Dear Doctor,

You can read the following paper to get a good idea about the application:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319445996_Enhancement_Heat_Transfer_of_Cu-Water_Nanofluids_with_Thermophysical_Properties_Modeling_by_Artificial_Neural_Network?_iepl%5BviewId%5D=xqJ0X85H98FfQiZkqt1YMEqtzBEZVnfQRK12&_iepl%5Bcontexts%5D%5B0%5D=prfhpi&_iepl%5Bdata%5D%5BstandardItemCount%5D=2&_iepl%5Bdata%5D%5BuserSelectedItemCount%5D=2&_iepl%5Bdata%5D%5BtopHighlightCount%5D=1&_iepl%5Bdata%5D%5BstandardItemIndex%5D=1&_iepl%5Bdata%5D%5BstandardItem1of2%5D=1&_iepl%5BtargetEntityId%5D=PB%3A319445996&_iepl%5BinteractionType%5D=publicationTitle

Best regards.

Some companies are producing nanofluid based computer coolants such as

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/15033/ex-liq-203/Ice_Dragon_Cooling_Nanofluid_Coolant_White_Color_-_32oz.html

Thank you.

Stabilized nanofluids can be used in single phase heat exchanger, heat pipes, condensers, etc.  Studies on nucleate boiling heat transfer with nanofluids has been undertaken by a few.  It can be used in cutting, grinding and other manufacturing processes to act as a coolant and enhance surface finish.  Nanoparticles dispersed in oils are useful to reduce wear and tear of moving components.  Thus, nanoparticles and nanofluids have wide applications in real life.  The important criterion are stability, pH and nanoparticle properties.

Dear professor, but are you aware of actually implementing these in real-life? Something like a product that is already on the market? I saw something on computers, like Cooler Zalman Reserator 3 Max Dual and a liquid for cooling (Ice Dragon). But, I am not aware of something else at this moment.

There are some applications with super hydrophobic nano coatings such as self cleaning paints and nano textiles. I've already seen shoes with that kind of coating. But as far as i know this technology is still very expensive for production.

Hi Alina, 

According to the attached file, it is stated that '' Nanofluid, a simple product of nanotechnology has become a topic of attraction due to its extraordinary heat transfer performance in various areas including cooling, power generation, defense, nuclear, space, microelectronics and biomedical appliances.''  

I hope that the attached file contains some answer ...

In addition to above, nano fluids can be act as good absorbent of hear which can be used in solar energy  plant to collect more energy then conventional method ,so that one can enhance the efficiency of cells .

these fluids may be used as coolant  in  radiators by which we can avoid to frequent replacement of coolant  .

it may also be used in drug delivery system .

these fluids are more efficient to absorb heavy metals in the water so it act as filters  .

Dear Doctor,

You can read the following paper to get a good idea about the application:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319445996_Enhancement_Heat_Transfer_of_Cu-Water_Nanofluids_with_Thermophysical_Properties_Modeling_by_Artificial_Neural_Network?_iepl%5BviewId%5D=xqJ0X85H98FfQiZkqt1YMEqtzBEZVnfQRK12&_iepl%5Bcontexts%5D%5B0%5D=prfhpi&_iepl%5Bdata%5D%5BstandardItemCount%5D=2&_iepl%5Bdata%5D%5BuserSelectedItemCount%5D=2&_iepl%5Bdata%5D%5BtopHighlightCount%5D=1&_iepl%5Bdata%5D%5BstandardItemIndex%5D=1&_iepl%5Bdata%5D%5BstandardItem1of2%5D=1&_iepl%5BtargetEntityId%5D=PB%3A319445996&_iepl%5BinteractionType%5D=publicationTitle

Best regards.

Thank you. I am aware of applications, I need to find out if there are actually implemented in the industry as products on the market.

I agree!

I have designed and manufactured heat pipes using nanofluids applied to some military equipment. They have been used for the last 3~5 years and continue to perform according to the projects' requirements. The heat pipes are already a product with TRL=8.

Thanks Prof. for opening this conversation. @ Rasikh Tariq It baffles me that only few products are presently available on the market after 30 years of intensive research. The question here is does nanofluids deserve all the devotion or it is just a research hype?

One of the most important challenges of nanofluids is the scale-up capacity. I have not seen some real-life applications that used large capacity of nanofluids, that mean it has been just used for small capacity applications or with compact heat exchange systems. I think efforts should be focus on the economic aspect to overcome this issue.

There are no real life applications due to production cost of nanomaterial. I think stability is not the most challenging problem to overcome because many industries with turbulent flow. It is evident that many nanomaterials can be obtained by low cost methods but lower thermal conductivity hinders industrial applications.

The best solution is graphene nanosheets. Graphene synthesize by relatively abundant material graphite and its thermal conductivity higher than 3000. Other that that nanosheet may effective higher than nanoparticles. There should be many papers related to nanofluid containing graphene nanolayers boost applications of nanofluid.

I agree with Dilan before that , nanofluid became task for researchers since a decade . real time uses of it can be seen in solar energy tubes applications and majority applications are under trail. by changing the shape of the nanoparticle, there is a possibility for enhancing thermal conductivity.

I think Dr. Nathani is right about the changing shape may increase thermal conductivity, but in order to attract large scale industry we need to find the best solution for them.

When we select nanomaterial we need to consider following points

1. Nanoparticles synthesize process should be low cost.

2. Relatively abundant nanomaterial.

3. Higher thermal conductivity

Shall we compare graphene and Aluminium oxide

1. Nanoparticles synthesize process should be low cost.

Aluminium oxide can be obtained by chemical process so that it is low cost method. Graphene nanolayers synthesize by shear exfoliation of liquid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZfBIQIKz9Q&t=1s

2. Relatively abundant nanomaterial.

Aluminium oxide nanomaterial is aluminium and it is abundant and graphene from graphite that also relatively abundant nanomateriel.

3. Higher thermal conductivity

Aluminium oxide thermal conductivity 75 W/mk and graphene 3000W/mk.

In order to achieve overall thermal conductivity of nanofluid contain graphene nanosheet we have to add huge volume fraction of Aluminium oxide that would increase pumping power requirement.

If we compare carbon nanotube (thermal conductivity 3000-5000W/mk) and graphene 3000W/mk third point is okay but first and second points it fails dramatically.

I think this would clear doubt about why we dont have nanofluid in industrial applications. If we say something to industry it should be cost effective.

Thank you!

Hi Alina,

We have heat pipes and pulsating heat pipes with nanofluids as final products (TRL=8) already installed and operating in several radars and military radios. They are "ready to order" items with operation warranty of 10 years.

Let me know if you need any further information.

Regards,

Roger

Thank you, Roger!!!

Nano fluids are utilized in manufacturing of aircraft elements for hardening machining process. Now a days ice dragon nano fluids are introduced to reduce the thermal conductivity and reduce the surface roughness.