Molecular dynamics study on effects of surface structures in nanometer scale on energy transfer from fluid to surface

Abstract

Energy transfer from fluid to surface was calculated numerically by using the classical molecular dynamics method in order to investigate the effects of surface structures from 0.1 nm to 10 nm on surface energy transfer. Surface structures on a constant surface area were composed of several hundred atoms having various potential energy parameters, in other words, thermal properties. The upper region in the calculation domain was controlled at a constant temperature and one of the solid atomic layers at the lower region in the calculation domain was controlled at another constant temperature to create a temperature gradient in the calculation system. Energy transfer to the surface was very dependent on surface nanometer scale structures in that affected the static structure and the dynamic behaviors of fluid molecules in the vicinity of the surface. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 34(3): 171–179, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience. wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.20055