program!

October 2023. Congratulations to Dr. Duan for being selected to Stanford University’s Top 2% Scientists List.

September 2023, Dr. Duan and Dr. Pope is collaborating with the Ocean Industry on a research project to develop "A Robust Framework for Frequency Domain Analysis of Floating Wind Turbines Fully Integrated with Mooring Analysis".