Abstract
The infused lubricant on lubricant infused surfaces (LISs) creates the ideal properties for heat transfer condensation due to its chemically homogenous and atomically flat surface. The purpose of this independent study project was to continue the research on lubricant-infused surfaces to find the optimal oil film thickness for condensation. The optimal oil film thickness is determined by its water transfer rate, with reasonable thermal resistance and high droplet mobility to achieve high heat transfer performance. A lot of time was spent designing, building, and testing the vacuum chamber where this experiment will be conducted. The vacuum chamber will take in water vapor from the vapor generator and the vacuum pump will remove any noncondensable gases from the chamber and also decrease the saturation pressure and temperature within the vacuum chamber, causing condensation at lower temperatures. Cooling water will be transferred into the chamber from an external source through the cold plate that will hold the LIS samples, and the condensation on the LIS samples will be observed through the observation window using a camera placed outside of the chamber. We finished all the setup and initial testing, but due to time constraints, the actual experiment itself has been delayed. Next steps include making final modifications on the vacuum chamber and conducting condensation experiments within the vacuum chamber to find the optimal oil film thickness. This experiment will help optimize the conditions for the condensation of water droplets.
Document Type
Final Report
Class Name
Mechanical Engineering and Material Sciences Independent Study
Date of Submission
12-14-2021
Recommended Citation
Lee, Wonsang; Sun, Jianxing; and Weisensee, Patricia, "Water Droplet Condensation on Lubricant-Infused Surfaces in a Vacuum Chamber" (2021). Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Independent Study. 157.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/mems500/157