Laboratory
Research
Joint researchNEWS
We are pleased to announce that the Special Lecture will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
Date & Time: September 29, 2026 (Fri) 10:00–11:00
Venue: Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Building 1, Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University, and Online (Hybrid: Google Meet)
https://meet.google.com/xnc-vhkr-qjr
Lecturer:
James S. Cotton
Professor, McMaster University, Canada
Lecture Title:
Electrohydrodynamic heat transfer in phase change materials – Collaboration with Institute of Fluid Science
Abstract:
Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) offers a powerful means of enhancing and actively controlling solid-liquid phase-change heat transfer. Applied electric fields generate electroconvection that thins thermal boundary layers, accelerates melting, and can induce solid extraction, in which dendritic material is drawn from the mushy zone into the liquid phase. Experiments have demonstrated local heat-transfer enhancement approaching 8.6-fold and reductions in total melting time of nearly 40%. Schlieren velocimetry has revealed coherent EHD jets and provides a non-intrusive means of quantifying the resulting flow and thermal-boundary-layer transport. Particular attention is given to the distinction between conventional charge injection and field-enhanced dissociation. Charge injection relies on ions generated at electrode surfaces, whereas low-frequency alternating-current dissociation produces reversible ionic motion within the dielectric fluid, potentially reducing electrode-driven chemical degradation while generating directed transport toward the melt interface. These mechanisms create new opportunities for electrically tunable, high-performance phase-change thermal energy storage.
Program (PDF file)
*This special lecture is supported by the Collaborative Research Project (J26I085), Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University.
We sincerely look forward to your participation.
[Contact]
Takehiko Sato
Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University
Tel: 022-217-5320
E-mail: takehiko.sato.d7*tohoku.ac.jp
(Please change * to @.)
Date & Time: September 29, 2026 (Fri) 10:00–11:00
Venue: Meeting Room, 2nd Floor, Building 1, Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University, and Online (Hybrid: Google Meet)
https://meet.google.com/xnc-vhkr-qjr
Lecturer:
James S. Cotton
Professor, McMaster University, Canada
Lecture Title:
Electrohydrodynamic heat transfer in phase change materials – Collaboration with Institute of Fluid Science
Abstract:
Electrohydrodynamics (EHD) offers a powerful means of enhancing and actively controlling solid-liquid phase-change heat transfer. Applied electric fields generate electroconvection that thins thermal boundary layers, accelerates melting, and can induce solid extraction, in which dendritic material is drawn from the mushy zone into the liquid phase. Experiments have demonstrated local heat-transfer enhancement approaching 8.6-fold and reductions in total melting time of nearly 40%. Schlieren velocimetry has revealed coherent EHD jets and provides a non-intrusive means of quantifying the resulting flow and thermal-boundary-layer transport. Particular attention is given to the distinction between conventional charge injection and field-enhanced dissociation. Charge injection relies on ions generated at electrode surfaces, whereas low-frequency alternating-current dissociation produces reversible ionic motion within the dielectric fluid, potentially reducing electrode-driven chemical degradation while generating directed transport toward the melt interface. These mechanisms create new opportunities for electrically tunable, high-performance phase-change thermal energy storage.
Program (PDF file)
*This special lecture is supported by the Collaborative Research Project (J26I085), Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University.
We sincerely look forward to your participation.
[Contact]
Takehiko Sato
Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University
Tel: 022-217-5320
E-mail: takehiko.sato.d7*tohoku.ac.jp
(Please change * to @.)