Flow Physics and Thermal Transport at Superhydrophobic Walls

Daniel Maynes, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Brigham Young University

Superhydrophobic (SH) surfaces consist of the combination of nano- or microscopic surface patterning with a hydrophobic coating. Such surfaces dramatically alter the interfacial dynamics between liquid and solid phases and subsequently yield flow physics and thermal transport behavior that is markedly different from a traditional smooth hydrophilic surface. Liquid in contact with a SH surface wets only a fraction of the solid surface, provided the pressure is not too high. Subsequently, large reductions in the overall  flow  resistance  can  be  achieved  and  apparent  velocity  and  temperature discontinuities exist at the plane of the surface.  This presentation will address the flow dynamics (in laminar and turbulent flow regimes) and thermal transport associated with liquid interacting with SH surfaces.  We will consider droplets, either impinging or at rest, liquid jets impinging normally on SH surfaces, and completely submerged surfaces in both  laminar  and  turbulent  flow  regimes.  The  influence  on  the  overall  flow  and convective thermal transport characteristics will be explored in terms of the important dimensionless parameters. 

Professor Maynes is a Professor and the Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University where he has been on the faculty since 1997.  He received his Ph.D. from the University of Utah, where, prior to his appointment at BYU he was a post-doctoral research professor and instructor.  He received the B.S. and M.S. degrees  in  Mechanical  Engineering  from  Utah  State  University  in  1992  and  1993, respectively. Other  experience  includes  employment  with  the  Space  Dynamics Laboratory  and  Argonne  National  Laboratory.  He  has  published  extensively  on the research he has directed, being an author on over 150 scientific papers and presentations. During his time at BYU he has advised 34 graduate students and has directed over five million dollars in externally sponsored research contracts and grants. At BYU he has received numerous Department and College teaching and research awards.