Plasmonic Nanoparticle Laden Medium for Solar/Thermal Energy Storage

dc.contributor.advisorBayazitoglu, Yildizen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberDick, Andrewen_US
dc.contributor.committeeMemberVajtai, Roberten_US
dc.creatorTullius, Toni Kathleenen_US
dc.date.accessioned2016-01-27T17:44:20Zen_US
dc.date.available2016-01-27T17:44:20Zen_US
dc.date.created2015-12en_US
dc.date.issued2015-08-13en_US
dc.date.submittedDecember 2015en_US
dc.date.updated2016-01-27T17:44:21Zen_US
dc.description.abstractNanofluids have become a popular way of increasing the efficiency in solar energy applications and enhancing the thermophysical properties of the fluid. This thesis contributes to the field of solar energy utilization by two distinct projects. The first part is a thermal analysis involving a single plasmonic nanoparticle, exposed to radiation, in a solid medium that undergoes phase change creating a liquid film around the particle. The temperature profiles for the particle, film, and solid medium are analyzed. It is shown that the larger particle heats faster, developing a smaller surrounding film; however, the integrity of the smaller particle will stay intact for longer. Compromise between the thermal resistance at the interface of the particle and film as well as the absorption from radiation in order to determine the proper particle type, size, and medium is studied. The effect of the inclusion of the particle/film interface resistance is clarified. In the second part of the thesis, a nanofluid mixture containing two or more different types of plasmonic nanoparticles, based on the absorption of the particles when exposed to radiation, is optimized. Because of the tunable plasmonic properties of metallic nanoparticles and the many possible variables to consider, two different optimization techniques were used in order to determining the correct recipe of nanoparticles submerged in water for a given temperature in order to get the maximum absorption. This contribution will help to determine which particle mixture would be required when exposed to radiation depending on the particular set of particles, size of particles, height of the container, concentration, and incident temperature.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen_US
dc.identifier.citationTullius, Toni Kathleen. "Plasmonic Nanoparticle Laden Medium for Solar/Thermal Energy Storage." (2015) Diss., Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/88179">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/88179</a>.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/88179en_US
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.en_US
dc.subjectHybrid Nanofluiden_US
dc.subjectRadiationen_US
dc.subjectSolar Energyen_US
dc.subjectPlasmonicsen_US
dc.subjectPhase Changeen_US
dc.titlePlasmonic Nanoparticle Laden Medium for Solar/Thermal Energy Storageen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dc.type.materialTexten_US
thesis.degree.departmentMechanical Engineeringen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineeringen_US
thesis.degree.grantorRice Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelDoctoralen_US
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen_US
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