Thermofluid Dynamics in Nanospace

Understanding and controlling "mass transport in nanospace"

Nanomaterials (Carbon nanotubes, Graphene, Graphite, hBN, etc.) / Intercalation / Superionic conductors / Heat transport calculations

The unique hollow structure of carbon nanotubes offer possibility for quasi-one-dimensional mass transport of fluids using the interior. This can be applied for filter membranes (separation, purification and desalination), gas chromatography, templates for synthesizing new 1-D materials, etc. A challenge is to understand the mass transport in nanospace that can be very different from continuum theories. We are also dedicated to advancing the controllability of heat transport in nanomaterials. Our approach involves utilizing specific materials in which mass transport takes place in a solid phase while introducing fluidic guest molecules within the layer space of two-dimensional materials like graphene and h-BN. By studying phonon scattering induced by mass transport in these confined nanospaces, we aim to develop a novel theory that bridges the gap between heat transport in solids and liquids.

Schematic representing an example of a system under study of thermofluid dynamics in nanospace
Fabricated nanospaces in hBN layer and trapped water inside
Fluidic molecules at between graphene layers

Related Publications

  1. Yoshimitsu Itoh, Shuo Chen, Ryota Hirahara, Takeshi Konda, Tsubasa Aoki, Takumi Ueda, Ichio Shimada, James J Cannon, Cheng Shao, Junichiro Shiomi, Kazuhito V Tabata, Hiroyuki Noji, Kohei Sato, Takuzo Aida, “Ultrafast water permeation through nanochannels with a densely fluorous interior surface”, Science 376 (6594), 738-743 (2022). [https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abd0966]

  2. Cheng Shao, Wee-Liat Ong, Junichiro Shiomi, Alan JH McGaughey, Nanoconfinement between Graphene Walls Suppresses the Near-Wall Diffusion of the Ionic Liquid [BMIM][PF6], The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 125, 4527-4535 (2021). [https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c02562]

  3. Shih-Wei Hung, Junichiro Shiomi, “Dynamic wetting of nanodroplets on smooth and patterned Graphene-Coated Surface”, Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 122, 8423-8429 (2018). [https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jpcc.8b01344]

  4. Scott N. Schiffres, Sivasankaran Harish, Shigeo Maruyama, Junichiro Shiomi, Jonathan A. Malen, “Tunable electrical and thermal transport in ice-templated multi–layer graphene nanocomposites through freezing rate control”, ACS Nano, Vol. 7, 11183–11189 (2013). [http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/nn404935m]