Thermal Transport Processes

Description

The Thermal Transport Processes program supports engineering research aimed at gaining a basic understanding of the microscopic and macroscopic levels of thermal transport phenomena (heat and mass transfer) underlying energy conversion and conservation, the synthesis and processing of materials, cooling and heating of infrastructure and equipment, the interaction of industrial processes with the environment, the propulsion of air and land-based vehicles, and thermal phenomena in biological and environmental systems.  The program supports fundamental research and engineering education in transport processes that are driven by thermal gradients, and their manipulation to achieve engineering goals.  This engineering science forms an important part of the intellectual infrastructure of a wide array of modern technologies.

Basic research in convection heat and mass transfer with and without phase change, heat and mass transfer at nano- and molecular scales, radiative transport, and the fundamental characterization of material properties important to these processes are especially relevant to this program.  Priority is given to innovative, insightful investigations of fundamental problems with broad engineering and societal applications and to novel use of heat and mass transfer principles to meet the engineering needs of the nation.

Examples of critical fundamental areas include, but are not limited to:

• Thermal transport in energy conversion and conservation processes, including environmental interactions, is vital to reduce the nation’s dependence on petroleum
• Heat and mass transfer at length and/or time scales from the molecular to the continuum, is a subject of continuing importance to energy conversion and conservation, biotechnology, microelectronics, and biochemical detection
• The fundamental understanding of the interaction of energetic beams, such as produced by lasers, with solid, liquid or porous surfaces is vital to the evolution of advanced meso-, micro- and nano-manufacturing techniques

Available Funds

The duration of unsolicited awards is generally one to three years.  The average annual award size for the program is $90,000.  Small equipment proposals up to $100,000 will also be considered and may be submitted during these windows.  Any proposal received outside the announced dates will be returned without review.

Key Dates

Deadline:  September 15, 2009  -  at 5:00 pm submitter's local time.

More Info + Submissions

Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Expires: September 15, 2009

Submissions for this opportunity are not handled by RI STAC or RI EPSCoR. Please follow the link below for more information on the opportunity and how to submit a response.

›› More Info  or  Submit a Response