We have developed a general framework for mesoscopic particle based transport simulations of flow and heat transfer in multicomponent fluids. This framework, based on the dissipative particle dynamics approach, accounts for important contributions to the dynamic response not accessible at the typical length and time scales used in molecular dynamics simulations. These contributions include hydrodynamic coupling between the fluid and the suspended phase and thermal fluctuations at mesoscopic scales.

We have recently begun a new project whose goal is to investigate phase change heat transfer enhancement at surfaces with nanometer-scale patterns. To do this, we are establishing new multiscale simulation approaches to enable 'visualization' of boiling processes at an unprecedented level of spatial detail. The target application of this project is thermal management of high heat flux electronics.