Heat transfer is a vital part of temperature regulation in modern engineering systems. In this study, we used dielectrophoresis to alter the thermal conductivity of a gold colloidal solution. Polydimethylsiloxane chamber was used to house 3.96 microliters of gold suspension in between two metallic electrodes. In the experimental setup, one electrode was attached to a DC heater and the other was attached to a water/ice heat sink. Using gold microparticles suspended in water at 1% volume ratio, RTDs recorded the temperature on each electrode to determine the change over time. We tested combinations of air, water, deionized water and gold suspension. The results note there is only a .061 °C difference in temperature when the particles align on electric field.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Gasvoda, Hudson L.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-051820-205816

Advisor

• Sabuncu, Ahmet Can

Year

• 2020

Date created

• 2020-05-18

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright